How to shop the sales and stay sane with no buyers remorse !
Shopping the sales can be overwhelming.
Where to start? How to go about it? How to go shopping so you come away with great buys that you LOVE instead of buyer’s remorse and a depleted bank account?
Never fear FiFi is here!
Read on for the the best insider tips and tricks on navigating the sales…
1. THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU NEED IN YOUR WARDROBE BEFORE YOU START SCROLLING .
Work out what’s missing in your wardrobe.
Does your white tee need updating? Are you missing camel pants or an oversized blazer? Desperate for a new chic designer handbag or another updated trench ? ( me!)
Make a list and stick to it.
2. KNOW YOUR STYLE AND WHAT WORKS FOR YOU.
If florals or bright colours are not your thing (hint: they are not – keep away, never versatile!) they will not suddenly look fabulous just because they are half-price.
Scan the store for your colours, then zero in on those pieces.
3. NEVER BUY ANYTHING THAT MIGHT FIT …ONE DAY.
Buy for the size you are right now and what you feel good in. Today.
4. KEEP AN EYE ON WHAT’S COMING NEXT SEASON.
Hunt down trends early. Quite often those pieces are on sale because no one understand or gets the memo.
Scour Instagram, runway reviews, magazines for what’s happening next winter.
You don’t know what’s coming? Don’t worry I do. Keep reading The FiFI Report and you’ll be ahead.
(Sharp shoulders, baggy jeans, bomber jackets, minimalism, slouchy silhouettes, white shoes, flat shoes and big bags!)
5. SHOP EARLY.
If you are VIP with any stores you should get an early alert for their sale. Always save or favorite what you like beforehand so you get what you like as soon as it goes on sale. If you are hitting the stores, throw down a latte and get in early before it gets busy.
6. ALWAYS TRY EVERYTHING ON WITH SHOES whether at home or in store
Shoes change everything, I repeat EVERYTHING, add height and polish and a fashion edge. Hello: You are not going out in bare feet. So why try clothes on like that? Pull on shoes then make a decision whether to keep it or not.
I will insist all my clients/friends put on shoes with every single outfit before we decide if it’s right.
7. DON’T LOOK AT ITEMS AS A SINGLE THING.
Think context. Think outfits. Don’t buy a single outstanding piece just because it looks cute on the model or pretty on the hanger .
Think about how to wear it. What pieces do you own already that will work with it? Can you think of three different ways to wear it? Is it you and your style so fit into your lifestyle ? Does it spark joy and make you feel better about yourself?
If the answer is no…
8. BUY CHEAP, BUY TWICE.
Meaning?
It’s better to spend more on a quality piece and repeat wear it a hundred times than buy a cheaper version that you need to buy again because it falls apart and doesn’t stand the test of time.
9. WHATEVER THE PRICE, GO FOR ‘EXPENSIVE’ FiFi APPROVED COLOURS.
You know the drill: Colours such as chocolate brown, black, navy, grey, caramel, white and camel are all FiFi approved.
They always look expensive but don’t have to be. Totally versatile.
10. STEER AWAY at all costs HOT PINK, FLURO YELLOW AND LIME GREEN.
No, no, and no. Avoid pesky prints, frumpy florals, kooky colours.
Tricky to wear. Hard to style. Aging. Never look expensive unless they are. Look cheap unless they’re not.
11. THINK TRANS-SEASONAL.
Can you wear it in summer and winter? That’s the question I ask myself every time I shop (excluding faux coats and bikinis – especially together!)( haha)
Choose fabrics that can go the distance: lightweight wool, cotton, chiffon and silk, man made is Ok too.
You will get more mileage out of your wardrobe if you can wear pieces from season to season. That would be a camel /black blazer, jeans, tee shirts, a trench coat, a blue shirt and any style of chinos or slouchy pants.
12. CHECK OUT THE VIEW FROM BEHIND.
If you are trying something on at home then make sure you see the back of the outfit before you decide.
You need to know if the dress has sneaky cutouts (!) or if you have bulging bits or anything you may not be comfortable showing. The aim (whatever size you are) is to have a smooth silhouette. You want pieces that skim, not cling. I am an expert at covering the “situation”. Nothing looks chic, elegant or effortless if it’s too tight and shows lumps and bumps.
I should know !
Throw a mirror in your handbag if you’re in the stores. It’s handy.com.
13. REMEMBER, FRIENDS DON’T ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH.
Ask someone you trust for an honest opinion. Like FiFi! Not joking : DM me on instagram if you need help! Or take a photo of yourself if you’re unsure. Always happy to help, in fact I love to know what you are all buying !
14. TRY NOT TO BE WHIPPED INTO A FRENZY.
No more impulse buying. Not good for you or the planet.
If you add to cart, go and get a coffee and look at it again in an hour to decide. Because if in doubt: No.
Buyer’s remorse is not a good thing. What a waste of money and time. The wrinkles will cost more in the long run.
15. AVOID ANYTHING THAT SCREAMS OVER-THE-TOP FARSHUN. NO ONE BOUGHT IT, THAT’S WHY IT’S ON SALE.
I’m talking about a bright, floral, frilly maxi dress with cutouts or red pleather shorts with studs, fringing. You get the idea. They’re for Halloween. No 0ne bought them: I wonder why !
16. REMEMBER WHEN YOU BUY 10 THINGS AT $30 THAT ADDS UP TO $300.
Which is a Prada shoe (ok, a single one!)( the buckle anyway)( haha)
My advice: Keep a running tab on everything you want when shopping online and then add it up. I know scary but worth doing . I have been surprised many times.
Buy one thing you love and delete the silly purchases.
18. DON’T EVER BUY ANYTHING BECAUSE IT’S CHEAP.
Who would ever do that?! Um, er…
Now keep this handy on your phone…and then go forth and shop the sales with your sanity intact !
