Excerpt: 'The Shopping Bags' by Anna Wallner and Kristina Matisic

Aug. 23, 2005 — -- At last! "The Shopping Bags" writers, Anna Wallner and Kristina Matisic, have written a companion book to their hit Canadian television show.

"Viewers have been telling us for some time that they want to take us with them when they shop," Wallner says. "Now they'll have the next best thing."

"The Shopping Bags: Tips, Tricks and Inside Information to Make You a Savvy Shopper" is an A-to-Z guide to cosmetics, electronics, fashion and food. It includes the top 10 things you should know about a product before you buy, plus celebrity tips from such experts as Martha Stewart, Diane von Furstenberg and Randy Bachman.

"The Shopping Bags" is also a cautionary handbook that helps prevent injury to the pocketbook and buyer's remorse. It contains insider tips on such products as nail polish (expensive brands chip just as fast as the cheaper ones, but the colors are often nicer), razor blades (don't pay more for the ones with moisture strips, shaving cream works just as well) and running shoes (never shop online, you always should try them on before you buy).

You can read an excerpt from the book below.

Fashion and Accessories

It's a good time to be a clotheshorse. The market is saturated, making it easier than ever to find stylish clothes and designer knockoffs. To keep your closet au courant and your wallet intact, heed this advice and remember: At some time or another, just about everything goes on sale.Avoid paying retail. This is especially true if you shop at chain stores like Banana Republic or department stores like Nordstrom, where eventually most merchandise goes on sale. Believe us, we've tested this theory! At the start of every season, we hit all the chain stores and make a list or take digital pictures of items we want, and then we track them. Whether you can wait for the sale price or if they'll still have your size in stock are the main considerations for paying full price or waiting it out. But don't forget to try Commandment #1: Negotiate!

Hit the discount stores. You can shop at places like Wal-Mart and still be stylish. Blend discount items with other designer pieces (like a bargain camisole with your favorite designer suit). Discount and off-price stores mark down designer clothing by about 30 percent to start with and go on from there. The best merchandise moves quickly though -- these places are a hub for smart shoppers, so you'll definitely want to find out when new shipments arrive. Befriend the salesclerks!

Get on the sample sale circuit. Sample sales are a great way to get designer items for less. (These are garments and accessories that have been used to showcase a designer's new line.) Local retailers and designers offer low, low prices on a selection of sample sizes -- which tend to be on the small side. To get onto the sample sale circuit, inquire with any independently owned clothing store or a local designer. Once you get on one list, you'll find you quickly get invited to lots of private sales. Much like designer warehouses, the best buys at these events get snapped up very quickly. Arrive promptly on the first day, but not too early; most sample sellers have a strict "no early birds" policy.

Find out whether your favorite stores offer sale adjustments. That means if you pay full price for something that goes on sale a week later, you get a refund or credit for the discounted amount.

Browse the Web. Online shopping is a great way to nab hard-to-find and vintage items (especially handbags). The eBay auction site is a good place to start hunting. But before buying, check the ratings of individual sellers, learn how to spot a fake (see below), and keep in mind that most bidding happens in the final minutes of an auction.

We like to check online stores to compare prices and watch for sales. And of course, we recommend shopping from sites that allow you to return the merchandise if it doesn't fit properly, as buying clothes sight unseen can be tricky unless you're familiar with the line. And don't forget to budget for shipping, handling, and currency conversion (if buying from outside the country).

Spot the real McCoy. Can you tell the difference between a Kate Spade and a Kate Splade? The problem with shopping at discount shops, secondhand stores, and online is that you're often times weeding through lots of fakes. A fake is something that is designed to copy a designer brand; whereas a knockoff is designed to merely look similar. Of course, if you're not a purist, a knockoff is a great way to save money and stay stylish. But producing fake merchandise is an infringement of copyright laws and is therefore illegal. Buying the stuff is not illegal but remember, you are supporting criminal activity.

Whether it's a fake or a knockoff, here's what to look for:

Accessorize. A new pair of earrings, belt, or scarf can be a great way to update your wardrobe for just a few dollars. Accessories are one easy area to go cheap and still look like a million bucks. The key is to buy simple pieces, with few details.

Remember our seven-day rule and curb impulse buying. If you see something you just have to have -- but don't really need -- walk away. If it's still on your mind a week later, you were meant to be together.There is so much selection out there today at so many price points, you can literally buy a pair of jeans for $25 and a pair for $500. So when should you spend more, and when should you spend less? We think it's worth investing in a business suit in a neutral color, boots, a winter coat made of wool (for those who live in colder climates); jeans that make you look and feel like a million bucks, and one basic handbag for daytime. We've found that if you hunt around, you can find quality T-shirts, sweaters, undergarments, and fun eveningwear without breaking the bank.

Whether you're looking to fill your drawers with basics like socks, undergarments, and tees; dressing to impress in a power suit and killer heels; or wandering the bridal boutiques to wow at your wedding, we've got you covered -- head to toe.

The following is a list of commonly purchased clothing items and accessories, organized alphabetically so you can easily find what you're looking for. We've talked to the textiles experts, quizzed the designers, and personally tested every item listed below (except for the men's underwear -- we admit we didn't wear those!) to ensure that you get the best value for your fashion dollar.

Bras

Business Suits

"Construction and fabric, I think, are the key things in a suit. Open it and see what it looks like inside. How's the lining looking? What kind of lining [is it]? Feel the jacket, feel the fabric."-- Lars Nilsson, designer for Nina Ricci and former designer for Bill Blass.

Cashmere

Bonus Bag: Dry cleaning isn't always the best way to clean cashmere. Our experts recommend hand-washing with a gentle detergent like Woolite in lukewarm or cool water. You can also use shampoo. Rinse thoroughly; then roll the garment in a soft towel to drain it of excess water. (Hand wringing is too rough!) Lay the cashmere flat to dry away from bright sunlight.

Diamonds

"I've never thought of my diamonds as trophies. I'm here to take care of it and to love it, for we are only temporary custodians of beauty."-- Elizabeth Taylor, owner of the 33.19 carat Krupp diamond (and many others)

Dresses

"The most important thing in dressing and beauty -- and just anything -- is to be comfortable with who you are. Because if you are comfortable with who you are, you will act more confident, and if you are confident, you look beautiful." -- Diane von Furstenberg, fashion designer

Eyeglass Frames

"In those days, you went to the optician, and you had two or three glasses to choose from -- tortoiseshell or the round ones John Lennon used to wear. But now you can get everything." -- Sir Elton John on buying his first pair of glasses -- of many. Before donating most of his eyeglass collection to charity in 2002, he owned more than 4,000 pairs.

Gold

Fast Fact: A cube of gold the size of a plum can be beaten to form a sheet of gold leaf that could cover a tennis court.

Handbags

Jeans

"I wish I had invented blue jeans. They have expression, modesty, sex appeal, simplicity -- all I hope for in my clothes." -- Yves Saint Laurent, fashion designer

Wrinkle-Free and Stain-Resistant Pants

Some types of claims we just can't resist testing. After wearing, staining, and repeatedly washing numerous brands of "wrinkle-free and stain-resistant" pants, we came to a few conclusions. True to their name, these pants are only stain-resistant and do not repel every type of stain. In our tests, motor-oil stains did not come out. We also found the wrinkle-free feature to be more effective than the stain-resistant feature. That said, our regular untreated chinos looked pretty good when pulled straight out of the dryer, too. Before you wash and wear, read the labels carefully, as treated items have special cleaning instructions. And take note: Wrinkle-free and stain-resistant coatings do eventually wear off.

Leather Clothes