About five years ago I read an article that changed my life. I cannot remember where or who wrote it but after I read the article or perhaps it was a book I no longer shop the same way.

I have in the past talked about clown clothes, you know the clothes they make for large women in these large crazy prints so you won’t notice how large the clown is coming at you. When I looked in my closet I had more clown clothes than I care to even think about. And nobody thought I was thinner for wearing hideous prints.

This article said that shopping for clothes should be like shopping for furniture, think solid colors that go with many different things. Pick from your own taste four different colors you like, and could interchange with each other. Pants, skirts, jackets and suits should be in those colors. Your casual tops can be in any color you like. Your dress tops and shirts can be in prints if you like them but they don’t have to be. The four colors can mix and match.

Saturday I headed to one of my favorite boutiques after a stop at Dillards, actually I was going through Dillards to see what was “in style”. My favorite boutique is a Goodwill that happens to have top of the line clothing at prices most people cannot believe.

I have known my rules for shopping for years now so it is easy for me to walk away from colors that don’t work, styles I don’t like, and clothes I don’t love. I did find a myriad of wonderful things. I always do if I take time by myself and shop as a smart prepared shopper. When I go in and look for something specific is when I can get frustrated. The one shirt I would buy at Dillards that was on clearance was $41.00. I walked out of Goodwill with three bags full for four people(mostly stuff for me) with less than $100.00. There is nothing like that kind of power shopping.

As I was looking a mom and daughter were looking for dresses, the daughter could not believe the brands. Yes Talbots, Liz Claiborne, DKNY are all there. I did end up finding a Liz jacket that fit like a glove. Good Taste rarely goes out of style. You have to find the things in your size, style and color. It does take time, and no there are no perks from thrift shopping other than more money in your pocket and the knowledge that the rich mom and daughter next to me finally saw what I have known for years “never pay full price”.

• Four Colors you like that will intermix
• Don’t buy bad styles you don’t love
• Don’t buy clothes you don’t love
• Casual tops can be print and fun

And last but not least “Never pay Full Price”. Think of clothes like a great car, you are not willing to buy a new car but want one that looks good and lasts.

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