Her Magazine is New Zealand’s only women’s business lifestyle magazine! Her Magazine highlights the achievements of successful and rising New Zealand businesswomen. Her Magazine encourages a healthy work/life balance.
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:beyond the window Why look when you can't have? Beyond the Window Do you ever wander past a shop window, looking at the clothes, admiring how they look and think, "wow that looks nice - surely I can't afford it"; or better still, "I'm way too old to be going in there". But you want to! So why not indulge every now and then? Being creatures of habit we like to go shopping where it feels familiar. You know the style and fit suits, so why would you go somewhere else? It doesn't matter that we have walked past the window many times, or dreamed about looking like the model and how that outfit might look on us. We think of all the reasons not to go in rather than go in. Is it about taking a fashion leap of faith and venturing into the unknown? It could be as simple as buying one skirt, rather than three or four cheaper ones. I call this quality over quantity. I had a friend who was notorious for shopping at second handshops (nothing wrong with this), but she would later comment that the skirts tended not to last and she'd end up throwing them out. She decided to indulge in two decent ones and start to build a quality wardrobe, with a selection of work attire that lasts. When it comes to venturing into a store you may have admired from the window, or perhaps even seen something you fancied in a magazine – what stops you from going in? Firstly, think of the worst case scenario. You go in, you try something on, you don't like it – you leave. Secondly, the great thing about shopping somewhere unknown is that you may end up with something new and exciting. Of course, this could be the start of a love affair with a new you. 84 | www.h e rma gaz i n e . c o. n z Is there something you have wanted but have talked yourself out of, for reasons only you can answer? It could be as simple as deciding it is time to try on that new black dress you keep looking at when walking past but think won't suit. But then again, every girl needs a new black dress, as I'm sure Coco Chanel would agree. I feel this way most times when I go window shopping and wonder about what the experience would be like if I was to walk into some fashion stores that quite frankly seem scary. I am not sure what is more intimidating; the immaculate shop assistant/stylists looming inside, the possibility they won't have my size, or that the price tag is too expensive. In other words, I'll have to mortgage the kids or the house to be able to afford anything. Sticking to what we know and like gets easier the older we become. We get set in our ways and find it hard to step outside the comfort zone for that far- off fashion fantasy. Of course, we aren't all the perfect size (whatever that may be), have a disposable income to match or an occasion that warrants an indulgence of the fashion variety. But why not go in and spoil yourself? You deserve it. No one else needs to know. You can always hide the dress in the wardrobe for a week or two, and then surprise your family with, "oh this old thing – had it for ages". Naturally, when everyone sees how lovely you look, it won't really matter that you can't put food on the table or feed the dog for a week due to a little retail therapy. Helen Osborne Yellow Tulip whatisstyle.co.nz