Ask Mary Lou

Each month, Mary Lou answers (and we post!) a fashion question from one of our site visitors. If you have something you want to know to help pull together your wardrobe with style and confidence, ask away!

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For February 2010:

Q: Everyday when I get the mail I feel like I am killing trees! How can I use catalogs effectively while also cutting back on the volume arriving at my door daily?

A: Spring is in the air, which brings an influx of catalogs to most homes as merchants try to get your attention (and your business!) with these beautifully designed sales tools that often resemble magazines. Here are some tips to help you become a more savvy catalog consumer:

Get Organized. Make a commitment to recycle or save catalogs the minute they enter your domain. Devote shelf space, a portable file box or magazine rack for the catalogs you want to keep so you can access them when you need them. As new catalogs from the same company arrive, switch them out. I remember when my kids were young I brought my catalog discards to their pre-school and was amazed with the creative ways they were put to use!
Go Green. In today’s environmentally focused society, you may be looking to stop or reduce the amount of catalogs arriving at your home. To remove yourself from an individual retailer, call the 800 number on the catalog and request to be removed. Other alternatives are to register for a DO NOT MAIL list at the Direct Marketing Association, which affects all direct mail, or, if you want to limit specific catalogs, register at Catalog Choice, which allows you to choose the catalogs you do not want to receive. Both are free to you.
Be Inspired. If you find yourself in a fashion rut, browse through catalogs for inspiration. The photographs have been professionally styled and can give you some great ideas about what to add to your own wardrobe. Tear out pages that resonate with you and bring them along when you shop to help you focus and get what you need.
Know Your Cataloger. Check sizing guides, read product descriptions carefully and talk with the operators who take your order. Many operators are well-trained on their catalog’s sizing particulars and can also tell you if a product will soon be sold out or discontinued — two helpful pieces of information if, for example, you plan to order a jacket later if the pants fit well on arrival.
Track It. Develop a system for ordering, tracking and returning catalog purchases. Start by developing a folder containing the pages of the catalogs from which you order with each order number clearly written. Refer to this folder when packages and credit card statements arrive. In our office, we paper clip the packing receipt and all relevant information to the corresponding sheets in our folder and refer to it accordingly.

Final Thought

Handle returns promptly to avoid carrying the charges on your credit card for longer than you need. Be aware that return postage fees can add up!