Fashion Tip Friday - How do you go into a store and not buy clothes?

Nothing makes me more excited than stepping into a retail store.  I love clothes and I love shopping, but more than that I love the thought of new clothes.  However, not buying clothing this year has tweaked my shopping habits a lot.  I have noticed a few things that I have started to do to resist the temptation to buy clothing.  Several of you have commented or e-mailed me asking how I am doing this.  Besides just sheer willpower, I have developed a few methods to steer me away from temtpation.

Don't make eye contact.  Just like if you are at a bar and you want to seem unavailable to men, or you do not want to show someone that you are interested in them... avoid eye contact.  This method works for clothes, not necessarily with men though.  When I walk into a store, I try not to let my eyes settle on one thing.  I tend to just gloss over the landscape of pretties and focus on the matter at hand.  Whether I am with a friend, or simply on the search for a pair of boots, I really try to focus on that task and not the pink ruffle skirt.

Friends are a gift and a treasure.  I started talking about my commitment to not shop a long time before I actually stopped shopping.  I set myself a goal date of when I would stop.  I set myself rules and boundaries.  I shared with my closest friends how deeply difficult this would be for me.  These friends have been such a support to me.  Anytime I feel tempted or vulnerable, I tell my friends.  They help me to figure out the root of why I want to go buy something and encourage me to seek that instead of a pair of jeans.

Avoid the sale section.  I repeat, AVOID THE SALE SECTION.  It is a deep, dark, dangerous place where few can escape the lure of 70% off tank tops and skirts.  DON'T make eye contact with the sale section.  It is so much easier to fantasize about the unobtainable things.  The ones that are hanging up really high and are out of your price range.  Look at those, and do not look at things priced $10 or under.  That's just too tempting.

Beg your friends to take you shopping with them.  A lot of my friends know I have great shopping skills and that I'm a great shopping partner because I'm honest.  I will tell you that the teal sequin top is hideous and that it definitely should not be worn with a pair of cut off shorts.  I will gladly steer you away from the harem pants and towards a chic black skinny jean.  Going shopping with friends brings me great joy though.  One of my receiving love languages, is quality time.  I really enjoy and grow close to people by spending quality time with them.  I also get to spend time with that friend and get the chance to totally focus on them (this helps me from being a spoiled brat-face only child).  Finally, its just fun.

Try stuff on.  One of my favorite things about shopping is trying on clothes.  I could honestly try on stuff until my arms fall out of their sockets.  The fun is putting on that sexy body con dress, seeing how good (or bad) your butt looks in it.  Its trying on a pair of harem pants so you can see what all the fuss is about it.  It is being in the dressing room with your best friend laughing because this prom dress has cut away sides, sequins, and you aren't really sure where your boobs are supposed to go, or if you just picked the wrong size. 

Finally, I think one of the biggest things for me that keeps me from buying clothes is knowing how many people read this blog and who are encouraging me and spurring me on to continue what I'm doing.  Knowing that if I did buy something, I wouldn't just be letting myself down, but I'd also be letting down so many other people is a huge motivator.  Yes, I am still doing this for myself, but also to take a chance and do something hard (that's what she said).

Excited to post about some things going on in Nashville this weekend.  Stay tuned, it will probably make all you non-Nashvillians get all sorts of jealous.