Clothes shopping can be stressful, daunting, and uncomfortable. It is something that I dreaded for my whole life. It was always so full of promise when I first walked into a store but it always ended with sadness when nothing looked right on me. I would remember why I hated going shopping in the first place and would end up being depressed over it. The mirrors in the changing rooms only made it worse because it was just another reminder of why I hated clothes shopping. It took me until I turned 23 to love shopping again. I began being able to fit into clothes and became more adventurous with trying on things that I never would have in the past. I was losing weight in a healthy way and I finally began to shop in a better mood. I would walk into stores with my head held high and ready to find something to try on. I love trying on pretty tops and feeling so excited when I saw how amazing they looked on me. I love being able to walk out of a store with something that I really love and that I could not wait to wear. I wish that I could have found this feeling of happiness sooner. Some of the things that I do know when I shop now are as follows:

1. Find one thing that really catches your eye: I search the store for something that really catches my attention. It could be a top, a bottom or a dress whatever it is, I make sure that there is something special about it.
2. Take Multiple Sizes: Every stores sizing is different. Do not get discouraged when you find something in a size that would fit you somewhere else and it ends up not fitting here. I come to accept this one. I would rather feel comfortable in what I have on then be stuffed into it.
3. Search the Clearance and Sale Racks: These are the best places to look for things because not only are they marked down but there are so many different options.
4. Make sure it REALLY fits: Test it out, walk around, make sure that you can breathe and feel comfortable in what you have on. This one is really important because I now only buy what I feel good in.
5. Have Fun: Shopping should not have to be dreadful, it should be something that you can do with ease.

If anything, make sure that you buy something that you really love and can see yourself wearing. Do not just buy something to buy it, you should really love it. It took me so long to love my clothes and even longer to love shopping for them. Loving this experience has really opened up my eyes to what is out there for me. I hope this helps you too!

Shop on!