Honestly, shopping for clothes lost its appeal as a leisurely activity for me years ago. Malls or high streets of any kind cause me anxiety unless I am laser focused on getting to one particular store and nothing else. Finding parking, rifling through racks of endless options, and standing in queues is just not it for me anymore, especially after this pandemic. Not to mention it can be expensive if I’m shopping aimlessly.
Besides the actual shopping experience, I also got tired of thinking up outfit combinations, sorting through and storing seasonal items, and buying far too many fast fashion brands. (Link to my rant on fast fashion HERE).
I tend to be someone who doesn’t like too many options to begin with. Give me 3-5 options in any life category; I’m a happy woman. That was one of the main signs that led to me figuring out that I’m a minimalist by nature. (Link to post on 10 Signs You’re A Minimalist HERE). Whether choosing from a restaurant menu, deciding on nail colour, or choosing the proper footwear for an occasion, I typically hone in on a handful of options and go from there.
With those personal peculiarities in mind, I devised a clothes shopping strategy that I’ve refined to one I can see myself using forever. Now, packing for travel is easy, getting dressed for work takes half the time, and the amount of mental space freed up can be better utilized for other tasks. I’m also saving money, have fewer loads of different types of laundry to do and all of my clothes are used an equal amount and for longer.
Below are the steps I follow to ensure that my clothes shopping experience stays enjoyable, effective, and efficient:
HOW I SIMPLIFIED MY CLOTHES SHOPPING EXPERIENCE
Do a lot of research before I start buying anything.
I start by collecting images from the internet of looks that I like. Sites like Pinterest, Instagram and Google are great for saving photos and locating stores that create similar pieces.
I then spend some time browsing the online stores of the brands that carry the items I’m looking for. I am comfortable shopping for dresses, sweaters, and tops online, but I go into physical stores for jeans and pants. It’s essential to test length and fit before purchasing. Jeans can vary so much depending on the brand and material.
This process of proper research and preparation saves endless time, energy and money. Once you get to know the stores that carry the things you like repeating the process is less challenging every time.
Shop in neutrals.
Neutrals are great because you can create endless outfit combinations with a few key pieces. If the majority of your closet is greys, blacks, whites, and nudes – then most items will match with the others.
A few pops of colour is always a good idea. However, keeping most of your closet neutral reduces the number of clothes you need to be creative with your wardrobe.
Have a strict monthly or annual clothes shopping budget.
Budgets can be fabulous tools to control spending and create a boundary around your shopping habits. Whether a few hundred dollars a month or a few thousand for the whole year, allocating a dollar amount to clothes helps you stay disciplined and eventually reduces stress.
Buy items that have more than one use.
The term Day-to-Night is a little played out these days, but the general idea of buying clothes that can be used for more than one occasion is never a bad idea. Whether it’s activewear that can double as outfits for lunch or a work dress that can also be used for a friend’s wedding – shopping for versatile pieces can simplify getting dressed.
Aim for timeless and simple looks.
Shopping for classic pieces will stand the test of time no matter the decade, your age, or the occasion for which they are worn. A classic black dress, a well-fitting blazer, or a crisp white button-down – are all pieces that can be dressed up or down for work or play.
Never shop for or own more clothes than can all be packed up in two large suitcases.
This is a tip gained through real-life experience. When I moved overseas five years ago, I was forced to pare down my wardrobe into two suitcases. I could have carried more with me or had it shipped over separately, but I decided to commit to just the two pieces of luggage at the time.
Since then, I have become unconsciously conditioned never to own more than that amount. I’ve lived in several homes and even moved back to Canada since. I’ve grown accustomed to the sight of a sparsely populated closet. Not only is it easy on the eyes but the pocketbook as well.
Only shop for clothes once or twice a year.
I don’t impulse shop anymore. I usually research clothing items I need or have my eye own for six months at a time and then go on a (reasonably priced) shopping spree twice a year. Again this saves time, money and the hassle of shopping if it’s really not your thing to begin with.
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