"Let the beauty we love be what we do. There are hundreds of ways
to kneel and kiss the ground."—Rumi
Sales Shopping | Rule of Self Expression | First Impressions
Winter Newsletter – The Smart Sale Shopper’s Guide
BE A SMART SALE SHOPPER
Save money, avoid mistakes and be sure the bargain isn’t buying YOU.
A bargain is not what you pay but what you receive . If it's all about the price - then the bargain is buying you, and not the other way around. The key question to ask yourself is -- do you love it enough or is it classic, useful or needed enough that you would buy it a full price? If the answer if no, then you're under the powerful influence of the deal and not making a smart, rational buying decision.
One of the reasons that many people lack the pulled together look that comes from having a great wardrobe, or as I like to say in my presentation about how we sabotage our powerful presence, is incessant bargain shopping. Don't get me wrong, I like to save money like anyone else but being too committed to the bargain can be a classic way to have what I like to call, a rag-tag-fleet of clothing, instead of a coordinated wardrobe that you love and that you look and feel great in.
Let's face it, sales are inherently packed with all the leftovers that others rejected and why should you be taking home anything less that great? I tell my clients that these clothes, accessories or stuff are here at the end of the season for a reason. Likely because of fit, style and color problems - so you must be rigorous in determining if it's mere overstock or if it is problematic. If so, back on the rack it goes! This year there could be more overstock, given the slow holiday shopping season.
The Smart Sale Shoppers Guide below will show you the ropes for avoiding the classic pitfalls of bargain hunting and put you in the stratosphere of one who knows how to pull that gem out of the proverbial haystack.
THE SMART SALE SHOPPER'S SUCCESS GUIDE
Shop Like a Pro and Find Those Gems
1. Have a plan! If your goal is to save money and find great things, then you'll need a plan to stay focused. The best sale item is something that you actually need that is a better price -- or that you see that could easily fit into your wardrobe because it is your best color or coordinates with the general palate and style of your wardrobe.
It is wise to always show up at a sale knowing what you need and what is missing from your closet or you may surely be doomed to buying extraneous things and gathering mistakes instead of gems. And if you stumble onto a sale and feel the siren song drawing you in...just back away...and return with your plan in hand.
It could be a charcoal gray sweater that makes 3 other things in your closet more wearable or a printed top that has an outfit sing -- or perhaps the perfect belt to finish off an outfit, a pair of flats, good looking pump or hot boots to pull together a look.
Metaphysical tip: I like to keep a running list in my handbag of what my wardrobe needs to be well rounded -- and then I let the Law of Attraction bring it to me. I will invariably stumble over it. Without such clarity or list, no such miracle can happen.
2. Does this have staying power? The smart shopper is looking ahead to next fall/winter when investing late in the season -- so ask yourself, is this dress-like sweater going to be "over" next fall (i.e. a trend) or does it have staying power 8 to 9 months from now when I'll wear it even more? There will always be trendy things on sale.
3. Classics are not the most fun to buy but they are critical. You can be sure they'll always be useful and will work easily into the wardrobe when the season rolls around again -- no matter what the trends. Buying classics can make you a winner.
4. Keep and eye out for the gems - that is, special items that can stand alone without much need for coordination (as in, it will always go with something black or jeans) and that perhaps you'd never splurge on. Sales are a good time to hold out for the great items that may be more expensive than you're willing to spend at full price -- such as a beautiful jacket or coat or that power bag you've had your eye on - or boots that are always costly -- maybe a key accessory that pulls an outfit together like a dazzling belt or piece of jewelry.
Here's an idea -- why not save all your sale shopping for just one great thing?If you're one that thinks more is better -- consider the approach of having fewer pieces of better quality. This strategy will enhance your powerful presence and have you present a more successful image.
5. Do I LOVE it? The bottom line and first criteria is always that you love what you're wearing and how you look in it. It is a high standard but with a little discipline it is achievable. If you have the intent, and take the time to find clothes that you love, you will have a great wardrobe that has you look your best – all the time. What happens more often is that we settle for a sub standard group of "alright-looking-body-covering" instead of outfits that sing our praises!
6. Does this item easily blend into my wardrobe or require a coordinate? If it's say, a printed skirt -- be sure that it will not require an impossible search for a chartreuse top. I like the rule of black and white. If it goes with black or white then you can easily make it work. Otherwise walk away.
7. It has to fit. Promise yourself to not skimp on fit because of price. Or if it's such a great deal that you had to buy it 2 sizes too large -- you'll definitely take it to a tailor for perfecting (which could then eat up your savings if it's not the buy of the century).
SHOPPERS BEWARE!
Beware the shopping frenzy that occurs in time sensitive sales — such as the ones that are held for only a few hours or days. Retailers design these types of sales for a reason, knowing that women tend to feed upon the frenetic energy and will throw caution to the wind and throw down the credit card too. Remember to consult the plan.
Beware of sale shopping when you need cheering up or worse yet your depressed. Retail therapy can bring disappointing if not disastrous results and is certainly not in any way using focused energy to insure a win. It’s a great way to overspend.
Beware the impulse buy. This would be the things that are not on the list and could end up in the mistake pile.
Beware of “returning malaise”. You know the jacket doesn’t fit well but you let the time expire when you could have returned it (if that’s possible where many things are final sale). After getting home and finding it doesn't really work -- get busy returning it.
Just because the price is low doesn't mean it's right or good for you, your closet and your most powerful presence — so shop carefully – be smart about it and remember — a bargain is not what you pay but what you receive.
(back to the top)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How to Make a Great First Impression
You have between 5 and 30 seconds to make an impact. Here are some tips
about how to get it right.
Every day, in business and social situations, every person you meet
sizes you up within the first few seconds. They form impressions about
who you are, and what you think, and how you are likely to act. And once
those impressions are set in their minds they are difficult to change.
An impression is a simple, primal response—one that is formed
instinctively, seldom based on rational thought and independent investigation
and takes a shockingly short amount of time to gel. We allow first impressions
to color the information we gather about people, presuming that the way
they initially behave or appear is indicative of the way they will always
behave.
As studies show, one of the problems is that we tend to focus too much
on our words and that only 30% of a first impression is based on what
you have to say – (not to mention your experience, expertise and
credentials). While 40% is based on your appearance and body language
and 30% on tone of voice.
For Example, individuals dressed in dark colors are judged to be more
competent, but less friendly than those dressed in lighter or autumn
colors. With good posture, you are assumed to be more confident. A weak
voice can signal lack of confidence or inexperience. When it comes to
attire, if your dress is trendy, you’ll likely be judged as younger,
hip and creative but less competent—while classic dress signals qualities
of dependability, seriousness and trustworthiness.
Therefore, when it comes to the art of making a great impression, it’s
important to understand the communication that you're physical presence
is making -- and how others see you. To ace that interview or first date,
use these tips to make your first impressions positive and memorable.
- Dress appropriately. Regardless of age, attire appropriate
to the occasion is important. Someone too casually dressed can be considered
inappropriate. Conversely, being overdressed can stand out just as much—as
perhaps trying too hard to make a strong impression. When it comes
to dressing, knowing your audience is the most important rule.
- Dress authentically. To create trust, it’s important to to also be
sending out a congruent message so that who you are on the inside is evident
on the outside. The trick is to express your personality and individual style
while presenting yourself in a way that meets the expectations of those you
wish to impress.
- Exude confidence (sans arrogance). Posture is the number one indicator of
confidence, so think of having a dancer’s spine and in professional settings,
a solid handshake is a primary body-language tell-all and another way to convey
confidence.
- Speak clearly. A clean delivery is everything when to
comes to making a verbal impact, so the experts advise—somewhat obviously—eliminating
um and like form your repertoire.
- Be personable. Direct eye contact and an engaging smile are also considered
crucial in initial encounters and ask opening questions to engage your listeners.
At best, our appearance should be a reflection of our personality and
who we are as individuals. At its worst, it can be an unconscious misrepresentation
that sends out sabotaging messages. To be successful in your business
as well as social and personal life, you must first understand how you’re
being perceived by others and then manage that impression to your best
advantage.
Remember that first impressions are powerful and lasting—so make
a practice of asking yourself, "what impression do I intend to make
today?".
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. .
The Rule of Self Expression
Have
you noticed that all the rules of fashion have been turned upside down
in recent
years? For instance, white has become an acceptable year round
color (out with the
"Labor Day" rule!) and pant styles are left to your personal preference
and whim. Can
you even think back to the time when we awaited directives from the fashion
magazines about the correct color and skirt length for the season? And what about
handbags and
shoes matching? Jeans in the office? Multiple shirts and bottoms at the same
time? You'll
be pressed to find a hard and fast rule anymore so it seems to be boiling
down to
something called self expression.
Yes, you've heard of it—having to do with wearing what looks good on
you, accenting
your best features and disguising the rest. Feeling good in your clothes
and like the person
you know yourself to be. We seem to have been set free to to do our own
thing —though, without the rules there can be a sense of chaos or intense
casual-ness—as he case may be.
Here's the rub -- without all the rules to gauge whether we're in or out
of fashion, there
are bound to be plenty of people looking like they've lost their way or
their fashion footing. So, seasonally, we are given a list of "must
haves" to
abide by to help us stay fresh, modern
and on the path.
I find that is where the balance lies—in knowing how to
express a true individual style,
and at the same time, be modern and updated. Women can no longer be dictated
to
(except it seems when it comes to handbags—and I happen to believe that
it's just a matter
of time before there is a complete uprising over their escalating prices)
and told what to wear
season after season. Case in point, there is much resistance to giving
up low rise
pants for something from the past called—a waistband, and that we're told
is making a comeback.
So they’re giving us both! The fashion industry is at long last learning
to follow us around—instead of the reverse.
Even more important, is tuning
into your own beauty and following that around. By wearing your best
colors instead of the ones the designers decided would be hot. And knowing
that
accenting the most attractive part of one's leg is the purpose of a skirt
length and a pant that
makes your lower half look sublime is definitely the way to go.
So revel
in the lack of rules and the amount of inventiveness that is now available—the
only trick is how to do it well and not look—well....ridiculous as
we interpret fashion as best we can for ourselves—which is where the
Image Consultant comes in. Having an “objective
eye" and
fashion coach in your corner, who knows you, your lifestyle, goals,
and needs—is an invaluable asset.
Who ever said that we should have to do this alone?
At the end of the day, what really matters is feeling good about how
you look and the deep knowing
that BEAUTY DOES RULE and finding and owning yours. Perhaps the only “rule” is
being true to yourself.
For more information or to schedule
a complimentary initial consultation, fill out the Contact
Debra form or call 646-228-7475.
(back to the top)
|
