What motivates women to go shopping?

When Good Housekeeping asked that question to readers on its Web site, the number one answer was "a good sale or bargain."

Some women say shopping for pants is almost as tough as shopping for a bathing suit, but it's not impossible. The key is to know what works for your body type.

Shopping for pants is no easy task for most women, regardless of their shape.

"My problem area is usually my rear," said one woman.

"I always feel like I'm nubbed, you know, I have a really long torso and really tiny legs," said another.

"At my age I've gotten a little bit more body around the middle part," said a third.

But a Good Housekeeping photo shoot proved that it's not impossible to find a great pair of pants to fit any figure.

Aretha Busby, the magazine's fashion director set out to help women of various shapes and sizes to find their perfect fit.

Busby started with Yvette.

"Her biggest problem was her rear. She had a large bottom. She was having problems finding pants that hugged in the butt but also fit her in the waist," she said.

"The best pair for her was the stretch trouser from New York & Company ($37) and they're a knit fabric so what she's getting is the comfort of a sweat pant but the styling of a tailored trouser," said Busby.

Then Busby moved on to Sarah. She has an enviable problem; she's petite.

"So this pair, which is by I.N.C. Macy's ($70) has a wide leg, which is very important for her. It just gives her the freedom to wear high heels which giver her the added height," she said.

"The pants they chose we amazing. They just fit properly and I was like 'wow, I have legs now. Awesome!"' said Sarah.

"Catherine's biggest problem is her tummy area," said Busby. "These pants by Yansi Fugel ($286) have a wider waist band, which does wonders for tucking in that muffin top."

"The were long enough and they were very comfortable. Some of them had some stretch in them so I liked them a lot," said Catherine.

Good Housekeeping's fashion guru says petite women should look for pants that skim the shoes; stay away from cropped pants or capri pants.