But experimenting with styles could make your wardrobe grow rapidly, so these are the rules I've set up for myself before I decide whether or not I should get something.
1. No words. I won't buy a shirt with words on it. I work in a corporate setting, and you can't wear clothing with words on it in a corporate setting. Also, the font used could make the shirt out-of-date quickly. Also, you may think a phrase is cool now, but in a few years you may not or be indifferent to it. So any shirt with words will be in the heap of "weekend clothing," which I'm trying to eliminate. This is the easiest rule to follow.
No more band t-shirts for me |
2. No "special occasion" clothing. This means no "clubbing" outfits, no "fancy" clothing, no "costume/photoshoot" clothing, no "weekend (see above)" clothing. Everything I buy must be wearable in any situation. This means something that I wear to the office must be able to be worn to a hipster gallery event or a wedding or a night out or dinner with my mother. I just do not have the space for 20+ pieces that are worn a few times a year. This was the biggest space saver, and also saves a lot of cash. I use makeup/accessories to go from "day" to "night"
Lol can't wear spiked bras to the office |
corsets are out too. |
4. Will this article of clothing work in other outfits I own? Dresses don't have this problem, which is why I like buying dresses. After the collar I wrote about in this post, I don't get something unless I can think of several outfits with the item.
the collar in question...still haven't made it work btw |
A diy choker I made to indulge in the fad, which I can unravel when the fad's over and make something else with--maybe the next fad! |
DIY harness...don't need to spend $300 for this look, or have it hanging in your closet for all eternity |
6. Can I DIY It? Better yet, can I upcycle something I already own? That will save a purchase and delete an item. See above two examples, plus shorts. I always DIY shorts
7. If I buy something, I get rid of something. This forces me to be selective, as I know I have to say good-bye to something. I either sell things to my local second-hand store or participate in H+M's recycling program. H+M's program is especially good for items that are so damaged that they won't be accepted by a second-hand store. (They recycle the fibers.) Plus you get a 15% off coupon!
Do you have any shopping rules? I'd love to hear them!
Your rules are nearly identical to my own. Since DIYing is at the top of my own list, and its what I do 9/10, it comes with its own set of rules I try and follow to prevent being overwhelmed with fabric and patterns... and by extension, tons of handmade clothes.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I would add to the list is black. Keep it black, or at the most have minor color accents but nothing that overwhelms the black itself. I don't do color, and there are times I try to convince myself that I need more color in my life... I wear the item once maybe twice and never see it again. It has to be black or its doomed to the storage bin, and inevitably the chopping block.
On that note, stop letting people influence purchases... I had at one point 4 dresses that I just couldn't even wear to the event they were purchased for, all because my in-laws didn't want me to wear all black.
Great advice! Different colors will take you down this buying spiral... I've made that mistake many times. During my last purge I got rid of a blue skirt I never even wore. I'd held onto it for too long, feeling guilty and finally just donated it. I have nothing that will match... What was I thinking.
DeleteI can see why you have this mindset but I cant help but feel a little sad too. I want your spiky bra! These are very nice photos, by the way
ReplyDeleteHaha what's sad is the fact I literally have no closets in my apartment... If I didn't have to be selective, I wouldn't. My apartment is from the turn of the century, when people had like 5 outfits.
DeleteAwww jeez, that sucks :(
DeleteI also want the spikey bra!(have been wanting one for ages!) I could totally justify that as a grocery getting outfit! My kids daycare and school already give me enough of the side eye when i go to events. I could only imagine adding that piece into my already "questionable for my age" wardrobe! Hahahah.
DeleteGreat post!
Good rules! My hard-to-fit body helps me minimize shopping, whether I like it or not. ;) Beyond that, my rules are mainly about fabric and color. I stick to cotton or cotton blends because I get overheated in synthetics. And I rarely stray from black, grey and purple.
ReplyDeleteHaha...I'm super short so I can't buy maxi dresses/shirts or non-skinny pants. There are plusses to having non-industry-standard body types! I too try to stick to Cotton. Much more comfortable...I made a few mistakes when I bought something because I liked the design but the fabric wasn't comfortable
DeleteSound s like good advice
ReplyDeleteThese tips are so good. It makes me remember how bad my shopping habits have been at the moment. Also thanks for the link!
ReplyDeletewww.thewalrusroomblog.com
Haha well the sales going on now make things difficult
DeleteOh god, I could use some shopping rules and self-discipline over here. I do agree with you about the cost and quality thing. I am starting to pay more attention to the quality thing.....I would like to move towards a smaller wardrobe that consists of nicely made pieces with longevity and versatility.
ReplyDeleteThose are great tips! I'm definitely on the no weekend clothes rule - all my skirts I can wear to work as well (except for a faux vinyl one) and my evening look is just a few cut shirts that I'm rotating between for gothy looks and a ton of fishnets and jewelry. Because of my feet problem I no longer have high heels or weekend shoes, I just wear the same shoes all the time.
ReplyDeleteI find it great to diy old stuff or use your diys for other things in the future. Will have to try some of your tips!
My only rule is it has to be comfortable as well as pretty. If it's not comfortable I will not wear it anyway no matter how amazing it looks.
ReplyDelete