Whatever your shopping outlook, it’s an activity we all have to do on quite a regular basis. Before your next trip, read our tips to getting the most out of your shopping experience! Our guide is brought to you by our #ThinkProject campaign, which is about having the freedom of mind to get out there and really enjoy your passions.

Think ahead

 Make a list of things you need (or want) so you have a strong idea of what you’re looking for before you go. Planning like this can prevent aimlessly wandering, giving in to impulse buys – or worst of all, leaving the shops without whatever it is you were looking for. Don’t forget that you can also use social platforms such as Pinterest to plan your buys, and budgeting apps to make sure that you’re not spending more than you can afford!

Take a friend

 Shopping is as much of a bonding experience as it is a necessity, so bring along a friend, family member or partner to make the experience more fun! On top of this, it always helps to get someone else’s opinion when trying on outfits, so invite someone who you know will be honest, give good advice and knows your style well.

Explore something new

It can be easy to get stuck in a rut when it comes to your shopping routine. Try to avoid going to the same places every single time to add a bit of variety! It could be exploring a new street you’ve previously overlooked, or picking a whole new village, town or city to discover. Sometimes the best shops can be found nestled away from the beaten track – it can be worthwhile coming off the busier streets to explore slightly quieter backstreets. Challenge yourself to try at least one new shop per shopping trip to make sure you’re mixing it up and trying something new each time. If you’re exploring a new place, don’t forget that asking locals for their recommendations can be a great way to discover the best places available.

Capsule shopping

Capsule shopping is a clever way to rework your whole wardrobe with just several key items. This can help you declutter your wardrobe and focus on key pieces you can dress up or down. By shopping intelligently, you can create new outfits by reusing a key piece like a good pair of trousers, a shirt or a jacket. These items can be re-worn and reworked to keep your style evolving without buying loads of different clothes. Capsule shopping helps to focus your outfits and can make you think differently about buying items you never wear because they don’t go with anything! This also means that you can spend your money on higher quality items that are more durable and excellently designed.

Make sure you dress comfortably

Finally, the most important tip is to make sure that you wear comfortable clothing and footwear. There is nothing worse than wearing lots of layers or really tight clothes. You want to wear clothes and shoes that slip on and off really easily so you can try on the clothes without getting too fed up at the process. And do try on your clothes before you purchase to avoid disappointment when you get home.

Get the gear

If you’re going to be doing a lot of walking it’s so important that you wear shoes that are going to support your feet, otherwise you’ll be tired before you’ve found what you’re looking for. For maximum comfort, we’d recommend our women’s Ecco Cool 2.0 GORE-TEX SURROUND® Shoe in cow leather. For men, FretzMen Ascona Shoes are another great choice, being extremely comfortable and effortlessly stylish. GORE-TEX products provide long-lasting, comfortable weather protection you can trust from your head down to your toes. When you rely on GORE-TEX product technology, you can truly be in the moment and focus on whatever it is you love to do. Shop the full collection here. What else do you do to make your shopping experience enjoyable? Let us know in the comments below!