Tag Archives: shopping for clothes

Shop Wiser: Five Bad Shopping Habits You Need to Break Now

“When I shop, the world gets better, and the world is better. But then it is not, and I need to do it again.” -Sophie Kinsella (Confessions of a Shopaholic)

It has been said that women can shop all their lives and remain at a loss as to what to wear—or might even proclaim that they have nothing to wear at all. So, what is the primary motivator of this rather expensive habit? Well, for some the compulsion stems from the feeling of euphoria they usually get after purchase—most especially if they have been plagued by a rather stressful or depressing event. After all, making yourself feel better with a few purchases here and there is a lot cheaper than seeing a therapist for your woes, hence the term, retail therapy. For others, the impulse is driven by the sheer lack of self-control when it comes to fashion items, and for the rest, there might be just an ingrained penchant for acquiring and purchasing new items. Whether your reason is to elevate or cultivate your personal style, update your wardrobe or simply just to satisfy a fancy, there is no doubt that making a habit of impetuous buying can be really damaging to your finances. While there is nothing wrong with a mindless purchase every now and then, spending most of your monthly paycheck on unnecessary items is an entirely different story altogether. The former is an innocuous act—maybe something you might do to reward yourself after a stressful week, but the latter is a dangerous habit that might send you to a crippling financial situation.

If you find yourself relating to any of the above statements, then you might have already developed a bad shopping habit. Here are some of the most expensive fashion habits you need to break now:

1.) Buying just because it is on sale

Regardless of whether you are on the market for wholesale clothing or retail purchases, you find yourself buying it simply just because it is on sale. It does not even matter whether you actually want it or not, all that you know is that it is seventy percent off. To you, it is a deal, a bargain, and a steal. Well, you need a reality check. The truth is, it is not a deal nor would it be a steal if you never wanted the item in the first place. You just felt compelled to buy the item because it was on sale. And no, you did not save yourself some money, you just spent money on something you do not even want nor need.

2.) Buying too far outside your comfort zone

While it would be okay to try and mix it up once in a while, there is absolutely no point in buying something if you know you are not likely to be wearing them anytime soon. In a sense, something might be on trend and fashionable at the moment, but you are not entirely sure if it would look great on you. True, when it comes to clothing, you should have an open mind and should at least approach styles and unfamiliar trends with at least some form of receptivity. However, there is a thin line between buying something to try out a trend and purchasing something that you know would not work for you. If a pair of leggings or sheer tights is not your thing, do not buy one just because they are all the rage right now.

3.) You do not invest in the right things

An exorbitant price tag does not always equate quality nor a worthy investment. Unfortunately, for some individuals, the heftier the price tag is, the more attractive an item becomes to them. However, this is not always the case and associating expensive items with quality is an erroneous assessment. Instead, be wiser with your money and be practical when it comes to what marks as an essential purchase for you. Go for classics—ones that you know would stand the test of time. We might have different ideals as to what constitutes as a “worthy investment, ” and it is totally alright to splurge from time to time. However, before checking out an expensive item, take the time to think twice. Make sure it is something you can wear today, a few months from now and even years from now.

4.) You do not take care of your things

You constantly feel the need to buy new clothes and accessories because yours always seem to be falling apart. It is not for the lack of quality that these items break down, but rather your inability to take care of them properly. Buying investment pieces and items that are of considerable price means that you ought to take care of them properly if you want them to last. Read the tags on your clothes as to how they should be washed and the care cards of your accessories and stick to these. It does not take much for you to take care of your personal belongings and you will no longer feel the need to replace them when they break down.

5.) You shop for social media

In a modern age where most individuals are preoccupied with personal appearances, things such as OOTDs (outfit of the day) have been conceptualized. Although there is nothing absolutely wrong with this, if you find yourself shopping for clothes just to fill your social media feed then you need a reality check. Are you buying those clothes and accessories just because you like them? Or just because you want others to know you have them? Are you likely to wear them anytime soon or are they going to be stowed away once you have snapped your photo and posted it? These are crucial questions you need to take note of. Remember, when you are buying items they need to be for you primarily and not for the sole purpose of constantly impressing your followers and friends on social media platforms.

 

So, before you try and buy things that you think you covet, have an internal talk with yourself first. Do some introspection and think if you really want the item or not. After all, you may want it today, but once you receive your bank statement weeks later, you might realize that little tee that looked so good on the mannequin might not be so worth it at all.

Clothes Shopping Guide: What Clothes Should You Splurge On?

“It is better to have fewer things of quality than too much expendable junk.” -Rachel Zoe
“To me, clothing is a form of self-expression–there are hints about who you are in what you wear.” -Marc Jacobs

 

 

One of the perks and greatest things about being a fashion forward individual is the inevitability of clothes shopping. Careening in between racks and stacks of various clothing, selecting which ones that would complement your skin tone and flatter your figure most is nothing short of exhilarating for those of us who have a strong affinity for fashion and a penchant for clothes. However, even our predilection for style needs a discerning eye–after all, how else would you know which sartorial items to splurge and save on? Even style connoisseurs and fashionistas are not proof to buying unnecessary clothing items that would only end up clogging up their closets. While this fashion affliction is not necessarily a bad thing, it can be when your clothing of choice are premier brands that do not see the light of day more than once a year. If you have particularly expensive tastes in clothes, it would be all for naught if you do not even get to use them as much anyhow or would find them outdated after a few rotations of use. The occasional splurge on a clothing item for one event may not be as damaging on the surface, but in order to get the best value for your buck, make sure it is something you can use again and again.

The key to having fashionable clothes you without depleting your financial resources is to be meticulous about which clothes you should be splurging on. It matters not whether you are routinely shopping for wholesale clothing or retail, if you have the right idea which sartorial items to indulge yourself in and which ones you should scrimp on, you will not only have a better closet but a healthier wallet as well.

1.) BRAS-SPLURGE

You might be thinking, “Why would I spend so much money on something that stays concealed all day? What is the point?”. Well, the point here is that a good set of undergarments would make the best foundation of your clothes. If you invested in bras that fit and give you full support, form-fitting dresses and clothes would flatter you so much better without so much as showing a little bump here and there. Apart from that, bras would be something you wear every single day as they shape and make your clothing look even better. Lastly, as bras are something you should hand wash, you can assure yourself that it would last you a long time.

2.) TSHIRTS- SCRIMP

Fashionistas love variety–even if it means just different colors of basically the same articles of clothing. V-neck shirts? Fifteen of that in various colors and three shades of blue. Round Necks? Take seven of that. While the wide assortment of clothing looks excellent on the surface, you would not necessarily go all year long just wearing T-shirts of varying styles and colors (unless that is your style and is a personal statement). If you buy expensive T-shirts and if those are something you regularly wear, chances are you would wear them out easily. Buying a whole lot of them would not bode you well either seeing as you would not be wearing them every single day as we have stated above. Instead, the wisest alternative is to be smart when it comes to shopping for them. Prioritize comfort over style as T-shirts can easily be layered over. Choose soft cotton and bamboo ones which you can readily find in most stores.

3.) JEANS- SPLURGE

There is nothing more fulfilling than having an excellent pair of jeans that fits you well and would last you for years when it comes to fashion. If you find a pair that fits you well and accentuates your curves, buy it–even if it would cost you a bit more than necessary. After all, you can wear this pair forever so the exorbitant price tag is just a minor setback. Remember that when shopping for jeans, choose something classic and do not go for trends that might become obsolete after a number of years or so. Additionally, consider the quality of the fabric as it does matter and would really make a difference. Take note, a pricey pair of stylish jeans might hurt your pockets but it can timelessly elevate your style–no matter the fashion era.

4.) BLAZERS- SPLURGE

Blazers are incredibly versatile and are not solely used for corporate fashion. Considering that they can complete almost any outfit and give any ensemble an immediate touch of class with its addition, it would be wise to invest in an excellent blazer regardless of its price tag. Additionally, it would be hard to come across blazers that are of quality and are affordable. So, if your pockets permit it, get yourself one as it can be worn with practically anything in your wardrobe and would work whether you are at work or for a casual stroll.

5.) EVENING WEAR- SAVE

That long evening gown might look amazing on you, but is it really worth forking over thousands of dollars if you are just going to be wearing it for one night? Unless you are frequently attending formal events, do not go overboard when trying to find an appropriate garb. Choose something that is stylish but not as expensive and just complement it with accessories. Apart from that, a cocktail dress can drastically look different depending on how you accessorize and dress it up.

6.) WORK CLOTHES- SCRIMP

There is really no point in rotating the same number of pieces over and over again until you tire of them which is what would likely happen if you only invest in expensive office wear. Unless you are working at the very top of the corporate ladder, it is best to save on office and corporate wear. After all, it is a lot more fun to wear different and stylish affordable pieces than suffer through just a number of work outfits which would easily get old.

7.) ACCESSORIES- DEPENDS

This is a matter of personal choice, so it would depend on you. If you love changing up your look a bit more often than usual, it is best to invest in a lot of fabulous accessories that would not hurt your pocket. However, if you are satisfied with one statement necklace, a few bangles here and there, then maybe spending a little more on the classics would be more of your speed.

 

 

All in all, when it comes to choosing which sartorial items to splurge and save on, considering which ones would last you a lifetime, are of good quality, you would regularly use are key. Remember, you would not want buyer’s remorse on top of the regrets you will have from filling your closet with items you would barely use.