Here are questions I ask myself every time I consider purchasing something for my wardrobe.
- Can I envision this working in at least three, preferably five outfits?
- Will it work across multiple seasons? Will it if it’s layered?
- Is it something I want because it’s trendy? I mean, trendy is fine, but is it something I want ONLY because it’s trendy?
- Can I thrift it instead?
- Do I own anything similar already? How similar?
- Is it something that suits both my body and my personal style?
- Do I have room for it?
- Can I pay cash for it? (If the answer is no, I don’t buy it. Period. But that's just me.)
I am not kidding, friends. I go through all of these questions. You may think I’m a major shopaholic, but I am quite strategic about my purchases. Which is why my seasonal purges are typically very small. At this point in my stylistic evolution, I can identify items that will prove truly useful. I certainly indulge in items that are pure fluff, but limit those purchases as much as I can. And doing a mental run-through of these questions helps a TON.
Do you quiz yourself before purchasing? What tests must an item pass before making it into YOUR wardrobe?
Image courtesy @superamit.
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I find I generally need only ask one question: What would my mother say? This is not nearly as tied-to-mother's-apron-strings as it sounds, as I have only just graduated high school and am living with my parents. But honestly, this question covers price (my mother's ideas of price are much more realistic than mine) as well as how it looks on me.
I basically have 2 questions:
1. Does it flatter me?
2. Do I really, really want it? Meaning when I go home will I not stop thinking about it?
Although if I'm with a girlfriend I might buy it if she thinks it's good for me. I might even go for making sure it looks good after I'm home, even though I don't like returning things.
I was planning to write a post on that kind of topic ... when I'm fully awake. ;-)
The one thing I keep in mind when purchasing an item for my wardrobe is, "Will I be happy to see this ten years from now?" Because I tend to buy items that last, and rotate them, and when I go up to the attic to pull a tub of clothing I'm always thrilled to see the clothing I've stashed away for the season, or the years! They always make me happy all over again!
Great topic. Lately (since beginning style blogging) I have definitely been quizzing myself -- the main one being, "but don't you already have something that is essentially the same as this thing"? That has actually stopped me from buying some things lately. And I have been thinking about where there are holes in my wardrobe, for instance I have a lot of wearable tops and skirts but few pants right now. So "does it meet a need/create outfits" is now a question I think about.
I'm going to do the Great American Apparel Diet for a year though, so the main question I'm about to be asking myself is "can you put that down and walk quietly out of the shop". What I'm hoping it will do is clarify where (if anywhere) I really have a need for something in my wardrobe rather than a "want". If I miss (for instance) a red pencil skirt all year, then that will be a clue to me about what my priorities should be when it's over.
And I definitely want to get to the point where I'm always asking "can I pay for this with cash". Oy.
Like you, I do go through a mental checklist. Not quite as extensive as yours but still... for example, I am debating about a pair of purple suede gorgeous Chie Mihara boots on sale that are to die for. But... purple boots?! Not exactly an everyday choice! So I'm working through the outfits and whether they "make sense" in my wardrobe.
Yep - mine go in this order?
1) Is this something I really and truly need, as in I'm regularly telling myself, "You could make so many more outfits if you only had this one thing." I went through that one and came up with 'navy pencil skirt' - which I ended up having to make since I could not find one in my size, made out of anything I'd want to wear.
2) Is this a good value? Good value for me means: in my size (so I don't have to fiddle with raising the hem, fixing the waistband and so on), made out of natural fibers (or a natural fiber/manmade mix where the manmade part is 10% or less), and made well (which requires turning inside out, checking the construction, the lining and so on. If it's made well, out of solid materials, then I can wear it regularly for several years and get a per wearing cost that's pretty small.
I do that too! Here's my questionnaire:
Would I buy it if the brand was called "Bob", or do I just like the fact that it's X brand at such a low price?
Am I buying it because it is on sale?
Can think of at least 3 ways to wear it?
Is it flattering, and if it's not, do I love it enough not to care?
Is it comfortable. (especially shoes!)
Is it going to last a little while or die after the first two wearings?
Do I own something too close to it?
Am I buying it because I "need" it, but I don't really like it a lot? (don't settle! you don't NEED anything)
Do I want it more than _____? (whatever else I want then)
Will I choose it over stuff I already have?
*If I go home without it/can't find it again, will I really regret it?*
That last one is a biggie. I've saved myself a lot of regrets by walking away when the item didn't make my heart sing, AND not walking away when it did!
I do tend to ask myself a lot of these sorts of questions when faced with a potential clothing purchase. I recently was shopping at Anthropologie, and found a really cute dress on the sale rack (for a pretty good price too!). I quizzed myself about the dress and whether it'd fit in with my personality/wardrobe, and in the end put it back. Great price, but after a mental run-through of my wardrobe, it just wasn't practical! Saved myself some money and frustration! ;) I think it's better to be honest and realistic about purchases--even if it means taking a few extra moments--rather than regret something later on!
♥ Casey
blog | elegantmusings.com
Sara: Ooooh, love the Bob Brand test!
I have to love it, and it has to fit, and feel really comfortable, and make me feel radiant. I don't buy clothes often, so I never seen to have enough closed to be able to afford to pass something up when it meets these criteria, even if it's more than I'd like to spend. When I look in my closet, every single piece that I really love was more money than I wanted to spend at the time, and every one of them gets so much wear that it was totally worth it.
1. Do I love it?
2. I walk away and only go back and get it if I am still thinking about it later? (If its gone, it was not meant to be)
Too much thinking for me!
usually i shop online so lately i've been adding things to my cart and waiting a couple of days to see if i still want it. this has saved me cart-fulls of stuff! i'm not so great with the impulse decision anymore (because i do have to pay in cash) but i usually ask myself:
1) does it fit?
2) do i really like the color?
3) will i actually wear the color?
4) how many seasons can i wear it?
5) why do i want to buy it? (sometimes i just want to buy something)
in the end, if i'm not sure, i'll ask my husband if he likes something. usually that's my sign that i don't like it enough on my own and it's time to walk away. if i'm ever not sure i don't get it, because that means i don't like it enough to want it completely.
i know when i really want something. my heart starts racing and i can't buy it fast enough. :) that happens rarely, so i really should just wait for that feeling.
Love this question. I ask, can I live without it. If yes, it stays on the shelf. If no, I then verify whether I have space for it (generally, what I can get rid of to bring it into my house - and by get rid of, I mean give away). Then I think of how it will work in my wardrobe. But I usually don't worry as much about that.
Those are great questions! I have a few:
1. Do I already own something like it? This is important when it comes to shoes!
2. What will I wear it with?
3. How many years is it going to last?
4. Can I wear it to work? I have fewer casual clothes than work clothes.
I also ask myself if my husband will like it too. I often buy things that I love that he doesn't, but I do consider him, though he is not particular.
Love that first question. I do ask myself that a lot.
I also wait two weeks before making a purchase, and if I still reeeeeally want it, then I usually go through other questions such as "Do I really need it, aka will it enhance my closet in any way?" or "Will I be able to use this for multiple occasions?" etc.
I don't really ask myself if I have room in my closet for it because I barely fill it up as it is, so space isn't an issue (for now). I mean I still can have my winter clothes out; I find that kind of strange actually. :P
I follow the same as Associate Girl's. If it's one of those 'on the fence' purchases and I walk away, only to find myself obsessing over it later, and it's not there? Wasn't meant to be.
I ask myself:
1. Can I think of 5 items I ALREADY OWN that will go with it? Also, 3 pairs of shoes that go with it.
2. Am I buying it just because it's a good deal? (This is a bad one for me).
3. Will I regret it if I don't buy it? Surprisingly, once in a while I'm ruthless when shopping and have put stuff back that I tell myself that I don't want...and have regretted it for years.
and lastly...
4. Do I already have something similar? If I do, I have to be willing to get rid of that item, because what's the point of having two?
i love how everyone has their own particular questions! it's helpful, too, you can re-evaluate your own....
i have a pretty strict color/style palette worked out, since my wardrobe is fairly small. so things have to fit or blend in with that color/style scheme to begin with. like, tops have to 'go' with at least 5-6 of my bottoms and 4-5 of my jackets, while ideally hopefully adding new texture/color/design/silhouette elements to the whole wardrobe.
then i have the 8,000 questions to determine if it will actually be comfortable (i have nerve damage and i was super sensitive to clothes even BEFORE that!)
it's funny, i sew a lot of my clothes which you think would make this process a snap. but you end up going through just as much thought and consideration as when shopping for ready to wear(though you CAN regularly end up with something much closer to your 'ideal').
I'm one of those people who walks away then goes back later if the item sticks in my mind. Some other considerations:
Is it tight in areas where I typically gain weight, or loose in areas where I'm usually slender? My weight fluctuates so I need to have some room to grow/shrink.
Does the color work with multiple items in my wardrobe? If the answer is no, it's usually because the color/shade is one that doesn't flatter me.
Is it appropriate for multiple venues? I bought a denim mini for a trip to Las Vegas, knowing that there weren't too many places that I could wear it. However, it fit well and the $12 price tag justified the cost to me. If something is more than $15, I really need to be able to use it in several places -- church, events with kids, etc.
I rarely shop for spendy items so many of my friends think I'm crazy picky about my clothes, but I hate wasting even $5 if something isn't just right.
What am I willing to get rid of in order to put this in my closet? (Trying to de-clutter and simplify.)
Does "cash" mean paper/coin money or debit card as well? I try to leave my credit cards at home. But I also rarely carry paper cash because I spend it much more often. But to swipe a debit card, it is in fact "real" money (as opposed to credit money) but it makes me think a little bit more.
I would add: Am I willing to care for it the way it's designed to be cared for? i.e. dry cleaning (costly), hand washing (a pain in the neck), etc.
All I can think is, will I still be thinking about it when I go home if I don't buy it?
It definitely has to be washable. As in cold water, mixed in with everything else in its general color family washable. I just don't have the time or energy for handwash anymore.
Also, I look for cotton in every day clothing, because synthetic fiber is just deathly hot and linen falls into the I have no time or energy for ironing that MESS category.
Finally, it needs to be under my price point (which I commented about a while back). I thrift everything, with the exception of underwear, running shoes and the dress I bought at Target for $9.00 on clearance three months ago, which I intend to wear to sing in my boyfriend's sister's wedding next week.
Julia: I am notorious for never carrying actual cash money! I mean, "Do I have the money in the bank?" I am a debit gal all the way.
Ooh I think you've got them all covered here, Sal. Another question I ask myself is: Will I be wearing and using this 5 years down the road? Can I see myself still liking this style and is the piece of a good enough quality to last that long?
Intense but smart.
I usually ask myself if I will forgive myself for not buying it.
Sometimes I will sleep on it.
If its an only piece it goes.
With shoes I have more of a remorse because I really cannot fit another pair.
I'm keeping this list in mind to refer to in the future. I'd love to say I very carefully consider my purchases in relation to what I need and whether I will be able to wear the item in question with other things I own, but when I'm confronted with a potential purchase my list basically just consists of: can I afford it? Is it made locally / made someplace where acceptable working conditions are standard? (getting better with that), and finally, do I really really *really* want this, and will I regret it if I don't take it home with me? So far it's working out great: I certainly don't spend nearly as much as I used to when I was younger, and I'm much more satisfied with my wardrobe overall.
Totally with you on credit cards as well, but I admit to cheating ocasionally when payday draws near, and in that case, the purchase can't exceed a certain small amount, and there's definitely no cheating on that whatsoever. For most of the time though, I'm definitely a cash girl all the way.
Love this love this love this! We ask ourselves similar questions, you and I. My list includes, "does this work with my life - not my pretend life or my 'I wish it were my life' life?"
Like tinyjunco, I have a pretty specific palette.* So if something isn't in my colors, I don't even look at it. This has been really helpful in keeping me from wanting everything.
My second question is whether the fit and cut flatter me, and my third is whether it's comfortable.
After that, I ask if my husband will hate it. If I love something, I don't care if he thinks it's just so-so, but I don't want him looking at me and thinking, "Blech." (He returns the favor.)
Finally, I check the price - definitely no if I can't pay cash, and I'm not likely to spend more than $100 even if I can.
That winnows things down enough so that I don't have to wonder too often if this is something I'll really wear - if it meets all those criteria, it will fit into my wardrobe somewhere.
*I wear white/black/gray neutrals (and denim), with purple and pops of emerald, teal, or olive. I have older clothes in other colors, but for the past 9 months or so I've only bought in those colors.
I usually just ask, "Is this a black lite-weight jacket?" If it is, I buy it, and if not, it probably goes back on the shelf.
-HM
you have such great posts ...I have many of the same thoughts as your list -especially "Can I thrift this? and also "Can I make this?" ...and when I think something, I assume everyone does too, lol ...but that's not the case. This is magnificent.
I'm not sure why I had no clue you were on twitter but I just followed you :)
When it comes to stuff already in my closet, if it doesn't meet my criteria of "Does it make me sing?" then to Goodwill it goes.
When it comes to shopping, I have to ask:
1. Do I have on sale goggles?
2. Is this flattering?
3. Is this multi-purpose?
That pretty much sums it up. I've found myself to be far more selective in the past year or so with my purchases. Thank God :)
I'm SUCH a compulsive shopper, I think I need to print out these questions and keep it in my wallet (laminated, of course!)... I usually only determine if it fits me well!
Sounds familiar, Sal. I posted on this recently (http://dailyclothesfix.blogspot.com/2010/07/grazia-for-inspiration.html)
Basically mine are:
1. Does it fill a gap? Is it something I don't already have.
2. Can I think of at least 3 ways to wear it, mixing with existing items in my wardrobe? If not, it doesn't come home with me.
3. Does it have interesting detail - something that makes it a bit unique? That will normally get it an in.
4. Does it fit and flatter me? I know, this should be first but how do you know if you don't try?
The only question I'd add is:
is this like something that I've had before that didn't work out?
How many cute tops for less than $20 have I bought at Target that never made it into my regular wearing rotation? Too many - enough for a really great top from someplace else that would have gotten worn more.
Even though they weren't individually expensive I could have had something more special if I'd just rolled my cart right past them.
Great list! I'm taking a break from shopping to reassess my wardrobe and style but I will keep this in mind when I am done!
Thank you Sal. This is exactly what I needed. I am going to print this list of questions out and carry it in my bag! I have been doing way too much "But it's on sale!" shopping lately without much thought.
Loving The Reflection
The most all-around useful one for me (although I go through a similar list to you) is the one that helps me with those ones that I know I don't NEED but I really WANT.
I ask myself: If I walked away, came back and it was gone, how would I feel? Often the answer is 'eh' and I know I only LIKE it but I don't need to own it Sometimes the question has me clutching the item to my chest, and those have become the things I love the most and wear/use all the time.
This works for all impulse buys, too, not just clothes!
I'm going to print this out and put it in my wallet. I'm too impulive in my buying... is it cute? do I want it? If the answer is yes, it's mine! Which is terrible!
I also ask myself if I already have something similar, but I use the answer the opposite way than other commentors: If I have something similar that I use a lot, I will probably use this item a lot too. If the item has little or no resemblance to something I already have it's likley I won't wear it.
Sal: In serveral posts you have coverd hemlines, but what about necklines? Is there a rule of thumb like a hand's with below the collar bone is for night time only?
Here are a few of my questions:
* Do I like the feel of the fabric?
*Are the colors right for me and my closet?
*Is the fabric a print? Nine times out of ten, I put back clothes with prints because I will get tired of them too quickly. With the exception of one vintage thrifted Dior blouse, every piece of clothing with a pattern has been booted out of my closet in record time.
*If there is lace, does it look like cheap lace? This is one area where I am really picky, since my grandmother does gorgeous needlework.
*Is it worth the storage?
*Can I wear it year round? If it is specifically for summer, it has to be inexpensive, but I'm willing to pay for warm, flattering winter clothes.
*Does this piece seem too old or too young for me? I'm twenty, but have a tendency to dress as though I am much older. In fact, most of my skirts are below the knee, and I don't own a single miniskirt. This wasn't even a conscious decision.
*What will make wearing this garment difficult? Will it look best with heels? Is it slightly transparent or daringly cut, requiring forethought about underwear?
*Is it flattering?
*Does it make me feel confident, or will I be having continual high school flashbacks?
*What weight am I, and will I realistically be the right weight to wear this garment long enough to justify purchasing it?
*How desperately do I need clothing? I've had to wear a wool skirt in July because I couldn't find ANYTHING I liked in summer fabrics.
There are more, but those are the basics!
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