A guide to spending less, shopping better, and changing your appearance while doing so.
For everyone, the last year or two has been a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Much of our lives have altered dramatically,
from where we work and how we vacation to who we can see and what we’re allowed to do. Our attitude about what we wear on a daily basis has also changed as a result of this, albeit less dramatically.
There have been many of changes in our attitude to fashion this year, whether you’ve been living in your loungewear or have done more internet shopping than ever before.
However, having extra time at home has given us the opportunity to assess what we actually need in our wardrobes –
and now that we’re settling back into normal life, we can figure out what should stay and what should leave.
We’re all guilty of making rash judgments when it comes to our wardrobes, from hanging on to outdated things that never get used to
panic buying items that will only be worn once. It doesn’t have to be that way, though.
We’ve broken down 15 wardrobe resolutions you can start right now to free up space, save money, and look your best.
1. Don’t Buy Something For a Single Use.
It’s something we’re all guilty of. A wedding, a Christmas party, or a post-lockdown Friday night reunion in the bar with your friends.
When we’re going somewhere interesting, we always feel like we need something unique – and thus something new – to wear. However, as much as we enjoy the piece we purchase, it rarely sees more than one performance.
Rather than buying something unique for a given occasion, strive to have a few more versatile dressier outfits in your closet.
You’ll be able to wear it again and again if you choose something basic and classic rather than trend-driven. It’ll never feel the same again, thanks to the creative accessorizing.
2. Don’t Buy or Keep Anything That Doesn’t Meet Your Needs.
It’s customary to keep stuff that don’t fit you anymore in the hopes that they will one day. It’s also fairly uncommon to buy something in a smaller
size as a weight-loss incentive or because it’s on sale and they don’t have your typical size. Holding on to these clothes that you can’t physically wear,
on the other hand, is one of the worst things you can do if you’re attempting to slim down your wardrobe.
Be truthful and realistic with yourself. It’s time to sell or donate anything that doesn’t fit you.
3. Don’t Buy or Keep Anything That You Don’t Like.
Many of us maintain components that we know don’t suit us, in addition to holding on to things that don’t fit.
We’ve often bought something on the spur of the moment because it’s a major trend or because we saw someone else wearing it and thought they looked wonderful,
but we’ve never worn it because it doesn’t suit us. It has no place in your life if a piece of clothes does not make you feel confident and comfortable.
4. Don’t Buy Something Simply Because it’s a Good Deal.
It’s easy to be swayed by a significant discount, and you should take advantage of them – especially on high-end designer goods –
but only if the item is something you truly need. Never purchase something simply because it is a good offer.
It’s a complete waste of money, no matter how cheap it was, if you never wear it.
5. Get Rid of Something Else When You Buy Something.
Adopting the one-in, one-out approach, which requires you to take a piece out every time you add anything new, is a great method to
keep your wardrobe at a manageable size (and sell it or donate it to charity). It will not only prevent your rails and shelves from overflowing,
but it will also need you to be lot more confident in your purchases. You’ll never buy something unless you absolutely love it,
even if it means parting with something valuable from your closet.
6. Swap Clothes With Your Most Fashionable Buddies
Swapping clothes with friends is a terrific way to keep your wardrobe feeling fresh. Use your one-in, one-out approach to get rid of something you haven’t worn in months and trade it for something a friend has grown tired of (but you have always had an eye on). Whether you hold a clothes-swap party with a large group or just make an agreement with one buddy, trading clothes is a terrific way to have an interesting wardrobe without spending any money or causing more environmental damage.
7. Avoid Going on Expensive Buying Sprees.
We frequently find ourselves in style ruts, feeling as if we despise everything in our closets and have nothing to wear. When this happens, we usually go on a large buying binge and wind up spending a lot of money on trend-driven products that end up lying in our closets for years, never being worn. Allowing things to get to this point is not a good idea. Instead, keep an eye out all year for pieces you like and make a list of the things you don’t have when you realize it. Instead of going back to square one every few months, think of it as a continuous and ongoing process. Allowing yourself to buy one very good piece per month rather than two big shopping sprees a year would almost certainly result in significantly more well-considered purchases and, as a result, a far more attractive wardrobe.
8. Make a Concerted Effort to Learn About New Brands.
Another reason we get stuck in stylistic ruts is because we become attracted to and at ease in specific stores. It’s nice to have a few go-to brands that you know and trust, but there are always new, exciting products on the market that are just waiting to be found. Keep exploring all year long, from high-end designer labels to more economical mid-range brands. You’ll come away with some very unique, fashionable finds (that, as an added bonus, no one else has).
9. Make Some Difficult Choices.
Nobody enjoys getting rid of things. Parting with a piece of clothing might also mean parting with memories, which can be difficult.
There’s no need to hang on to anything you’ve ever liked, especially if it’s been decades since you’ve worn it.
Put something on trial and see how many times you wear it in the next six months if you really can’t bear to part with it. If it doesn’t make an appearance, it’s time to let it go.
Create a Look That is Consistent.
One of the most common misunderstandings regarding fashion is that you should never buy anything similar to something you already own. Of all, no one wants to have a closet full of 15 navy blue sweaters and 10 pairs of black skinny jeans that are all the same. However, don’t be scared to use your understanding of what works for you. All of the world’s most stylish women have their own uniform — they keep it simple, they know what looks good on them, and they stick to it while shopping for new things.
11. Know Your Closet From Top to Bottom.
It may seem self-evident, but it’s easy to forget what’s in our closets – and many of us will have beautiful items tucked away that haven’t seen the light of day in years, or that were forgotten about during lockdown. So, before you go out and buy something new, make sure you know exactly what you currently have in your closet. You’ll know what’s in there if you clean it out and declutter it, and you’ll be less likely to buy stuff you don’t need.
12. Put Your Money Into What You Already Have.
Many of us have a habit of discarding items as soon as they become damaged, but just because something is a little worn does not imply it should be destroyed. Invest in your existing wardrobe by knowing where to get things repaired in your neighborhood, from a superb seamstress to shoe and handbag restoration shops. It’s better to spend a little money to get things mended than to keep buying the same thing over and over.
13. Adopt a Rental-Style Wardrobe.
It’s never been easier to hire garments because to a rise in environmental concern, with a large increase in the number of fashion-rental companies available.
For a variety of reasons, renting rather than buying is a terrific approach to build a more attractive wardrobe.
To begin with, you will usually feel as if you are wearing something new, which is ideal for important occasions such as weddings or parties,
where you may have already purchased a one-time dress. Another advantage is that you can be a little more daring with what you try – you might move outside of your style comfort zone and discover excellent pieces that you would have been afraid to buy otherwise.
14. Use The Hanger Method if You’re Unsure About a Piece’s Wearability.
Place all of your hangers in the same direction at the start of the season. Turn the hanger the other way every time you wear something. You’ll quickly notice what you wear and don’t wear as the season progresses. According to Vestiaire Collective co-founder Fanny Moizant, who swears by this hanger trick – see more of her wardrobe detox recommendations here – women only wear 40 to 60% of their wardrobe.
15. Don’t Dismiss The Importance of a Capsule Wardrobe.
It doesn’t require a large income or three walk-in wardrobes full of expensive items to be truly stylish — you don’t need much to look nice. What you do require, though, is the ability to make sound decisions. Buy only what you require, what makes you happy, and nothing more. Also, take care of your clothing. It’ll only take you 15 minutes to complete. You still don’t believe us? See how to put together a capsule wardrobe in the video below.
Consider how much space you’ll save.