I’ve been spending the last few weeks on the hunt for the clothes for my spring capsule wardrobe. The excitement of an online shopping order had been blighted by the frequent trips to the post office to make returns. Nothing fits; it’s either too short, hugs in the wrong places or just looks completely different to how it did when I saw it on my computer screen.

There’s was no other option, I had to hit the High Street and this meant encountering the dreaded changing rooms.
A trip outdoors currently involves a vest, a long sleeved top, a jumper, gloves, scarf, coat, thick socks, boots and god knows what else. It’s a flipping faff getting undressed and redressed only to walk out of the shop empty handed. On said shopping trip I hadn’t considered what I was going to wear at all and turned up in a cream high necked cable knit jumper. By the end of the day I had make-up smeared all over the collar and static hair from too many trips to the fitting rooms. Not really a good look.

When I was in London last week trying on a few items I took note of the women around me who seemed to emerge from the fitting rooms unfazed and unflustered. They seem to have got the shopping uniform down to a tee and have inspired me to wear something more appropriate, hence the list below.

  • Separates rather than a dress so I don’t have to stand half naked in the changing room when I just want to try on a top.
  • Easy to remove neutral top (no buttons, no tight collar, no fancy patterns). If I’m going skirt shopping I’ll make sure it’s a tightish top rather than a baggy one.
  • Classic frequently worn bottoms. For me this is black skinny jeans (not my ripped ones though as I always seem to stick my foot through the knee slit). Great to see how items pair with things already in the wardrobe.
  • Comfy and appropriate footwear. I’m planning on keeping my Ash boots on for spring so I’ll be donning these for my next shopping trip.
  • VPL free underwear (obviously) in nude shade. No need to explain why.
  • As much as I love my baubles and jewels I’ll be leaving all but a delicate necklace at home so I don’t snag the clothes when I’m trying them on.
  • I can’t do much about the need for scarf, coat and gloves, though hopefully the promise of spring will mean I don’t have to wear quite so many layers. Perhaps I need to head to a shopping centre rather than the brisk streets of town.

    How do you dress when you know you’ve got to hit the changing rooms? Also how flipping beautiful are the images above taken by Paulina Arcklin in Amsterdam concept store Sukha? Yes, very beautiful indeed. I too would like to go shopping in a shop with a swing!