A guide to spending less, shopping smarter, and evolving your style while doing so.
For everybody, this has been a one-of-a-kind moment. Most of our lives have changed to some degree, from where we work to 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, although less dramatically.
There have been plenty of improvements in our approach to fashion this year, whether you’ve been living in your loungewear or have done more online shopping than ever before. However, one advantage of getting more free time at home is that it allows us to organize our closets.
We’re all, to some degree, guilty of making rash choices when it comes to our wardrobes, from hanging on to old clothes that never get worn to making impulse purchases that are worn once. It doesn’t have to be that way, though.
We’ve broken down 15 wardrobe resolutions you can start now to free up space, save money, and look your best.
Don’t purchase anything for single use.
It’s something we’re all guilty of. A wedding, a Christmas party, or a post-lockdown Friday night reunion in a pub with your friends. When we’re going somewhere exciting, we sometimes feel like we need to make investments in something exclusive – and therefore something different – to wear. However, as much as we enjoy the item we’ve purchased, it is rarely worn more than once.
Rather than buying something exclusive for a specific occasion, aim to have a few more versatile items in your wardrobe. You’ll be able to wear it again and again if you get something plain and timeless rather than trend-driven. It’ll never be the same again, thanks to the clever accessorizing.
Don’t purchase or keep something that doesn’t suit your needs.
It’s normal to keep things that don’t fit you anymore in the hope that one day they will. It’s also not unusual to buy clothes in a smaller size as a weight-loss reward or because it’s on sale and they don’t have your normal size. Holding on to these pieces that you can’t physically wear, on the other hand, is one of the worst things you can do if you’re trying to slim down your wardrobe. Be truthful and rational with yourself. It’s time to sell or donate something that doesn’t suit you and make investments in new things.
Don’t buy or keep something that you don’t like.
Many of us keep pieces that we know don’t suit us in addition to holding on to items that don’t fit. We sometimes purchase things in the spur of the moment because it’s a trend or because we’ve seen it on someone else and thought it looked incredible. If a piece of clothing does not make you feel confident and relaxed, then it has no place in your life.
Don’t buy anything just because it’s a good deal.
It’s easy to be swayed by big discounts, and you should take advantage of them – particularly with high-end designer items – but only if the item is something you really need. Never make investments in things simply because it is a good deal. It’s a total waste of money, no matter how cheap it is, if you never wear it.
Get rid of something when you purchase something new.
Adopting the one-in, one-out strategy, which requires you to take a piece out every time you add something new, is a great way to keep your wardrobe to a manageable size (and sell it for some investment money or donate it to charity). It will not only prevent your shelves from overflowing, but it will also require you to be even more secure in your purchases. You’ll never buy anything unless you really liked it because it means parting with something special from your closet.
Trade clothes with your most fashionable friends.
Swapping parts with friends is a perfect way to keep your wardrobe looking new. Use the one-in, one-out policy 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 host a clothing-swap party with a large group or have a deal with one friend, swapping clothes is a perfect way to have an interesting wardrobe without wasting any investment money or getting additional expenses.
Avoid going on expensive shopping sprees.
We always find ourselves in style ruts, feeling as if we despise everything in our closets and have little to wear. When this happens, we usually go on shopping binges, wasting a lot of money on trend-driven pieces that end up sitting in our closets for years. Allowing it to get to this point is not a good idea. Instead, credit and keep an eye out for pieces you need and make a list of the ones 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 changing phase. Allowing yourself to buy one very nice piece per month rather than going on two big shopping sprees a year will almost certainly result in far more well-considered purchases, and a far more fashionable wardrobe.
Take the opportunity to keep up with the latest brands.
Another factor that gets us caught in style ruts is we become addicted to some stores. It’s nice to have a few go-to brands that you trust and know will last, but there are still fresh, exciting brands on the market waiting to be credited and discovered. Keep experimenting all year long, from high-end designer labels to more affordable mid-range brands. You’ll come away with some truly unique, trendy finds (that, as an added bonus, no one else has).
Make some difficult choices.
Nobody enjoys getting rid of stuff. Parting with a piece of clothing can also mean parting with memories, which can be difficult. There’s no need to hang on to something you’ve never loved, particularly if it’s been decades since you’ve worn it. Put something on trial to see how many days you wear it in the next six months. If you can’t bear to part with it, then keep 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 about fashion is that you can never buy anything similar to something you already own. Of course, no one wants to have a closet full of 15 navy blue sweaters and 10 pairs of black skinny jeans. However, don’t be afraid to use your experience and make investments in what works for you. Many of the world’s most fashionable women have their own uniform – they keep it plain, they know what looks good on them, and they stick to it while shopping for new items.
Know your closet from top to bottom.
It might seem self-evident, but it’s easy to forget what’s in our closets – and many of us may have great pieces tucked away that haven’t seen the light of day for years, or pieces that we’ve forgotten about during lockdown. So, before you go out and buy something new, make sure you know exactly what you already have in your closet. You’ll know what’s in there if you clean it out and declutter. You’ll be less likely not to make investments you don’t need.
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 mean it should be discarded. Invest in your existing wardrobe by understanding where to get items repaired in your neighborhood, from a fantastic seamstress to a shoe and handbag restoration company. It’s better to spend a little money to get stuff fixed than to keep buying the same thing over and over.
Adopt a rental-style wardrobe.
It’s never been easier to rent clothes — credits to a rise in environmental consciousness, and a massive increase in the number of fashion-rental companies. For a variety of reasons, renting rather than buying is a perfect way to create a more trendy wardrobe. To begin with, you will frequently feel as if you are wearing something different, which is ideal for special occasions such as weddings or celebrations, where you might have previously purchased a one-time dress. Another benefit is that you can be a little more daring about what you try – you can venture outside your comfort zone, discover, and make investments in pieces you might have been afraid to purchase otherwise.
Use the hanger trick if you’re unsure about a piece’s wearability.
Place all of your hangers in the same direction at the start of the season. Switch the hanger the other way any time you wear something. You’ll soon 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, women only wear 40 to 60% of their wardrobe.
Don’t dismiss the importance of a capsule wardrobe.
It doesn’t require a large budget or three walk-in wardrobes full of designer clothes to be truly fashionable – you don’t need anything to look pretty. What you do need, though, is the ability to make sound decisions. Buy what you want, what makes you happy, and nothing more. Also, take care of your clothing. It’ll only take you 15 minutes to complete. Don’t believe us? See how to put together a capsule wardrobe in the video below.
Consider how much space you’ll free up.
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