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For many of us fashion lovers, buying new clothes is a hobby. We don’t need a special occasion to online shop. An ordinary Tuesday will do just fine! The thrill of getting the “your order has been shipped” notification email, the excitement of unboxing new pieces, and the smell of new clothes are enough for us to go on another shopping spree. But in the long run, retail therapy can affect your personal finances. And you might start to look at the back of your closet and realize that you made some bad purchases.
Having a closet full of clothes that have never seen the light of day is not a good feeling. You start to think, “Hmm.. maybe that clothing budget could have gone to my savings account.” Trust me, I get it! Most of us have bought stuff that has never left the back of our closet. But how can we limit this behavior when the urge to make a new purchase is so strong? To answer this question, below you will find tips on how to avoid buying clothes you’ll never wear.
1. Stop Shopping the Latest Trends, Choose Classics Instead
The first step is to be honest with yourself. Are you easily influenced by fashion trends and celebrity fashion culture? Do you see social media hyping a new style and feel left out if you don’t try it?
Part of the problem with the fashion industry is that it will praise styles today and tomorrow, it will hate the trend. And if you bought into all the trendy styles, your closet will be filled with clothes you are now embarrassed to wear. Been there, done that.
Follow a Parisian approach to style instead. Stick to tried-and-tested classics. You will have fewer clothes because all the basics in your closet will have you set for years. And therefore, fewer regrets.
2. Know That You Don’t Have To Accept Every Good Deal
Let’s be honest, we can’t help but be swayed by those sweet sweet sales. It’s so easy to make impulse purchases when the price tag of your favorite item reduces. It’s not revolutionary, but stop to ask yourself if you really need it first.
Chances are you probably have similar items already in your closet. Perhaps you don’t need the green version of that shoe you bought last year. Take a quality over quantity approach to your shopping habits.
Do you need a whole stack of jeans in your wardrobe? Probably not. If you purchase well, the quality of one clothing piece can last you a long time without having to buy several different styles of the same thing.
And be aware if you tend to wear the same item over and over again because it’s your favorite piece. If you tend to stick to the same pair of jeans because they’re beautifully broken in, then it would be hard to justify buying a bunch of new pairs because you’ll most likely not wear them. Even if it is the best “once a year” type of deal.
3. Stop Buying a New Piece of Clothing Whenever You Have a Bad Day
Ouch. We’ve all been there. It can be a bad habit to make an impulse purchase when you have a bad day. You think this is the best way to cheer yourself up, which it very well may be at the time. But soon that feeling will fade.
Buying clothes whenever you feel down is an easy way to buy things you will never wear. You might buy a statement top or dress to distract yourself, however, you will most likely regret buying it later.
So even when you feel the emotional need to spoil yourself with retail therapy, try to find other stress relievers to make you feel better. I find that journaling is a great way to soothe the mind. It won’t affect your finances and you won’t have clothes you’ll never wear either.
Related: 9 Free Self-Care Ideas That Will Improve Your Well-Being
4. Have a Seasonal Fashion Budget
Your bank account (and closet) will thank you for following this tip! If you tend to overspend on clothes that you never wear, try to make a seasonal fashion budget. This is a perfect way not to spend too much money on clothes you don’t need.
A seasonal fashion budget will help you focus on buying clothes that are essential for the season. And if you don’t know what items you need for what, then our capsule wardrobes will get you started!
5. Only Buy Key Items That Coordinate With Your Existing Pieces
A common problem many fashion lovers make is accumulating useless clothing pieces. If the largest parts of your wardrobe have items that do not pair well with your existing pieces, then the next important thing to do is buy versatile garments. (After you do a closet clean out, of course.)
Instead of a mishmash of clothes, you will need closet staples that can work with different outfits. It will make a huge difference in your closet and style! You won’t have to spend a lot of time getting ready in the morning because you will have great items that look good together.
6. Audit Your Closet and Stick to Your Shopping List
One of the biggest mistakes you can make is not to do an audit of your closet. Make a list of clothes that you own. How many pairs of jeans do you have? Do you need new white t-shirts? Create a pile of your clothes and get a good idea of the different items you have.
Once you are finished, make a list of clothes that are missing from your wardrobe. What new things do you need (not want) to complete your wardrobe? Think about a list of clothes that will give your existing pieces a polished look.
Do you lack essential accessories like jewelry, scarves, and purses? Is there a handful of old clothes that are now worn out and in need of replacing? Add those pieces to your list. When shopping, it’s tempting to add items to your cart that are not on your list, but sticking to your list is essential if you want to stop impulse shopping.
7. Have a Clear Idea of What Your Style Is
Discovering your personal style is fun! It’s one of the best ways to learn how to avoid buying clothes you’ll never wear. It might seem like a hard thing to do, but it’s worth digging into your style because it will help you in the long term. Ask yourself a simple question: “What kind of clothes do I typically gravitate to?”
Are you into preppy fashion? Are you a minimalist? Knowing will help you strictly stick to clothes that follow your fashion aesthetic.
Related: An Easy and Thorough Guide On How To Find Your Personal Style!
The next time you are about to spend your hard-earned money on new clothes, these tips will help you avoid buying clothes you’ll never wear.
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