Tip: Photographing Whilst Shopping

A while back I wrote about my sartorial journey, and how I use The Power of Pause, Conscious Consumption and some honest to goodness self-appraisal to learn how to shop for clothes, and create a wardrobe that made me feel like a million bucks. It’s ever evolving, but I’ve come a long way.

Recently while chatting with a friend, I mentioned one of my favorite techniques for getting real about what flatters my figure… and what doesn’t. I don’t know about you guys, but sometimes don’t you get confused at the store? Standing in front of that dressing room mirror. Wearing an item that you really want to make work. Or maybe you just want to buy something. Or maybe it really does appear to make your legs look a mile long…

But then you go home, and you try the item on again… and you feel like a dud. It feels like a dud. (Can you pick out the duds in the picture to the right? Cause I threw some in there!) And then it goes unworn and you’ve broken the code [that I live by]: “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful” (brought to you by William Morris).

How can you be a conscious consumer WHEN THE DRESSING ROOM CONFUSES YOU?! Good question! Glad you asked! Keep them coming.

Take pictures. Seriously. When I’m in a dressing room, and I’m starting to get a hunch that I like an item enough to purchase it, I snap a photo – maybe I take a couple from different angles. Guys, there is something about a photo that distills any confusion. Mostly because I’m looking at what I will LOOK LIKE in photos, should I be wearing this item. And if I don’t like what I see, that item is not going home with me. (That rhymed. You’re welcome.)

We live in an age where the majority of us have cameras on our phones, and I know we are not leaving home without the phone, so put it to use.  Snap those pics. Get real with yourself. Purchase if you love it. But if you don’t love it, hand it back to the sales person, and go on with your day.