10 tried and true rules of shopping prep

The art of shopping is not to be taken lightly, if you are not fully equipped for the task at hand you will wither and fade before you can say stilettos. So I am going to share with you my tried and true rules of shopping preparation. Whether you have a specific piece you are looking for or just a day of meandering through countless stores with no objective but to let the scents of jo malone and new frye boots wrap you up like a warm blanket. I use these rules whenever I shop, when I don't, I feel a sneaky hate spiral come on and then I might as well just go home. So without further ado here they are: 

1. Wear nude undergarments. Nothing makes a white dress look worse then when you see your black unmentionables through it. Also wear a normal bra, sports bras do not do ANY shirt justice, except maybe your running mantra clad t-shirt. 

2. Make sure your hair is styled. Im not talking professionally just styled in a way that won't hinder several things going up and over your head. Never wear a bun or a pony tail, you will just have to be redoing it every time you try something on and nothing wastes time like trying to do your hair in the low lit dressing rooms. 

3. Always wear makeup! If you feel tired and ugly not even a Herve Leger is going to snap you out of that funk. Wear light neutral makeup, you want to see what the clothes will be looking like on you on the daily not with full smokey eyes, unless you wear smokey eyes everyday, if so more power to ya! 

4. Wear uncomplicated clothing. Today is not the day to be wearing 54 arm bangles, a belt with 3 buckles and shoes that take more than 3 seconds to take on and off. 

5. Your shopping outfit should consist of:  A. a dark pair of jeans (or your favorite jeans) B. a white undershirt C. a simple light sweater (or shirt with no buttons) in a neutral color, D. slip on flats preferably in nude E. a watch F. a simple necklace. 

6. Bring your spanx, or, my favorite, assests. Dresses and skirts fit differently with them on and if you wear them on the regular this is a must, thankfully the wad up pretty small.

7. Wear a cross body bag. No one wants to carry a purse or have one slip off their shoulders as they are holding 10 hangers worth of jeans. 

8. Bring important accessories. If you have a pair of shoes and need a dress to wear with it or vice versa you need to bring it with you, a picture is not going to do the trick. If you need a pair of jeans to wear with heels you need to bring the heels. You are not going to be able to guesstimate exactly the hight of the shoes standing on your tip toes. 

9. Plan on eating. I know this sounds silly but we are talking about shopping here, shopping makes you tired, eating replenishes you, this is a necessity if you are going out for more than a 3 hour stint. I'm not talking a 10 course meal here, no one likes to try on skinny jeans with a food baby, but a light meal or snack is a must and ALWAYS have water on hand.  

10. Last, but not least, have a list! It's always fun to find random, amazing things but most of us go out shopping with something in mind. If you have a running list on your phone of things you need/are looking for, then when you are standing in the middle of h&m looking at yet another black pleather mini skirt you can keep your eye on the prize and not bring home the same skirt you already have 5 different versions of.