Preferred shopping categories
March 7th, 2008It’s interesting that different product categories tickle our fancy to different degrees when we shop. Some of us love to shop for shoes and bags, while others prefer to shop for skirts and dresses. After being in the fashion game for ages, I have concluded that this is a very personal thing, greatly influenced by individual and regional differences.
Here’s my personal list, ordered from best to worst:
- Favourites: jackets, bags, tunics, coats, blousie tops and knitwear
- Least Favourites: shoes (particularly Summer shoes), bras, skirts, socks and workout wear
I feel the cold quickly, so it is a good thing that jackets and coats are high on my list. On the other hand, a fashion stylist who doesn’t like to shop for shoes is not the norm. I love looking at shoes and dressing my clients in them, but it’s become increasingly frustrating shopping for my own shoes. Fussy feet and fabulous shoes do not go hand in hand.
I’d love to hear your list. I suspect that it will be quite different.
March 7th, 2008 at 7:57 am
Let’s see…Favorites first:
Accessories: purses, sunglasses, hair accessories, etc.
Clothes: flattering, high-quality jeans; stylish jackets; modern versions of lady-like 1940-1950’s blouses, skirts, dresses; cute, but stylish t-shirts; clothes that travel well too; athletic wear (sports bras, workout pants, high tech fabrics that wick, socks for sports…I run, hike, bike, and do yoga); Beachwear
Shoes: Platform high-heels to match above lady-like clothes; flip-flops; Vans, Converse, Sanuk shoes
Least favorite: ultra fancy evening wear, business casual, pajamas (most pj’s are either too sexy or too cutesie LOL)
March 7th, 2008 at 8:14 am
This is a very interesting topic, because although I LOVE to shop, shopping for some things are just not high on the list
Favourites: shoes, dresses. bags, tunics, vintage stuff, skirts, coats, knitwear, coats, socks
Least Favourites: workout wear, sunglasses, t-shirts, bras
March 7th, 2008 at 8:19 am
I’m a little odd in this respect, but then in is a very personal thing. Here’s my list.
Favorites: formal/evening gowns (I adore dressing up and have way too many of these), dresses, skirts, girly tops, tunics, jackets and coats (I too get chilly easily), scarves (lightweight and winter weight), shoes, and bags.
Least favorites: pants and jeans (because pants and jeans that actually fit me are almost impossible to find), bras (same reason as pants and jeans, they don’t make many in my size), underwear (because it’s rare that I find some I like), swimwear (I don’t swim much mainly because I burn too easily with my Scottish/Irish skin), socks, and workout clothes (who sees them? but I still want them to be cute and comfy to motivate me to do my yoga and aerobics).
March 7th, 2008 at 8:20 am
My favorites are shoes and more shoes. My favorite accesories are lipsticks.
My least favorites are pajamas I would rather wear an old T Shift to sleep, the sexy ones are as unconfortable as beautiful. My other least favorite are jackets I only get them because I need them in NY changing weather.
March 7th, 2008 at 8:22 am
I like shopping for purses and then workout wear. I actually find it stressful to shop for almost everything else - either I tend to buy a bunch of stuff that is very dressy and then don’t have anything casual to wear or have an entire wardrobe that is ultra casual and nothing dressy. My entire life from college on has been on this yo-yo. And the ultra worse thing to shop for. . . . . maternity clothes - I found that I had to have a Starbucks cafe mocha first and could only buy a couple of tops and one pair of pants without crying. My husband also hated this entire period as well. Casual shoes are also pretty fun but finding COMFORTABLE dressy shoes are also very frustrating.
March 7th, 2008 at 8:24 am
Favorites: accessories, skirts, dresses, jackets, blouses, shoes
Unfavorites: tees, tanks, pants, jeans, shorts
I prefer shopping for skirted things (skirts, dresses) over non-skirted things (pants, jeans, shorts) because it the fit is so much more crucial on non-skirted bottoms. Thus: more frustration in the dressing room!
I love shopping for accessories and shoes because they almost always fit, no matter my weight.
I like to wear tees and tanks, but I hate spending the money and searching for those that actually look good and wear well.
March 7th, 2008 at 8:35 am
Super lists ladies.You see! Everyone’s list is different. A preferred shopping item for one person is a least favourite for another. Sarah’s evening gowns and Ana’s lipsticks are particularly interesting.
Shoes seems to make the favourites list a lot of the time. And so far I’m surprised that bathing costumes and jeans haven’t made it on more least favourites lists.
March 7th, 2008 at 8:59 am
Favourites: dresses(love to try them on even if i dont buy any), bags, accessories, skirts, shirts/tops, shoes ,bras
least favourites: pants/jeans . I hate shopping for jeans..i have one pair and even that doesnt fit me well throughout the year. I’m a denim disaster.
March 7th, 2008 at 9:11 am
This was a fascinating question & thinking about my likes & dislikes sure highlighted why my wardrobe is weighted too heavily toward some things & is desperately in need of a makeover. One interesting thing I’m finding is that I tend to fit into vintage clothes much better than I do into current things so I’m trying to spend more time in vintage shops & Salvation Army/Oxfam type stores, though it is a lot of work. Shopping shouldn’t be this hard!
My list (from best to worst):
Favorites: shoes of all kinds (though I need to branch out from black!), cardigans & pullover sweaters, handbags, earrings, t-shirts (plain not printed ones), lipsticks & glosses, socks, winter gloves & scarves (not decorative scarves, which I hate wearing), skirts, dresses, bras (we have a great shop that does all the work, all I have to do is try things on until I find one or more that I like)
Least favorites: blouses, winter coats, camisoles/tank tops, foundation (the makeup kind), jackets/blazers, pants/trousers of all kinds including jeans & lounge/workout (trying to get things to fit my muscular thighs, curvy hips, & small waist can take weeks & many, many shopping trips), swimsuits
And now I know why I own Old Navy t-shirts in every color (though this year’s fabric is absolutely awful) & more lipsticks, glosses, & earrings than any one woman could ever use. They are easy to find & always fit. sigh.
March 7th, 2008 at 9:30 am
Very interesting topic, and you can almost guess a person’s style by their list.
Favourites: bags (I had to sign up for the Bag Borrow and Steal site to get the most out of my money!), jackets, v-neck tops, jeans, shoes and anything that can create a layered look.
Least favourites: anything formal.
I’m a true believer of the smart casual style.
March 7th, 2008 at 9:47 am
I don’ know many ladies who don’t like shopping. The best items to shop for must be bags and shoes… the BIG items which you save for months for. I found a pretty cool site the other day that’s like a online personal stylist service called www.istylista.com which gives you some basic style advice for free. Strangely accurate too! Keep blogging Angie i think this is a cool site… x
March 7th, 2008 at 10:18 am
Lately I don’t like shopping for anything. I’m always looking for something so specific that I just can’t find it and I end up feeling frustrated, as though I just wasted a lot of time for no results. Right now I’m looking for a long-sleeved, ink blue, v or scoop neck tunic or sweater dress. I found one on Boden but of course it is 12 weeks backordered and by then I won’t be wearing sweaters. I have also been looking for high (not mid, high) rise straight leg black jeans. They simply don’t exist. It takes a toll on your self esteem when you spend hour trying things on and nothing works, and I admit that I often wish I could go back to being a super skinny rectangle. Maybe I just need a break.
I hate shopping for shoes as well. No one would believe me when I say that since I do so frequently, but the reason isn’t because I enjoy it. My feet are super wide and somehow manufacturers seem to think they are undeserving of flattering footwear. It’s really a shame because I’m short and curvy and look great in heels, but I’ll never be able to wear them.
March 7th, 2008 at 10:46 am
Faves: shoes, shoes, shoes (especially in spring, when I buy new fun ballet flats); skirts; jeans (hard to shop for, but I’m so happy when I find a pair that fits well); dresses; summer tops; earrings.
Least favorites: bras (ugh); underwear; workout wear; PJs (somehow I never find any that are both cozy and flattering); warmer winter tops (I’m allergic to wool, which rules out a lot of nice sweaters); “business wear” (I don’t need much of it, fortunately); shopping for a specific occasion at the last minute; and worst of all: bathing suits!
March 7th, 2008 at 11:02 am
OK, here goes:
Favorite: Skirts, knit tops, shoes, jackets, coats, necklaces/bracelets
Least favorite: Pants (I need 36” inseams which do not exist at the women’s dept.)
Swimsuits (I absolutely refuse to be seen in one until I am 10 lbs. or less away from my goal weight)
Underwear (Nothing is more depressing than trying on underwear in front of a mirror when you’re overweight. So I put it off, and put it off, and put it off…until the underwear I have is in shreds)
PJ’s (Boring—I usually just wait for people to give them to me at Christmastime, which someone or other always does)
March 7th, 2008 at 11:37 am
RE: Bras
If you go to Nordstrom and have them fit you, it will be SO much easier. I found a great one by Wacoal with awesome holding power. Now I just go back for replacements and I get one in black and one in nude. Piece of cake. It’s a little trickier if you change sizes, but in that case, just have them re-fit you.
March 7th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
I’m with Maya…I love shopping, but when it comes to specifics I don’t like shopping for anything because it’s such a pain to find exactly what you have in mind. And at this point specifics are pretty much all I’m looking for!
But in general, favorites: skirts (love them, especially pretty spring/summer ones), purses, earrings & bead necklaces, lounge pants, workout wear (it makes me excited), nail polish. (Hey, I count nice toes & fingers part of being well-dressed.)
Least favorites: shoes (fun if you find the right pair!), dresses, coats, jeans, BELTS, tops to go with my skirts.
March 7th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
Favorites: Shoes!
Skirts, T-shirts, Dressy tops, bags.
Least Favorites: Formal wear, bathing suits, bras, sweaters, hosiery, jeans (being short has it’s drawbacks).
March 7th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
Favorites: dress pants, sweaters, A-line skirts, shoes, bags, jewelry, workout wear, short coats, formal dresses
Least favorite: jeans, bras, blouses, tops, jackets, long coats, summer sandals, sundresses, bathing suits
The least favs are all due to fit issues. Sandals make it in to that list because I simply cannot tolerate thongs without horrible pain, and it always seems that’s all there is. Bras… I’m between a 32 and a 34 band, plus the shortest part of me is from shoulder to bra line. Blouses tend to gape open over my chest if they fit in the shoulders. Jackets and coats - same issue. Dresses: I am a different size on top than on bottom. Sundresses: I don’t do well in with spaghetti straps and such.
However, in the past few months I’ve deliberately FORCED myself to shop for some of the least-favs, specifically, jeans, blouses, tops, and jackets.
I *finally* found the Holy Grail of jeans (bought two pairs,one for heels and one for flats). I added several great jackets this year, a lot of great tops, and a handful of blouses. Bathing suits: that was last year’s quest. I now own 3 that I like.
The quest for perfect summer sandals is just heating up….
March 7th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
It is so interesting to see what other people like to shop. It seems that people tend to like to shop either things are essential for them or things that flatters their body types the most.
Favorites: dresses (both casual and formal-less worry on mix and match), shoes, bags, bras, tops.
Least favorites: jeans/pants (it’s harder for me to pull up jeans/pants without adding a little heigh due to my heigh-5′3” with a body shaped between hourglass and pear), business attire, blouse, lounge wear.
March 7th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
Favorites: Tops, tops and more tops, tunics, jewellery and other accessories, jackets and coats
Least favorites: Jeans and pants (I find it very difficult to find ones that fit me since I have a relatively small waist and big hips and butt.), dresses (I’m a size 12-14 on top and a size 16-18 for bottoms so finding a dress that looks good and fits everywhere is a small miracle), shoes (I have flat feet and am an odd size so buying shoes is quite stressful.).
March 7th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
Fun topic!
Favs: purses (no fitting involved!); most anything for the top of me
Not favs: bathing suits, pants, skirts, boots–basically anything for the bottom 1/2 of me
Now that I’ve gained weight I’m really not liking shopping for anything.
March 7th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
Joey, you LOVE shoes! You are the shoe queen of all shoe queens.
I see that swimming costumes and jeans are creeping in as least preferred shopping categories and that I am not alone disliking to shop for shoes. I do feel that that I need to qualify this statement. I spend a lot of time trying to keep my feet happy and therefore shop for shoes more than any other item. I just don’t enjoy it that much anymore, and I don’t have a lot of shoes.
Handbags are becoming a common favourite.
March 7th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
I tried posting this this morning but it got caught up in moderation so I’m trying again.
This was a fascinating question & thinking about my likes & dislikes sure highlighted why my wardrobe is weighted too heavily toward some things & is desperately in need of a makeover. One interesting thing I’m finding is that I tend to fit into vintage clothes much better than I do into current things so I’m trying to spend more time in vintage shops & Salvation Army/Oxfam type stores, though it is a lot of work. Shopping shouldn’t be this hard!
My list (from best to worst):
Favorites: shoes of all kinds (though I need to branch out from black!), cardigans & pullover sweaters, handbags, earrings, t-shirts (plain not printed ones), lipsticks & glosses, socks, winter gloves & scarves (not decorative scarves, which I hate wearing), skirts, dresses, bras (we have a great shop that does all the work, all I have to do is try things on until I find one or more that I like)
Least favorites: blouses, winter coats, camisoles/tank tops, foundation (the makeup kind), jackets/blazers, pants/trousers of all kinds including jeans & lounge/workout (trying to get things to fit my muscular thighs, curvy hips, & small waist can take weeks & many, many shopping trips), swimsuits
And now I know why I own Old Navy t-shirts in every color (though this year’s fabric is absolutely awful) & more lipsticks, glosses, & earrings than any one woman could ever use. They are easy to find & always fit. sigh.
March 7th, 2008 at 8:47 pm
Love shopping for: bags, knit tops, tees, skirts, accessories, camis.
Dislike shopping for: jeans and really any kind of pant (long legs!), jackets (though I love jackets, they are never long enough in the sleeves and waist), boots (my calves are way too skinny for any boot I’ve met yet), make-up (I used to sell Clinique, but still hate shopping for make-up myself. I have to wear it for two weeks before I know if I like it), bathing suits, button-up shirts (which are a wardrobe favorite for me, but are again usually too short. When I find one that fits I buy at least two).
If I find something that fits me well and is a good price, I almost always buy more than one. I will wear a “uniform” of favorite styles all the time and not get bored as long as I mix up bags, etc, and so I love knowing that I have plenty of clean favorites all the time.
March 7th, 2008 at 9:16 pm
why do so many of you hate shopping for bras? i’m putting together a business plan for a specialty lingerie retailer so please tell me now why people don’t like to shop for bras before i try to make it a go in this industry. is it the naked thing?
March 8th, 2008 at 8:37 am
Oh yeah, I somehow forgot jewelry, which goes pretty high on my favorites list too. Right now I have too much plain silver and gold jewelry and want to branch out to some more fun, but still delicate, jewelry. Small is a must for me because I’m so small, and huge beads just look odd on me. Necklaces are favorites for me, but earrings are not, because my ears are so sensitive that they won’t stand for much except 14K gold and sterling silver.
March 8th, 2008 at 9:14 am
I love shopping for handbags, o my word. I like shopping for shoes and most clothes in general. I don’t really enjoy shopping for jeans, but I love jeans so much that I spend a lot of time shopping for them anyways.
I think we like shopping for things that are easy to fit, but we hate shopping for things that are hard to fit, when the shopping is more work than play, kwim?
March 8th, 2008 at 11:21 am
Carissa, I hate shopping for bras because very few of them fit properly. My band size is smack between a 32 and a 34. The 32 band will be too tight to be comfortable. And in a 32 I take a C cup, which is very hard to find, and usually the straps are thinner and not supportive enough. If I go up to a 34 band, I take a B cup. There’s more support in the straps, which is good. And it will feel like the perfect fit, until a few wears… then it loosens up and is too loose!!
But the bigger issue is the strap length: even with adjustable straps, the straps are usually too long. I’m very short from shoulder to band.
Also I like a little bit of padding for coverage -but not so much I look to chesty. And please no lace, because it shows under clothes. And I MUST have underwire, for the lift. But it can’t dig into my skin and be uncomfortable.
So I have all these requirements, and maybe I will find something I like… but it’ll be in some loud obnoxious color, or white, which is useless under clothing. I just want nude and black bras. That’s it.
Right now I make do with Victoria’s Secret Body bra. It’s “close enough” but still not what I’d consider the Holy Grail. I have tried every single bra on in three different department stores and none of them even came close.
I have recently talked to a tailor and I may take my bras in for some custom tailoring.
March 8th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
Favorites: dressy tops, handbags, sunglasses
Least Favorite: bottoms (jeans, skirts, etc…because I’m very petite), underwear, bras, necklaces, plain layering pieces
I agree with dcrmom, I like shopping for tops because I feel that many different fits flatter me, but I don’t like shopping for bottoms because it takes quite a bit of work and patience to find anything that fits like I want it to.
March 8th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
You are quite right dcrmom. People tend to like shopping for things that they look good in and vice versa. I too enjoy shopping for everything. The items on my least favourites list are precisely that - the items that I am drawn to least, but I still like to shop for them. I also thoroughly enjoy shopping for jeans, dresses, dress pants, chunky necklaces, suits, occasion wear and specs. But the initial items on my favourites list wouldn’t stand out if I’d added them so I stuck to ABSOLUTE shopping category favourites.
Carissa, I don’t mind shopping for bras and have stuck to the same brand and size for 15 years. I can find bras that I am 100% happy with but they cost a pretty penny and like all bras they need replacing after a year. In my experience as a fashion stylist, many women do not enjoy bra shopping because superb bras cost a lot and it takes a while to find the perfect fit. The process is a little tedious and as soon as you find a fab bra, you need at least four and there goes $350. Bra fitting is a science and the more skilled bra fitters become, the more enjoyable this process will be. Have a look at these blog entries and forum discussions for more info:
http://www.youlookfab.com/welo.....38#post-34
http://www.youlookfab.com/2008.....n-neglect/
Jen, 32C’s and 34B’s are not the same bra size and you couldn’t be both. I wear a 32C and have no problem finding my size at specialty lingerie stores or Nordstrom. It sounds like you could use a skilled bra fitting by a professional bra fitter. I do hope that you manage to have a great session because your size is not hard to fit.
March 8th, 2008 at 8:59 pm
I love to shop for everything! It’s not what I like to shop for that makes it fun, it’s the WHERE I shop. I dislike going into the department stores that are now so cluttered and packed with racks of garments, why would I enjoy shopping for anything! I love the small boutiques that are trendy and neat. Less is more! As for as bras, my experiences is once you find the bra that works it’s not to long before it’s discontinued.
March 9th, 2008 at 6:18 am
I Love shopping, but since I’m also pairing down my wardrobe, this is a real dilema. Your post about quality, though is right on point! Quality can (but dzn’t always) cost more and makes the hunt more exacting…since I’ve become more discerning, I buy less and keep pieces longer and wear them more. My all time favorite is vintage. I particularly love 40s suits and jackets, 50s sheath/pencil/wiggle dresses and modern shoes! I wear them with contemporary basics. These clothes flatter what shape I have left…and shoes, well…but my favorite shape is a slender pointy toe pump with a slender mid-height heel (I have small feet - 6.5). I also love accessories, but purchase rather few and keep them forever. I’m thrilled to see silk scarves making a reappearance! I love shopping for lingere.
I don’t like shopping for pants either, but I’m absolutely loyal to the brands (2) which fit me. I wait for something new from them which blends with my exising wardrobe…if there’s nothing that season, I wear the pants I have. Handbags…ugh! I find them too trendy or too “old lady”, too “craptastic” or too expen$ive!
March 10th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
I think people enjoy shopping for items that are easiest to fit. I don’t mind shopping for jeans, pants or skirts, because it’s not difficult for me to find something that fits. I hate shopping for dresses and button down blouses because I can shop all day and still not find something that fits properly.
My favorite kind of shpping is when I’m not looking for anything specific. I don’t care for shopping when I’m on a mission to find something. That takes all the fun out of shopping.
April 18th, 2008 at 7:59 am
[…] but they didn’t quite make the cut. I’d love to hear your wardrobe favourites. As with the preferred shopping categories, I expect to see a lot of variation in your […]