As exciting as back-to-school shopping is, it can be easy to get discouraged after so many hours in the dressing room. Peep these tips to ensure you stay upbeat throughout the day.
1. Pace yourself
Remember to think of back-to-school shopping as a marathon, not a sprint. You don’t want to wear yourself out in the first couple hours trying to make a mad dash from one store to the next. Take your time in the dressing room to really see how things look on your body and if they work for your figure (and your school’s rules). Unsure? Put any “maybe” items on hold since you can always come back and purchase them later.
2. Take frequent breaks
Whoever said shopping wasn’t a workout was so, so wrong! It’s important to take frequent breaks throughout the day to rest your legs, hydrate and grab something to eat. You’ll feel much more energized, upbeat and ready and raring to go by the time you hit the next store. We suggest you pack a few healthy snacks in your bag, along with a water bottle. This will save you some money and help you avoid those fattening food court snacks that might cause a dreaded sugar crash.
3. Bring a shopping buddy with you
Back-to-school shopping is far less fun if you go it alone, right? Grab a fashionable friend or family member who won’t rush you into making hasty purchasing decisions but will keep it real when it comes to which fits, styles and cuts flatter your figure the most. Just be sure to bring along a positive person who has a whole lot of patience. The last thing you need is someone totally destroying your confidence in the fitting room.
4. Wear something cute but comfy
You always look and feel your best in new clothes if you’re dressed to impress to begin with. We’re not saying you have to strap on your hautest high heels and designer duds just to get your shop on, but it’s definitely a bad idea to show up to shop in your sweats. Slip on some comfortable-but-cute flats that will pair perfectly with a wide variety of outfits, your favorite skinny jeans and a basic tee. Layer a cami underneath in case the fitting room lines are crazy long — that way, you can easily try on tops in the store.
5. Do your makeup
Believe it or not, a little bit of makeup can go a long way in boosting your self-esteem during an all-day shopping excursion. You’ll be able to focus better on the clothes — not on how “awful” your face looks.
Healthy snacks to pack for a shopping marathon
Nutritionist Rania Batayneh, MPH, author of the upcoming book The One One One Diet, recommends these two easy and convenient snacks!
- Happy Squeeze pouches are perfect for a back-to-school shopping spree because they’re mess-free and have fewer than 100 calories per pouch. Plus, they offer antioxidants and added nutrition.
- Kind Bars offer convenience and portion control while using real, natural ingredients. The Nuts & Spices line has 5–7 grams of protein and fiber per serving to provide sustained energy!
More back-to-school shopping tips
Reasons why it’s OK to splurge on back-to-school shopping
How to keep your cool for back to school
Get organized for back to school
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