“I feel the same way about clothes as I do about food—I want everything.” –Mindy Kaling
We see something from the rack and it immediately catches our eye. We try it on for size and do a little strut while looking at mirror, we survey how we look and to our astonishment, we look great. The feeling is exhilarating and we are ensnared, we immediately make a decision, purchase the clothing item and ignore that little voice in our head that we have absolutely no need for it.
We have all been there before and there is no shame in admitting that. At one point (or perhaps, several times) in our lives, we have experienced the euphoric feel of holding a negligible piece of clothing (or several of them) in our hands and purchasing them, all the while crippling the last vestiges of our self-control. Only to find out that as several months pass by, we have accumulated too many clothes and wore them only once or never at all.
So, why do we do this? Why do people have an incessant penchant for acquiring things that they are inevitably going to wear rarely or not even at all? Is it the allure of having a wide array of sartorial selections? Or do we have no leverage over our restraint towards our caprices? Well, regardless of what our reasoning might be, the time to stop is now. After all, there is no point in buying things we rarely wear. Not only do we take up valuable closet space, but we are playing a dangerous game with our finances as well. So, whether you have filled your closet with the elements of a good wardrobe or expensive designer brand buys, here are some of the tips you can take to heart in order for it to stop:
Shop with a plan
If you are just passing by the mall and have a different agenda in mind, refrain from visiting retail clothing shops or you might just end up likely buying a thing or two. Furthermore, when you do shop, it is best to shop with a plan. Check and survey your closets and know which items you already have in abundance of, and those that you are severely lacking. You might notice innumerable impulse purchases and this is what you should avoid. Plan instead of buying on a whim and take a look at your wardrobe. Know your taste profile and see which clothes you have a penchant for wearing over and over again.
Make a list
Much like how you make a grocery list, it is ideal—even recommended—for you to make a list when you are out clothes shopping. It might seem like an unorthodox idea to you, but shopping with a plan would actually prevent you from shopping for things that are not included in the list. Once you have determined which key items would complete your wardrobe, make a list that you can use to reference at any time. Know what you are going to buy and compel yourself to stick with only those items. Keep in mind: If it is not on the list, then in no case should it be included in your cart. So, the next time you are out shopping and you see a little handbag that is on sale, stop and take a look at your list. If it is not there, it is not a priority.
Identify whether it is love or lust
More often than not, some of us would test our potential purchases with the ideology that if we are still thinking about it after a week, we probably want it enough to buy it. On the outset, it is an excellent avenue for curbing your impulse purchases, but it is not exactly the best way to build a strong wardrobe that you would love. Much like how infatuation works, if you cannot stop thinking about them, it does not mean that you love them by then. So, using the same philosophy in shopping, ask yourself before every purchase: is it love or lust? This is especially useful if you are on a tight budget. So, before reaching out for your cash or credit cards, ensure that the item is something you do love and not simply fawning over at the moment.
