The chief trick to making good mistakes is not to hide them—especially from yourself. Daniel Dennett
The most common complaint I hear from clients is that while the closet is full, there’s “nothing to wear.” Put another way, there are lots of clothes but not a functioning wardrobe. The distinction is an important one. A large inventory of garments — pants, skirts, dresses, blouses, jackets etc — is just that, an inventory; separate pieces that may or may not work together. A wardrobe is a thoughtfully curated collection of pieces that seamlessly coordinate and function for your needs while expressing your individuality. A large inventory of clothing may contain a wardrobe hidden from obvious sight but wardrobes are never just lots of clothes and there is an obvious cohesion to them.
What emerges as I work with clients is that most wear only 15-20% of their clothes. Usually these are the formula combinations displayed in a store or what a salesperson put together. There is nothing inherently wrong with this, it’s easy and is safely efficient, if impersonal. These outfits are the 15-20% that are worn in rotation. The rest are clothes that don’t fit, are a wrong color or have no mates — often the result of impulse buys. The most common reasons given for these purchases range from: “It was on sale”, “it was on trend,” “the purchase felt good at the time” and “I wanted something different.”
Each of these can be valid reasons for making a purchase but only if there is a PLAN. At the root of impulsive purchases is the lack of a plan to create a wardrobe; it becomes a hit or miss acquisition. The good news is some of the “mistakes” can be worked into a coordinated wardrobe. It takes an experienced eye, some creativity, imagination and a plan. Letting go of clothing, which once held promise but sadly did not deliver, can be liberating.
Let’s explore the top reasons for impulsive buying.
1) “On Sale”: Its so easy to justify a purchase by telling yourself how much money you are saving. But often it is just an expenditure. Before buying anything, ask if it fits into your planned needs or it represents a piece you have coveted and could not otherwise afford. Then examine the article closely. Are there snags, pulls, missing buttons, broken zippers? Does it truly fit comfortably? Is it appropriate? What about color, pattern and texture? Will it mesh with the rest of your wardrobe? If you can answer these questions definitively, then it’s a found treasure and lucky you! If not, resist and move on.
2) “On trend!”: When you read or hear these words, Beware. They often elicit a feeling of FOMO – Fear Of Missing Out – of the latest group thing. Do not fear. There will be another item “trending” in the next shop or website. Know yourself and keep focused on your needs not what you are told is selling fast — as Coco Chanel said: “ Don’t be like all the rest of them, darling.”
3) “Felt good to buy something”: Stores (and websites) can have a mesmerizing, soothing effect with music, colors, fragrances and a cornucopia of offerings. Shopping often provides a calming distraction from daily worries and concerns. It is prevalent enough that psychiatrists call this behavior “retail therapy.” Shopping as a coping strategy from stress or boredom releases dopamine and creates a temporary sense of happiness. The important word here is “temporary” because when the good feeling wears off, what’s left is mostly garments you don’t want to wear!
4) Desire for “something different”: Sometimes a sense of boredom and routine with dressing provokes a desire to try a new approach. This is a good instinct but can easily go wrong. There are natural inflection points in life when it makes sense to completely change the status quo — graduation from college, a new career or a geographic move for example. However, a change simply for the sake of change too often results in orphan articles of clothing that make no sense or are inappropriate for needs or lifestyle. Have a plan and a clear need for “something different.”
We have all succumbed to some or all of the above reasons and found our closet full of mistakes. The best remedy is not to ‘hide them from yourself’ in the back of the closet. Let Purely Personal assist in creating a wardrobe PLAN for you. You may be pleasantly surprised at how an experienced professional can salvage some of those “mistakes” and incorporate them into a new, working wardrobe. Armed with a wardrobe plan designed just for you, you will eliminate future fashion pitfalls, wasted time and money and, best of all, you will begin to express your individual Purely Personal Style!
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