People are doing a lot of shopping on-line, so it makes sense to review some of the basics, before you hit the “checkout” button.

Before Shopping

• Look good and feel good so the clothing looks good on you.
• To make the most of your shopping experience, have a plan!
• Before you leave your home, grab any merchandise returns, store credits, and gift certificates.
• Wear easy on / easy off clothing and shoes; if you’re buying a gown, bring your own heels – don’t approximate; if you need a strapless bra or pantyhose, bring them along.
• On average, people spend between 5-10% of their net income on clothing. Therefore, make decisions that will stand the test of time. Classic, well-made clothing stands the test of time.
• Assess your lifestyle and buy for that lifestyle. If you’ve changed, so should the style of clothing that you buy. If you’re still wearing the same clothing you did a decade ago, then you are probably missing something.
• Remember, fashion is fleeting, but style is forever.
• Make a list of your favorite colors, fabrics and styles before you begin to shop.
  There are exceptions, but comfort is just as important as fashion.

Shopping At Holiday Time

While Shopping

• Find a salesperson that you like, tell them that you’re going to buy, but that you need service and attention.
• Spend 15-20 minutes on the sales floor to round up all possible winners – even if that means that you collect 15-20 pieces – before heading to the dressing room. Ask the salesperson to hand you in 5 garments at a time. This will reduce the amount of return trips to the sales floor and increase the percentage of winners.
• Look at the big picture when you shop for clothing; how to wear, care for, clean and store a garment for its entire life.
• Buy clothing that fits your current body.
• Buy clothing that looks great in the store, looks great at home 72 hours later, and stop buying “maybes.”
• If you can’t resist a “passionate purchase,” use the 48 hour rule. If you pass up the item and you still want it 48 hours later, it’s probably a good investment.
• Have a quality standard for all clothing — from bargain basement to designer boutique — and make sure that the clothing meets this standard.
• Read all care labels and content labels before you buy.
• When you shop, ask yourself, “Is this fabric well-suited for me and for what I do? Will it wear well? Can this fabric be washed at home or will it need professional drycleaning?”
• A bargain is only a bargain when quality is part of the package.
• Before you reach the cash register, hang the garment, spin it around, and spend two minutes to do the 6-Point Quality Check™; zippers, hooks, hems, seams, snags/stains, and buttons.
• Always ask for extra buttons because 3 months later it will be too late to get more!
• Always ask the salesperson for a quality hanger (wide plastic or wood) for your new purchase and be sure to keep your garments on quality hangers whenever possible. Or purchase high-quality hangers from Clothingdoctor.com
• If you find something that you like and you can afford to buy more than one, in more than one color, do it!
• Always beware of piping and trims made from leather, suede, vinyl. Check the care label and think about eventual washing and drycleaning.
• If you want to keep your white clothing white, make sure that these garments can be washed and drycleaned.
• When buying outerwear and clothing with buckles, hooks, clasps and zippers, be sure to closely check the quality of these accoutrements.