How to Stop Buying Clothes You’ll Never Wear

If you are anything like me, you’ve stood in front of an overflowing closet and said, “I have nothing to wear?” We’ve scanned the closet and it seems like none of our clothes go together and half of them went out of style last week. We wonder how we keep buying new clothes all the time, and yet we still feel unhappy with our wardrobe.

Make a Plan

Architects can’t build a house without a blueprint, right? So why do we try to build our wardrobe this way? Our closets are often made up of a series of impulse purchases that have no rhyme or reason. We buy a sequin mini skirt because it’s on sale at J Crew, and then a red flannel shirt because we saw a blogger wearing it. Then we look into our mismatched closets and wonder why it’s so hard to get dressed in the morning.

Instead of buying things on a whim, we need a plan. The first step is to take a look at our closets and identify the holes – what key items are missing from our wardrobe? What are those pieces that we would love to wear over and over, and that can mix and match with the other things in our wardrobe?

Create a List

Once you identify what key items would complete your wardrobe, make a list that you can reference at any time (like on your phone). It could look something like this: a pair of faux leather leggings, an oversized sweater, a pair of black booties, the perfect denim jacket and high waisted jeans.

Next time you get the urge to buy purple snakeskin shoes that are on sale, stop right there. Pull out your list, and review. If it’s not on the list, it’s probably not a priority and you want to save your money to buy the things you really want.

Love or Lust?

Many of us test our purchases with the idea, “If I’m still thinking about it after a week, then I should buy it.” While that idea is better than impulse buying everything in sight, it may not be the best way to build a wearable wardrobe that you love.

We all know what it’s like to have a crush that isn’t good for us, but we can’t stop thinking about them. Just because we can’t get them out of our heads, doesn’t mean that they’re the right choice. Shopping is the same way. We have to ask ourselves, “Is it love or is it lust?”

If we buy the low cut maxi dress that we’ve been obsessing over, but will only wear it once, we may have to sacrifice that perfect oversized sweater that would make getting dressed every day a breeze. Most of us don’t have unlimited shopping budgets, so there are trade-offs. If we shop with more intention, we can stop buying clothes that we don’t wear and start building the wardrobes of our dreams.

More Fashion Fabula

Moto Jacket + Superga Sneakers

Clockwise from left to right: Topshop Chevron Sweatshirt, Topshop Baxter Ankle Jeans,Topshop Leather Biker Jacket, Superga Sneaker

History in Fashion: Overalls

Love them or hate them, overalls are back in trend this season and we wanted to find out what inspired this trend. Quick History The

Weekend Look by Madewell

Counter clockwise from left to right: Madewell Sweatshirt, Dolce Vite Bootie, Madewell Skinny Jeans, Madewell Leather Tote

How to Wear Tweed

It’s time to forget everything you thought you knew about tweed. Reimagined for autumn/winter 2015, this heritage cloth – worn for centuries – now comes

How to Fill in Your Brows

Instead of using makeup to turn us into someone we’re not, we’re always looking for new ways to amp up our natural features. Sometimes, it’s

Beauty Masterclass : Kajal Eyeliner

We’ve always been a fan of smoky, dramatic eyes. Ever since ancient times, kajal and kohl (note: you can use these terms interchangeably) have been

What to Wear to a Wedding

Have you ever received a wedding invitation in the mail that left you completely clueless about what to wear? Between “black tie optional” and “semiformal,”

5 Travel Accessories You Actually Need

Traveling can be strenuous and tough to handle if you aren’t properly prepared. Travel-savvy companies are always brainstorming for the next handy device the world

The History of Lingerie

Underwear has come a long way since the days of linen drawers. In the beginning stages, underwear was originally designed to serve several purposes –

How to Wear White Denim

Style can sometimes mean stepping outside of your comfort zone. And let’s face it when it comes to denim, this means going beyond the everyday

Tom Ford’s Private Blend

Care for a hint of tobacco? How about a whiff of black suede? If a taste for exotic aromas suits your style, then Tom Ford’s

The History of Teddy Girls

If you are not familiar with the mid-century British youth culture — let us introduce you — to the Teddy Boys, the ’50s rock ‘n

Behind the Brand: A.P.C.

Known for it’s minimalist designs and timeless aesthetic, founded by Mr Jean Touitou in 1987,A.P.C. (which stands for Atelier de Production et de Création) was

Be Bright, Wear White!

Summer after Summer, an all-white look remains an absolute favorite for all fashion-lovers. Why not beat the heat and look effortlessly stunning! It’s the perfect

Editor’s Pick

The “Keep Austin Weird” bumper sticker begins to greet travelers along the I-35 as they mosey on into Austin, Texas. Visit downtown and stroll along

The History of Graphic Tees

Fashion without a t-shirt is like coffee without a cup. From the 1950s onwards, the graphic tee rapidly emerged as a building block for individualism,

History of the Female Suit

The female suit symbolizes a triumph of contradiction, between sexy and modest, masculine and feminine – and has been considered a symbol of sophistication and

Fashion Brands

Login

Use a social network:

Or:

Feedback/Suggest Brands

Again, welcome to Your Brandzaffair. Our goal is to be your daily source for immediate access to all your favorite brandz with their best offers, in addition to providing insights and reviews in your lifestyle interests. We want to always continue to improve your experience. Please tell us what you think and what we can do better.

Spread the Word