10 Ways To Ensure That Every Item You Purchase Works Hard in Your Wardrobe
I’ve always been an advocate of buying less and wearing what you’ve got. It’s not about not buying at all, but being more mindful about the items you choose to buy and spend your hard earned money going forward. Even making the smallest change in your shopping habits can add up and make a big difference to your purse as well as the environment.
Growing up, I was a child of a single parent on a limited income, clothes were a luxury and were usually part of our birthday or Christmas presents. Shopping consciously was a necessity rather than a choice, but it’s a value that has carried through to my own shopping habits and when creating wardrobes for my client’s.
Here’s my top tips to shopping consciously and what to consider before you make a purchase:
Does it suit your personal style?
It’s good to try new things out, but don't buy it just because it’s a trend, it’s on a must have list or looks good on someone else. It may not be the right cut or colour for you, or simply not your style. Find something similar, but more you.
Tip: Keep a mood board of the styles you love. I keep a board on Pinterest. when you are feeling lost with your style or unsure how to move it forward refer back to it. It will set you on track again.
2. Does it fit you properly or could it be tailored?
Fit is always king! If you start pulling at it the moment you put it on, it‘s probably not for you. If it’s digging in anywhere, falling down or you find it itchy, you won’t wear it when you get it home so leave it, you’ll always find something else. However if it’s perfect in colour and style but just a bit big in the waist, at the shoulders, in the length, consider getting it tailored.
Tip: Factor tailoring into the cost of the purchase.
3. Will it go with other items you already own?
The one thing I love most about shopping online is that it’s easy to try stuff on at home with items that you already own so that you can see if the way that you intended to wear it actually works. Do the same with purchases that you make in a shop. Try it on and create outfits with it when you get it home. If you find it doesn’t work the way you intended because the colour or cut isn’t quite right, return it. Unless you need a complete update, try to avoid buying more pieces just to make the newest addition work as it can easily spiral beyond what you had initially intended.
Tip: There is no automatic legal right to return an item because it doesn’t fit or work as you intended after purchase, unless it’s faulty. It’s always down to the stores individual policy so check the returns policy and ensure you return it within the specified period.
4. What are the care instructions and will it be easy to look after?
For most of us having the convenience to put something in the washing machine when it’s dirty is not only convenient, but cheaper! There’s nothing more frustrating than getting something home only to find its dry clean only. This is becoming less common nowadays, but there are some brands which still err on the side of caution and have pieces that are dry clean only, such as Mint Velvet and All Saints, so just be wary, especially in the heat of a sale.
Tip: This article by Town and Country has some useful advice for caring for Dry Clean Only Clothes at Home.
5. Does it fill a gap or just repeat what you already have?
Look through your wardrobe, make a list of what you need and prioritise those items before you buy anything else. Utilise your funds for those things you need, an evening top may be beautiful, but if you’re not currently going out it will just sit there. Often basics may seem like a boring purchase but they are the foundation to a versatile wardrobe.
Tip: Really drill down and be specific about what piece you need. What cut, colour or detail does it need to have? Rather than a new jacket, specify a khaki green shacket with cord waist to go with skinny jeans. It will hone your search and ensure that you buy exactly what you need!
6. Be conscious of the mistakes you’ve made in the past.
Do you have a tendency to be drawn to buying particular colours or prints because you want to look a certain way, but you never feel really ‘you’ in it? Often it’s because we’re feeling stuck in a rut or bored with our current wardrobe. I realised a few years ago that when I was feeling fed up I had a tendency to try to dress more edgy, by buying a leather skirt or something very in fashion. It’s just not me. I prefer textiles to leather and a timeless look to a fashionable one.
Tip: Having an inspiration board or style recipe to refer back to during these times is a really helpful reminder of where to concentrate your efforts.
7. Are you just buying it because it's in the sale?!
There's something especially tempting about those little red stickers and the idea of getting a bargain, especially when you're on a budget! It’s like the beer goggles of shopping, all of a sudden it seems nicer with 70% off! But remember it’s only a bargain if you’ll wear it.
Tip: As you see pieces through the season that are maybe out of your price range, pin them to a Pinterest board or keep a record of it. When the sales start you then know exactly what to choose.
8. Comfort is King!
Don't compromise on comfortable footwear EVER! If it pinches the moment you try it on or slips off your heel, it’s unlikely to get any better. I have always had issues finding shoes to fit and have tried all sorts of solutions to rectify it- heel grips, leather stretching devices and sprays- but they never make the shoe fit right, so I’ve learnt just to move on. The blisters and the pain the discomfort are just not worth it.
Tip: Spending a little bit extra to get a comfortable fit and long lasting quality.
9. Can you find it second hand?
Somebody else is rubbish could be your treasure! People often buy something, wear it once and decide they are not comfortable in it or they should have got a different size so decide to sell it on. I have found a few pieces like that over the years on EBay by setting up search alerts on my phone for specific pieces that I have seen in the shops that have either sold out or I don’t want to spend that amount on it, It’s also a great way to be sustainable as it means less new pieces are needed and prevents them going to landfill.
Tip: Set up EBay alerts for items that you love.
10. Be aware of the materials it’s made from
Not to go all eco-warrior but it’s important to be aware of the effects that manmade fibres have on the environment so that we can make educated decisions about what we buy., it’s something that’s come increasingly on my radar recently. It takes 200 years for polyester to decompose, items with embellishments such as sequins and gems cannot be recycled. Finally when you wash clothes the fibres are released into the water system. Natural fabrics are obviously better as they can be recycled and break down, they also allow your skin to breathe- I for one personally cannot stand acrylic jumpers as I just overheat!
Tip: Follow @goodonyou_app and @fashionforgood for great informative advice.
I hope that you have found this useful. Is there anything that you will do now to shop differently? If you want more help to plan your wardrobe for the season ahead, you may find my Style Classes useful, you can find out more here:
