According to a recent report by WGSN (Worth Global Style Network), 28% of women HATE to shop for clothes. To them, it's a four-letter word that produces stress and anxiety any time they think about hitting mall.

Now for 26% of women who absolutely LOVE to shop and frequently ease their woes with retail therapy, this may be inconceivable. How can anyone NOT enjoy thrill of hunt or big bargain score? Who doesn't love modeling new clothes in front of mirror or being asked incessantly, “Great outfit! Is it new?”

The answer? Plenty of people.

And for many women who hate to shop, problem has little to do with money. In fact, according to WGSN, when these women actually force themselves to go buy clothes, they rarely look for bargains.

Instead, they tend to avoid mall because:

1.They don't know what kinds of clothes look best on them.

2.They don't follow fashion and don't want to look ridiculous or dated in their purchases.

3.They're easily flustered when they can't find what they're looking for quickly.

4.They feel uncomfortable trying on clothes in dressing rooms.

5.They may have put on a lot of weight and either can't find clothes that fit or don't want to face fact that they need a larger size.

6.They hate crowds.

Does any of this sound familiar?

If you can really relate to this list, here are some tips to make shopping easier, less expensive, and far less frustrating than you may have experienced in past:

1. Determine Your Body Shape

Start by taking a good look at your birthday suit in mirror next time you change clothes or step out of bath. Are your hips bigger than your chest? Your chest bigger than your hips? Is your waist same size as your chest and hips? Does your body resemble an hourglass? Make a note. Look for clothes shaped same way you are when you hit stores. This will lead to fast success and minimal frustration.

2. Determine Your Lifestyle

What kinds of clothes work best in your current situation? Do you need business wear? Jeans? Ball gowns? If your lifestyle is 60% work, 20% social, and 20% leisure, for example, or 90% work and 5% social and 5% leisure, then your wardrobe should reflect as much. Otherwise, you may be hard pressed to find something to wear for those activities where you spend least amount of time.

3. Assess Your Needs and Make a List

Once you know your shape and your lifestyle, it's time to go through your closet and see what you need. If you're short on tops, put them on list. Feel fabulous in a coatdress? Add a few more. Love your black A-line skirt? Buy another one in dark blue.

This question - or variations thereof - regularly hits my inbox from readers all over world. While we may not all speak same language, there are a few things upon which we can all agree that make us take leave of our senses: rich chocolate, handsome men, and clothes that are too cute to leave behind at store.

So what's a gal to do, particularly when she's been saddled with champagne tastes on a beer budget?

First, set down those glossy fashion magazines and back away from them slowly. They can be dangerous, particularly if you don't know how to use them. $700 pants? $500 shoes? Who can afford to buy these things? Not many! Look at what's popular, swipe some styling ideas, then go replicate looks in prices that you can afford.

Secondly, start viewing any “must have” list with healthy skepticism. These are latest trends that designers are showing that will be dated by this time next year. Some will be cute, true, but others will only be cute on models that show them. Once you learn what looks good on you and what doesn't, you'll be a lot less susceptible to buying what others say you “must have” each season.

Finally, invest in classic pieces that work well on your body. It's single best way to get most mileage out of your clothing budget, because you can wear classic styles for several years without ever looking dated. Top a classic base with a trendy accessory, and you'll look “au courant” without going in red.

So what exactly ARE classic styles, and how do you know one when you see it?