The Number One Shopping Rule Women Must Obey

How many times have you gone shopping for a swimsuit or a pair of jeans and felt absolutely paranoid of the size on the label?

How many times have you purchased a garment based solely on its size?

Start training yourself to not be married to a clothing size. Instead, be focused on how the garment properly fits your body at this moment.

If you purchase clothing based only on size, you are typically buying clothes that don't fit you properly. It is unrealistic to buy a size small or a size 6 just because you are convinced you're that size.

If the size small t-shirt fits you poorly, you'll look unkempt. Tops that are too small will only highlight the rolls on your back and/or your pudgy tummy (or what you think is a pudgy tummy). That's definitely not attractive.

Pants that are too small are not only uncomfortable, they're unsightly.

The tired mantra that the garment will fit you perfectly after you lose those last pesky ten pounds needs to be put to pasture. You'll feel so much better in clothing that fits you well, no matter the size. Isn't that what it's all about (how you feel)?

It's absolutely OK to go up a size for a better fit. In fact, you should always take a couple of sizes with you into the dressing room.

Try the following ideas to help get past size obsession.

Experiment with different sizes.

Take two identical outfits with you into a dressing room: one the size you think you are and one the next size up.

First, try on the outfit in the size you think you are. Pay very close attention to how it fits you. Do the rolls on your back show too much? Is it too tight across the chest? Can you breathe?

Next, try on the next-size-up outfit. Chances are you'll look much, much better. You'll also feel better in the larger outfit because you look better.

Hide the size with stickers.

Carry a small roll of blue painter's tape in your handbag (or raid your daughter's sticker collection). After you've selected garments in a couple of different sizes, head to the dressing room.

Put a small piece of tape or a sticker on the labels to hide the sizes. Then, when you slip on that pair of jeans, you'll be more focused on the fit than the silly little number on the tag.

It may take some time for you to train your mind to not be married to a size. Once you do, you'll feel liberated and look fabulous.

SOURCE: Personal experience.