Image by Giselaw (Flickr)

Shops, boutiques, thrift stores, super sales, malls, promo banners, music, people, bargain bins, window displays, oh my! Us girls can get led astray & somewhat sidetracked in the pursuit of the discovering ultimate new additions to our wardrobes, particularly over the Christmas period when shops are going all out with sales to get your business. The good news is we can take steps to helping ourselves not end up in Shopaholics Anonymous & with a bad case of fashion-induced debt!

A good starting point is to take heed of the words of the utterly delightful Ms Dita Von Teese, as reiterated through the equally delightful Miss Corinne. Now, say aloud:

“‘I won’t buy anything unless it’s more amazing than what I already have on.”

…now there are some words to live shop by….so with this new mantra to shop by, here are a few tips on how to break those bad shopping habits:

Mix it up: go into stores you don’t often frequent, or ones you’ve never once stepped foot into before. It will open your eyes to a whole world of fashion possibilities that you hadn’t imagined. Even swanky stores you haven’t previously shopped because, say, it tips the scales a lot on the side of ‘way out of my price range’, you truly never know your luck- most stores have bargain bins, sale items, or more affordable versions of their style in the way of accessories like jewelery, scarves or brooches.

Shop with friends: not the ones you always shop with. The ones that have a fab sense of style and with whom you’ve not shopped with before. Don’t be afraid to ask a girlfriend out for a day of hitting the shops & stopping for juice breaks - you’ll discover boutiques, thrift stores or wee corner racks you never knew existed, and you’ll discover new ways to wear old favourites. Most of all you’ll have fun & stop each other from any potential tragic sale-induced fashion indecisions.

Try On Lots of Clothes: there is some stuff you will simply adore when you catch it on a mannequin or hanging on the shelf but once its on you… disaster! On the other hand, there are some items you will think are a little kitsch, but for one reason or another you’ll give it a chance & head on out to a change room for a round of dress ups & hey presto, you’ve found an absolute winner. Pick up a whole truck load of stuff, stuff you love, stuff you like, stuff you would never usually think to buy… & try it ALL on. Don’t worry about the change room girl giving you dirty looks when you hand her the eight items you’re not taking – that’s what she is paid for. Trying your items on before heading to the till will ensure you are getting whats right for YOU, rather then whats right for the plastic mannequin in the store window – not all trends work for all people – your wardrobe, your style – TRY IT ON!

Surf Fashion Blogs: there are some truly inspired girls & guys out there in the blogosphere. Check out fashion bloggers that post their style in way of daily outfit shots & join Chictopia for a whole community of inspirational fashionistas… you can even share your own style!

Daily Outfit Photos: start doing daily photos of your outfits. Or at least a-few-times-a-week-outfit-photos. It will help you get a real sense of your sense of style and in turn will allow you to develop your style. That and it will be loads of fun to look back over in the months & years to come. It’ll be a chronicle of your personal style – like a journal of your wardrobe <3 Grab your camera, join Flickr or Chictopia and get started today.

What are your shopping strategies? Share with us in the comments section!

Kate is the wanderlusting editor of Tres Lola. When she’s not attempting to save the world from the shopping traps of the festive season she is learning about life in London, the latest in a string of cities she has come to call home…