An Exercise in Style Stalking

{Fashion plate Olivia Palermo - just another day in New York}

For a girl that loves clothes and has a minor case of ADD, walking down the street in New York can be quite distracting - they are well-dressed people everywhere! And if I see something I like, I have no problem blocking that particular person's way, um, I mean politely tapping them on the shoulder, to ask where they might have gotten that bag, or that necklace, or those unbelievably adorable bow flats that look like they were purchased from some Colette-type boutique in Paris (and which sadly, they were). More often than not, people are friendly enough to reveal their sources. Here is how I have parlayed that information to actually getting the coveted item for myself. Note this strategy tends to work better at larger stores, with the exception of Forever 21 which is just one big toxic black hole of a retail destination.

1. If the store has a website, start here. If you're lucky, you'll be able to buy it right then and there. If it's not available online, take down the SKU number. It'll come in handy when you call the store. I'm sure you know what the next step is.

2. That's right - armed with the SKU number, call your nearest store. It's best to call on the early side of a weekday. On the weekends, you'll most likely encounter a frazzled associate, let's just call her Krystal, trying to do ten things at once. Hence, the likelihood of Krystal stopping everything she's doing so she can search for a trench coat that you've now become emotionally attached to is slim. Okay, nearly impossible. You might as well give up now.

3. If they don't have your trench in stock at that particular store, ask if they can check their other stores.

4. Another store has it! Great! Ask the associate if they can ship it to that store. At most large chains (e.g., Zara, Anthropologie, Bloomingdales) the store will cover shipping costs if they ship to a store rather than to you directly.

5. Strut down the street in your new trench knowing that the effort was well worth it. You look fantastic and at any moment, someone may be tapping you on your shoulder!