Pause Before the Purchases

Have you bought anything to wear to wear to your first post-pandemic event or for a return to the office? The urge to refresh before re-emerging feels undeniable. (My 5 year old son reminded me that it has been a long time since my last haircut.) You want to feel good. The buzz of a new purchase wears off quickly, so how can you set yourself up for success?

1) Review of what you already have. What is sparking joy, and where are there gaps and needs? Sizes fluctuate, and what made you feel confident one year can change to the next. You might consider some editing and letting go before bringing in new pieces. Make room literally.

2) Get a color consultation before buying clothes. Wait, what?? Isn’t that something grandmas did in 1985? Ok, but grandmas are often right about things. This WILL save you money and time by making color choices that will make you look your best. It took me 43 or so years of buying black shirts every season and wondering why they didn’t exactly work. Last year I had a color consultation with Your Color Guru, online and easy. It’s probably less than the cost of Stitch Fix or an outfit decision that you knew was a bit off, but you were desperate.

3) Fix or remix. Do you have an item that you love and need to fix to wear again? Maybe it’s a frayed hem, a small hole or stain to fix, but it’s one small step away from wearing and loving again. But I hate sewing you say. Ok, take it to a dry cleaner or an alterations expert….Or just admit defeat and let it go. Or if you are handy with a sewing machine, go for it. Make a low cut top a little less (or more?? who cares) low cut. Turn a dress into a shirt. Get some Rit Dye and change the color.

4) Buy secondhand. Consignment shops, thrift stores, online sites like ThredUp can be budget friendly and more sustainable. (If you want to know where your jeans go, check this out.)

5) Consider your values when deciding where to shop. Can you support a local boutique or a brand that gives back to a cause that you support? It may cost a bit more, yet feel a bit better.

You don’t have to do allll the things...or any of them. Maybe pick one from above and see how it works,