How To Improve Your Style
I’m sharing 9 things to STOP buying to improve your style and LOVE your wardrobe. I’ve bought most of these items in the past. So learn from my mistakes.
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9 Shopping Mistakes To Avoid To Love Your Wardrobe
How To Love Your Wardrobe FAQs & Expert Tips
9 Things To Stop Buying To Love Your Wardrobe | Video
9 Shopping Mistakes To Avoid To Love Your Wardrobe
1. Avoid buying anything that’s marked final sale.
I have done this multiple times in the past. Once the item was in my closet, I couldn’t do anything with it when I decided I didn’t like it. Don’t buy things marked final sale no matter how good it seems. I’ve had styling clients buy things that are final sale ONLINE! Before even seeing it in person. You may also be guilty of this.
The only exception for buying something final sale is if you have seen the item and tried it on. You cannot stop thinking about it and can’t find it anywhere else at a reasonable price. It also needs to fill a gap in your wardrobe.
2. Don’t buy the wrong size.
Years ago I bought a pair of shoes that I absolutely loved but they weren’t the right size. I had obsessed over these shoes for months but couldn’t afford the designer price tag. When they went on sale, they didn’t have my size left. I convinced myself if I went down a size they’ll stretch out. They never did and I just ended up selling those beautiful shoes because I couldn’t wear them.
When you’re buying something no matter how good the deal seems or what size you think you might be next month, stop trying to convince yourself to buy the wrong size.
3. Buying something that looked good on your friend.
Your friend might be six foot, blonde, and thin and look nothing like you. Purchasing something because it looked good on your friend is another shopping mistake. Unless you and your friend have similar body types and coloring.
If you try the item on and you love it on YOU, then go ahead and buy the item. But, in general don’t buy something just because you saw it on someone else. One of the things I ask my clients is who’s a celebrity whose style they like to give me a sense of their ideal personal style. A lot of times they’ll tell me someone that looks nothing like them both in body shape and coloring. What’s going to look good on them is going to look to be totally different on you.
I think being inspired by someone else’s style is amazing. But, I recommend finding someone whose style you like but that also has similar coloring and body shape. That way it will be a good indicator that a specific style will work for you as well.
4. Purchasing something out of your budget.
Putting it on your credit card without having the budget for an item is the next mistake. I don’t think you need to go into debt to love your wardrobe. Look for pieces in your budget, or if it’s not in your budget save up for it.
I would ask for gift cards to my favorite stores for the holidays. When you’re deciding whether to buy something even if you love it, make sure it’s in your budget. Because it’s not going to feel great when you’re looking at your credit card bill wondering why your bill is so high.
5. Try not to buy something simply because you need it versus you actually love it.
This was a mistake I used to make ALL the time. I didn’t know what a capsule wardrobe was 20 years ago. If I needed an outfit for somewhere I was going, I would go out and buy something new. I would wear it that once but then I didn’t have anything else to wear with it. A lot of times I didn’t LOVE the piece, or it was trendy. So it didn’t go with a lot in my closet. What I ended up with in my 20’s was a bunch of pieces in my closet that I couldn’t mix and match and that I didn’t love.
Fast forward to 20 years later, a capsule wardrobe completely changed everything about how I dress. Having a foundation of high quality pieces that you love and can wear together is so much better than shopping right before you need something. You’re less likely going to find an item that you love when it’s last minute, you have nothing to wear, and you’re running around.
Only buy items that you love instead of out of necessity.
6. Spending too much on a trend.
Don’t spend your money on trends, instead spend your money on quality pieces. If you like having fun with trends, pick one or two a season and look for budget-friendly options.
Trends come in and out. They’re not going to be here for a long time. That’s why they’re trends. Avoid spending the majority of your wardrobe budget on trends because in a year or two you won’t wear it. It’s more helpful to focus on wardrobe essentials that you will have for years instead of just items that are on trend for a season or two.
7. Don’t buy shoes that are uncomfortable.
This next one is super simple. You won’t end up wearing them, so don’t buy uncomfortable shoes.
8. Avoid buying something because of the brand versus the actual item.
Buying something just because of the brand versus whether you love the actual item is a mistake. Instead, look for pieces that will enhance your personal style. That is how to improve your style and love your wardrobe.
9. Only purchase items that meet atleast 2 of your purchase criteria.
Purchase criteria encompass the qualities that an item must have for you to buy it. For some people, it’s color, style, fabric, etc. When you buy an item because it meets only one criteria, like your favorite color, you end up with a wardrobe in your favorite color that doesn’t look good on you. Another example is when you buy an item simply because it’s comfortable, but it doesn’t fit well or look good.
Come up with your purchase criteria. What are the things that are important for you before you buy an item? For me, I want to make sure it fits me well, it’s versatile, and I love it. If you want to love your wardrobe, avoid purchasing items that don’t have at least two of your purchase criteria.
If it’s really important for you that an item is comfortable and versatile, then make sure before you purchase it, it has to have both of those things. To figure out what your criteria are for purchasing items, look in your closet. Find the items that you love and look at those items. What makes you love those specific pieces in your wardrobe? Is it the color? The fit? Style? Whatever it may be write it down. Go through the items in your closet that you love and see what criteria come up again and again. That’s what you want to look for next time you’re going shopping.
Related: 3 Simple Habits That Will Make You A Better Shopper
How To Love Your Wardrobe FAQs & Expert Tips
How do I get the most out of my wardrobe?
These are 9 ways to make the most of your wardrobe.
- Keep a running shopping list of missing items from your wardrobe.
- Search on Pinterest for new ideas on how to style some of the pieces you already own.
- Start with a capsule wardrobe.
- Declutter your wardrobe twice a year.
- Take time to think about your personal style and what you like.
- Plan a time weekly or monthly to style things in your closet in new ways.
- Make sure to get needed alterations so that your clothes fit you perfectly.
- Research fashion and style online for inspiration and fresh ideas.
- Work with a Personal Stylist or a stylish friend for a new perspective on your clothes.
- Take care of your clothes.
How can I enjoy my wardrobe?
Here are six ways to love your wardrobe.
- Go through your closet and see if there are any gaps. Create a shopping list if there are.
- At the start of each season organize and edit your closet.
- Look for inspiration on your favorite social sites.
- Take an item from your closet that you love to wear and look on Pinterest for new ways to style it.
- Give yourself an afternoon to go through your wardrobe and try new outfit combinations.
- Make sure you have all your closet essentials.
Related: Capsule Wardrobe Checklist
Why having a good wardrobe is important.
Having a wardrobe you love is important.
- You’ll feel more confident.
- It will help you be perceived a certain way and may even help you with your career.
- You will save time getting dressed.
- No more overwhelm or stress when you look at your clothes.
- The reason you turn down an outing won’t be because you have nothing to wear.
- You’ll save money because you won’t feel the need to buy something new all the time.
- A good wardrobe will help you be more joyful when getting ready.
9 Things To Stop Buying To Improve Your Style | Video
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4 Comments
Please Erica email me your choice(s) of a tailor -alteration- person in LA, ca. i need multiple alterations. I am in weho. Thanks!