Mindful Shopping & Style

With Spring on the horizon, I tend to go a little crazy when all the spring colors, pastels, and florals come out in the shops. Over the past few years I have been working on culling and curating my personal closet to have items that are timeless, enduring, and versatile. I have also been doing my best to cultivate a simpler lifestyle with a more minimalistic approach to shopping. I have always been frugal, but it wasn’t until recently that I combined this mindset with goals for sustainability.

My goal is to not to have to shop often, but to shop well so that I have all the clothes that I really need for all four seasons in New England as well as travel and my creative pursuits. Essentially, I intend to have all of my necessities as well as my creative side covered so I’ll feel the need to shop less often. I love clothing, I really do, but I also love our earth and I want to do my part to protect it. I do believe it is possible to love fashion and be kind to the earth with our shopping habits, mostly by shopping less and shopping with more intention.

I also want to be more mindful about the way I spend my money. Of course, most clothing needs to be replaced eventually due to aging materials, but I know that investing in items that are well made and by taking care of them, I can stretch how long each item lasts. You can make the clothing you already own last longer by following these simple steps (click here for the link).

And aside from my practical side that tells me I don’t really need much, I am a creative person and I do enjoy practicing my personal style as well as being creative with new styles too. It is a common head vs. heart scenario. My mind knows what is good for me, my finances, and the planet and my heart wants to unleash its creativity and explore. I am an artist after all. I believe it is possible to find a balance between both. -Being mindful and trying new things, and being minimal and being creative. You can occasionally shop for new clothes while being mindful and appreciating what you already have in your closet.

Here is how I curate and shop for my closet mindfully and creatively:

Curate a closet that has everything you NEED.

One way to do this is having all of your bases covered. This sounds obvious, but I feel the need to explain it. When you feel that you’re lacking something you need, you’ll tend to shop and maybe even end up over shopping. Simply cover your bases. If you live where the four seasons vary greatly in temperature and climate, you will need to have the necessities to function and dress properly in that weather. For you that might include rainboots and a rain coat, a below zero winter coat and snow pants, hiking boots, or sandals that can last through daily wear.

If you have everything that you need from solid socks without holes in them, a workout outfit for your favorite gym class, and all the basics for every activity that you partake in weekly or for work, then you will shop less often. If your closet is only full of date night outfits or clothes for activities or places you rarely do or visit, then there is a disconnection between you and your closet. Your clothes are for your dream life, not the the actual life you are living. Have your bases all covered and you will never have a reason to complain that you have nothing you can wear.

Curate a closet that fits your lifestyle.

As I mentioned above, if all you have are clothing items for your “dream life” that you’re not actually living, then you’re not going to be happy with what you have. If everything in your closet is a reminder of all the things you are not doing, then your closet is going to make you feel badly about yourself.

What I mean by this is that most of the items in your closet should fit your lifestyle. If you work in a conservative office setting and most of your clothing is loungewear or sexy vacation wear, then you’re going to feel like you never have anything to wear and you’re also going to feel like you’re missing out. These items are for your dream life, not your real life. Curate your closet so that the items you own actually work for you.

That also includes clothing that does not fit, especially items that are too small, but you’re hoping that “one day” you’ll fit in them. Those clothes just aren’t meant for you at this time and all they’re doing is making you feel bad about yourself in this time. Time to part ways.

Remove everything that does not fit.

Too big, too small, just not right. Donate it. -It’s not you, it’s them.

A note on trends.

Trends can be fun, but most of the time when we see something unique and trendy we have a good idea immediately if it is going to last a while or be a passing fancy. For the most part, the items in your closet should be as timeless as you can manage. That being said, if you don’t feel happy or inspired in what you wear, you might find yourself going down a rabbit hole of overshopping or shopping for bad items that will not be worn. Every once in a while, if a trend really speaks to you and who you are, it’s ok to indulge in a piece or two. Just make sure that the item you’re going with fits you, is of high quality, and is a trend that works with your personal style and lifestyle.

Chances are, this item might be worn for a while to come if it is a piece that truly speaks to you. That piece for me are my mom jeans. After buying a pair that I really fell in love with, I bought another. I love the trend and so far it has lasted a couple years so it is here to stay for at least a little while. I wear them all of the time. Will I still wear them constantly five years from now? Probably not. Will I regret it? I don’t think so. On the other hand, that short romper with the attached skirt I bought three years ago; probably a regret. I didn’t have anywhere to really wear it, wore it once and didn’t quite feel 100% comfortable wearing it in public. Lesson learned. Trends can work, but only if it is 100% your style.

Shop used and second hand or borrow from a friend.

Buying something used is a wonderful way to recycle clothing, give back (if you’re shopping at a Good Will or charity shop), and still be able to sport “new” to you clothes without shopping brand new.

And if you have a special event or one-time gig that is outside of your fashion norm, you don’t always have to shop. Many items can be borrowed from a friend, sibling, cousin, or coworker.

Shop sustainably. 

If you do decide to shop for new, do your best to support brands that are sustainable. By that, I mean supporting brands that not only use sustainable materials such as hemp or organic cotton, but also have ethical design and production standards that benefit people (their workers) and the environment. You can also shop sustainably by buying high quality clothing that will be durable and last and avoiding fast fashion stores. You can also shop local. Support your local boutiques and businesses instead of chains.

Own items that are inspired by your lifestyle. 

Because I travel around New England often, I like wearing pieces that work well with the places I go and the activities I enjoy. For example, I spend much of my summer around the shoreline. Because of this, I know I like to wear a lot of sundresses, blue and white stripes, and a wide brim sun hat. Owning these items in my closet already keeps me from feeling the need to shop for them, and I reach for them constantly all summer long. During the warmer season I also spend much of my time at local lakes and kayaking. Having a rash guard with SPF 30 keeps me prepared and I own a few one piece suits that are well suited for the water activities I love. And because I also work in a conservative office environment, I own a couple neutral blazers that can mix and match with most of my favorite sundresses, turning my casual summer wear into office wear during the warmer months. My lifestyle inspires my closet and my closet in return inspires my lifestyle. It all comes full circle.

Questions to ask yourself when you do shop:

When you do feel the need to shop for new items, prepare yourself before you shop by knowing exactly what you need or are looking for by making a short list and sticking to it. While shopping, ask yourself the following questions. Is this an item on my list or is this an impulse buy? Do I really need this item? Does this item fit well and make me feel my best? Is this item in my budget? Is this item high quality? Is this an item I will wear often? Is this item sustainable? The answer to all of these questions should be a big yes.

Shop your closet. 

If you have everything that you need as well as several items that inspire you and that you absolutely love, then you will rarely find yourself needing to shop. Instead, you’re going to shop your closet. The goal is to love the clothing you already own so much that you rarely need to shop at all and to own everything that you need for your lifestyle. When you’re going to work you have clothing that fits your work environment, fits you well, and you feel really good wearing. When going out for an event you already have it covered. When participating in your weekly or monthly hobbies and activities, you already own clothing that inspires you and fits the activity well. You will already own clothing that works for every season where you live. This process of curating a closet that fits your life and inspires you takes time and will evolve as well.

To achieve this, I highly recommend going through what you already own and donating everything that you do not need or wear.  Then make a list of items that you truly need and items that you desperately want. Divide that list into seasons and when each season comes around (or at the end of the season when those items go on sale), purchase what you need. You do not need multiples of everything, just one will do. After one year you should have everything you truly need and want in your closet and you won’t really need to shop again except to replace items.

To shop your closet, simply look through what you already to own and be creative as you mix and match items to fit the look you’re going for. Sometimes it really can be that easy.

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