On Tuesday we spoke about style personality. Knowing your style personality as well as your body type and style preferences can greatly help you with finding your own true unique style.
When you couple the knowledge about your style personality and the components of your style, it can also greatly assist you with your shopping.
It’s always good to compile 2 lists:
1. Things that are missing in your wardrobe and that you need for the coming season.
If you have gone through the style course or the many articles on this site in the finding your style and how to dress after 40 sections, you will have a good idea about your style preferences and what suits you. You have analyzed your closet and know exactly what is missing and what is needed.
It’s good to go through your closet before every season and make a new list of the things that would really improve your wardrobe. This can be clothes, but also undergarments, shoes or accessories.
2. Things that you know you should avoid
Just as important is a list of things you should avoid buying. Have a look at all the clothes that you have worn only a few times. Were these impulse buys? Why don’t you wear them? This can be a permanent list that you keep in your wallet and can refer to whenever you go shopping.
There can be many reasons why some clothes just don’t work for you:
- They don’t suit your body type (they don’t highlighted the parts you like most about your body)
- They don’t suit your style personality (they are too much removed from who you REALLY are)
- The fabric irritates you
- You never any proper occasions to wear them (it’s important to buy clothes for the climate you live in and the life that you lead)
Some of the items on this list for me are:
- No polyester
- No clingy fabrics
- Skirts not too short (should cover or come close to knees)
- Clothing must be comfortable
Be as precise as you can and add as many requirements as you need to.
Are you able to make these 2 lists easily? Do you know what works for you or not?
Impulse buying
Now back to our original question: should you buy on an impulse? The answer depends of course on how GOOD you are at impulse buying.
If you have a very clear sense of your style and what suits you, chances are that impulse buying can really work for you. The opposite is true also. If you’re not clear on your 2 lists, then impulse buying can lead to a lot of buying mistakes. Let’s look at a quick overview of some of the advantages and disadvantages of impulse buying.
Advantages of impulse buying
- Impulse buying can really add an element of surprise to your wardrobe. You can’t plan for everything and sometimes, you just don’t know what you want.
- It also lets you explore some new directions. If something really appeals to you in the shops, it may appeal to one part of your style personality that surfaces sometimes. It’s good to have clothes for different parts of your style personality.
Disadvantages of impulse buying
- It can lead to many buying mistakes. Have a look through all the clothes in your closet you don’t wear. How many of these were impulse buys?
- You often buy things you don’t need. You may already have something similar and it can lead to needless spending. (if that is the case for you then you can consider organising and documenting your clothes with closet organising apps.)
- If you buy on impulse continuously, you may end up with many attention drawing clothes in your closet (the show stoppers) but are short on the essential basics (the building blocks of your wardrobe).
Finding the right balance
I believe there is definitely a place for impulse buying in your shopping. However, you need to be careful that it is not your dominant way of buying clothes if you want to have a wardrobe that is sustainable long term and will always give you something to wear. Sometimes your impulse buys can add that bit of of a spark and excitement to your wardrobe, but always make sure that you understand your style and that your closet is full of great essentials for your particular style.
Are you an impulse buyer? Is it working for you or not?
P.S. If you are tempted to buy any of the items featured in the image, they are all available from the shop section of this site in the relevant category.
Sylvia is 40+style’s editor-in-chief and has been helping women find their unique style since 2011. An alumni of the School of Color and Design, she is devoted to empowering women of any age to look and feel their best. Read more about Sylvia and 40+style on this page.
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Hello, been reading your blog and read your articles regarding fabrics. May I know where you pick up your silk/cotton blouses in Singapore from? I am from Singapore and have been trying to find nice silk or cotton blouses. Also, how do you wash your silk pieces? Sorry for the many questions!
I used to get most of my tops at Alldressedup. Sadly that shop is now gone, and I’m still looking for a replacement. Now I just have to bump into them in stores like Zara and CK Calvin Klein. I also shop whenever I’m on trips. Yes, I wash most of my silk tops in cold soapy water.
I have worked really hard to have a remix-able wardrobe of good quality basics. Now that that is established, I’ve loosened up and bought a few things on impulse, mostly accessories. They add zing to my classic wardrobe.
In September I happened upon a fabulous shoe sale, and ended up bringing home eight pairs of some (for me) wild shoes. My husband raised his eyebrows at that one because I’ve always been someone who has maybe three pairs of conservative shoes per season. (I told him that I had decided that shoes were going to be my midlife crisis.) In my defense, every pair of shoes made a cute outfit with something I already owned — even the salmon colored wedges with white polka dots. Because my wardrobe is relatively small, I know everything I own, and even at the fabulous sale put a few things back because I wouldn’t have an outfit that they would work with. A bargain is not a bargain if you need to buy a new dress to go with it!
Wow Lisa, Very smart to do it like that!
As for your shoe midlife crisis, I think I’m having the same thing. I bought so many shoes in the sale this month, it’s not even funny. And as you say they are all (some crazy) fashion shoes haha. I’m even planning an article on it. If you like to contribute let me know!
That could be fun. Let me know if I could help.
Lisa
I’ve written the story already Lisa. You inspired me with the term shoe midlife crisis, haha. Feel free to add you own comments/story tomorrow!
I’ve more or less stopped impulse buying. Hoorah! I now keep a list of items I want (classic things) plus a list of “trendy” items to add some fashion flair. Jewellery, ankle boots, etc. I get one of the weekly fashion mags to keep my eye on what’s current.
Very smart Gail!
I have bought many things on impulse. I am not very good at planning my shopping. Sometimes while looking for something specific, I see something fantastic that is not in my plans. So I buy it. I end up with many things that inject some life into my wardrobe and few basics. This seems to work for me. Some of the most exciting clothes I have were bought on impulse.
Yes, that happens to me to, but I have now forced myself to plan for the basics too. Like you though, when I’m shopping for those, I inevitably bump into something beautiful…..
I’ve done more impulse buying now because most major fashion sites have free shipping and return (often with no minimum). I took full advantage of this and bought to try. I knew that I’d return most items but it’s worth the trouble of repacking and trips to PO. If you can call the trouble down side.
The upside is that I have leisure to match new items with old in the comfort of my home. And the time to ponder if I should keep it (trying not to buy duplicate items).
Another trick I use to balance out impulse buy is to have a visual gallery of items I bought. I copy and paste stock photos from retail sites I bought from. I search the web for stock/outfit photos (if it is from a 2nd hand shop). And I put them into categories (clothing, shoes, accessories, and bags). This way I am always able to decide to keep or to let go (too many new black shoes for example).
Doing the above, I am able to control buying too many of similar items or items I already have too many of.
You are so right about the fabric. I can’t stand cheap knit, jersey, chiffon, polyester, faux fur, and vegan leather. The good fabric and material just feel so lux and rich against skin. It’s worth spending more money for better quality material. Those garments are usually made better and fit better (no manufacturer wants to ruin expensive material by giving it to inexperienced workers).
Thank you for reminding us about matching life style with purchase. I used to love buying special occasion outfits but I can count on one hand how many times I had a chance to wear them in 10 years. Although I still love those fantasy dresses but I stop buying them.
As I transitioning from many inexpensive to spend more buy better, I am learning to NOT buy too many inexpensive pieces (say, 5 $20 pieces) but to slowly accumulate good pieces (1 $100 piece).
The upside of spending more money on a single item is that I can’t buy as often (budget) and I spend more time thinking about if i really need it, love it, and wear it ofen. All good questions, right? 🙂
Thank you Sylvia for always putting out entries to gently remind your readers how to dress for body, shape, and comfort and how to shop better and be more inspired by fashion.
Wow 33, you sound very organised. I’m impressed! Yes, I strongly believe in buying good items although I succumb to impulse buying myself sometimes.
I am the master of impulse buying. Fortunately, since I know my colours and shape, I do not have too many buying mistakes anymore. I won’t say none, but very limited.
But yes I overspend on black sweaters f.i. For no reason. And yes I end up with lots of attention drawing things that cannot go together as they are fighting for the spotlight. And that is because I cannot see the charm of a basic thing when it is not on me, so I never pick it. Also it is my character I suppose, to pick loud talking things hahaha.
Great to read that you have cut down on your buying mistakes Greetje!