By Catherine Fisher

You don’t fit the clothes; the clothes fit you. 
This is the most important rule to remember. Different brands and designers cut their clothes differently. You may be a size 4 at one store and a size 8 at another. It has nothing to do with you or your body. It’s also very common to be “in-between” sizes. While this is frustrating, it’s simply a fashion fact-of-life these days. Find a good tailor and use her!

Dress for success.
If you are happy with how you look before trying clothes on, you will be happier with how you look while trying on. Before you go shopping, make sure your makeup and hair are the way you would want if you were going out with your friends. When you are confident in your appearance, you stand taller and straighter, so clothes look better on you.

Feeling discouraged about how you look? Go for what’s safe.
Nothing seems to fit? Before you get down on yourself, move on to something that is safe to you. Maybe you love jewelry or shoes; or maybe even perfume and cosmetics. Regardless of your guilty pleasure, it’s okay to take a break from the pangs of a fitting room to check out something you know will always fit. I am not saying that you should blow your whole wardrobe budget on purses and jewelry, but taking a break can make you feel refreshed and ready to move on.

Get in some cardio before hitting the mall.
The best way to set yourself up for a day of shopping is to get your workout in before hitting the mall. Exercise releases endorphins that can improve your mood, energy, and stamina throughout the day. To keep yourself from tiring out and turning to sugary “mall-food,” start your day with a good breakfast, go for a 20-30 minute walk, and bring along something to munch on like almonds, trail mix, or cereal.  You’ll feel better, and have a much better outlook on your day.

When in doubt, ask!
Does every pair of jeans you’ve tried not seem to fit properly? Can you not seem to find the perfect dress to wear to a special event? Never be afraid to ask a salesperson for help.  She knows her products better than anyone and can help you find something that you would’ve never found, or even that you would have never tried.

Stick to a budget.
There's nothing worse than feeling guilty as you look over receipts when you get home. Before you set out for the mall, give yourself a budget. Prioritize your purchases.

If you’re interested in a potential budget-breaking item, ask yourself: When and where will I wear this? How often will I wear it? Do I already have something similar to this in my wardrobe? Walk away for a little while. Taking a few minutes to think without the confined space of a fitting room can clear your mind.

Don’t buy just to buy.
The success of a shopping trip is not measured in the number of bags you bring home. Don’t think that, just because you haven’t bought anything, your trip was unsuccessful. If you set out looking for jeans and leave empty-handed, don’t think that buying another purse will make you feel better.

The size on the label does not matter.
As long as something fits and is flattering, the number on the label isn't important. There is absolutely no shame in going up a size. I cannot count the number of times I have seen somebody refuse to buy something that fit her properly based solely on the fact that it was a certain size. If you don’t want that little tag tarnishing your closet, just cut it off! If it looks good, trust me, you will soon forget what size that item was.

Dress the body you have now.
“It doesn’t fit me now, but if I lose just 10 pounds, it’ll be perfect.”  This statement makes me  cringe. If it doesn’t fit you when you try it on, don’t buy it. Nothing is more discouraging than having something hanging in your closet that you love, but can’t wear.  If you are losing weight and know that you are only a couple of pounds from your goal, go ahead and buy. After all, you know your body better than anyone. But there is a difference between buying to accommodate your weight loss and accommodating your body to fit a dress.

If you’re going to need to hit the gym for two weeks to fit into that dress you love, then go shopping again after that two weeks and pick up the dress then. You might not even want it anymore as there might now be something better!

Shop your closet before hitting the mall.
Before you go shopping, take a quick inventory. You might be surprised to find that you really don’t need jeans or camis, or a new blouse. Make sure that you know what you have before you buy. Some of the best shopping you can do is often in your own closet!

Hopefully, these tips will give you the tools necessary to make your next shopping trip a positive one. Happy shopping.

Fiftyshift fashion consultant Catherine Fisher is a recent graduate of the University of Massachusetts Journalism Program. She bases her writing for us on years of helping women as a fashion specialist at a  mall clothing store.