Have you ever stood in front of your overflowing wardrobe and said “I have nothing to wear”? Or do you struggle to find the perfect outfit even though you shop very often? If yes is your answer, then you suffer from, what we like to call, Mindful-shopping deficiency.
I come across many clients that complain that they hardly use 15-20% of their wardrobe. The 80-85% of the clothing just hangs there year after year without ever coming to use. They are annoyed by the ever-increasing size of the wardrobe that never fully suffices their dressing needs. According to my experience, this is a problem faced by most people and it might seem insignificant, however, it is not. Just think about how you feel when your morning starts with the frustration of not being able to find “The right outfit”. A bad start to the day cannot lead to a good day. Right?
From my experience of eleven years as a style coach, I have narrowed down the reasons for the problem into three categories. I believe, once you are aware of the reasons, tackling the problem becomes much easier. If you would like to tackle the problem of having nothing to wear, then keep on reading.
1.YOU SHOP IMPULSIVELY
Do you often buy things because you saw some celebrity/influencer or a friend wearing them without giving too much thought? Or do you go on shopping trips and pick things up impulsively? Well, most of us do. This results in us buying things that either do not complement our body, skin tone or personal style. The outcome? The item sits in the wardrobe months after months waiting for the “right time/occasion” which, honestly, we all know never comes.
2.YOU SHOP WITHOUT TRYING TO CO-ORDINATE WITH PIECES THAT ARE ALREADY IN YOUR WARDROBE
One trick that I always use before making a purchase is to visualise wearing that particular item in at least three ways. If I cannot, I do not make that purchase. You need to make sure every item you buy has a lot of use in your wardrobe. If a particular item doesn’t fit your current wardrobe well then chances are you will have a tough time teaming it up with your outfits.
3.YOU BUY ITEMS THAT DO NOT FIT WELL
Most high-street brands are European which means their standard sizing is not entirely suitable for Asians. Therefore, not everything will suit you well. A very common mistake besides buying a style that does not sit on our bodies well is not getting the item altered to our measurements. For instance, a midi dress from Zara will not fit like midi on someone who is 5’1 (the average height of women in India). Ill-fitted clothes, more likely than not, tend to hang in our closets collecting dirt and adding to the size without being of much use.
In theory, it might seem you have plenty of clothes. However, practically, the reality is far away from what it seems. Plenty of clothes do not convert to having plenty of outfit options. Make sure the next time you shop, you do it mindfully. Make a shopping list, visualise the looks, think about your dressing goals and get rid of items that you do not use. Trust me, it will sort your wardrobe and life out. And if you are still confused. Get in touch with us for a wardrobe consultation.
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Until next, stay safe, stay stylish.