Don’t we all simply love to shop? Heck, if I could, I’d go shopping all day, everyday! I realized that if I get organised and do a little planning before my trip, it’ll be a pleasant ride all along! Here’s a little shopping guide to ensure you’ll have an easy and fun shopping experience.

Before you leave home:

Go through your wardrobe thoroughly first and work out what you need. You must ensure what pieces you already have and what you are lacking of so that you do not end up wasting your cash on stuff that you’ll never use.

Research the latest fashions magazines or read emmagem (winks) to work out what you like to get and make a list of the items that you want or need to avoid impulse buying.

Plan out how much money you intend to spend and stick to it. It’s never a good thing to get into debt because of shopping.

Think of which mall you want to go to and which shops to start off with. You’ll be amazed at how much more simple it is when you have a plan, instead of just wandering around, back and forth.

Keep your menstrual cycle in mind before you plan to go shopping. Remember you may be bloated the week before your period, which would affect the fit of your clothes. You also don’t want to end up with crazy fashion purchases during PMS, which is well-known to happen.

What to wear:

When going shopping, try to avoid wearing make-up. You risk getting it all over the clothes you’re trying on…and worse still if you have to end up paying for them!

Wear a comfy top that you can slip on and off easily. You’ll spend less time in the changing room fiddling with the unnecessary.

Pick out the right innerwear when you go shopping. Nothing colourful and lacy, stick to basic black or nude that’s seamless. A strapless bra with a g-string or thong would be perfect.

The best bet for your bottom half would be a loose skirt or pants. If you plan to wear pants, make sure they can be removed without taking off your shoes as this will save you a lot more time.

Most importantly, you will be on your feet the whole day so your shoes must be flat and comfortable. Try flip-flops or slip-on trainers as they can be taken off and put on easily.

What to take:

If you really do need a second opinion, do take along a friend who is honest and has a good sense of style. You want to be hearing the truth not just what you’d like to hear!

Don’t forget a bottle of water to keep you going through the day.

If you’re one of those that can’t leave the house without make-up, then take a long an old scarf to tuck around the clothes as you’re trying them on to avoid the big blunder of smearing all over.

A large size tote or backpack will come in handy for carrying your essentials as well as some of your purchases

Before you buy:

Try to buy fad items (things that will only be in for a season or two) as cheaply as possible and spend a little more on classic items that last longer like jeans or white shirts.

If the item you’d like to get doesn’t go with anything that you already have in your wardrobe, it’s probably not a good idea to buy it!

When you’re trying the clothes on, have a good bend, stretch and squat in it to make sure that it fits right and importantly you must feel comfortable in them.

Even if you’ve been walking around, shopping the whole day, don’t buy something just for the sake of buying. You’ll only regret it.

Short of cash?

Accessorizing is a good way to update and spice up your look.

You can also thrift for clothes at bazaars or online stores that sell pre-loved items or better still DIY your clothes!

Just get artistic with your existing items and you’ll be surprised at what you can come up with. Jazz up plain tank tops with ribbons, buttons or beads, reconstruct t-shirts and make them into a skirt or even turn your old jeans into a rugged little mini. The possibilities are endless.

Remember that you get to show-off your personality from the way you dress up. So make sure you get creative and flaunt your own unique style.

Picture Credits to Flickr:

• Main pic: tinou bao
• zopeuse
• blackbiscuits
• jtyerse
• absolut xman
• Stampest
• billaday
• ヘザー heza
• ‘smil
• Sew Ripped
• michaelgoodin

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