How to Win at Shopping: 297 Insider Secrets for Getting the Style You Want at the Price You Want to Pay

by David Zyla, Eila Mell

A book worth its weight in gold—or what one charges on a gold card. Written by two fashion experts with deep experience in fashion shopping and styling, How to Win at Shopping is perfect for the woman who loves to shop—there is priceless information on every page. And perfect for the woman who hates to shop—here’s the game plan to make it work. And for both, hundreds of ways to save money, time, and aggravation. Page after page is filled with knowledgeable insider tips, the hows and whys of shopping Always beware of prices in carpeted areas of a store. Three-quarter sleeves are always flattering. Sometimes, for certain items like T-shirts or knits, it makes sense to shop in the boys’ department. For shoes, the best toe shape will always match your best neckline. Never shop in a hurry. When approaching a rack of clothing, always start with color. Always sit down when trying on clothing. There are style basics, like how to find the perfect pair of jeans. Money-saving tips, like why never to open a store credit card. Shopping rules, like leave your jewelry at home when shopping. Plus tips for shopping online, in thrift stores, and around the holidays. And throughout, separate lists, like the 15 secrets of finding clothes that make you look ten pounds thinner; the seven things a tailor can do—and six things a tailor can’t; and the top ten wardrobe staples.

Genres: Nonfiction

151 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 27, 2015

Reviews

[Aja · Rating 2 out of 5]

A few good tips especially about when to buy what but this one mostly wasn't helpful. There's some misinformation in there. For example, the authors say you should never expect a store to order sales merchandise from another store for you. WRONG. Most stores that I frequent will totally order the sale item for you and some (ex: Anthropologie) will do it free of charge. They just want to get rid of the merchandise. It's taking up valuable real estate in their stores and at that point it's more a burden to them. Nordstrom Rack used to do it free of charge too, now they charge shipping. But either way, anytime you go into a store and you pick up something you love that isn't in your size, make them hunt it down (though ask nicely). This book also sort of pushes the shopper to be a bit of a pushy brat. Calling up any store and threatening to go somewhere else if they don't give you free shipping during the holiday season isn't a good way to get what you want. Instead, remind them that another place has it, with free shipping and see if they change their mind. No one likes a jerk, especially not sales assistants. I also found this particular passage to be incredibly problematic
"Women are used to wearing uncomfortable shoes that look good, but men will not wear shoes that are not comfortable, no matter how handsome they look." This one sentence points out EVERYTHING that is wrong with our society. First the fact that they would brazenly write this in a book as if it were fact (newflash: women don't like to be uncomfortable either) and mostly that they state it as if men are some delicate creatures that we have to step lightly around .... "ooooh don't buy him something that may be uncomfortable". Cool. Remind him of that next time he gets you some ridiculous lingerie that's part of some dumb fantasy. I know it sounds like I have a rage hard on for this book but mostly, I found some of the writing to be a little careless. All those "always" ... there's no real firm rules with fashion except for when it comes to fit. And if you know you've found something you've been looking for FOREVER on a website and it's no returns, always buy it. If you have a change of heart, sell it on eBay or Tradesy or Poshmark. Okay, I'm gonna cut this off otherwise I'll never stop.

[Michaela · Rating 1 out of 5]

Why I even bothered, I do not know.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I already knew a lot of these tips, reading this book was an excellent reminders of dos and don’t and could help you to shop smartly. The book also includes a number of different occasions, seasons, thrifting/vintage, etc.

Being reminded of what’s possible with a thrifted item and what is not is invaluable, as is the advice that helps you to not be guilted into making a purchase, among many others.


For any person who loves clothes or hates them, this book will help you up your style game without overspending. The tips are universal, versus those wardrobe books where no one still dresses like that—this book is recommended.

[Teresa Ballantyne]

This is a book about shopping

This is a shopping book, not a style book. There are many great tips on how to shop. There are tips on how to get great deals and how to avoid our merchandise. If you live to shop then you will pick up some great tips. If you hate to shop then this book may change your mind. I recommend this book.

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a pretty thrifty shopper and never buy anything that's not on super sale. Usually, it's just clearance racks for me, unless there's a big coupon! Anyways, this is a quick read and it has some good tips. I knew a lot of it though from my own shopping experience.

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

A few good lessons

Most of this book is common sense, unless you’ve never shopped in person in your life. Some suggestions are debatable; not much in here is a secret. Some are just silly; e.g. ask the people in the fitting room where there is a nearby window to see things in natural light? In a dept store?

[Mary Archer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some old, some new

Some common advice mixed with real gems. Simple format, almost entirely text and to the point. An uncomplicated shopping guide with key, but not new or extensive color information for the Zyla enthusiast.

[Regina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Recommended by a friend who is really into the Zyla color analysis system. Unfortunately kind of problematic in multiple ways. A couple good tips for someone who doesn’t know anything about thrifting.

[Corinne · Rating 2 out of 5]

95% of the tips are common sense or common knowledge. This is a good book to borrow from the library, so you win by not paying for it.

[Anna Rodnishcheva · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not useful

[Butterfly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did save some money by reading this book so it more than paid for itself. Good tips but wasn't written in a very engaging way

[Ursula Shelton · Rating 3 out of 5]

How to Win at Shipping was a nice, compact book that was filled with sound advice for a variety of shopping experiences. From online shopping to wedding shopping this book has good advice for you. I would recommend it to family and friends. Enjoy!

[Ledys · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book was full of useful tips and lots of insight into how the market works, with practical steps to use that knowledge to your advantage. It was a library copy and I have since returned it, so I don't have any useful information regarding what the chapters are and the logical organization of the information, but there were chapters on the diverse places where you shop (mall, department store, outlet, etc.), there were sections devoted to online shopping, seasonal shopping, and seasonal calendars on what you can expect to find when. I am planning on purchasing a copy for my own reference.

[Jane]

Some of this is common sense (look around you when you enter a big mall, so you remember where to exit at the end of the day), some of it is interesting (but contradictory. Do salespeople make a display look messy so you'll think lots of people were interested in those shirts, or do they let it stay messy in clearance, so you'll be more interested in the full-price section?), and a lot of it is for people who shop more than I. A fast read.

[Amanda Dennis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads. It was a very informative, quick read. With tips for shopping in vintage stores to higher end. It has shopping tips, and how to find the right fit. From jeans to formal, it has tips for everything. Some tips are things I already knew. Others were something I had never thought of, and appreciated. The book is small enough to tuck into your purse/bag for reference when you go shopping.

[Esme · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some of the tips were new and useful, though many tips I'd read in other style and shopping books. The formatting--while at first glance pretty, colorful--turned out to actually be rather annoying. They put "Always," Sometimes," or "Never" in bold red in every paragraph, whether or not it made sense to have those words paired with the tip.

[Dreena Hoffmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a handy book and it's small enough to take with you shopping. Lots of good shopping tips. The categories help you find exactly what you are interested in. This book is going in my purse. :)

[Farrell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good advice for the clueless

[Monica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Niffy little book of simple easy steps to help making shopping trips more productive!

[Kinoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do love shopping, impulsively sometimes. This book reminds me to shop smart and wisely. A definitely great book.

[Anne · Rating 1 out of 5]

"treat shopping like a business meeting", this is where I have been going wrong all these years...not taking shopping seriously enough, silly me...

[J Crossley · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are tips in the book as to how to find the best deals and know what to look for when shopping.

[Barbara · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you're a shopper, you know all the secrets.

[San Diego Book Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed by Gretchen Wagner for San Diego Book Review

Shopping is a task that, for good or ill, everyone has to undertake. “How to Win at Shopping” asserts that shopping is a skill that can be learned, and that knowing the right tips can make every shopping venture a success. Authors David Zyla and Eila Mell, stylists and fashion consultants, teach you how to Establish a Game Plan; Shop Strategically; Find Your Perfect Match in the Fitting Room; Discover Hidden Treasures; Master the Virtual Store; learn the Art of the Deal; When and How to Splurge; and Shop for All Seasons.

You can read this entire review and others like it at San Diego Book Review.