I love shopping as much as the next girl, but I also believe it’s important to curate your closet wisely. There are many reasons why you aught to think twice before making a new clothing purchase. First and foremost is to make sure you are spending your money wisely. Secondly, by making intentional purchases you help reduce the enormous amount of textile waste created by irresponsible clothing shopping.

So many women have closets full of clothes but still feel like they have nothing to wear. Today’s post is going to help you avoid that predicament going forward. Here are 5 questions you aught to ask yourself every time you want to purchase new clothing.

5 Questions to ask yourself before buying new clothes

1. Do I have an occasion to wear this for?

Sometimes you find something that you know would look amazing on you, but you genuinely have nowhere to wear it. I’ve been guilting of making several purchases of this sort over the years. Mentionable occasions include the times I purchased a black silk bustier top or lace up body suit. Both never actually got worn (outside the bedroom at least!). But I’m a 30 year old mother to a toddler, so my lifestyle doesn’t exactly warrant sexy nightclub wear. The point is, unless you actually have suitable events to wear something to, don’t bother buying it.

2. Will this item match anything else in my wardrobe?

When purchasing separates it is important to choose pieces that will coordinate with other items in your wardrobe. If your closet is full of statement pieces, it becomes difficult to arrange outfits since nothing you own will match. Make sure each piece you purchase can be worn together with multiple items in your wardrobe so you can get maximum use of everything you buy.

3. Will I get more than one season worth of wear out of this item?

Most clothing that don’t see a second year’s worth of use are tossed aside for one of two reasons. The first reason is that the item is very trendy and falls out of fashion by the time the next season comes around. The second reason is that the clothing begins to fall apart or look ragged after a few wears. For this reason, it’s best to stay away from fast fashion as most clothing is cheaply made and does not stand the test of time.

4. Is it on sale?

While I’m all for finding a good bargain, purchasing clothing off the sale rack can be a slippery slope to a shopping addiction. For years I had a habit of purchasing new clothes just because it was a good price, not because it was a worthwhile item to add to my closet. A good rule of thumb is, if you didn’t need it before it went on sale, you don’t need it now.

5. Is there another reason I’m buying this?

I used to often feel like if I did go to the mall, I had to purchase something, otherwise it would have been a waste of a trip. I would go buy a shirt or a dress that I didn’t actually love, just because I felt like bringing something home. Other people may use shopping as a way to cope when they are stressed or bored. Before you swipe your credit card or click purchase, make sure to do a self-check and ensure you aren’t just making an impulse buy.

Outfit Details:
White chiffon camisole // Military style jacket (similar) // YSL Kate bag // Plaid paper bag skirt (similar here & here)