Image Consultant Personal Shopper
Discount shopping: best bang for your buck?
Discount shopping: Best bang for your buck?
There are hundreds of stores available to men and women today. All of which will cater to different lifestyles, income levels, and personalities. For many of us, shopping can either be a blissful afternoon out, or a burden that we just need to deal with.
Whether you’re out shopping for a specific occasion, or to update your wardrobe – advertisers make sure to lure you in many different directions. Remember – fashion is a business and a huge money maker. Many clients I speak with are quick to admit that they love the inexpensive clothing stores. “You get so much more clothing, for a fraction of the price!” – is what statement echoes most frequently.
But are these stores useful? Do they really help make us savvy shoppers? Are we really saving money?
Let me tell you first, that it’s suggested that you spend 5-10% of your gross annual income on your clothing. That includes your inner/outer wear, as well as your intimates. I can almost hear half of you reading this, “That’s it?”
The thing that most people fail to remember is that you are supposed to BUILD your wardrobe. Not wear it for a season – toss it out – and start all over again. Each season and purchase will add to the wardrobe of your dreams, and should do nothing less.
But is this the case for most men and women? A lot of women (especially) go into stores like, “H&M”, “Old Navy”, “Winners”, “Costa Blanca”, and “Forever 21” – delirious about the fact that they only spent $200.00 and came out with bags full of clothing and accessories. But because of the quality of clothing, and the fact that its “Trendy” means that all of this clothing will ALSO be tossed into amity 3 months later as the clothing will either be worn out from poor quality, or because it’s outdated already. As a result, these women have to make another trip out to the stores for another wardrobe and end up spending MORE than someone who initially put money into an, “investment piece”.
Let me clarify, I’m not against these stores. I think they are wonderful for certain things! I recommend purchasing classic items in splashes of colour that are in a high quality (think of something from Holt Renfrew, Bergdorf’s, etc) – and purchase trend items from the more inexpensive stores. This way, you’ll be adding to your wardrobe without throwing your money in the garbage and constantly making frustrating trips back to the shops.
This way – you’ll ensure that you have a wardrobe that not only works for you – but one that makes you shine for years to come.
Warmest wishes,
Christie Ressel, International Image Consultant
Personal Power Image Consulting™©
About the Author
International Image Consultant and Personal Style coach.
Senior editor of beauty and style for chicgalleria.com
Senior editor of body and mind for chicgalleria.com
Regular contributor for Divine Caroline
Teacher of image consulting at George Brown College
Feature author of ChicGalleria.com
Featured in the South Town Star
Contributing writer for woman.ca
Regular contributor to Business Link Newspaper.
Regular contributor in Power Women Magazine.
Filmed and interviewed for “Enlighten me”.
Resident expert for Simstylist.com.
Has delivered over 125 lectures across North America.
Interviewed for the St. Catharines Standard.
Interviewed and published in Echo and Pulse Magazine.
Quoted in “Patio Guide” 2008 for View magazine.
VP of Programs for the Association of Image Consultants International – Canada.
Writer for my own monthly newsletters and tips.
Assistant consultant for the “Practice Evolution Program”.
Spoken for national banks, corporations, universities and doctors.
Active member of the Association of Image Consultants International.
Has been consulting and coaching for more than 5 years.
Sheridan College, Creative Writing
Graduate of “The International Image Institute”.
Humber College, PR and Fashion Communications.
York University, Psychology
http://www.personalpowerimage.com
What’s the difference between a personal shopper and image consultant?
An image consultant will change your style to how they think you should look. They are used mainly by celebrities who want to give off a certain image of themselves e.g. as indie or ultra-glamorous. Image consultants also take in everything like hair and make up.
Personal shoppers will listen to what kinds of things you like – styles, colours etc. and try to find you things that you will like and then things that would suit you that you might not normally go for. They won’t buy you stuff but they will recommend stuff for you.
Personal Shopper, Image Consultant, RubySeven
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