7 Tips to Guarantee Success on Your Next Shopping Trip ...

This is true of both food and clothes shopping but by making a list, you will be less likely to overspend. Of course, you may not be 100% clear about what it is you want, but you should have a vague idea. Having a list will also mean you may be less inclined to give in to the oh- so-over enthusiastic sales assistant (doing a fabulous job) and trying to sell you the must-have 'this season' matching handbag and the 'so you' statement necklace. Try to be strong, ladies, and ask yourself whether you really need it before succumbing to that sales assistant charm. This is one of the most important things to remember on your next shopping trip.

Make sure you wear appropriate underwear. There's nothing worse than trying on a garment and wearing the wrong underwear, as it will be tricky to get an idea of the cut and fit. For example, if you're looking for a strapless dress you may need to try it on with your strapless bra. If you're trying on a figure hugging dress, then seamless underwear will prevent the unsightly VPL.

Make sure you take the shoes along with you that you want to wear with that outfit so that you can see how they're going to look with it. You can try on a similar pair from the store, if the store has a pair of course, but you will save time by bringing them with you. Also, you may not be able to find the exact style and colour. If you're looking for pants and need to make sure that they go with those shoes, it's a good idea to take them with you so you know that they will sit perfectly on the shoes and won't make the trousers look too short or too long.

There are some simple steps to take when checking the quality of a garment and remember, it doesn't mean that the garment is any better if it costs more. Check that those buttonholes don't have any loose threads and that the hemlines are flat and even. Also, those seams should lie flat and shouldn't wrinkle or pull. If it is over budget and you absolutely love it and have to have it, take a few moments to rationalize and ask yourself if it's really worth it. This is where a shopping partner can come in handy and can be the voice of reason (or sometimes make you spend more!).

Shopping should be a pleasant experience but trying on multiple garments and getting hot and sweaty in the process can sometimes make it stressful and tiring. If you take too many garments into the fitting room, you're bound to get confused about what looked good and what didn't, so limit yourself to 3 garments at one time.

Look at the cost of the garment and ask yourself, is it worth the cost? If you think you're likely to get a lot of wear out of it and can justify and afford the hefty price tag then there's no reason not to treat yourself. But if you're agonising over the price and affordability then put it down and take some time to think about it. I often find that if I'm indecisive about a garment, a nice coffee, slice of cake and a half hour of contemplation can help me decide.

Remember to look at the fit of the garment. Garments from different stores will vary in size and there are certain details to remember when looking for the perfect fit. Pockets shouldn't gape and there should be no pulling around the bust on jackets, dresses or blouses or on the front of trousers. Go for an elegantly loose fit rather than a too-tight-for-you look as you'll look much slimmer. And always check those pesky zips. Aside from the fact you want them to work, they should lie flat.

Shopping has to be one of my favourite pastimes and I don't want to take the joy out of something fun by giving you a rule book of dos and don'ts. However, these tips should ensure that you're likely to be far more productive and will end up going home with a smile on your face because you have stuck to your list and budget. Not only that, you will have hopefully bought an item or two which are of high quality and which make you look fabulous! Happy shopping, ladies. What shopping advice would you give to the novice shopper or indeed the more experienced amongst us?