Why Last Minute Shopping Is a Recipe for Stress

Remember the boy scouts' motto? "Be prepared." It's a good motto for most of life, and being prepared with your wardrobe can save you a lot of worry and stress.

Imagine a special event is coming up next week. You need something to wear, but nothing in your closet fits the occasion. You procrastinate until a day or two before the event. When you finally hit the stores, you start feeling a little desperate because you can't find anything you like. By 5:00 pm the evening of the event, you're going ballistic. Sound familiar?

Next time that happens, get thee to the mall immediately! Take the time now to look for what you need because chances are you won't find it on the first try. Or, better yet, plan ahead. Have a core wardrobe ready to go that covers all the possibilities of your life. Instead of feeling trapped into buying something you don't really like just for that one occasion, find something you love in advance that could give you a lot of options.

For example, some cocktail dresses could work for a wedding. An outfit with a little extra pizzazz for giving a powerful presentation might double for any important meeting or an evening out with people from work that you want to impress.

Think about all the activities of your life--write them down--and go through your closet to see if there are any gaps in your wardrobe. Think about what would be appropriate to wear to each of the events you attend; a day dress, a formal dress, a suit, sexy jeans and a blazer, and make sure you're covered (pun intended!).

Buy what you need early in the season when you'll have lots of choices and a better chance to find something you adore. Don't wait to buy the right winter coat until early January when everything is on sale because all you'll find are the leftovers that nobody else wanted. Why shop for an outfit to wear to the equator when it's snowing in your hometown and you'll only frustrate yourself?

And remember to always, always, always buy things that are just right for you in color, style and fit. If they work well, you may find unexpected ways to use them. Also, if the colors and styles for the season are dead-on perfect for you, stock up! There'll be lots of seasons when they're dead wrong and you can save your money.

Be prepared! They're wardrobe words to live by. Unless you're a masochist, there's no reason for you to waste your money on something new that doesn't work, or suffer through wearing something you already own that makes you uncomfortable just because you waited until the last minute to shop.

Copyright 2008, Leah Oman
All rights reserved

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Posted in: Minute, Recipe, Shopping, Stress