Successful Op-Shopping (Part 2)

So now you are up to trying things on, and deciding if you really need (need??) another skirt, although this one is slightly different from your others and only $2.99....

The Tough-Decision Rules

1. Until you are seasoned shopper who can whip into any store for 15 minutes and fly out with pure op-shopping gold, you need to try everything on. Try to sneak past the eagle-eyed nannas into the change room with 15 items, and don't think about the poor bugger waiting to try on their 2 tops after you. When there's a line because some inconsiderate person has gone in with more than 4 items, I do the Mum Trick and just try things on over what I am wearing (I've been known to do it in department stores, too. You hit 30 and suddenly all those things mum used to do that embarrassed me are awesome, time-saving ideas). If it doesn't fit, don't buy it. I don't care if you have just joined the gym, or are on a cleanse. Put that lovely skirt back, because sometime soon, someone is going to come into that shop and find it fits perfectly, and they'll look lovely, and they'll be so happy, and the skirt will get a second, exciting life. Shoved at the back of your closet is not the second life any skirt dreams of. Oh, and cleanses always end. Always.
2. Once you have decided on the 2 items out of 15 you have just tried on, it's time to give them a thorough going-over. Check the whole garment (back, hems, lining, arms) for any stains. I'm not talking a giant blob of curry sauce; I would hope you didn't even try that one on. This check is for those subtle little stains from a drop of salad dressing or a swipe of a texta. Fail to honour this step, and you'll find yourself with an unwearable dud and $5.00 worse off. Stained? Can't save it with a strategically placed brooch? Sard's not gonna rescue it? Back it goes.
3. When you're in the change room, you have the opportunity to give it the Wiff Test without offending anyone. Let's face it, stinky clothes and bags are a risk, although really only in the tiny, nanna church hall shops. If it smells like cigarette smoke or a billion moth balls, put it back. Nothing gets that reek out (a hint of moth ball is acceptable, but remember to wash twice and air for a week. Seriously).
4. You're close to purchase now. Time to do the ol' Put Back. Stand just shy of the register and give everything a final once-over. Will you really wear a leather-paneled skirt? What about an over-sized argyle grandpa cardie (which by the way, I do, and it's lovely)? Do you just like that you can buy a t-shirt for 20c?
5. Finally, price. Eyeball what you have in your arms. Is $14.99 too much for a second-hand Target dress, or are you staring at a silk Portmans number that has only been worn once? Weigh it up. It is, after all, pre-loved. If you are having trouble justifying it, you can always use the charity line: "Okay, it's a little more than I'd like to pay, but it does go to charity...". That usually gets me over the line.