We’ve all been there…casually out running errands thinking you will just “pop in” a store, and before you know what happened you’ve somehow found your way to the checkout, item(s) in hand, mentally tallying up the damage about to be done to your budget and all the while thinking “Do I really need this? Ugh. Is it worth the price tag? How often will I really wear it?” Suddenly, it’s your turn – so you smile and swipe your card knowing that you will probably be right back in the store a few days from now…in the “returns” line.
If you’ve ever found yourself in that position, here are 5 tried and true things to consider before saying “yes” to a purchase and swiping that plastic!
Does it fit in your budget?
If not? Walk away. I know, I KNOW! “But what if it’s amazing and I love it and I will wear it a million ways?” Walk away. It won’t be easy, but trust me your budget will thank you. Don’t lose hope though, there is a slight loophole (although it comes with a few stipulations). My rule is that if 3 whole days later I am still thinking about the item AND I can find a way to rationalize it AND it withstands the next 4 steps below? Swipe that card and love your new purchase for all the days going forward!
Is it made to last?
Feel the material. Is it flimsy? Will it stretch out if worn more than once? Does it need to be hung up or folded? Will the fabric pill up or need a lint roller? Read the tag. Make a mental note to see if this item will need special washing care. Dry cleaning bills can add up. Remember that. Does it need ironed? If so, are you going to want to make sure it’s dry cleaned or freshly pressed each time you’d like to wear it? Consider the time you might need to keep this item looking nice. After all, you are spending your hard-earned dollars. You need to know it will wear well for years to come, right?
Is it a classic piece or a trend?
As a rule, I like to spend my money on classic pieces rather than trends. Oh, trends have their place and I for sure love a good on-trend look. However, a classic piece that can be worn for years and in many different ways is almost always where I focus the majority of my dollars. If it is a classic piece, make sure you don’t already own something similar. If so, pass. Classic pieces, if good quality, can last you decades so you rarely need to purchase more than one or two. If it is a trend, think “If I wore this in my next family picture would I look back at myself and cringe?” The 80s, anyone? Yikes. With trends, I like to focus more on accessories and shoes. Those are fairly easy and inexpensive ways to create an “on trend” look without breaking the bank or looking like you turned to page 34 of your high schooler’s fashion magazine and said, “Yes! Sold.”
How does it make you feel when you have it on?
Did you strut out of the dressing room? If so then, WORK IT, GIRL! I am a strong believer that you will just know if you love something. It will be in the feeling you get when you wear it. My number one rule with is “If you feel good, you will look good!” Confidence can make or break an outfit, and if the item makes you feel like you could walk on water you know you have a winner! If you felt anything less than the above, walk away. Your hard-earned dollars can be better spent on an article of clothing that will make you rethink why you ever said you didn’t like shopping. Trust me, it’s out there, and you shouldn’t have to settle for less.
What’s the estimated Cost-Per-Wear?
Cost-Per-Wear (CPW) is the average amount of money you will spend each time you wear an item. For example, if the item is about $100 and you wear it 10 times, you can imagine yourself handing over a crisp $10 bill each time you slip it on – like a little closet ATM machine. What CPW really boils down to is are you willing to “pay” X amount each time you wear the item? If said item is $100 and you only wear it once…eh, maybe not so much. But if it’s $100 and you will wear it 2-3 times per week for a year or more then, those numbers don’t sound so bad – an estimated .64 -.96 cents per wear!
Bottom line? Your closet is your art. Think about it. Like a gallery curates their pieces, so you are able to curate your wardrobe. I challenge you to consider these 5 steps as you carry on in your clothes buying journey. I hope your closet and your budget will reap the benefits!
Remember to invest in your undergarments ladies. No bettet money spent to make you feel and look good from the inside out!