PART
I
Shopping and Awareness 101
The
care of clothing starts the moment you begin to shop. If you think about
the ease of care, stain removal, shrinkage and how you will use the purchase,
before paying at the register, you will make the wisest decisions. You will
also make the best use of your clothing and it will last a long time. Make
sense?
Be a Savvy Shopper: Insights from behind the counter
-
Look good and feel good so the clothing
looks good on you in the store.
-
To make the most of your shopping experience,
have a plan! Should you window shop for blouses and shoes
when you set-out to buy a black two-piece suit?
-
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.
-
Look good and feel good so the clothing
looks good on you in the store.
-
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.
-
Edit your closets and drawers before you
shop. See what holes you have in your wardrobe and fill those
holes.
-
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're 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.
-
Brand names are important, but fit, fabric
and style are much better barometers!
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™; inspect zippers, hooks, hems, seams, shoulder
pads, 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.
-
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 certain to closely check the
quality of these accoutrements.
Clothing
Doctor's Book: The Ultimate Guide to Shopping and Caring for Clothing.
The Clothing Doctor believes that the care of clothing starts
the moment you begin to shop. From Blue Jeans to Ball Gowns ...
He's changing your shopping habits forever! I am very pleased
to write for Lamas Beauty Magazine and Lamas Beauty! I want to welcome
new readers and listeners of The Clothing Doctor. Please do not hesitate
to write me directly with your clothing care and what-to-wear questions!
info@clothingdoctor.com.
For further information on The Clothing Doctor please visit www.clothingdoctor.com.
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