Not all women love clothes shopping. Many women actually suffer from anxiety at the thought of going shopping. They would rather go to the dentist than suffer through trying on clothes that don’t fit right to standing in long lines in stores. For these women shopping can be anything but joyful.

Is this you? You’re a busy woman and want to get in and out of the stores efficiently, right? Thankfully, there are ways to shop smarter and enjoy the process.

Hi, I am Moana Robinson from B Styled for Life, I love helping women look, feel and be their best! Here are my top tips to making shopping fun and finding the right clothes for you:

1. Plan Ahead

Firstly, ask yourself what you need in your wardrobe to look and feel great. Get basics that will go with a range of items already in your closet by buying them in neutral colors. If you are looking for clothing in colours – know your colours. Check what you have in your wardrobe that is working for you and make a list of anywhere that you have “gaps”

  • As a rule, if you are buying neutrals - women with warm skin tones will suit creams, beiges and browns whereas women with cool skin tones will suit whites, blacks and navy. The one that doesn’t suit you will make your skin tone appear more. Look for more of a sallow than skintone with the other shade. Before shopping, know what colours best accentuate your skin, hair and eye colour.
  • If you are looking for basics - know the best style for your body shape.
  • As a rule, if you are wanting to look taller and slimmer - monochromatic colours will bring the eye down the length of the body (so similar colour in tops and bottoms, and shoes also).
  • If you have a strong upper body, add more volume to your lower half by choosing skirts and pants with more material and keep the tops slimmer fitting.
  • If you are narrower at the shoulders and upper half look for tops, shirts, blouses and jackets with more detail at the top.

2. Make a List

Make a list of what you want to buy. Rather than going shopping to “find clothes for summer,” for example or “start my winter wardrobe”, go shopping with a definite goal in mind - knowing you will get two blouses, two skirts, etc. Be specific and focused with your shopping. List the type of garments or accessories you need to purchase, add a description and the time frame for purchase. You may have an event coming up in a few months and can keep an eye out for outfits while you are shopping for more basic items.

3. Additional In-Store Tips

Know which stores sell your style of clothing as it can be distracting if you have too many stores to look at. If shopping is not a favourite pastime, you will get frustrated if you do not achieve your goals quickly. For example:

  • If you love feminine, romantic clothes try Review or Forever New
  • If you love natural, comfortable styles try Country Road or Just Jeans
  • If you love sharp, clean lines and more dramatic styles try Cue, Events or Kookai
  • If you are the sporty type try Cotton on or Sportsgirl
  • If you love classic styles such as pencil skirts, tops and pearls try Laura Ashley or Sportscraft
  • If you are in a hurry and want to see a lot of fashion brands or styles all at once with minimum time spent at the shops, go to a department store like Myer, David Jones or H&M

Distracted while in the store? Return to the original list in your plan and only look for those items. Ask for a shop assistant to point you in the right direction to find those items quickly.

Lastly, if you are after basics and see a top or pair of pants that you really like, which are the right fit, right style and the right colour, buy two of them to save yourself having to look for another similar pair next year. This gives you more time to do what you enjoy doing.

Want your biggest style question answered? Simply email me and if selected we'll write up a whole post to answer your question (don't worry you can stay anonymous).