Shoes

Stereotypes suggest that all women love to shop for clothes and all men despise it.

Is this true?



The act of shopping stirs up numerous feelings and opinions. For some, it immediately creates excitement. For others, it is seen as a chore that they stubbornly try to avoid, similar to a 5-year-old fighting his parents over eating vegetables.

Shopping is a part of everyone's life; the amount and attention given to this activity is what differs. When you walk out the door to shop for clothes, the intentions are the same no matter what your gender - you want to leave the store with what you set out to find.

Is there anything you can do before leaving your house that will result in a more joyous shopping experience? If you loathe shopping for clothes, then you might simply be going about it incorrectly.

One trend is that young men these days are shopping more like young women. What does this mean? It means that gender no longer is a defining factor when it comes to your shopping behavior. According to WSL Strategic Retail's study, young men make 3.6 shopping trips per week compared to 4.1 by younger women. The survey also reveals that young men visit 1.6 stores, nearly the same amount as young women at 1.9.

Retailers are well aware of this statistic and realize that young men represent opportunity and are the generation for growth. Abercrombie & Fitch alongside Express for Men are a few examples of stores who appeal to young male shoppers.

From where did this young men shopping trend stem? Many young men are growing up in households with working moms who do not have time to do all of their shopping. They are responsible for doing more of their own shopping and heading to the stores for their clothing needs. Another factor might be that men are marrying at an older age, which is causing them to do their own shopping at a younger age.

To help leave your home before shopping in the right frame of mind, especially when it comes to the No. 1 one shopping frustration - clothing - try these two techniques.

First, how you walk into a store reflects how you will feel when looking and trying on clothing. My suggestion is to begin your clothing quest showered, hair combed, dressed in clothing you look nice in and feeling good.

Secondly, wear slip-on shoes. It is frustrating to have to lace up or fiddle with straps and buckles repeatedly while trying on clothing. Reducing annoyances, even as minor as fiddling with shoes in the dressing room, will result in a more enjoyable shopping experience.

Male or female, we all shop and we all enjoy a successful shopping endeavor. Take my word for it and try these simple tips. It might allow you to leave a store happy and content with new possessions and keep you from dreading your next shopping occurrence.

It might be simple but it truly works. What were you wearing the last time you went shopping?



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