Many of us ladies love to shop. Perhaps even a bit too much. Bad day – buy yourself a top and you’ll feel better. Some one at work was mean to you – go find yourself some retail therapy. Get invited to an event on the weekend – time for a new outfit. Our shopaholic tendencies are usually completely unnecessary and all the same we rationalise them because we’re women and “it feels good”.
Just because something feels good doesn’t make it a good idea or a mature decision. If you have a wardrobe full of clothes you don’t like and a credit card debit you are struggling to pay off then it’s time to ask yourself: “do I need to take a hard look at my spending habits?”
To stop buying things you don’t wear, we need to go much deeper than clothes:
Start with how you want to feel
We are attracted to clothes for the same reason we are attracted to a painting or piece of music: because it makes us feel a certain way. This is what we are chasing with each new piece of clothing we buy — a feeling. What we need to ask ourselves is rather how do you want to show up? What do you want people to know about you? How do you want them to feel with you? What do you most want to feel in your own skin? These questions will help you iron out a personal style.
Once you have a personal style you can feel is truly you, then you’ll make much better decisions regarding clothing and purchasing.
Raise the bar
Don’t just go for whatever is on sale at the closest store. If clothes come from a generic department store then they often don’t really feel special and are made with very little quality and attention to detail. You will also very likely grow tired of them. Hunt out the few good quality stores and rather look at options in these.
Create your own personal mood board
Sometimes we think because something catches our eye in a store it’s a good buy. Wrong. Style is more than just impulse buying, it’s a craft. It’s something that takes time and intention. Create a Pinterest board and start to follow people whose style you like. This will help you to improve your eye.
Go for quality over quantity every time
Every time you make a purchase ask yourself this question: “Does this fit with my style and will I be wearing this in 4 years time?” If the answer is I’m not sure, or maybe, don’t make the purchase. Rather leave an item like this, go home and then if you feel good about it look at it again at a later stage.
Just because something is in fashion doesn’t mean it will fit your personal style
Your personal style and what is in fashion will not always collide. This means if hippie clothes with tassels are the rage and your style is classic – you will have to say no to the fad. Always approach everything which is in fashion through the eyes of your mood board. If it doesn’t fit then it will not look great with the rest of the items.
Go through your cupboard and find some hidden gems
So many times we rush out to buy something new and yet there are items in our wardrobe which we have only worn once or twice. Sometimes when you go through your clothes you find oldies which are just as good as new items. Re-connect with the great pieces you already have.
Organise a clothes swap with some friends
Don’t be too clingy about your clothes. If something is in your cupboard and you don’t feel attached to it then give it away or do a clothes swap with a friend. The best way to keep green in your spending habits is to find someone else who you can share the love with.
Make sure you buy with your body type and size in mind
Don’t make the error of buying what you wish you looked good in, or the size you want to be. Buy for the body you have now. Also, always keep your body shape in mind. No matter how small or big you are your body can always be better dressed by baring in mind proportions, use of colour and lines.
Reams of countless clothes may make you feel good when you buy them but they won’t feel good when you have to pay off the credit card or don’t feel good in what you wear. Learn to be intentional about your shopping. Shop to the minimum and when you shop, shop well!