Hate shopping? Trying to lessen your obsession and fashion footprint? Tidied up and trying to keep it that way? Or just in need of a system to save more than you splurge satorially?
Whatever your mission, taking a few shopping (or anti-shopping?!) lessons from a well dressed man might just be the smartest thing you do for your wardrobe, time, pennies, planet, and sanity this year. Think I'm overselling it? Maybe, but I surveyed some suitably fash-savvy lads on your behalf and...well, this is all I got.
It's simple, seasonal, shrewd and snappy!
So now you'll have so much more time to shop for beauty! Kidding. Kinda.... 😉
JUST GET IT DONE
If shopping as a woman is complicated, shopping like a man is the very essence of keeping it simple. Starting with a pressing need or desire for an item and an idea of where and how to find it (they'll generally develop a few favourite stores or sites quickly and return for as long as it continues to meet their needs). Then it's as basic as going there in non-peak times (because it's stressful enough without having to battle crowds), buying what they came for (they might even call ahead to save them a trip if they can), and getting out of there as fast as possible. They may or may not ask the sales people for advice to speed things up, may or may not buy food or drinks if a place they like is nearby, and they may or may not pick up a little something for someone special while they're at it (that one's a keeper)!
“...most guys have about 73 calories of shopping energy, and once these calories are gone, they're gone for the day - if not the week - and can't be regenerated simply by
having an Orange Julius at the Food Fair.”
― Douglas Coupland
MEN’S SIMPLE SWEATER STARTER KIT
KNOW WHAT YOU LIKE & STICK TO IT...BUT ALSO TEST A TREND EVERY NOW & THEN
Never again can we women be shamed for being fussy, because from what I have discovered, fellas are just as, if not more so exacting. They know they like crew necks, or polo necks, or only emerald greens but not forest greens. Straying is too touch and go and ain't nobody got time for that. Shopping is enjoyable for most, but that doesn't mean it needs to become a chore with too much choice. Collectively, they agreed to knowing a brand or two who speaks to their sense of style and will scan that section or store first before making a beeline for a department store for a better laid out visual selection process. Oh, and if it's nearly sold out and looks popular, that's usually a good sign it's going to work for them too...apparently. But, they were united in admitting to trying one thing that is the polar opposite to what they would normally go for - because you never know - but only if they have time, money burning a hole in their pocket, a special event they're self-styling for, or because they saw another guy who rocked it. Not so unlike us on that one!
MEN’S MIX & MATCH TROUSERS & TEES
QUALITY COUNTS, BUT SO DOES PRICE
“Buy what you don’t have yet, or what you really want, which can be mixed with what you already own. Buy only because something excites you,
not just for the simple act of shopping.”
― Karl Lagerfeld
To summarise my wee experiment; our well dressed man is still pragmatic, practical and more preoccupied with being comfortable and having a good time in the ensemble than anything else (#wise). So, remember these nuggets of fashion genius on your next expedition to the mall or late night cart-filling binge and you might just save yourself so so much in so very many ways!:
- Keep it simple and quick - that goes for shopping and daily dressing (I'll try)
- Only buy what you need - keep the closet capsule to make choices easier (so much yes)
- Stick with what you know - but try new things sometimes (life advice right there)
- Ask for help if you need it - but move on if they waffle or try to over-sell it (I need to do this more often)
- Shop seasonally - you'll know you need it when you don't have it (how novel!)
- 2 of everything you need and like to wear is enough - except for shirts and hats (interesting)
- Avoid crowds, driving or walking too far, or BS deals - extends to buying anything they say (I totally agree actually)
- Don't spend too little but don't spend too much - it's got to feel nice and fit good, not "feed a fat cat!"(ok, I'm using this!)
- Shoes matter (I concur sir, I concur).
CASUAL ACCESSORIES CAPSULE FOR THE STYLISH MAN
