Buy with Intention
"Buying without reason is ill-advised"
Are you frustrated with your closet, feeling like you have plenty of clothes but nothing to wear? Do you keep buying new pieces, hoping that the next purchase will be "the one" you’ll want to wear?
It's time to rethink your approach. European women have long mastered the art of owning fewer clothes while loving each piece because they’ve never had the luxury of vast wardrobes. I want to encourage you to adopt this mindset: think sustainability. This means buying clothes you'll love and wear for a long time, only purchasing items that make your heart sing the moment you see them. This is called "slow fashion". I advise you NOT to buy without reason, without a plan or without knowing you best colors, lines and designs.
Here are 10 steps to help you embrace this sustainable approach:
Step 1: Discover What You Love
You need to educate yourself on what you truly like and what flatters you. Here are some exercises to guide you:
- Explore Pinterest, Instagram, or online shops, and take screenshots of outfits that catch your eye. Save these in a folder, then review them—what do they have in common? Why do they appeal to you? This will help you define your personal style.
- Go through your closet. Do you love the clothes you have? Do they make you excited to wear them?
- Identify your most flattering colors. Color analyiss is extremely important. If you had your colors done long ago, consider a new color analysis—your coloring changes over time.
- Understand which shapes, proportions, and garment lengths suit you best. While weight can fluctuate, your bone structure doesn’t change.
- Know your body measurements so that when you shop online, you can use size charts confidently.
- Don’t let influencers dictate your wardrobe—take control of your buying decisions.
- Be mindful of care instructions. Are you okay with dry-cleaning, handwashing, or ironing? Buy clothes that align with how much care you’re willing to invest.
Step 2: Assess Your Current Wardrobe
Start by evaluating what’s in your closet. Try on each item and ask yourself, “Do I love myself in this?” It should feel like love at first sight when you see yourself in the mirror. Avoid trying to make something work that doesn’t feel right. Keep only the clothes that bring you joy. Donate or recycle the rest at secondhand stores or nonprofit organizations. Repeat this process each season to keep your wardrobe fresh.
Step 3: Only Keep Clothes That Fit
Your everyday wardrobe should only contain clothes that fit right now. If something is too big or small, place it in a separate bag until it fits again or donate it.
Step 4: Tailor and Repair
Ensure your clothes fit perfectly. If something needs altering, take it to a tailor. Proper fit is key to looking your best. The same goes for your shoes—repair them if necessary.
Step 5: Build Capsule Wardrobes
Once you’ve narrowed down your closet to pieces you love, start creating outfits. Group items into capsules that work well together to form multiple looks. This will save you money by ensuring you can mix and match.
Step 6: Create a Shopping List
As you organize your outfits, you’ll likely find gaps. These missing pieces become your shopping list for future purchases.
Step 7: Balance Sustainability with Trends
Aim for a wardrobe that is 80% sustainable—pieces you’ll wear for years—and 20% trendy items that you enjoy for a season or two. As you shop from your list, be mindful of which pieces fall into each category.
Step 8: Shop Intentionally
When you go shopping, focus on the items from your list. You’re now “buying with intention.” With a clear understanding of your personal style, flattering colors, garment types, and measurements, you’ll make smarter purchases. This also applies when shopping online, reducing the need for returns, which often don’t make it back into inventory and contribute to waste in landfills.
Step 9: Explore Different Sources
Whether you’re shopping at retail stores, secondhand shops, vintage boutiques, or online, buy only what you love. I say “love at first sight.”
Step 10: Maximize Wear Year-Round
Try to wear most of your clothes throughout the year by layering for colder months. This way, you’ll wear your clothes more frequently, reducing the need to buy more.
Empower Yourself
Understanding your wardrobe and the pieces that truly work for you is empowering. You’ll feel more confident, make better shopping decisions, and contribute to a more sustainable world!
Let's have a conversation about your wardrobe goals. I am here to advise you.
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