PERSONAL SHOPPER TIPS: GUIDE TO PLANNING YOUR SEASONAL SHOPPING

As a new season is welcomed, this may mean you need to head to the shops to get essentials for your wardrobe. Seasonal shopping is something many of us do as our wardrobes require a refresh, past pieces no longer serve us, or we want a new piece to love for the season!

While this can be fun for many, heading to the shops can also mean expensive trips that may not result in the most economical results. I am all for shopping, but shopping effectively is where my passion lies.

With sustainability so important for our environment, investing in pieces that last for years rather than one season, is something we all need to be mindful of. With that in mind, if you want to add new pieces to your wardrobe for the new season, here is my guide to seasonal shopping and how to make the best use of your budget.

Know your budget

Talking of budget, this is one of the most important things to know when you go shopping at any time of year. Understanding what you want to invest in your wardrobe during the shopping trip, whether in person or online, will help you navigate the shopping experience. It will also remove any feelings of guilt that can come from an overspend when shopping (you’re not alone if you feel this!), and make it a more enjoyable experience.

Know your wardrobe requirements

Something I always start with when having a Personal Shopping experience with any of my clients is understanding what they already have in their wardrobes. Once we know what we already have, we can then get to see what we may want or need to add to them.

For example, if you have plenty of beautiful summer dresses that you want to use into the Autumn and Winter, you may need to invest in hosiery, long-sleeved tops to go under the dress, or even thermal vests that cannot be seen but keep you warm. Other pieces may be cardigans, jumpers, or long-sleeved dresses for the cooler months. Whereas if you are going into Spring/Summer you may need lighter options like a bolero, linens, and undergarments for comfort when not wearing tights.

Go through your wardrobe as the seasons begin to change, so you can clear out any unwearable garments for the coming season, and look at outfit opportunities within what you already have, and where the holes may lie.

Play with trends (that suit your style!)

I love new trends for each season, but sometimes we can get excited about a trend that truly won’t serve our personal style. We end up buying trendy garments, that we wear once and never again. Knowing the trends that you feel will work within your wardrobe and personal style will mean they can be worn over and over, and taken into future years – because they work for your style.

Invest in the seasonal essentials

Depending on the new season you are welcoming, there are some essentials you will need for your wardrobe. For Autumn, for example, there are some pieces you’ll want to add to your wardrobe if you haven’t already got them from the previous year.

Consider the place you live, and these essentials may change. For example, in the UK, while we may welcome Summer with open arms, this doesn’t mean our jumpers, tights, and boots need to go into storage! Whereas in Italy, we tend to only keep a few light layers in our wardrobe for the summer for cooler evenings.

Play with the seasonal colours

With a new season comes seasonal colours – Autumn with its falling leaves, Spring with new blossoms, Summer with strong colours all around, and Winter with it’s bright and fresh colourings. These colours can inspire your seasonal shopping. Pick and choose from your colour wheel to add colours from the season ahead to create new outfits with just a change of colour. For example, as we approach Autumn you may want to add reds or deep hues through your accessories. Find some beautiful boots that are in the season’s colours, that also keep you warmer on the cooler days.

If you are going shopping for the new season, I hope this guide has helped to prepare you. If you want someone there to support you and guide you through the shopping process, please get in touch.

PERSONAL SHOPPER ADVICE: DO NOT WASH!?

I bet this is something that happened to most of you at least once in your lifetime, buying a nice garment and then finding this "funny" symbol on its care label the minute before putting it into the washing machine:

For those of you don't know it yet, let me introduce you the "do not wash" symbol.

I came up with the idea of this article after I had a personal shopping tour with a client. She was in love with a white coat, determined to buy it, and I was even encouraging her because it suited her very much; but right before going to the till to pay for it I asked her to check the care label and, guess what!? the "funny" symbol was there!  

Now...can you imagine a white coat?

Pure, clear, magnetic.... just for one day probably!

It could become greyish in a snap just by touching something or leaning the elbows somewhere; not to mention the chance of getting it stained by eating or drinking something (and if you wear it for your nights out there is a high chance for it to happen).

So, what options did she have? Apparently two : buy it but leave it hanging in the closet, well preserved in its packaging, waiting for a very special occasion, or leave it in the shop. My clients, following my suggestion, choose option 2. A coat is quite an expensive piece of apparel, even in the high street chain shops, so she wisely thought it wasn't worth spending money on it. 

But, honestly, this is not fair; when it happens that we like a garment and it also really suits and enhances us, we should be free to buy it! 

I really wish to say something to all the apparel companies : probably they don't know it but a garment needs to be washed, If not right after we bought it, at least once we've worn it.

The problem is I've worked for several fashion companies in the past, because I used to be product developer and fashion designer before being an image consultant, and I know how it works. I can't and don't want to generalize, but most of the time companies simply prefer to avoid risks - by putting a "do not wash" symbol on a care label they prevent complains related to the washing/care of a garment. This is an easy and convenient option for them, not as convenient for their customer actually.

Let me tell you something : there is no fabric that cannot be washed! And in case it really exists it shouldn't be used to produce clothes (am I wrong?!). Obviously I'm not telling you to wash everything that has that symbol on its care label, I cannot guarantee that your garments can be really washed, there are many factors to be considered (for example if there are beads, delicate embroideries or any kind of embellishment on it) but I can tell you that as long as it's plain and the fabric is silk, viscose, cotton, linen, rayon, polyester, nylon and even wool, you can hand wash it or do a delicate and proper washing machine program; and if it's leather, a coat or a down jacket you can have it dry cleaned at the laundry. 

I've also got several garments that apparently cannot be washed, most of them are high quality brands and quite expensive, and I noticed this detail too late, but I decided to run the risk : I washed them! And you know what? The outcome was unbelievably perfect.

This is another reason why I'm writing these few words : now as in the past, when I was on the brands' side, I hate that customers are cheated! 

Take my words just as a warning but do what you really think is best for your clothes and act according to your ideas.

I just want to give you a warm advice for next time you go shopping for clothes : before buying a garment don't just look at the price tag, also check the care label and if you see the "do not wash" symbol leave it where it is, possibly explaining your reasons to the sales assistants. Your money is valuable, spend it wisely and avoid surprises!

This is, in fact, something I help my clients with during their personal shopping experiences with me. With my background in fashion I know well fabrics and how to treat them.