Shopping Guide: How To Shop Without Getting Overwhelmed
You have to go shopping, but you’re absolutely dreading it. Why? Because you’re getting overwhelmed just by thinking about it. If that’s you, keep reading. I’m giving you the ultimate shopping guide to help you learn how to shop without getting overwhelmed.
How To Shop Without Getting Overwhelmed
Has this ever happened to you?
You realize it’s time to go shopping. You go to the mall or to the stores you like, and you immediately get overwhelmed. There are so many options, you don’t know what to look for, you feel like you’ll never go through all of it, and you start panicking. You know you need so many things, but you don’t even know where to begin.
So, you start going through the store, randomly looking at items, grabbing some things that you think look cute, and you buy a thing or two.
When you get home, you realize you didn’t actually get the things you need, and you bought some random items that look exactly like the things you already own.
If that’s something that happens to you way more often than you’d like, then this is the shopping guide for you.
The Ultimate Shopping Guide
As an expert personal fashion stylist, I work with clients who face the same struggles as you do. Shopping overwhelms them, and even though they like the idea of it, it never ends up going according to the plan.
So, I’m going to teach you the method I personally use when shopping for myself and for my clients, and the method I teach my clients so they’re able to shop with intention for themselves even after we’re done working together.
Spoiler alert: it’s much easier than you think.
The process can be broken down into a few easy steps, so let’s get into it.
Step 1: Inventory time
The first thing you need to do is look through your closet and make an inventory of what you already have. I know, I know - who has time for that?
Well, taking those 30 minutes to an hour to do it will actually save you time (and a headache) in the long run. Why?
Because you’ll be much more efficient when shopping, you’ll actually get the things you need, and you won’t have to go three times to the stores in order to actually have a successful shopping spree, which means you’re saving time. Don’t be a lazy shopper - you’ll thank me later, trust me.
So, take up to an hour to just make a note of the things you have.
I like to do this categorically.
First, look at your tops aka base layers. See how many base layers (plain tanks, tops, basic shirts) you have, and ask yourself if you need more. If the answer is yes, write it down. If the answer is no, continue to the next category. Most of my clients usually find that they do need these base layers, as those are the foundations of lots of different outfits.
Next, look at the bottoms. How many pants do you have? How many jeans do you have? How many skirts do you have? Do you need more? If yes, write down what you need.
Do the same with dresses, jackets, and all other clothing categories, until you know which pieces you actually need more of.
Take into consideration the current time of the year. If the weather is changing from fall to winter, make sure to check if you have enough winter clothes. Maybe you need a new coat, or you don’t have enough quality sweaters.
Then, look at what colors you mostly have in your wardrobe. Do those colors work well together? If the majority of your closet is black, do you want to bring some color into it, or do you want to keep it neutral? Write down your thoughts, as all of that will help you decide what you need to get.
Step 2: Know your weaknesses
Okay, now that you know which pieces you need to get based on what your closet is missing, it’s time to ask yourself what is your biggest struggle when putting together outfits.
Maybe you never know what shoes to wear with your outfits? Or you never know the right pants to wear with your tops?
Once you figure it out, make a note of it, as you will likely need to buy more of that item.
Let’s say, for example, your biggest struggle is never having the right shoes to wear with your outfit. That means you probably need to get more shoes. But which shoes? Ballet flats, comfortable boots, heels, or loafers? Think about some outfits you wore recently, and decide which type of shoe would best go with that outfit, and make a note of it.
Then, decide on the color of shoes you need. Which colors go with the majority of your outfits? Make a note of it.
Of course, shoes were just an example. Maybe you have lots of shoes, but you struggle with finding the right pants for your outfits. Make a note of which clothing piece gives you the biggest struggles when getting dressed, and write down the specifics such as colors or cuts.
Step 3: Make a list
Finally, it’s time to pull it all together and make a shopping list.
Yes, that’s right ladies - shopping lists aren’t just for grocery shopping. You need to have a list of everything you need to get? Why? Well, the same reason you make a grocery list.
If you go to the grocery store without a list, chances are, you’re going to get random ingredients you don’t actually need, and you’ll forget to get the basic stuff you needed for lunch.
Don’t even get me started on Trader Joe's. If I go without a list, and I want to get a new meal prep container, I’m 100% walking out with 5 candles, a pillow, new makeup, and no meal prep container in sight.
So, the same thing happens when you go shopping for clothes.
If you go without a list, you’re going to get overwhelmed because you won’t know where to start, and you’ll end up buying things you already have or things that you don’t need because you don’t have clothes that work well with those pieces.
Moral of the story - make a list.
Use everything you figured out in steps 1 & 2 and make a clear list of the items you need. Write down the specifics such as colors or cuts.
At first, your list doesn’t need to be too long. Put at least 3 things on it.
If you force yourself to buy every single piece of clothing you might possibly need, and you want to make your list 20+ items long, you might get overwhelmed, which is the main thing we’re trying to avoid here.
Side note: if you do write down everything you need, and you realize you basically need an entirely new wardrobe, it’s time to work with a personal stylist.
Step 4: Think about stores
Now that you have a list of everything you need to get, think about which stores you need to go to. If you need lots of shoes, do a little research and find which retailers have quality shoes. If you need jeans, think about brands that are famous for having quality jeans.
If you need a store that unfortunately isn’t close to where you live, don’t stress about it - you can always do some online shopping for those items.
Step 5: Shopping time
Now you’re ready to go shopping.
Go to the stores you picked out (or sit at your laptop and do some online shopping), and look at your list.
The key here is to stick to your list and start looking for items you know you need. If you can’t find beige boots, for example, ask the shopping assistant for some help. That might take some overwhelm out of it.
If you can’t find what you’re looking for, don’t stress - you can always go to another store, or check some retailers online when you get home.
Just keep going through your list, and finding the items you need.
Now that it’s all written out, it doesn’t seem as scary and intimidating, right?
This is the exact process I use when shopping for myself AND when shopping for my clients, so I know it works!
So, the next time you decide to go shopping, follow this simple shopping guide so you can learn how to shop without getting overwhelmed.
If you feel like you’d rather have a professional stylist help you with all of it, as you need someone to do the work for you, you’re in the right place.
I will edit your closet and pick out all of your new clothes, and all you’ll need to do is simply try out the clothes and enjoy the perks of having a wardrobe that perfectly embodies who you are. You’ll be able to pick your daily outfits from your very own digital lookbook and get showered in compliments from complete strangers.