Personal style is such a fickle thing, and as our style is constantly evolving as our tastes and preferences change, it’s only natural that our wardrobe will fall victim to the odd bad purchase. In my case, I’ve made countless wardrobe mistakes over the years, however as someone who shares their style online, I’m constantly feeling inspired to try out new silhouettes, or track down good wardrobe staples that won’t break the bank. So today, I wanted to share six common wardrobe mistakes that we all make…
Wearing Grana white tee (10% off with JAMIEXGRANA), Dr Denim shorts (also here), Chloe linen blazer (this is a great affordable option and I also love this lighter linen blazer), Isabel Marant belt, Vaneli two tone pumps, Chanel boy bag, Amber Sceats earrings, Daniel Wellington watch
shopping when you’re feeling emotional or stressed
I’m guilty of doing this a lot, and it’s probably the biggest contributor of those shopping mistakes; the items that either go unworn or that you throw on once or twice before realising that it isn’t right for you. This is one of those wardrobe mistakes that can get expensive very quickly… it’s pretty easy to let your shopping habit spiral out of control if you’re constantly using it as a crutch whenever things aren’t going quite to plan – trust me, been there, done that (many times!). If you’re still itching for that quick fix of something new, try picking up a book instead – it’ll cost you far less, and I’ve found that immersing yourself in a great read is wonderful nourishment for the soul.
wearing clothing that doesn’t make you feel good
Life’s too short to wear bad clothes; if something doesn’t make you feel good, then it’s okay to let it go. Sometimes, it’s when the sparkle of that new wardrobe addition has worn off (and you can see the item for what it really is – not ‘you’), and sometimes, it’s that you’ve made a wardrobe mistake that you’re too proud to admit to yourself. I like to think of these as those ‘guilty’ purchases that we might have bought impassively, but it just isn’t right for you.
having too many options
A few years back I read this great book about the psychology of choice, and how when we have too many options available to us, making a decision becomes overwhelming. It’s that old adage, ‘a closet full of clothes but nothing to wear’, and it rings true every single time. It’s part of the reason why I tend to give my wardrobe a frequent declutter, because as much as I like being able to add a new key piece into my closet, I also like it to be pared back and edited, so that it doesn’t take longer than a couple of minutes to find an outfit every morning. Truth be told, I probably wouldn’t cycle through my wardrobe nearly as often if I wasn’t sharing my outfits online, but I try to have the approach of ‘quality over quantity’.
buying things just because they’re on sale
This is usually a sure-fire way to end up taking home something you wouldn’t normally consider buying, and during sales season, can be a pretty quick way to amass a number of new pieces that stay hanging in your closet with the tags still attached. Scoring 70% off the RRP can seem pretty appealing, especially if it’s on a big ticket item. The best rule of thumb to stick to, is to ask yourself: would I consider buying this if it was full price? If the answer is no, then it’s probably one that’s best left in the store.
saving a piece for a ‘special occasion’
If you’re spending a large chunk of change on a new wardrobe addition, whether it’s a luxe silk shirt or a plush winter coat, it’s only natural to feel a little bit hesitant about wanting to wear it out all the time. These can feel like a major investment in your wardrobe, and it’s only natural to want to savour these pieces so that they really do stand the test of time – when you’re spending that kind of money, you want to make sure it’s worth it, right? I’ve fallen into that trap before, saving more delicate items in luxurious silks or atrociously expensive pairs of designer shoes for special occasions, and generally what I’ve found is that they end up going unloved and unworn – my Valentino rockstuds were a major case in point. Classic to a tee but the $1,000+ price tag stopped me from giving them the love they deserved. These days, if I think I’m going to be precious with an investment piece I’m considering, I know it’s time to move on and find something a little more budget friendly.
not understanding your personal style
It can take years to truly develop and get a keen grip on your personal style, but once you do, it makes getting dressed and shopping for those gaps in your closet so much easier. Learn to appreciate styles that don’t suit you from afar, and focus on wearing and buying styles that are inherently you.
What wardrobe mistakes have you made?
Emotional spending is my biggest hurdle, I tend to shop when stressed. It goes all the way back to university when I’d be sporting all new outfits during final exams. I’ve also been known to succumb to shiny and new syndrome, where I buy the latest improved version of what I already have instead of waiting until it actually needs to be replaced. I have to remind myself that when I need to replace, there will be yet a newer and shinier version available. I will also buy too many of a particular item if I find something works well for me. More recently I’ve found dresses with a pair of black leggings underneath is the perfect option for me to stay warm while still wearing what suits me best (dresses). So, now I have to be careful not to go overboard on buying black leggings, to stick to a ceiling limit of what I need. The last is the weight fluctuations. I no longer wear very tailored items as my weight fluctuates and I’m curvy. Sticking to items that can look good if I’m up or down on my weight works well for me and my lifestyle (I’m older than you, it becomes difficult to always have the same waistline, proportions, etc. past a certain age).
Author
It is a huge hurdle for sure – I still struggle with emotional spending though now I try and be honest with myself, and not create stigma around the fact that it’s what I’ve done. I’m hoping that will help me to break the cycle! And I agree, can be hard to not stock up on something if it makes you feel good or it’s something you enjoy wearing. I’m finding this at the moment with denim; I seem to want it all but I can only wear so many pairs of jeans in a week! xx
This is exactly what I needed to read today! Having just culled my wardrobe (for the thousandth time) and again being left with only a small amount of items left which include my work clothes (teachers aide) I am trying not to panic buy to refill the space I am going to try your book trick instead! Feeling very uninspired by the fashion choices available to 20-30year olds at the moment. As always love your content xx 💛
Author
Thank you Amanda, I’m so glad you found this post at the right time! 🙂 It’s so hard to not want to fill your closet right up again after you’ve culled it (even if it happens subconsciously…) – the book trick is honestly the best thing I’ve found! It also has stopped me from browsing at clothing online so much. And I feel you – it seems as if a lot of the clothing in stores at the moment is geared towards really young women, or more mature women, with nothing in the middle. When it is, it’s usually well out of the price range that I’m prepared to spend. Ahhh well! I guess a good reason not to shop too much haha! xx