Are you sick of losing a lot of wardrobe space because you have too many clothes you do not wear? Knowing how to buy clothes you’ll actually wear to avoid clutter is essential.
Even though the amount of clothing purchased has doubled over the last 15 years, the number of times people wear an item has fallen by up to 20%. People are buying more clothes than ever but are wearing each item less. You may also notice that some pieces are not being touched at all.
The main reason you may not be wearing many clothes in your closet is that you do not know what to wear with them or how to wear them.
The good news is that if you buy the right outfit, you can expect to pair it with most items in your closet to create at least three unique outfits. Here is everything you need to know about buying clothes you’ll actually wear and how to make the most out of them.
Why Do People Buy Clothes They Hate?
Social media is one of the biggest culprits why people buy clothes they do not intend to wear. Think about how often you have seen someone wear an outfit to pose for Instagram.
If they are your favorite influencer, you may have clicked on their “shop my look” link to purchase the same items. Buying clothes over social media has become so easy. This has led to a lot of unwanted sales.
Therefore, you should always step back and think before you add anything to your online cart. Think about when you will wear the item that has captured your attention.
Then you should also ponder over what you can wear it with and whether it fits your style and collection. Another reason why most people end up with clothes they will never wear is due to discounts.
We find them hard to resist when we get hit by exclusive promo codes and discounts. The next time you see a dress marked down, think about whether you genuinely want to wear the item or hang it with your other unworn pieces.
Peer Pressure
Shopping with friends can also lead to unwanted impulse buys. Unless you go with a professional shopper, you may pick pieces that will not appeal to you when you get home.
Friends may also not be honest with you about your style. Therefore, it is up to you to choose items wisely with the right clothes buying advice. Remember that more things will make it challenging to create the best outfits.
You will only end up wearing a small percentage of your wardrobe. If something does not fit you correctly, you should return it and wait to buy something that shows off your best shape.
If you worry about choosing unflattering clothes that do not make the most of your shape, check out this plus size clothing rental service to ensure you only find pieces that make you feel great.
How to Buy Clothes You’ll Actually Wear?
The first step to buying clothes you’ll actually wear is to have a quick look through your wardrobe before you hit the shops. This will remind you of the pieces you already have.
Then you can identify new items that will go with the ones you already own. By quickly checking your closet before a shopping trip, you can spot a gap that needs to be filled instead of buying unwanted items.
The next step is to catalog your wardrobe. If you keep a record of everything you own on your phone, you can carry your entire collection. This will help you identify how well a new piece of clothing can fit in your collection before you hand over any money.
You can also use this to visualize potential future outfits to ensure you pick the right pieces that fit your style. You can also try to photograph every item. Create a “wardrobe” folder on your phone and save these pictures.
This can become your style book to help build outfits, make packing lists, and find inspiration. Another great reason to do this is to help you organize outfits according to season.
It is also best to make notes of washing instructions for all your clothing. Documenting your outfits will identify which pieces you wear the most or do not touch.
This way, you can notice which pieces flatter and fit the most to eliminate the ones that do not. Imagine having a catalog to flick through while shopping, but this one only consists of things you already own that serve as a reminder of what you do not need.
Avoid Buying Single Items
The best clothes buying advice is to avoid buying one piece of clothing at a time. You should always plan to buy a few things at once. Alternatively, you can also buy complete outfits that bring together multiple pieces.
This way, you can ensure that each piece complements the other. You can also take a moment to mix and match some options in your head while shopping. Then you can avoid non-versatile items that will be left untouched in your closet.
Play Safe
Even though stepping out of your style comfort zone seems like a great idea, you should always take baby steps when experimenting with new outfits. If you love a particular color pallet with neutrals, you may not want to toss a bright baby pink top into the mix.
To try a new color, trend, or print, you should start with accessories first. Try a bright-colored pair of shoes to see if taking your style in this new direction is worth it.
Buy Clothes You’ll Actually Wear
Now that you know how to buy clothes you’ll actually wear, it is time to go shopping. Take pictures of all the clothes you already have to create a catalog on your phone.
This can help you mix and match new items to put together outfits that suit your style instead of picking up random pieces that will end up discarded. If you enjoyed reading this clothes buying guide, check out some of our other posts for more information.