Serious Shopping

From Elegance by Kathleen Tessaro, "Suddenly seized with panic at the idea that she will be the centre of attention, she wonders in anguish, "Whatever shall I wear?"

How many of you have panicked when you realized you had nothing to wear to an important event, and then you shopped and purchased an outfit you've come to regret? Many hands go up! You are not alone. I get called regularly by my Wardrobe Wisdom clients to help them avoid that kind of shopping. What you want in the end is to feel attractive and appropriate, no matter the occasion.

Naturally the first thing to do when you commit to an event or outing, is to consider the dress code. Once you have a handle on what the dress code means (even if it states something bizarre like "cocktail casual"), decide what you would feel comfortable in. Then go into your own closet and look for something appropriate. This may mean wearing something you have and purchasing a top or skirt to go with it or maybe some shoes or accessories. When you shop for the rest of your outfit, be sure to bring the parts you already have with you. That is the only way to make sure your ensemble will truly work.

If you do have nothing appropriate for the event, consider borrowing something from a friend. I am always happy to loan my clothing out to friends, and they are kind enough to take care of and have the item cleaned before returning it.

You can also try renting an item from sites such as Rent the Runway. I have spoken with clients who have had tremendous success with using this service.

Perhaps you do need to buy something entirely new. Lucky you! If you like them, start at consignment stores, as you can often get some fantastic deals on lovely dressy clothes. Then hit places you have done well with in the past. Call those stores beforehand and ask if they have what you are looking for, and have them put it on hold for you to make your shopping experience more efficient.

You can always call me once you determine you need a specific item. One of my favorite things is to shop for special occasion wear. In addition, I'll repeat the little known secret that Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue have personal shoppers that will help you without any obligation on your part to purchase anything.

I have known women who have spent thousands of dollars in a rush to buy something, anything. This rarely leads to wise purchasing but often leads to buyer's remorse. If you simply must purchase something in a hurry, by all means go to a place like H & M or Forever 21. You may not find your dream outfit, but you will not spend a fortune either.