Let’s face it, most fashion girls face a very similar problem: one seriously over-stuffed closet. In an effort to tackle this seemingly bottomless problem, we decided to go back to the beginning, the source of the issue—the dressing room. Perhaps if we were equipped with the right tools in the dressing room, we would make less purchasing mistakes and therefore have a more organized and less disastrous closet. Here, the five things to ask yourself in a dressing room before busting out your credit card.
Do I have something like this?
Admit it: You have seven long-sleeved striped shirts in your closet. Some of them are even the same color. There are also at least 10 denim shirts hanging in there, all a similar chambray shade. Cashmere crew necks? Let’s not even get into it. Given these undeniable facts, this particular question is an especially important one. Just because you like something doesn’t mean you need it in 10 different versions. No matter how good it looks on you, take a long, deep stare into the unflattering mirror under that godforsaken fluorescent light and ask yourself: Do I already own this? If so, put it back. Pronto.
How many times will I wear this?
If the answer to this question is “less than five times,” the answer to whether or not you should buy it should be a resounding “no.” As we all know, trends come and go, so if you’re buying something that is going to flame out in a few months, you may want to think twice about it. Or, if it’s a bright color or memorable print you may get tired of after a couple of wearings, the same thinking should apply. Of course you should own a few stand-out pieces, but make sure they're worth it and will be wearable for more than one season. And more importantly, be positive that you’ll actually like them for more than one season—otherwise they’ll likely end up in a giveaway pile by this time next year.
Do I want it just because someone else has it?
In this world dominated by social media it’s easy to covet things other people have, regardless of whether or not they make sense in our lives. So before you invest in an item you think you like because you’ve been brainwashed by the 100-plus times you’ve seen it on Instagram, ask yourself, Do I really want this piece or is it just something I feel like I “should” want? Or, is it a “status” piece you’re buying because it will look cool to others? Make sure you know the difference before taking it home.
Does it really look good on me?
Sometimes we want something so badly, we don’t take the time to really consider if it looks good on us or not. Do you want the piece more than you want to look good? Hopefully the answer is no, so really consider if something is a good style for you before making the investment. Just because it’s cute doesn’t mean it’s cute on you. No offense. We’ve all had to learn this one the hard way.
Will I feel guilty about it later?
You will not truly enjoy owning something if it was too expensive for your budget. If spending the money on it will ultimately make you feel stressed and guilty after walking out of the store, it isn’t worth it. There is nothing in fashion so necessary it should cause you monetary distress. Wait until you can afford it to buy it, and we promise wearing it will feel much sweeter.
