Do you have a wardrobe full of unwanted items? Do you find yourself purchasing the same things over and over or returning 90% of your purchases? Becoming a successful shopper is all about honing in on the gaps in your wardrobe, learning to factor in CPW (cost per wear), identifying and staying true to your personal style and eliminating wasteful spending. Not sure where to start? Here are four tips to help you become a smarter, more savvy shopper…
Filling A Need Vs Filling A Void...
There is a big, big difference between these two! Filling a need means you have identified an item which is missing from your wardrobe and reducing your ability to wear items you already own. For example, you might have some gorgeous strapless tops of singlets but no strapless bra to make them work. You might have some great leggings but no longer cut tee's to style over the top. Working out what these key missing items are will help you shop for a need rather than shopping to fill a void. Often we try to fill voids in our lives with distractions and stuff which we don’t need and will never use. Shopping for emotional fulfillment rather than logically heading out to purchase something you will use might feel good for an hour or two but will eventually leave you feeling guilty, weighed down and stressed out.
How Often Will You Wear It?
Cost per wear (CPW) is an important factor to determine when it comes to every item you purchase. Consider the difference between something cheap which might only be worn a couple of times, eg a $20 worn 3 times equals a cost per wear of $6.60 in contrast with something more expensive which will be worn again and again, eg $150 jeans worn 100 times equals a cost per wear of $1.50. Before adding anything to your wardrobe, do a CPW calculation and you will start to think about clothing in a whole new way.
How Versatile Is It?
Do a mental scroll of the items your already own when considering adding a new item to the mix. How many pieces in your existing wardrobe will style well with this new item? Is the versatility constricted due to a difficult print, unusual shape or simply because it is completely different to anything you already own? There isn’t much point purchasing something which only goes with one item in your wardrobe but if the item is versatile and can be paired back with a handful of things then you should consider it an investment. Now and then you might fall in love with something completely out there which might not necessarily go with anything you own but you simply need to have. This is absolutely ok on the odd occasion and can help you to branch out and explore your style but for 90% of your purchases, versatility is key!
The Keep-Forever-Factor...
Some items of clothing can offer sentimental value and on rare occasions even financial value. Unique and rare designer or vintage items can be investments which increase in value over time so are worth spending on because they will be kept forver. The same applies to items which offer sentimental value - this might be something with signfigance such as a engagement party dress, the first statement bag you purchased or something which was bought on holiday. Keep-forever pieces are special, beautiful items of clothing which feel like a part of us. When shopping, consider the "keep-forever-factor. Is the item in your hands something you will always want to hang onto? Then snap it up! Our wardrobes should be filled with this type of clothing, you should be able to open up your wardrobe knowing every piece in there is special and will likely hang there for years and years to come.
Details
Shorts - Vintage Levi's
Top - Bohemain Traders
Shoes - Alias Mae
Bag - Vintage
Sunglasses - Rayban
Earrings - Sportsgirl
Necklace - Silver Shop
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