It is the first week of September so naturally I will have to write about fall styling, right? Not yet, I do. In Paris, the sun is still shining, people still walk around in summer outfits, they are still strolling along the Seine and still having picnics in the beautiful parks that Paris has to offer. So, while I’m not ready to talk about fall styling just yet, I do want to prepare you if you plan on shopping for fall and you want to be mindful of your spendings.
Here’s your guide to shopping (for fall)
You might already know about these 6 steps that I’m about to share with you, but in that case, consider this a reminder. In this economy, we have to be smart with our spendings. Here we go.
- MAKE A LIST
To prevent needless spending, sit down and go over the items you would like to buy this fall. Maybe you have seen an item online/in a magazine that you love or your favorite sweater fell apart last fall and you need to replace it. Or your size/style changed. In any case, making a list and getting a clear look on what you want, will also help with seeing if it actually fits your budget.
2. CHECK YOUR CLOSET
Before you step out of the house and start shopping, shop your closet first. This is the perfect moment to see what you actually have in your fall wardrobe. You might be surprised what you already have, sometimes you’ll find that long lost shirt you love and have been looking for. But more importantly, you might already have an item that is on your list. Now, you might be able to cross it off and save some money
3. DO YOU NEED IT OR DO YOU WANT IT?
This tip is more for the style lovers who want to save some money, by making hard choices. Sometimes, you don’t really need something new. But you just WANT something new. It’s that rush of dopamine that hits us when we have new things. Take a moment to think about if you really need it. Maybe you have an item in your wardrobe that can fulfill the exact same task that a new item could.
4. TRY IT ON
If you shop in a store, try on every single item that you have chosen. I don’t know how many times I’ve heard people just buying something, then trying it on at home, finding out that it doesn’t fit and then forgetting to return it. When you try it on in the store, you immediately see how it fits on your body and if the item you thought you wanted, is in reality something you would love to wear.
5. DOES IT FIT YOUR WARDROBE?
Is this an item that will really fit your wardrobe and can you style multiple outfits with it? If you can only imagine one outfit that you could style with it, maybe it’s not the right one. Your clothes serve you better if they are multi stylable.
DECISION MAKING TIME
Then, when you have finally found something that you like, you still have a couple of questions to ask yourself, about things that are important to you, such as;
Will I use it regularly?
Is the price/quality ratio right?
Will I still wear it later?
Where was it made?
These questions seems like a lot to do before buying something, but this is how you build a wardrobe that will serve you. A wardrobe that won’t have you standing in front of it with your hands in your hair, saying, “I have nothing to wear”.
So now, my question is: Is it realistically possible for you to follow these steps? Can you go shopping with this level of preparation? Because this article is about shopping consciously, doing anything consciously requires preparation and thinking. If you don’t want to do that, this article is not for you and this all is too much work. But if you do want to build a wardrobe that serves you, that is cohesive, that saves you time from getting ready, that is worth its money and that you can actually be happy with, then I know these steps have helped with that.
Share this article with someone who always says they have nothing to wear, all the while having a full closet. These steps may serve them well on their next shopping spree. Thanks for reading and see you soon.