Hey ladies, do you like shopping? Do you like to buy new things? If you do, you aren't alone...Go into any major mall during normal business hours & look around at how many women you see vs. men. I'll bet you see a lot of women picking out news clothes, trying on new shoes & looking around for new things to furnish their houses with...Furthermore, ask your husbands' to take a look at last year's credit card bills- ask HIM how much you like shopping...I'll bet you'll get a firm answer to that question, won't you?



It's no secret that there are people out there who love to go shopping ? especially for new clothes. This has been going on for hundreds of years & it will most likely continue in the future...In fact, people like shopping for new clothes so much that many cottage industries related to shopping have sprung up during the last few decades...personal shoppers, concierges, & the sub-sub-niche of "shopping magazines" have been established during the last 20 years. Only in America would you find an entire industry dedicated to "shopping voyeurism"...take a look at your local magazine rack the next time you are out shopping to see what I'm talking about...

Getting back to shopping itself...finding just the right piece of clothing is almost a science- it takes a well trained eye to find exactly the right shirt for the right occasion... As any "professional shopper" will tell you, finding just the right item really is a delicate balance between 3 factors.

1. Style. Whatever you are buying has to look "just right..." While this is probably the most important factor in shopping for clothing, it isn't everything...

2. Value. Whatever you are buying has to be affordable...the trick is in finding something that looks expensive but really doesn't cost as much as everyone thinks.

3. Quality. Finally, as any value shopper will tell you, what you buy must at least look like it's going to last a while...and ideally, it DOES last for at least a year.

As far fetched as it sounds, striking just the right balance between these factors is the mark of a true Pro (I'm speaking as someone who employs the services of a Professional shopper as I have no idea how to do it right).

Furthermore, some people shop for specific occasions...they'll go shopping to pick out just the right shirt for a party or a wedding even though it's only going to be used once! Finding just the right shirt can be an exciting process in itself given how much work & effort goes into the process...When picking out clothing, a lot of people focus on the brand. Brands have become an excellent way of separating the wheat from the chaff, given how much retail selection exists.

However, brands really only go so far. Ask anyone who's spotted EXACTLY the right shirt & they all say the same thing: "I don't care who makes it, that's exactly what I've been looking for! I have to buy it right now!"

Balancing the above 3 factors with a detailed knowledge of brands can really help you look your best...now get out there & get shopping!