We all have different shopping personalities that we embody depending on the shopping occasion. When you are frantically looking at the last minute for a suitable dress to wear to a friend’s wedding you are hurried and maybe even impatiently angry, your style standard might be lower and you might even be satisfied with something you will only wear once. Other times you are on a discovery excursion and you want something very special and unique to integrate into your closet and you can re-wear many times and to many different events. Some of these personalities are closed off and secretive from the store sales people and consisting of intimate and private while some personalities scream “Help me now!” and you cannot find a sales person fast enough. Often how well you enjoy shopping may depend on which personality you most frequently embody and which do you most often enjoy.

Private Personality #1:  Post baby body social event shopping – Vulnerable and Hesitant

You’ve come through the real work of bringing life into the world and you are uncertain of where you new post baby body resides in the world of fashion.  You are not as large of your peak pregnancy weight but not really what you used to be.  You come into the store with some trepidation and you might even enjoy looking at all the possibilities but the fitting room is an emotional landmine.  You are looking to express yourself as a stylish individual but are you a 6, 8, 10 or what?  Do you now have to go into a whole other department for your size options.  You are just coming out of the maternity clothes exile.  The key to success for this personality is to bring a trusted friend, moderate your expectations, focus on swing or a-line designs, fabric and color richness and details in the collar, sleeves or the hemline instead of the waistline.  Also, bring tissues, there may be some tears.

Public Personality #1:  Last minute wedding guest shopping – Manic and Frustrated

Okay so you decided to go to your friend Jim’s destination wedding at the last minute.  You need some night pieces to wear and it is Thursday night and you fly out on Saturday morning!  This is an emergency!  Other classmates from grad school will be there and you want to look great.  Make a beeline for the nearest sales person on the store floor or make an appointment with a stylist.  Try to find someone who looks like they are stylistically similar with your goals and then shop the whole store with them.  There is no time to browse and go through switching people from dresses to shoes to separates.  You need to be guided in the most efficient manner possible.

Public Personality #2:  Planned special occasion shopping – Sometimes Joyful, Mostly Pensive and Confused

So of course as the mother or father of the bride, bridesmaids or groomsmen you will need to receive extensive direction and feedback on what you were.  Sometimes it is as exact as just order this dress in your size.  Other times it is an exact color or just a fabric or shade and you can choose whatever you want given those guidelines.  Similarly you might be planning to attend a black tie event with a dress code.  Again this is an occasion to get help, not only from the store sales staff but also from your family and friends.  This may be very frustrating and sometimes judgmental.  Plan for a nice dinner with drinks after each shopping trip.

Private Personality #2:  Large ticket investment shopping – Calm, Thoughtful, Meditative

So this is the year you’ve decided to purchase a serious grown-up designer purse or suit or pair of shoes.  You have saved a significant amount of money (relative to your income).  Whether this investment is a few thousand or a few hundred dollars, this mission requires some real consideration, comparison shopping and even some spiritual guidance.  I had a friend who would walk around the store just holding an accessory or garment for almost an hour to gauge how well she spiritually “connects” with it!  While such a process does require some informative help from others, be they sales people or web research, it is essentially a private endeavor.  Only you can ultimately conclude which item will best fit into your lifestyle and future reinterpretation for changing styles.  Hmm … maybe there is a need for a fashion financial advisor profession.

Public Personality #3:  Latest trend shopping – Curious, Social, Open-minded

With each season new styles and fashion trends are rolled out.  Typically in the spring or summer people are most open to rethinking their style.  The weather is warmer and they may have the time and positive energy to engage in trying new things.  Since the risk level is low, in other words you can always fall back on what you already have, this new trends shopping personality is not as high stress as others.  You may be open to not only talking to store sales people but also random strangers in the fitting room.  It is just a social, fun excursion to see what the taste-makers are thinking and then choose to ignore them if you want.