Friday 11 September 2009

Dressing for Sales

In my previous post i mentioned "putting on my op-shopping shoes" which lead to some readers asking me what i meant. Also with their being so many shows and newspaper columns on how to save money, i felt i should write a How to suck eggs piece. If you are going to a sale like the recent sale at Vinnies where you can expect to be fighting the hoards, then there are some things you need to bring, and wear, which will make things go easier for you.

Up-top: wear a few layers and make sure your bottom layer is a thin t-shirt or similar. This way if you want to try on a Shirt / Blouse or Top you do not have to queue for the change-rooms, but you can strip back to your T-shirt in the middle of the shop and try that top on.

Down below: It goes without saying that the change rooms at most sales are not very secure, and mostly are just a curtained off area, so you may be walked in on. Clean undies are a must.
Shoes: On a good day you may be going into the change rooms several times, so you want shoes that you can get on and off easily, so i recommend slip-ons or sandals, and nothing that requires a lacing up. Also if the floor in the change rooms is a little grotty, then you may want to consider a shoe and pants combination, where you can get the pants off, without removing your shoes. Also if you want something to go with a particular pair of heels, then bring them in a bag.

Extras: if you can hide a small bottle of water in your bag, then do so. Epically if you are planning on spending more than two hours shopping. Also if it is a big sale you may have to consider having your own bags so you can cart round your intending buyings. Some places will have shopping baskets, but i was caught out at the Vinnies sale as they did not provide shopping baskets.

If you have any other ideas as to what to wear when op-shopping then post them up here.

4 comments:

JustJess said...

Great tips -- although concerning imagining you with a pair of heels in a bag to try on with pants....!

AMCSviatko said...

Bodysuits used to be great for trying on stuff (for those of you too young to remember they were like leotards with snap fasteners at the crotch) especially when paired with an elastic waist voluminous skirt so you could try trousers on underneath...

Susana said...

I regularly op shop in a black singlet top and matching leggings. Usually under a dress/jumper. I pretty much strip off the top layer the minute I arrive and just walk along trying things on as I go. Makes rehanging clothing easy and makes it a super fast experience/no change room visits. I also totally agree with the slip on shoe comment. I do the same thing.

Great tips. Thankyou. I always forget to pack a bag though... must remember that next time.

Emma Davidson said...

I notice bodysuits are back in fashion thanks to this hideous 80s retro thing. I walked into Sportsgirl last week and thought "hmmm I should have just kept my wardrobe from high school..." and then had this overwhelming urge to go puke...

I also wear thin socks if I go shoe shopping, so I can try on shoes that normally wouldn't require socks without having to take the socks off. And wear the right kind of bra for trying on the style of clothes you're shopping for, otherwise tops won't sit right.