Surprising Secrets to Shopping Like a Fashion Expert

If shopping were a sport, industry insiders like stylists, designers, editors, and influencers would be the team MVPs. After all, they pretty much indulge in retail therapy for a living. When you’re immersed in the world of fashion on the daily, you’re bound to pick up more than a handful of tips and tricks. So we decided it’s time they spilled the beans. We tapped stylist (and shoe designer) Ade Samuel, style blogger Jess Ann Kirby, accessories designer Clare Vivier, and our own Senior Fashion and Beauty Editor, Zoey Washington, to give us the details on how they shop. Because if it’s good enough for this group of insiders, well, then we want in on the action. Ahead, the real ways to shop like an expert, straight from the mouths of fashion babes.

Brit + Co: So what do you spend the most on? The least on?

Ade Samuel: I spend the most on accessories — I love a good handbag, and shoes are pieces of art to me. I spend the least on actual ready to wear, as I believe you don’t have to spend high to look good.

B+C: Do you try trends or stick to staples/classics? Both?

AS: I stick to classics and also create new trends to keep things fresh and fun in the fashion industry.

B+C: Do you impulse buy? Or stalk one item for days?

AS: Sometimes I impulse buy! I mainly love to shop with the idea of investment pieces in mind. I buy pieces with a longer shelf life. I stalk anything Valentino.

B+C: Do you tend to buy a lot and then return?

AS: No, better to buy and keep! Because, let’s be honest — who remembers to go and actually do the return!

B+C: What about bargain hunting? Is that your thing?

AS: Yes, I love thrifting and finding cool vintage spots to shop at.

B+C: What can you never have enough of?

AS: Shoes!

B+C: Do you have a favorite store or a favorite website?

AS: Curve LA, Just One Eye LA, and online I love to shop on Net-a-Porter.

B+C Is there anywhere you shop that people would be surprised by?

AS: ZARA! They are my favorite fast fashion company.

B+C: Any other tips you want people to know?

AS: Don’t blind shop! I used to shop without an idea of what I was going to buy or even why I was going into the store. Although I am a fan of the idea of shopping, I think the best experience and the way you get a bang for your buck, is to shop with intent. (Photo via Ade Samuel)

B+C: Do you impulse buy? Stalk one item?

Jess Ann Kirby: I’ve gotten so much better about not impulse buying — probably because I rarely go into stores anymore. I do most of my shopping online and I tend to be less impulsive. The only time I am weak is when we need something for our house and I get impatient, and I almost always regret it. As far as stalking, I am always, always, always on the hunt for good denim. I will never have too many pairs.

B+C: Do you buy a lot and then return?

JAK: Guilty as charged. I love Shopbop and Nordstrom because they have the best return policies. And I’m an online shopper so I can order everything, try it on at home, and send whatever I don’t like back. It’s when I don’t have anything to send back that I get into trouble.

B+C: Are you a bargain hunter?

JAK: I’m so all over the place with my shopping methods. I love a good deal but I won’t buy something just because it’s on sale. I’ve become more of a deal hunter since we bought a house and everything I want is a bajillion dollars.

B+C: What do you spend the most and the least on?

JAK: I never spend a lot on trendy items. I spend on the things I wear the most: denim, sweaters, booties, and coats. And skincare. I will spend almost anything on good skincare.

B+C Do you have a favorite store or a favorite website?

JAK: Shopbop and Anthropologie are my two faves.

B+C: Do you try trends or stick to staples/classics? Both?

JAK: I think I stick to staples/classics most of the time, but if it’s a trend that looks good on me or I’m into I’ll give it a try. I never feel obligated to try trendy stuff.

B+C: Any other tips you want people to know?

JAK: Anywhere you love to shop, make sure you sign up for their rewards program. It’s almost always worth it. (Photo via Jess Ann Kirby)

B+C: Do you impulse buy? Stalk one item?

Clare Vivier: I sometimes impulse buy. I rarely stalk but yes, sometimes.

B+C: Do you buy a lot and then return?

CV: Never.

B+C: What do you spend the most on? The least on?

CV: Most? Shoes. Least? Sadly, bras.

B+C: What can you never have enough of?

CV: Falke socks!

B+C: Do you have a favorite store or a favorite website?

CV: My local neighborhood shops in Silverlake, Mohawk General Store and Lake. And netaporter.com and matchesfashion.com

B+C: Do you try trends or stick to staples/classics?

CV: Mostly classics.

B+C: Anywhere you shop that people would be surprised by?

CV: Lively has good and inexpensive bras.

B+C: Any other tips you want people to know?

CV: Frequent your local vintage shops for statement pieces. (Photo via Clare Vivier)

B+C: Do you impulse buy? Stalk one item?

Zoey Washington: I rarely impulse buy. I am a stalker, through and through. I like to consider what gaps any item is filling in my wardrobe and whether or not I am going to regret the purchase. I think that is why I end up with so much in the same color range of black, gray, tan, navy, or white — because I want everything that I own to work together and last for as long as possible. But that can lead to a much-needed infusion of color. I will stalk an It item or something until it goes on sale. I refuse, and I mean refuse, to pay full retail price.

B+C: Do you buy a lot and then return?

ZW: I rarely ever return items. I find it to be such a pain in the butt, and if there are any issues with the return I am so annoyed. I only return when something is purchased online and doesn’t fit. Otherwise, it is mine for a long time.

B+C: Are you a bargain hunter?

ZW: I only know bargain shopping. I am not one of those people that is strict about when something came out or what “season” it is from. I am more of a timeless, high-quality lover, so if I can get something that I will wear for a long time for less, then I will.

B+C: What do you spend the most on? What do you spend the least on?

ZW: I will spend the most on handbags. I love a great, luxe handbag and I rarely ever wear a non-designer bag (sorry, not sorry). I think a great bag can make any outfit look 100 times better and more sophisticated — that is key. I also spend quite a bit on coats and jackets for much of the same reason. I spend the least amount of money on clothes in general. I am more of a black jeans, great sweater or simple dress type of person, and then I let the jacket or accessories do all the talking.

B+C: What can you never have enough of?

ZW: I can never have enough Celine from the Phoebe Philo years — always and forever.

B+C: Do you have a favorite store or a favorite website?

ZW: My favorite store right now is a toss-up between the therealreal.com and matchesfashion.com. I just love them both and can easily target anything that I am after. The RealReal became a bit of an obsession for me to the point where people in my building asked if I had started working for them. Oops.

B+C: Do you try trends or stick to classics?

ZW: I stick to basics, and though that has done me well these 34 years, I know that I need to mix it up a bit and bring in some color or pattern every once and a while. When I do buy something more adventurous, I feel so “on display,” so it is rare that I take that risk.

B+C: Anywhere you shop that people would be surprised by?

ZW: I love to go to department store distribution centers (look it up) that are in random spots around the country. They often have a small storefront with slightly damaged merch that is open to the public during off hours — gold mine.

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