The REAL Reason Women Hate Shopping (and how you can learn to love it!)

I talk with a lot of women and often I’m surprised by what I hear.  In our conversations women often divulge their biggest challenges and frustrations when it comes to fashion and I’ve heard more times than I can count from women who simply hate to shop.  Now hate is a strong word that I don’t like to use, however sometimes it’s exactly the right word to describe the frustration and disgust that women feel upon leaving a store – or even entering one.

Why does this happen so often?  Well, I have a very good reason and the good news is that there is  a very easy solution.  Quite simply, women are overwhelmed when they go shopping.  They know they need new clothes so they set out to go to the mall or a local boutique.  They look around, can’t find anything that appeals to them, and leave soon thereafter with nothing new in hand – or another pair of black pants.  Has this happened to you? 

Shopping can be fun.  In fact, I love to shop, whether for clothing, accessories or even food (I love Farmer’s Markets!).  But there have been many times in the past when I didn’t enjoy shopping.  What changed for me?  Well, aside from the fact that I am a fashionista at heart, here are my best tips that made shopping so much easier for me – and how you can even learn to love it!

1/ Personal Discovery – If you don’t know what your personal attributes are, then how can you know how to dress?  Sure, you can just grab any old thing off the rack, but it’s not going to feel right nor will it make you look your best.  Taking time out to discover your personal coloring, your face shape, your body type and your personal scale will go a LONG way towards helping you determine what’s right for you and how to put together an outfit, no matter how simple, that takes your look to the next level.  Working with a professional is a great investment to help you understand what you need and how to wear it for years to come, while eliminating frustration and stress.  Contact me to set up a Find Your Style Inquiry session and learn how I can help you to dress for who you truly are, in all aspects of your life.  Michele@onechicmama.com or 919-828-7529.  Because you’re worth it!  Ask for my ‘love of shopping’ discount and save $50 off any package.

2/ What’s Your Style – After you uncover your physical attributes, then you want to get to the core of who you are and what’s important to you.  After all, you can pick any dress off the rack but finding the one that makes you feel more like you is like striking gold!  My StyleFinder™ System was created to help you determine exactly what is important to you in your style, and to help you create a look that’s right for you whether you’re working or just working in the yard.  Connecting with your personal style can help you feel more like yourself in all you do and makes it easy to know what to look for.  Plus, once you understand it you’ll get that you NEVER have to sacrifice style for comfort. 

3/ What’s Your Lifestyle – Look at what you do in any given week and that generally determines your lifestyle and how you should be dressing.  If you spend most of your days in your home office and attending networking events and meetings then an upscale casual mode of dress will be what you reach for most often and where you get the most mileage.  Spend the bulk of your budget on what you’ll wear the most and buy only items that give you maximum versatility.  You’ll make it easy peasy and dressing will be come a joy, not a chore.

4/ Know What You Have – Take stock of your closet and what you already own.  Then ask yourself what you can bring in to make new outfits.  When you are familiar with what is already in your closet, then making the most of it becomes easy.  Create your shopping list and do your homework BEFORE you hit the stores and see how much more simple it is to find something that you love!

5/ Wear What You Love – Nobody gets very excited about putting on clothes that are just ok.  When you have the choice, why not put on something that makes your heart sing rather than something you can’t stand to look at again.  If you feel that way about anything in your closet, ditch it quick!  It’s bringing you down and will not help you to boost your style – or your mood.

6/ Do Your Homework – What do you WANT to wear?  What styles are you drawn to?  What does your perfect outfit look like? When you get clear on what kind of look you really want to create then it becomes easy to find items that will help you to do just that.  When you don’t have any idea what you’re looking for and you wait for inspiration to strike once you’re in the store, that’s when you’re most likely to make costly mistakes, or leave the store in tears.  Know yourself, know what you want and learn how to put it together to make you look fabulous – and happy!

Learning to love shopping may seem like a lofty goal but it is possible.  I’ve worked with many clients who have gone from hating shopping to loving it because they know what to look for.  Take yourself through these steps (or call me and I’ll help) and you’ll save yourself tons of time, frustration and money because you’ll know what to buy and how to create a wardrobe that works for you. 

Good luck! 

xo