Conscious Consumption: Buy Less, Buy Wise
With each new season, these new launches entice you to want to buy a boat load of things. Here’re a few tips and tricks on how to decide what to get and get the best bang for your buck. We like to call it conscious consumerism, but really it’s a good practice to have so you don’t put your money to better use.
- Sleep on it – do not impulse buy. New shiny objects are our kryptonite too, so we know. A very good question to ask yourself is, if it’s sold out tomorrow, how much do you regret not getting it? Because through the years, I’ve realised there were pieces that I had to have but I don’t get them and they just slip off my mind. There was really no regret there, or at least no long term regret.
- While sleeping on it, imagine at least 15-20 outfits this new piece can be styled with existing pieces already. This is a good way to make sure the piece you’re looking to add to your wardrobe is versatile and will clock good mileage to lower the cost per wear.
Like this pair of silver trousers, it might be a statement piece, but its so easy to style, you will definitely be able to build at least 15 outfits around it.
- With regards to this style, how much of it is just a passing trend? How much of it can you imagine yourself still wearing 5-10 years from now? These questions are especially key when it comes to viral pieces, because some styles you can bring back again some just never see the light of day after it becomes old news.
Like this really cool looking chunky knitted cardigan. It’s trendy, you love it. But if you get it, will you wear it past 6 months? Or will it be retired to the back of your wardrobe at the end of the fad
- Think about how often you might wear it once you get it. The pieces that I have worn to death are the ones I could literally imagine wearing everyday and have definitely no regrets buying. But, there will always be pieces that are meant to make a statement. Those you have to make sure they are not a one and done. Imagine what sort of events in the next 6 months you could wear it for. If there’s at least one event you would like to style the piece into each month, I think you have a winner.
I’ve always wanted one of these chainmail sets, but this is clearly a party look. Wearing it together might be a once a year type of situation, but you are able to pull it apart and style them separately et voila, you won’t have bought a one and done party look. You can style the top with jeans or a maxi skirt. The skirt could be styled with an oversized jacket or shirt.
- And at the end of the process (I suggest about 3-5 days of thinking on it.) this is something you’re certain would make it the long haul with the rest of your wardrobe, go for it!
This is a very rudimentary guide on how to begin conscious consumption but we all have to start somewhere and delayed gratification is a good start. The idea that you don’t have to get it now, that you can ruminate in a good decision is a great mindset to have and perfect for curating a wardrobe with longevity.
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