Welcome to the blog series that will guide you through the process of finding your own style or refining it. How you dress is a reflection of who you are and who you want to be. Your personal style deserves the consideration and plan just as much as your health and fitness goals.
Discover STEP 1: Who do you want to be?
Discover STEP 2: Befriend your body
Discover STEP 3: Clean out your closet
STEP 4
Shop smart
Creating a well functioning wardrobe is a process that takes time. When you will go on a hunt for missing pieces, you want to be sure you spend your hard earned money wisely and what you buy will really serve you well for a long time. The offer in the shops is enormous and it’s normal to get lost, overwhelmed or tired. These shopping rules are your strategy to never regret a purchase:
Identify your body and colour type - this will be your compass to find the most flattering clothes. (STEP 2)
Make a shopping list - note down what you need to create a functional wardrobe. The list will be your guide and will help to stay focused. Just like you do with groceries, prioritize what you really need and allow maximum 2 items (you had fallen in love with) that aren’t on the shopping list. Remember that what you buy not only has to be beautiful but also practical. (STEP 3)
Change your shopping habits - do you have many clothes which look very much alike? That’s what happens when you always stick to the same stores. You buy things that are familiar to you. If you want to change or improve your style you have to discover new shops and brands.
Look for accessories - they finish off the outfit and can really express your personality. Don’t treat them as optional and hence least relevant on your shopping list. Go treasure hunting once in a while. Accessories are also great finds during sales as people tend to focus on main pieces instead.
Stay away from messy tables overloaded with clothes - they are all thrown together, mixed up, and likely got already a bit damaged. There also must be a reason why the shop wants to get rid of them. Clothes mistreated this way won't make you feel amazing.
Be aware of marketing tricks - beautiful store interior, nice smell, beautifully exposed merchandise. All those aspects add to a pleasant shopping experience, but be careful not to lose your clarity. Look for things that truly work for your body and your needs.
Less is more & less but in good quality is always more! You really don’t need as much as you think. And if you buy better quality it will serve you much longer and be more comfortable to wear (try on a cashmere sweater asap).
Try things on in the comfort of your own home - this way you can also see how easy you can combine this item with the rest of your clothes. If you have ANY doubts about something you bought, return it.
Skip shopping if you don’t feel well - you risk falling into an emotional shopping trap and spending your money on something you don’t love and need. Shopping for clothes should be a fun, pleasant experience so don’t force it or you will regret it later.
Don’t give up, be patient. Sometimes there might be nothing interesting, another time everything you see calls your name. Don’t rush into buying things just to tick them off of your list. Be demanding and buy only clothes that fit you perfectly and you truly love.
Spoil yourself - shopping list is your guide but what would life be without dreams? Treat yourself once in a while :)
Don’t fall into shopping traps
Price - never let the attractive price be the only reason you bought something.
Size - if it doesn’t fit well, there’s no point to buy it, even if it is the most amazing thing you have ever seen.
Fabric - clothes made of poor quality materials will make you uncomfortable and they won’t last very long.
Sales assistant - cannot be trusted if he/she is overly flattering or pushy. A pushy assistant can make you feel obligated to make a purchase since you already “took that much of his time”. Don’t give in to that pressure.
Emotions - have you even heard about emotional eating? How about emotional shopping aka retail therapy? Emotional shopping is dangerous because that one joyful moment in the shop usually results in a long term burden in your wardrobe.
Social shopping - when you are on a fun shopping day with your girlfriends don’t spend money only to get something. Threat this day primarily as a hangout and if you find an item from your shopping list (or your dream list), that’s a bonus.
Stay focused on the priorities: first, buy the things you really need to build a coherent, well-functioning wardrobe. Challenge yourself to go to the stores you don't usually go to, try on shapes, colours, and prints you are not used to wearing. Remember that your goal is a new, improved personal style so stay away from your old shopping paths. Be patient. Give yourself time - you don’t have to (and for the sake of your bank account, better if you don't!) buy all the missing items at one single trip to the shopping district. Look for pieces you truly love and will enjoy wearing over and over again.
Discover all:
