Why You Keep Saying, "I Have Nothing To Wear" ERICA BALL STYLE

If you find yourself constantly shopping and cycling through clothes yet still find yourself saying, I have nothing to wear, this post is for you.

Are you ready to have a wardrobe that reflects your personal style, works for your body, and makes it easy to put together outfits you feel great in?

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Reason number one you may find yourself saying, “I have nothing to wear”, is that you don’t know your personal style. Each person’s style is unique, often blending elements from one, two, or even three types. Understanding your personal style is essential for building a wardrobe of clothes you’ll love to wear. If you’re unsure of your personal style, chances are you’re buying items based on other factors like needing something to wear, thinking it’s a good deal, or seeing an outfit on someone else. These factors don’t ensure that a piece reflects your style.

2. Quality

The second reason is that you’re not investing in quality items. You might be drawn to deals or fast fashion, where fabric and construction aren’t made to last, and pieces fall apart after one or two washes. To build a wardrobe you’ll love and want to wear, consider investing in higher-quality pieces.

For example, I had a client struggling with her style. When we did her closet edit, we found that 80% of her wardrobe consisted of inexpensive items she didn’t like, purchased because they were on sale. She also had a few high-end designer pieces she loved but nothing in between. No quality items she could enjoy wearing every day. You don’t need to buy designer items, but adding quality pieces can make a difference. They’ll look and feel better, fit well, and last longer. Over time, investing in quality saves money since you won’t need to keep replacing items. Personally, I’ve had many high-quality pieces for years, and I spend much less on my wardrobe over time than those who buy fast fashion frequently.

Also, this ties back to knowing your personal style. When you’re confident in your style, you’ll feel comfortable spending a bit more on pieces that reflect it. If you’re unsure, you may hesitate to invest, worried you won’t love an item after a few wears. In my 20s, I didn’t understand the value of a capsule wardrobe or quality basics, but now I see their lasting impact.

3. You Don’t Have A Shopping List

Another reason you might keep buying clothes yet still feel like you have nothing to wear is because you’re shopping without a list. Having a shopping list helps you create a cohesive wardrobe by prioritizing what you truly need over impulse buys or trendy items that don’t complete outfits.

With my styling clients, we start by editing their closets, assessing their lifestyle, and defining their personal style. From there, we identify the gaps in their wardrobe. Think about your daily activities: what do you wear to work, at home, on weekends, or for special outings? With this awareness, you can pinpoint the pieces missing in your wardrobe and add them to your shopping list. A shopping list helps you buy only what you need, creating a wardrobe filled with pieces you love and can mix and match for various parts of your life.

4. You Don’t Know What You Like

Another key factor to buying clothes you’ll wear is knowing what you genuinely like. Often, when I go through my clients’ wardrobes and have them try on pieces, I ask, “How do you feel in this item?” Many clients realize they haven’t paused to reflect on whether they like the piece. This awareness is a valuable tool when deciding on new purchases or even assessing clothes you already own.

When you try on a piece, take a moment to look in the mirror and consider how you feel. Do you feel good? Does it bring a smile to your face, or are you feeling hesitant? Notice if you’re trying to convince yourself to buy it because you think you have “nothing to wear.” This mindful approach can help you break the cycle of buying more but still feeling like you have nothing to wear. You can apply this to your current wardrobe too. When decluttering, try on any pieces you’re unsure about. Don’t ask others for their opinion. Instead, check in with yourself. Ask, “How do I feel in this? Does it make me feel good?” If not, it might be time to let it go.

A helpful tip: for those “maybe” items you’re reluctant to let go of, practice wearing them. Pay attention to how you feel throughout the day. You’ll gain clarity on whether these pieces truly suit you, making future purchases and decluttering much easier.

5. You’re Not Buying Things For Your Actual Life

Another reason is because you’re shopping for an imagined or previous life rather than the life you currently have. For instance, think about what you actually need day-to-day. Are you picking up kids from school? Heels and a silk dress probably aren’t practical. Or, if your office is business casual, a formal tailored suit may be unnecessary. Pay attention to your real life, not the life you might dream of or the one you used to have.

This way, you’ll ensure that everything in your closet has a purpose and is something you’ll actually wear.

6. You’re Buying What You See On Social Media

Another reason is that you’re scrolling on Instagram or TikTok and impulsively adding items to your cart because they look great on an influencer. This quick-add mentality often skips essential questions: Does it fit your personal style? Does it work with your lifestyle? Use these platforms as sources of inspiration, not as places to shop. Influencers often have ideal lighting, professional photographers, and styling tricks that enhance the look of an outfit in ways that might not translate to your day-to-day life.

I’ve seen countless clients with unworn items, tags still attached because they bought something that looked great on an influencer and thought it would suit them too. That’s not to say you should never buy something you see on someone else, but always check in with yourself first. Ask if the item is on your shopping list and if it aligns with your style and lifestyle. Being mindful of these factors can prevent impulse buys that don’t suit you and help you build a wardrobe you’ll actually love to wear.

7. You Buy The Latest Trends Every Season

If you’re focused on buying the latest trends each season, you may end up with clothes you rarely wear. While it may work for you to have a trendy style and enjoy current pieces, it’s important to be intentional when adding trends to your wardrobe. Instead of buying every trend, think about which ones truly resonate with your personal style and lifestyle. My advice is to choose one or two trends each season that genuinely appeal to you and that you can see yourself wearing beyond just one season. This approach allows you to play with your wardrobe while keeping it cohesive.

When your closet is filled mostly with trends, it becomes challenging to put outfits together, as trends tend to be short-lived. Using trends for inspiration can be a fun way to refresh your style, but you don’t need every trend to do so. Curate thoughtfully, and your closet will reflect your style rather than a passing fashion cycle.

8. Buying Things As A Way Of Dealing With Uncomfortable Feelings

Another reason many of us keep buying clothes is that we shop to cope with stress, boredom, or tough days. Shopping can be a fun escape, especially for those who love style, but making purchases while stressed or upset often leads to items we don’t truly love or keep long-term. Instead of shopping when you’re stressed, try “shopping your closet.” Spend time exploring the clothes you already own. Pull out those “maybe” pieces you haven’t worn and see if you can create new outfits with them. Put on some music, make it enjoyable, and use this time to connect with your wardrobe creatively.

This approach not only lowers stress but helps you appreciate what you already have. Once you learn to buy pieces that align with your style and lifestyle, getting dressed becomes easier and more enjoyable. You’ll build a closet full of items you love and feel great wearing, without relying on retail therapy for a quick mood boost.