Shopping for new clothes should be a pleasure we can enjoy every season. But of course, the current economic climate is forcing us all to reign in the shopping habits and rethink each and every purchase. As an Image Consultant, the most common comment I hear is "I want to be sure the clothes I buy are the best investments for me and that they are going to last me."

So, I have put together a few key tips on how you can ensure your purchases are the best you can make:

1. Ensure you know what colours will suit you best. By knowing your best colours, you will never again buy an item which finds itself sitting in the wardrobe unworn. The result of wearing your best colours is that you look healthy and younger!

2. You should make sure that you buy styles which suit your body shape. By wearing clothing styles which suit your body shape, you will feel confident. You will know that you look good and the inevitable result of that is that you feel good too!

3. Once you know which colours & styles you are looking for, it is always a good idea to assess your wardrobe before you hit the shops. You need to evaluate what you have and assess your staple pieces. By finding out what you need to replace or add, will focus your shopping and ensure you only purchase investment pieces.

4. Be aware that your size my vary between labels and better quality clothes generally fit better. Keep this in mind when you are shopping and be prepared to try a size above or below. Don’t be tempted to buy clothing that pinches. It is more flattering to get a slightly looser fit than squeeze into a garment. It does not matter what the label says – it does matter how the garment fits.

5. We all like to have some fashionable items. But be careful not to fill your wardrobe with too many fashion items that will have short lives. Fashion items are fun and can be added to your staple pieces. These items can be a current colour or pattern, or a dress or shoe style. Whatever you decide on, just one or two items each season will keep your staple wardrobe up-to-date.

6. We all need a bit of a boost in these difficult economic times. So wearing Red will give you energy. This doesn’t have to mean investing in a Red winter coat; a simple scarf will do just the trick.

We often think the value of an item is how much we pay for it. But the true value of an item is in how often it is worn. If you buy something at a bargain price but hardly wear it, you have wasted your money. If you buy something at a higher price and wear it over and over again then you have found yourself a great buy. So, when you are shopping, by following all of the key tips above, you will be more likely to only purchase investment items.

If you need some assistance with any of the above tips, why not book in to see an Image Consultant who will be able to guide you.