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.
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!
I have also learnt to plan ahead when it comes to shopping. I also go for plain t-shirts that are easy to pull off and non-static, and although my jeans are all skinny jeans I go for the looser and most worn in pair. Pumps are the shoes I tend to wear as they slip on and off so easily. A big handbag is also handy (not for pilfering items!) so that you can easily fit a bottle of water in and to take an item of clothing with you that might be crucial to matching items to on the shopping trip, or a to take a scarf etc to see how well clothing can be dressed up.
Men do not realise how easy they have it when it comes to shopping!
I was wondering about the best bag to take Claire. Over the body seems to work for me if I’m going to be searching rails and carrying a lot of stuff to changing rooms but you make a good point about having a bigger bag to take refreshments and other bits and pieces.
I hear ya! I prefer to be slightly too cold while I’m walking between shops just so I’m not boiling hot and laden down with outerwear once i get in there!
So annoying isn’t it to have to peel off coats, scarves and the like.
LOLs at the number of layers you are currently wearing – I am so over it! When do I get to stop wearing opaque tights please? I also end up with mega static hair.
I think it would be more sensible to wear a shirt I can unbutton. Also getting skinny jeans off is such a faff! If I’m trying on a dress I have been known to just roll them down and try the dress on – it kind of spoils the look though!
Ha ha Lynn, I know the roll down jean look well!
My clothes shopping is mostly done online for this exact reason. I hate shop changing rooms. They always seem too hot, to have terrible lighting and getting changed over and over again is very trying. (and on that note have you seen Hush’s new collection? Lots of very lovely stuff!)
When I do venture out I keep it simple with what I’m wearing and try to have on at least one item I’m trying to put the outfit together with. Generally speaking that works out as a light coat (or none if I can get away with it), tunic dress and leggings. No jewellery. A cross body bag for hands free rummaging. And enough makeup to make me look human in awful light.
My other tip would be try not to have too much on your wishlist to buy. Keep it simple. You may cope with shops better than me (:)) but I find a list of a 2-3 things at most helps to keep me focused and generally reduces how frazzled I feel at the end of the day.
Enjoy your shopping!
Thanks Caroline. Agree Hush’s new collection is lush!