let’s face it…shopping is fun for most of us…right? while i know a few people that absolutely abhor shopping (can you imagine?)…there does come a point where you really need to sit yourself down and think about how you shop…shopping without regrets…
we all have those items in our closet that were purchased because of the amazing sale price…or because it is just too fabulous to pass up…but then it sits…and sits in our closets…and we realize unfortunately…that the amazing sale price was just that…an amazing sale price…and that item that was just “too fabulous”…isn’t so fabulous when we got it home…
so how do we avoid these shopping trips? i mean really…who has the money to throw away like that? first and foremost…when you hit the stores…whether it be the mall…a boutique shop…the outlets…or even thrift…you need to go in with a budget (i know…i SO do not like that word…) and a purpose in mind…browsing aimlessly and price-blind is sure to get you into a heap of trouble…and more then that…a closet full of so-so…never worn items…and…it can also result in duplicate, impulsive, or guilt-inducing purchases…and who wants that?
when you look in your closet…especially during a clean-out of a closet…keep a notepad handy to write down items that you know are missing…or items that you are discarding…because they have served their purpose…the old t-shirts, under pinnings…armpit stained white shirt…keep these on a list…so when you are finally out there perusing…you have your list ready and available…the items you know are missing in your wardrobe…
now while i believe in keeping to this list…being mindful of it is so important…but…do not be close-minded…meaning that…if you come across an item that is not on your list…the item that you go crazy for…know exactly with what you will wear it…can answer yes to the questions listed below…then trust your gut…and go for it…
i always say…if you are able to try the items on at the store…do so…make sure it really fits…don’t talk yourself into an item that will fit once you lose that 15 lbs…we all know…those are the items that end up hanging in our closets…reminding us constantly that we haven’t lost that 15 lbs…why do that to yourself? and if you are not able to try it on at the store…do so when you get home…before you snip off the tags and all…make sure it truly is a keeper…that it works with whatever you were planning to wear it with…an if it isn’t a keeper…take it back to the store…soon after…many stores are getting pretty strict about their return policy…if you know it isn’t a keeper…get your money back…stat!
so…let’s say you are there at the store…you have found several items you are considering to purchase…here are the questions to ask yourself…be honest…you don’t want to fill up your closet with items that will take up space and not be worn…
– will you get more than a handful of wears out of it?
– will it work for more than one season?
– does it have at least three “friends” in your closet?
– is it substantially better than or different from similar pieces you already own?
– are you more excited about the piece than the sale price?
if you mostly answer yes…then i say…go for it!
happy shopping without regrets!
