In this blog, Anvisha is going to come across a few truths such as that shopping should not be an antidote to sadness or a hobby to connect with your friends, and that your lifestyle should determine your purchases (and no, it is not about purchasing power).
Having said all the above, here are 10 fashion resolutions to buy less and dress better in 2023:
Analyze your needs
Before venturing into a new wardrobe or style change, or simply purchasing a new garment or accessory, you should ask yourself if you really need to make that transition or purchase that piece.
We already know that the verb “need” should not be used lightly but, in practical terms and speaking clearly, what you should analyze is where the niches of your closet are.
We know that buying a bag generates immediate and almost addictive satisfaction, just like shoes, but be honest with yourself: what if what you really “need” is to renew your socks?
Be consistent with your style and your way of life
In line with the previous purpose, it is clear that in addition to locating where the gaps in your closet are (if there are any), you also have to adapt your purchases to your lifestyle (and it is not about your purchasing power). Does it make sense to have 10 evening dresses with a 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. office job?
Clean up (and learn the lesson)
In order to locate where the gaps in your closet are, you first have to empty it (pardon the redundancy) of all those clothes and accessories that you don’t wear for whatever reason.
They may no longer fit your style, they may be too worn out or, worst of all, they may have been the result of a very ill-considered purchase. As if it were a relationship, when it ends, the first thing to do is learn from your mistakes.
Why didn’t that love work? Maybe you got the wrong silhouette, the fabric wasn’t right, the colour didn’t suit you, or you fell into trends without stopping to think about your own style. When you clean, you also have to analyze why it ended: only then will you avoid tripping over the same stone twice.
Don’t be afraid to repeat
There is a meme circulating online about the (social) shame that causes people to notice that you are wearing the same clothes. Without going into the classic “you didn’t come home last night”, wearing the same item of clothing repeatedly seems like a taboo that, clearly, we have to overcome.
If we stop to think about it carefully, it is more than likely that we use only 40% of our closet (or less), so having more clothes does not necessarily mean that we vary our looks more, far from it. Don’t be afraid to repeat: If that garment is of quality and makes you feel good, it deserves no less than to be present in your life for as long as possible.
If you still feel the pressure but want to apply the story, remember that classic, timeless and discreet clothes, as well as neutral colours, help a lot.
Do prior research
Before launching into the search for those leather ankle boots that you supposedly need, we advise you to do some prior research on the Internet. Not only will you have access to a greater number of possibilities (including second-hand stores), but you will be able to consider the purchase, find out about the materials with which it was produced, and reflect on whether the ideals of that brand fit with yours. and weigh whether that product fits into your wardrobe (and your life).
Plan your purchases and the places you visit
Once that prior research has been done, it’s time to plan the purchase of those dream boots. Don’t throw away your previous work by wandering down Fuencarral Street: before leaving home you have to be clear about what you are going to buy and what stores you want to visit.
Don’t go with the fixed idea of consuming (how many times have we ended up buying something else because we wanted to take something home?), but rather with the idea of physically testing whether that piece fits what you had originally imagined.
Ask yourself questions: is it comfortable? Does it match the rest of my clothes? Does it favour me? Would I wear it 24/7? And one last piece of advice: the touch does not deceive, but look at the labels.
Look at the labels and choose sustainable fabrics
We know that it is very sweet to take home a viscose dress for a ridiculous price but, as the saying goes, that is “bread for today and hunger for tomorrow”. And we say it in every way: it is not good for your wardrobe and much less for the planet.
If we had written this article a few years ago, we would have told you about natural fabrics such as silk or wool, but starting in 2020, we want you to start getting familiar with organic cotton, lyocell, recycled materials, bamboo, hemp or Piñatex – a sustainable alternative to leather made with pineapple leaf fibres that have already been used by brands such as H&M.
Don’t go shopping to boost your spirits, feed your ego or for pure entertainment.
Sometimes the act of purchasing is not filling a gap in your closet, but rather in your existence. Compare it with food: do you eat because you are hungry or out of pure gluttony?
Gone are the times of going shopping with friends to spend the afternoon because, if you think about it, it is preferable that you go to the movies, try a new restaurant or visit a museum to generate new experiences, connect with other people or cultivate yourself.
On the other hand, treating the act of purchasing like a tub of ice cream (à la Bridget Jones) is the worst idea: thoughtful and conscious purchases are best made with a calm mind.
Go for basic pieces and neutral tones that never go out of style (you will never regret it)
It is not about giving up originality or differentiation, but about taking advantage to make your wardrobe become the true basis of your wardrobe – with some pieces that give it character – and not the exception.
When we compiled the failed fashion purchases from the Vogue.es editorial team, in almost all cases they were garments or accessories that were far from being basic (even, as in my case, not so much because of their nature but because of their colour).
A note? The most original purchases should be considered twice as much as the classic ones and should always be considered in relation to the rest of the wardrobe.
Break your prejudices about second-hand stores
Not only will you realize that you can find fabrics of proven quality (if they have arrived there in good condition, there must be a reason), but you will also become addicted to wearing unrepeatable pieces full of history.
Find the one that best suits your aesthetic (not all boutiques are retro style) and don’t forget to apply all the previous purposes. Now more than ever: the good thing, if brief, is twice as good.
