Lessons from a (former) Shopaholic
I've been trying soooooo so so hard to not shop. It's very difficult...
After getting rid of a lot of my clothes (I wrote about my process in the minimalism blog), I realized that, surprise, I didn't have many. So I knew I needed to buy clothes, but how? How am I supposed to pick out pieces that I am going to want to keep, and not end up in the same situation I was in before I cleaned out my closet.
Here are some of my thoughts on shopping mindfully which will (hopefully) allow me to create a functional, versatile wardrobe that will last for years.
1. Pay attention to what's a trend and what's not
Trends are great! And I feel that Summer 2016 has come up with some great ones. Personally I love the shoes this summer, but it is important to remember that trends are trends because they don't last. So you have to be picky. Yes, everyone is sporting those tattoo chokers from the 90's again, but do you really think those are gonna stay with us for the rest of time? I don't... So instead of spending your 10 dollars on this plastic trend, opt for an finer alternative like a metal choker. You're still within the trend's "genre," but you're being more sustainable and buying something that you can rock for more than a few seasons.
2. Don't talk yourself into anything
I am so guilty of this one.
I see something that I generally like, look at the price, and it's on sale for only $15! I go to try it on... It looks decent, but there's something about it that I can't put my finger on. I think I like it, and it's definitely in fashion, and it's "only 15 dollars," so I buy it. This is a fatal mistake.
There's an excellent quote I saw on Pinterest somewhere that read, "It's not a good deal if you don't need it." It is so common nowadays for people to buy things just because they're on sale. Think about Black Friday! Yes, there are some excellent sales, but you're still spending money. The point of a sale is to give you a discount on something you actually want or need, so don't let a simple markdown deter you from sticking to your principles!
3. Shop with intention
So many times I find myself wandering into a store just because I'm bored, and of course, I usually end up buying something I don't need. As a (former) shopaholic, it's far too tempting to give myself that leniency, so I need to make a list. And this is not a novel concept. Almost everyone makes themselves a grocery list before they go to the store, so why then is this not the same for clothes shopping? Hint: it should be. Make a list just like you would a grocery list, but instead of turning to your fridge to see what you need, turn to your closet.
First, ask yourself why you feel the need to go shopping in the first place. Is there something specific you're looking for? Or are you just having trouble making your pieces into outfits?
Next, take an inventory of the clothes you do have. Is there anything that could be returned/donated while you're out? If so, do it! Is there a specific item that you're trying to make an outfit for? If so, take a picture for your reference while you're shopping. This crucial step will give you a better idea of the types of clothes you need to look for. It will prevent you from buying clothes basically you already had, and (because you know what sections you need to go to) cut down on the amount of time you spend in the store!
Finally, make your list. Write down the items that you want in detail, and if you don't exactly what you want at the store, don't settle! Your perfect piece is out there waiting for you, and the fun part is trying to find it.
Shopping is definitely an adventure, but as with everything, you must be mindful when doing it. Giving yourself some guidelines will prevent you from over-spending, and will force you only buy items you truly love. So don't settle, people! Create your dream wardrobe! I promise you; it can be done.
If you have any shopping tips or tricks that help to keep you on track, I'd love to hear them! Share with me in the comments below!