[NiteNicole]

I have a few suggestions:

First, get a ton of catalogs and identify what you like. It's easier to shop if you have an idea of what kind of style you're looking for. I like casual but pulled together. Lots of dark trouser style pants and cardigans (but not frumpy) for me. Flats.

Second, check out some books on style and fit. The UK What Not To Wear books are better than the US ones because they are very very specific about what works and what does not and why.

Don't go hungry or desperate and do put on makeup and fix your hair, otherwise if you're like me you spend the whole time going OMG, MY HAIR and everything will look awful because all you can see is frump from the neck up.

Don't take the husband or the kids (I know this from personal experience) or a friend who is also shopping for herself. If there are things you liked in catalogs, take those pictures with you so you can refer back. It is easy to get overwhelmed and lose focus. I have about a three hour attention span for shopping and after that, I'm tired and hot and ticked off. I don't ever plan for a whole DAY.

I HATE to shop. Nothing fits right now and finding the few things that look nice has been a project but now that I know what works, I stick with it. Doing the initial work has made it easier to spot something and know that yes, that will without a doubt work or no, that's cute but it's not for me.

Think about layers, they make outfits more interesting.
Make sure you have a good bra.
Don't be afraid of Spanx.

And that is my official How To Shop For People Who Hate It guide for the day!

[Petite Powerhouse]

Originally Posted by MariaMaria

Yes, but once you know, you know.

This isn't true for me, unfortunately. Would that it were. I find that, even within the same style, some things look good and some don't. And I am always going to have to try on long-sleeved shirts, because I have the shortest arms on the planet. Even petites sleeves can be too long. I will get cute jackets tailored, but I only buy long-sleeved shirts and blouses that fit when I try them on.

Certainly, though, knowing what doesn't work is a big plus. I avoid all of the absolute "No"s and stick to trying on only the things that might look good.

[shadetree20]

I agree with the advice about cutting pictures out of catalogues / magazines, but I would also suggest spending some time looking at fashion blogs. Now a days, you can find lots and lots of people with various body types, ranging from morbidly obese to typical model skinny posting outfits they wore that day (OOTD).

Looking at some of those pictures has been helpful to me in normalizing my expectations of clothes and bodies. Sometimes I think society creates an unattainable image in my head, and when the clothes I try on can't make me look like that image, I'm disappointed, even if I would think they were perfectly cute on another person.

I have no idea if that's what's holding you back, but it was an issue for me! Best of luck!