While watching a “What Not to Wear” re-run the other day, I heard them say such a perfectly useful acronym and decided it was too good not to share.

The acronym is fairly simple and obvious but it’s such a good thing to keep in mind while shopping for clothing, especially while shopping by yourself when you don’t have access to a second opinion or the second opinion you do have around is not exactly trustworthy!

B: Body appropriate Does this item really flatter your body type? Think back to similar items you’ve purchased in the past, did it photograph well? Also, use the mirrors that allow you to see the back of you as well as the front and make sure you can sit and breathe comfortably in.

A: Age appropriate There’s no need to obsess over this one even though most of us do. It’s really a matter of comfort. Do you feel comfortable sporting this potential trend? If you do, it’s most likely age appropriate and when in doubt, do without!

S: Situation appropriate Pretty self-explanatory, right? 🙂

E: Expense appropriate  CPW (cost per wear) When making a decision, take into consideration the wear you will receive from the item AND what you currently have in your closet that you can coordinate with the new piece. For example, don’t be afraid to bite the bullet with your basic black skirt that you know you’ll wear until the threads fall apart, but think twice before buying anything that’s too expensive and flashy that will be very noticeable if worn frequently.

There you have it folks, B.A.S.E- a truly useful shopping tool! Put it into practice during your next shopping expedition and comment your experience below…

Happy shopping friends!