5 Tips to Stop Buying Clothes You Never Wear
There is nothing worse than opening your closet doors, only to find that you have a collection of clothing you never wear. Problem is, you can’t seem to stop buying clothes you never wear. What gives? While plenty of shoppers out there tend to buy clothes they never end up wearing, you can put an end to the curse with some proper planning.
If you’re tired of wasting your hard earned dollars on clothing options you will never wear, don’t panic. You can put the bad habit to rest with a few simple tricks. This article will teach you everything you need to know about why you buy clothes you never wear and how to stop buying them for good.
Why Do I Buy Clothes and Never Wear Them?
If you are someone who notoriously buys clothes you will never wear, know that you are not alone. This is a fairly common issue that plenty of shoppers deal with. But before you can learn how to stop buying clothes you will never wear, it’s important to understand why you are doing it in the first place.
There’s a Sale
There is something about a good deal that sucks shoppers in. It’s the thought that it is too good of a deal to pass up, and you won’t see the sale again anytime soon. While this is great marketing on behalf of the store, it’s not great for you.
Just because something is on sale, doesn’t mean you have to buy it. Don’t indulge in “panic buying”. Unless it is something you have diligently waited to go on sale, the chances are you don’t really need it. Save your money.
You’re Influenced
Maybe you saw Chiara Ferragni with a cute new jacket or Camila Coehlo sporting a body-con dress you simply must have for date night. Whatever social media fashion influencers you might be following, there is no denying that they’re doing one thing – influencing you. It’s their job after all, right?
Sometimes, it doesn’t even have to be someone famous. Your bestie might walk out in an outfit you adore or your new boss is sporting the latest designer suit.
Don’t feel discouraged if you’re succumbing to the influence. But know when something is just not right for you. Sure, it might look spectacular on Chiara, Camila, or even your best friend. But that doesn’t mean it’s something you absolutely need in your arsenal.
You’re Emotional
Going through a breakup? Put on a few extra pounds? Feeling stressed out at work? Retail therapy is a real thing. It’s also a really bad thing (just ask your wallet).
Plenty of people use shopping as an outlet for depression, stress, anxiety, and more emotional trauma. However, impulse shopping is likely to end with a bunch of clothes you’re likely not going to wear.
You Have No Person Style
Look inside of your closet. Do you have a lot of clothes that are complete opposites from each other? While mixing and matching styles is sometimes fun, having a wardrobe without a common theme is a recipe for disaster.
Sometimes, the issue is that you’re lacking personal style. You’re not sure how you want to look, so you end up buying things because you think you’re going to like them. But when you’re not confident in your purchase and your style, most of those clothes are going to end up with dust bunnies.
How Do I Stop the Urge to Buy Clothes?
If you’re one of many shoppers that have a seemingly constant urge to buy clothes, there are a few things you can do to stop it right away. Here are the top three suggestions:
- Stop following influencers.
If you’re someone who religiously follows fashion influencers, it might be time to stop – especially if that is what is triggering you to go out and buy new clothing. Try following some other cool and unique pages that interest you. For example, cooking and baking pages are fun and those that enjoy the outdoors might follow nature pages. Sure, Kylie Jenner’s nails are stunning in that red dress, but that doesn’t mean you need it.
- Find a new way to deal with emotions.
If you’re an emotional shopper, it’s time to say goodbye to retail therapy and indulge in something healthier. Consider a new exercise routine. Go outside. Meet up with your friends for dinner. Find something you thoroughly enjoy doing that will take your mind (and money) off buying new clothes.
- Stop and think.
Your parents likely told you as a teen to stop what you’re doing and think before you do an action. Well, the advice holds true to this day. When you have the urge to buy new clothes, stop and think about it. This is easier if you’re shopping online. Store it in your cart and sleep on it. If you still need it and can afford it in the morning, then it’s probably a good buy.
How do I Stop Buying Clothes I Never Wear?
What’s worse than having an urge to buy clothes is ending up with clothes you will never wear. So, if you’ve taken the above tips and you’re still struggling with clothes you never wear, then you need to consider these five imperative tips to stop buying clothes you never wear for good.
5 Tips to Stop Buying Clothes You Never Wear
Are you ready, shopping crew? It’s time to put that nasty habit of buying clothes you never wear behind you. Don’t worry – these tips and tricks aren’t too challenging and most people will be able to put an end to their senseless clothing purchases in no time.
Know Your Style
Know Your StyleEveryone has their own personal style. If they didn’t, everyone would look exactly the same; and that’s no fun. The problem is, some people really don’t know what their “look” is. There’s a few things you can do to figure out your style.
- Audit your wardrobe.
The first step is to open your closet doors and take a good look at what’s hiding inside. What are your favorite and least favorite clothing options? Make a pile of your faves and a pile of your dislikes. Then, take a good look at what you’ve chosen. The clothing you’re most comfortable with and enjoy the most will likely share a common theme – aka your personal style.
- Do some fashion research.
Magazines, social media, and fashion apps are all great places to find clothing you enjoy. However, keep in mind that you need to be picky. Don’t think you like something just because it’s “trendy”. Trending items don’t always equate to items that match your specific look and style, and that’s okay. Maybe check out some articles like the top 10 style tips I wish I knew in my early 20s.
- Start simple and expand.
The “capsule wardrobe” is a great place to start when you’re seriously struggling. This type of wardrobe starts with some simple, yet functional basics like tees, tank tops, jeans, and jackets. They are neutral toned, so they’re easy to wear out the door. From there, you can start throwing some of your own personal style into the capsule with accessories, shoes, purses, hats, and more.
Decide If You Are Really Going to Wear It
Sometimes, you find an article of clothing that is just astounding and you think you “need” to have it. For example, you might find a tight leather mini skirt or a crop top that is designed to show off all of your luscious curves. That’s fine and everything. But what happens when you get home and realize you’re never going to wear these statement pieces?
When shopping for clothes, make sure you’re only buying things you’re actually going to wear. While having a striking, look-at-me article of clothing is fun in theory, you might never have the event or inspiration to wear it. The same is true for clothing items that are too small or don’t match with the rest of your wardrobe.
Don’t think that just because it looks good on someone else, that it’s going to look good on you, too. Consider the fact that everyone has their own style and clothes will look different on one person to the next. Decide if it’s truly a look you want and will pull off.
Make a Shopping Plan
Having a plan is always a good idea (in all areas of life, to be honest, but especially in shopping). Walking into a store blindly may lead you to buy things you don’t need or won’t ever end up wearing.
So, before heading to the mall, take a look in your closet. What do you need? What are you actually going to wear? Make a plan and stick to it. There’s no room for “extras”. (And that includes those cute boots you ran into along the way. Maybe next time!)
Stop Buying for Certain Events
It’s fun to shop for events. But this can sometimes lead to purchases that will never get worn again. Think about funky events such as 80s parties or prom. While you might pull together a look that slays, you aren’t likely to wear the same outfit twice. Therefore, it’s shoved to the back of the closet, never to be seen again.
What’s a better choice? If you’re buying something for an event, try to find something that you will actually wear again. If not, then you can consider renting or borrowing from a friend or family member. If you need wide heels, there are tricks you can do to make my heels more comfortable with wide feet rather than buying a brand new pair of heels. You would be surprised how many people have things in their closet that they never wear, but are perfect for the upcoming event or party.
Pay Attention to the Fit and Comfort
When it comes to shopping, plenty of people end up buying before trying an article of clothing on. For instance, they will buy a cute fall sweater, only to realize that the fabric is incessantly itchy. What happens to the itchy sweater? It’s never worn.
The same is true for how something fits. There is really no way to tell without trying something on, as every brand is different. You might be a size 10 in one brand of jeans, but an 8 or 12 in another. If you come home to a garment that doesn’t fit right, you’re not going to wear it. And to be honest, some clothing just fits “odd”. Try things on before walking out of the store.
A Few Final Words
Shopping for clothes is a fun adventure, but not if you’re buying clothing you’re never going to wear. The best way to say sayonara to this hassle is to figure out your own personal style, decide whether or not you’re really going to wear something, and have a plan before going on a shopping spree. Find 5 tips to help you decide what clothes to keep and what to give away to make a faster decision when upgrading your wardrobe.
