“I tend to get overwhelmed if there isn’t a systematic approach to the shopping process.”

• Kathy keeps a running list so she knows what she has to get on the weekend.
• For one-stop shopping for everything from T-shirts to toothpaste, she gravitates to megastores like Target.
• Forgo the dressing room; try clothes at home, Kathy advises. You’re more relaxed and can see how they blend with what you’ve got.
• Kathy stocks her wardrobe with seasonless neutrals and old standbys (cashmere sweaters, tailored jackets) and splurges on accessories. “I stick to the basics and wear them to death,” she says.

Kim Vernon, 40

“I hesitate to buy clothes that need tailoring—who has an extra five minutes?”

• Kim tears out magazine pages for inspiration and makes calls in advance to locate difficult-to-find items.
• For more attention from salespeople, she hits stores on weekdays just after the doors open or uses a personal shopper.
• Kim bulks up her wardrobe in January and July, when merchandise gets marked down. The rest of the time, her browsing is event driven.
• Kim often wears a skirt with tights to try on items, ensuring that she’s never self-conscious and undergarments lie smooth beneath the clothes.
• It’s important to shop in an outfit that communicates your style, says Kim. When you walk into a boutique, the salespeople will immediately get an idea of your taste.

Erica Reid, 36

“Shopping is my alone time. I don’t want the kids saying, ‘Can we go now?’”

• For stamina, Erica never embarks on a shopping trip without water, trail mix, and rice crackers.
• Erica buys what she likes when she sees it and holds on to it for the right occasion. “If you have to mull it over, put it down,” she says
• She also rewards loyalty: Erica returns to the same salesperson time after time, which means that even when she’s not in the store, someone is pulling pieces she might like or putting them aside until a sale starts.
• When buying something pricey that needs alterations, Erica always lets the store handle them. That way it’s responsible if something goes wrong.
• Erica empties her purse at the end of the day. She files receipts immediately so she knows where they are if needed.

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