Shop Smart - 5 Things To Save Time And Money

We’ve all been guilty of buying something we later regretted. In this post, I want to share five key insights to shop smart that will save you time and money when building your wardrobe, and also transform the way you shop. Years ago, before I had a clear sense of how to shop smart, what my personal style was, and what worked for my body, I often bought things I never wore, only to regret them later. Studies show that 55% of women frequently make impulse purchases, leading to regrets over items they rarely wear.

So, how do we break this cycle and shop smart? Many of us feel the need to buy more, chase trends, or accumulate pieces in hopes of creating better outfits, believing we’re missing something. But after 17 years of helping women navigate this struggle to shop smart, I’ve learned what truly works. I’ll share the strategies to shop smart that will save you money, and give you the tools to invest in pieces that truly work for you.

Women feel more confident when they wear clothes that reflect their personal style. If you wear something that doesn’t quite feel like “you,” then you probably don’t feel great in it. That’s because it didn’t truly align with your style. Even if an item appears on every capsule wardrobe list, if it doesn’t reflect your personal style, then chances are it won’t work for you.

A study from the Journal of Consumer Research found that “Women with a clear sense of personal style make more intentional clothing purchases and impulse shop less. This ultimately saves money. When they do shop, they’re more likely to choose pieces they’ll wear and enjoy.” Another study by InStyle last year found that “72% of women feel more confident when their outfits reflect their personal style”.

If you’re unsure of your style, I’ve created a series on the nine most common personal style types, based on my experience working with thousands of women over the past 17 years. You may identify with one or a combination of these styles. Understanding your personal style will not only help you make better shopping decisions but also make it easier to edit your wardrobe—removing pieces that don’t feel like “you” and keeping only what makes you feel confident.

2. Know Your Body Type

There are five common body types, and while some of us fit clearly into one, others may fall between two. As we go through different stages of life, our body shape can shift slightly, making it even more important to understand what silhouettes work best for us. This knowledge is key to feeling confident in our clothing choices.

One of the main reasons we buy clothes but don’t end up wearing them is they don’t fit properly. Maybe the sleeves are too long, the waist is too tight, or the proportions just feel off. A simple alteration can completely transform an item, making it fit and flatter your body properly. Many pieces sitting unworn in your closet might need a small adjustment to make a huge difference in how you look in an outfit.

Before I understood what worked for my body, I often bought pieces because they were trendy or looked great on someone else. But when I put them on they didn’t work for me because my body shape was different. Knowing your body type and which silhouettes you feel best in is crucial to making better shopping decisions and ensuring you wear what you buy.

A Journal of Consumer Research study found that “68% of women who chose clothing based on their body shape felt more confident in their appearance”. Shopping becomes easier when you understand why certain silhouettes work for you, and you’ll build a wardrobe that truly makes you feel your best.

3. Know Your Brands

A common challenge I hear from women is feeling overwhelmed by the number of choices when shopping. With so many options, it can be difficult to find pieces that truly work for you. Knowing your go-to brands is essential for building a cohesive wardrobe filled with pieces you’ll wear.

While I have general brand recommendations, I also focus on identifying the specific brands that work best for each individual. Not every brand suits everyone. Factors like fit, price point, style, and color availability all play a role. Knowing which brands align with your needs eliminates shopping overwhelm, reduces stress, and helps prevent decision fatigue. When faced with too many choices, our brains can feel overloaded, making shopping frustrating rather than enjoyable.

If you’re unsure which brands work for you, start by examining the clothes in your closet. Identify the pieces you wear most, the fabrics you enjoy, and the brands you keep reaching for. These are likely your go-to brands. Once you know them, you can focus on those specific brands rather than sifting through endless options.

A Harvard Business Review report found that “71% of women who are aware of which clothing brands align with their personal style feel a stronger sense of self-expression and confidence”. Additionally, knowing your brands helps reduce impulse purchases and makes you more confident when investing in higher-quality pieces. When you’re familiar with a brand’s fit, construction, and style, you’re more comfortable spending a little extra on items that you know will work for you.

4. Have A Shopping List

What are the pieces you’re missing? Shopping with intention means knowing what gaps exist in your wardrobe so you can prioritize what to buy. If you struggle to put together outfits, it’s often because you’re missing key items. When I work with clients, I focus on identifying these missing pieces that would make styling outfits easier.

Pay attention to what’s lacking in your wardrobe and create a shopping list to address those gaps first. When you shop with a list, you’re less likely to make impulse purchases or buy things simply because they’re on sale. Without a clear plan, it’s easy to accumulate more clothes without solving the real issue. This can lead to a wardrobe where 80% of items go unworn.

Without a list, overspending also becomes a problem. For example, I had a client who loved black pants and had six pairs in her closet. Before working together, she had been considering buying another pair. But when we evaluated her wardrobe, we realized she wasn’t even wearing all the ones she already owned. Instead of adding another similar item, it was smarter to invest in something that would better complement her existing wardrobe.

A shopping list also prevents decision fatigue. Walking into a store without a clear idea of what you need can feel overwhelming. With so many options, you might not know where to start. But when you have a focused plan, shopping becomes easier, more intentional, and far less stressful. Plus, you’ll save time, energy, and money by only buying items that truly add value to your wardrobe.

5. Cultivate A Capsule Wardrobe

smarter shopping, personal stylist Los Angeles

If you often experience shopping regrets or struggle to put together outfits, I highly recommend creating a capsule wardrobe that reflects your unique personal style, body, and lifestyle. Without foundational pieces, putting outfits together will always feel like a challenge. You may constantly feel like you have “nothing to wear” and find yourself shopping last minute for every occasion. But when your capsule wardrobe is tailored to your style, fit preferences, and lifestyle needs, getting dressed becomes effortless. That’s why I prioritize this approach with every client.

A capsule wardrobe isn’t one-size-fits-all. None of my clients have identical wardrobes because personal style, body types, and lifestyles differ. I don’t use the same brands or prescribe the same must-have pieces for everyone. Instead, I help clients identify what works for them, starting with their style, brands, and wardrobe gaps.

When you have a well-curated capsule wardrobe that reflects you, putting together outfits becomes easy. You’ll feel more confident in what you wear and use 100% of your clothes, rather than letting pieces sit unworn.