To get myself ready for the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale this year I decided that I was going to be very intentional about what I purchase. The past few years I’ve gone a little overboard when it comes to the biggest sale of the year. I ended up with so many great things, but honestly it was way more than I needed and my closet still was left with a few holes. So this year I’m taking a different approach to shopping in general and really focusing on intentionally buying the right things and not just buying because something is cute, looks good on me, and is on sale.
To know exactly what I need to shop for, I’ve purged my closet trying on clothes I haven’t worn in months (thanks Covid-19), if not years, and deciding if I truly love how it looks on me, checking for any imperfections likes snags or stains that would stop me from actually wearing it out. Or if it’s a style that no longer fits me or my daily lifestyle. I started the process towards the beginning of quarantine but know I needed to really purge more. I have way more clothes than I need but I always feel like I have nothing to wear and that’s mainly because the clothes in my closet just aren’t right or I’m missing a key piece to make them work.
So after really purging my clothes, I’ve listed a ton more on Poshmark as well as put together piles to donate to the GoodWill as well as a pile to go to a local consignment shop once they start buying again. I normally do a process like this a few times a year but this time I went all out and not only asked myself how long has it been since I last wore it but also really tried on those clothes I’ve been holding onto to decide if I really need to keep it, or if it’s time to part ways.
It feels so good to make some room in my wardrobe and dresser drawers and now I have a clearer picture of what I actually need to shop for and not just an idea of what I want to shop for.
Have Need Want Intentionally Buying – Key Considerations:
1. How long has it been since I last wore it?
2. Have I passed on wearing it more than once?
3. Does it have any visible flaws like snags, small stains, or missing buttons? Can they be fixed and if so, do I love it enough to pay to fix it.
4. Does it fit me as I am right now? If it’s a little snug, is it comfortable enough to wear out or will I be uncomfortable?
5. Does it fit with my daily lifestyle? For dresses that are more formal this won’t apply to but for the bulk of your closet this should be a question you ask yourself.
6. Can it be paired with multiple items in my wardrobe? This is important for being able to switch up your looks even when wearing the same clothes.
7. Do I have too many of the same thing? As in you don’t rotate through them all and instead just rotate through the same 5-6 shirts and never really get to the other 10.
8. How many pairs of jeans do you actually wear out of all the pairs you own? I find myself collecting denim because I wear them most often but it’s important to make sure you’re wearing all the pairs you have and not just adding more in without taking a few out.
After you ask yourself all these questions as you’re going through your purge you will be left with a paired down wardrobe with more of the clothes you actually wear and more space to see what’s missing from it.
Have Need Want List of Wardrobe Essentials:
White Tee | Black Cami | White Blouse | Cashmere Sweater
Denim Shorts | Pencil Skirt | Black Leggings | Jeans | LBD
White Sneakers | Nude Flats | Nude Pumps | Black Ankle Boots | OTK Boots
Do you have all my wardrobe essentials? If not, what are you missing?
I hope this post helps you be a better intentional shopper as well as help you find what gaps you have in your wardrobe so that you know what to look for the next time you go shopping!
Shop wardrobe essentials:
As always, thank you so much for stopping by the blog today!
