Clothes shopping can be stressful, especially when you need to upgrade your wardrobe but still are being mindful of your overall spending. By investing in pieces that will bring you the most happiness and the least buyer’s remorse you can get a whole lot more bang for your buck. Here are three fool-proof ways to pick the pieces worth investing in and the ones to pass on.
1. Start with the Basics
If there’s something you can never have too much of, it’s the basics. Not to mention that wearing sexy panties gives any and every outfit an arousing boost. And vice versa: When you don’t have the foundation of the outfit down – in terms of appearance or comfort – the whole look takes a dive. Because nothing kills a good look like an underwire poking you in the ribs all day or a pair of panties that won’t quit riding up in all the wrong places. It’s even in the how-to-survive-womanhood handbook: You can never have too many pairs of underwear. To give your wardrobe a refresh, start by investing in the first layer. It all starts there.
2. Build a Formula
Once you have your outfit formula down, shopping will become that much easier. So, what is an outfit formula? Put simply; it’s your go-to, everyday look that you can wear repeatedly. With this, you’ll always know you look good without any extra mental energy. To make it all work, pull out the pieces you wear most, the outfits you feel the best in, and the colors you gravitate to most. Identify what they have in common. Are they all comfortable? Do they have similar silhouettes, fabrics, or necklines? Once you know what you love, clothes shopping will become a lot less expensive, as you’ll stop wasting your budget on pieces you never end up wearing. Your formula can look something like this:
- For work: turtlenecks, blazers, slacks, and heels
- For weekends at home: sweaters, denim, and sneakers
There is plenty of outfit formula inspiration out there, but remember, it’s all about investing in pieces you actually plan to wear. Once you have everything squared away, you can shop confidently, playing with different cuts, textures, or details. But you’ll also always know exactly how and with what you’ll wear your next purchase.
3. Make a List
This is the ultimate hack for anyone who struggles to keep their buyer’s remorse to a minimum regarding clothes and accessories. The key is to start with your formula. Then, add unique twists that shake up the look with statement pieces that you know will fit in with what you already own. But here’s the catch: You can only buy things on the list.
You can no longer buy whatever catches your eye. Instead, pay close attention to which pieces you’re most drawn to. Are wide-leg trousers calling your name? Or would a bucket hat shake up your formula in the chicest way? Put these favorite things on your list, and know that they’re worth the investment.
4. Do Yourself a Favor: Invest in What You Love
Ultimately, money is meant to be spent, and if you’re going to spend it, do so on the things that will improve your day-to-day life. To help cut down on the “Where did my paycheck go?” feeling, be intentional about buying things you’ll love and use repeatedly. And always keep the receipts.