8 things to do when you try on clothes

1. Take Care

Ask yourself: "Does the garment require special care—hand-wash or dry-clean only—and am I willing to follow these instructions?" advises Carol Davidson, founder of StyleWorks. And don't forget to factor in the cost and hassle of dry-cleaning or hand-washing before you buy. If you still want it after considering that, then it's a sure sign you should buy it.

From Woman's Day: 5 Tricky Beauty Techniques Made Easy

2. Wrinkle Test

To make sure the fabric wears well all day long, Davidson suggests you "scrunch it in your hand and hold for a few seconds. If it's wrinkle-free after releasing the fabric, then it isn't likely to be wrinkled at the end of a day of wear," she says. If the item is wrinkled in your hand—or on the hanger—then you may want to skip this purchase.

From Woman's Day: 9 Bad Habits That Are Good for You

3. Make an Outfit

"Some women will try on a fancy top with the jeans they wore running out the house. This makes it difficult to judge the true look of the item," says Dawn Del Russo, a fashion and lifestyle stylist in New York City. "Instead, try on the piece with shoes and the appropriate bottoms or top," she recommends. If there's an item you're eyeing, then take key pieces to the dressing room that complete the look, or ask a salesperson to assemble an outfit from other items in the store.

4. Reference Your Closet

Think about whether you'd be doubling up if you bought the piece you're trying on. "New clothes should coordinate with and be mixed and matched with what you already own," says Melagro. Take a peek in your closet before you shop so its contents are fresh in your mind.

From Woman's Day: 10 Foolproof Ways to Get in the Mood

5. Rear View

No matter how you pose in front of the dressing-room mirror, it'll take extra effort to see your backside, says Stephanie Poli, a fashion blogger and TV editor. But it's worth it. Get an accurate glimpse in a three-way mirror whenever possible. If you have time, then get an even better grasp on all-around fit by trying on two sizes of the same item.

From Woman's Day: Swimsuits That Flatter Every Shape

6. Seek Natural Light

"Super-bright lights can make you look washed-out," says Del Russo. "But in too-dim lighting, you won't notice if a top is sheer." Tilted mirrors can also be misleading, elongating your figure and making you think the clothes are slimming. Find mirrors that are flat against the wall to get an accurate reflection. And beware of this sneaky store trick: Some places disguise leaning mirrors with a thick frame, so they look like they're flush against the wall when they're actually tilted.

7. Move Around

"Sit, bend over, and stand on your tip-toes if you're wearing flats," says Poli. "Getting the full range of fit, length and comfort will alert you to certain surprise factors," like a button that digs into your stomach or a jacket that restricts your arms. Sitting in pants and skirts is especially crucial, because something that fits you standing up can suddenly seem too tight when you're sitting down.

From Woman's Day: 10 Things Men Wish Woman Knew About Sex