The simplest solutions to the most common shopping woes

Your shopping experience doesn't have to be limited to standard retail stories. Style expert Mana Mansour shares her insider style knowledge to answer common fashion/shopping questions

What to do if you don't have enough time to dig through a mall

Shopping at a retail mall can be stressful. Often times you don't have time to try on clothes and end up buying impulsively. Trying to find time to get back to the mall to return thinks can also be a hassle. Give yourself a little extra time wherever possible by making use of loyalty cards that extend the return period. For example, the TJX Card gives you up to 30 days to return your items, which is a big jump from there standard 10 days, and lets you know when there's special events so you can get in early.

Some other stores offer even more great advantages for singing up. The Nordy Club (from Nordstrom) offers fun and free styling workshops, priority access to style events and free alterations and all your purchases are online on your profile! It's a great way to save a trip to the seamstress. 

If you're a loyal customer who shops continuously at certain stores then downloading the stores app is a great idea to staying up to date with all their deals. For example, Zara has an app that saves all your info so you never have to guess what size you are. 

Options to shop if you live far away from the mall

Subscription box services are a great way to get fashion goodies right to your door so you don't have to step outside. And better still, they do the hard work of picking the items for you. Frock Box is a great example of this, it's a monthly Canadian Womens' clothing subscription box. It offers three boxes and have sizes from small to 3XL - a perfect fit for everyone! The best part? It's only $29 a month and the pieces are chosen by a personal stylist who selects the clothing and accessories specific to your profile. 

When nothing ever fits quite right

Most people buy items off the rack and just deal with the fact that sleeves are a bit too long, and pants bunch or gape in different areas. It's time to build a relationship with your local alterations shop. For a surprisingly small amount of money, you can have your clothing altered to fit you just right, which not only feels better because it fits better, it often makes your outfits look way more expensive!

When you love fashion but also want to be more eco-friendly

It's no secret that fast-fashion brands are creating more than ever before, and we're buying it up. The downside of that is that our wardrobe turns over even faster and those cheap items end up in the landfill. Buying locally is a great way to cut down on your carbon footprint when it comes to fashion, but another fantastic solution is buying used. Consignment shops are popping up all over the place, and not only is it a great place to score designer goods at a fraction of the cost, but you can also sell the items you're done with, saving them from going into the garbage. Have a big event coming up? Why not try renting a gown! Fashion rental businesses are all the rage right now for weddings, galas, or even just a girls night. 

Consign Toronto - This is a designer consignment business that has two locations in Toronto on Queen West, and a full e-commerce site. The best part? Most items sold in the store are priced at 25-60% off their retail price! They're also quite selective in what they accept in order to maintain a very curated selection of product that is in great condition and is still on trend. That way you know you're always getting the best stuff. 

Rent Frock Repeat - This store is a showroom of special occasion dresses that women can rent (they carry multiple different styles for all different body types)! Women are able to make appointments for a free fitting and can get beautiful dresses that range from around $60-300. Plus, dry cleaning is included in the rental fee!

Common Sort - This store has is a buy-sell-trade fashion retailer with three locations in Toronto. They buy casual, trendy clothing and accessories in great condition. This makes it the perfect spot for finding contemporary, designer brands and sometimes vintage for cheap, in almost brand-new condition! This is great for people looking to downsize their closet, those trying to find something no one else has.