MILWAUKEE - Shopping parties. It's a new trend that allows women to combine two popular past times - shopping and socializing!

A local boutique found the perfect combination. A chance to hang out with friends, shop and pretty much anything else you request.

Shopping after work in downtown Milwaukee. Throw in adult beverages, food and a discount! It's not a bad way to end the day.

"You get to shop and have a little something extra, like shopping's good already, and then you get to have a glass of wine and something to eat," says Melissa Faust.

She's a fan of shopping parties. In fact, this is her first one; Melissa and a group of friends are hanging out at Fred Boutique on Water Street. Many women will tell you it's an excuse to buy something new!

Here's how it works. A group reserves the store, gets together and shops.

"They do kind of like a book club but a shopping club. It's like moms that get together too and go out. It's their one night out a month," Fred Boutique's Danielle Operle said.

You can dress up the party, any way you choose. People bring in cakes, a salon will be there to do hair; hors d'oeuvres are also their choice. That pampering comes at no extra cost.

So, what about the shoes you ask? The party also includes a discount next door at Red Heel.

Women, we all know a friend's opinion, when you're trying on clothes, counts.

"I like other people's opinions. So I generally won't buy something unless I have someone else there to be like 'Ya, get it, get it,'" Christina Schultz said.

And at a shopping party there's never any pressure to buy.

"And you get to check out whatever you want. It's not like you have to buy the Tupperware," Melissa Faust said.

Most shoppers always find something they like.

Reserving a party will cost you $50; you get that deposit back once you show up. Fred Boutique and Red Heel book several of these shopping parties a month.