8 tips to change your shopping habits

My babies! I am really really passionate about this topic. It is something that I truly feel I am making a change in and I feel very proud. One thing I don’t like to do is compare myself to others when it comes to having a sustainable closet. Atm I live with the clothes that I’ve had purchased from years ago mostly. I also have been making some pieces from scratch, modifying and mend things I already have. And finally, I purchase stuff only when I know I’ll use them over and over again. And I am just now starting to dip my toe into the secondhand shopping world. All of this are tips to change your shopping habits.

Everybody’s journey is different, but what’s important is to be mindful of the consequences the fashion industry has on our environment. I also understand how hard it is to grasp the importance of your purchases, but trust me they are important.

For those who haven’t started but want to, I’m sharing 8 tips to change your shopping habits that will help you get comfy. This might come very useful if you want to enter the #NothingNewNovember challenge that Laura Madden is organizing. It is a great way to start. It lasts all through November and the point is to not purchase anything that is not second hand. You can check more about it at Laura’s blog here.

FROM MY EXPERIENCE…

First of all, we need to get that the world is not ending because you don’t buy the latest trend. This is unconscious but media constantly bombards us with stuff that we “need” to have in order to be happy. The truth is that you don’t.

I am not going to lie. At the beginning, I would get anxious even scrolling through Instagram. As time went by, I started to understand and interpret all of that and make it work with my new lifestyle.

NOW, ON TO THE GOOD STUFF!

You can use all these tips to change your shopping habits or just use the ones that you feel fit your journey. These go past the obvious, so hopefully they will be better markers for you to get started.

MY FIRST TIP would be to stick to classic styles. It is true that no matter the trends, a classic top or pant will never look outdated. I realized that from my closet, the classic pieces where the ones that I wore more often.

SECOND TIP would be about colors. I don’t usually like a lot of color in my wardrobe. I like to stick to white, creams, camel, grey, blush and black. These colors are very easy to combine with each other and always make me feel put together and happy. It doesn’t mean that you have to stick to this color palette, but stick to the colors that you will use more and make you the happiest. For example I hate brown clothes so I steer clear from them.

THIRD TIP, choose your accessories wisely. I had a pretty large collection of shoes and purses, but I barely ever used most of them. What is the point of having all of those, wasting space in your closet, for nothing. I found that keeping my clothes on the neutral side, I can go a little crazy with the bags and be into the outfit.

One example, I have this super bright, almost neon yellow purse that happens to look great with almost any outfit. I got it maybe 5 years ago, and it is still one of my favorites. The style is classic but the color gives it that edge that sometimes you are looking for. As for shoes, these are the ones that I feel change more often when the trends come and go.

I sure can appreciate a killer heel, but I don’t have many places where I’d wear them. So I have only a few pairs that are in constant rotation for nights out and special events. Like my wedding shoes, which I purchased with the intention of using them over and over.

FOURTH TIP, clothes swap parties! I unintentionally started doing this with my friends back in Dallas. If one of us was moving, the rest would come and help, and while packing the closets, we would go over the piles. Usually a little tipsy, but also with clothes that where in great condition. This is also a great way to meet new people, give your clothes a new home and find something to take home.

FIFTH TIP, buy secondhand. I will admit this is new for me. I had way too much clothes that I got to use for so long, that I didn’t need to get new ones. But now that those clothes are coming to the end of their lifetime, I am getting starting to get new things. Personally I love scrolling through Poshmark and I actually have had my closet for a good four years at least. It is a great way to find stuff that has been gently used, or even never used (some still with tags on). What I like about it is how easy it is to search for something specific, instead of having to go through aisles and aisles of clothes. But, if you prefer to see things live, secondhand stores have a great selection.

SIXTH TIP, Mend the clothes that you already have so you can love them again. Example, I had bought a skirt at Target that I was obsessed with, but it was too big for me. It sat on my closet for probably a year and I had already made up my mind that that skirt was going to be just another piece that was going to sit in my closet for nothing.

Then, I decided to take matters to my own hands, it involved setting up my sewing machine and making some gatherings at the top. It took me probably 10 minutes, and the skirt now fits like a glove. That got me thinking of what other stuff I had in my closet that I wasn’t wearing because it didn’t fit well, and well surprise surprise I had quite a few things. I ended up fixing another skirt, some bikini bottoms, a top that was too big, and I even fixed some things of L. Doing this gave me the confidence to do the next tip.

SEVENTH TIP, make your own clothes! I don’t think there is something more satisfying than feeling like you can do something by yourself. I started by making a dress with a friend that I have shared over and over again. It wasn’t easy but it was a blast to make it together. Then I made a skirt with my mom and a bralette, and two summer tops by myself. They are not complicated and in fact for most you don’t even need a pattern. But to be honest, I am very proud of myself because even though they are simple, they have turned into staples in my closet. So, I encourage all to get past that fear and start sewing! Pinterest has such great ideas.

EIGHT TIP, Make outfits out from your Pinterest fashion board with the things you have in your closet! I don’t know about you but sometimes I just can’t seem to think of different combinations with the clothes I have, so I end up wearing the same thing over and over again. Pinterest has shed a new light on my closet. I now can create outfits I like with the things I already have, and it is awesome, it is like having more clothes than you really have. And also, Pinterest let’s me see the pattern that I am following, so for example, I don’t have a tan sweater but I seem to be pinning outfits with tan sweaters, so next time I purchase something, it will be a tan sweater. Not a green, pink, yellow or a black one, but a tan sweater.

So that is it! I hope you find these tips to change your shopping habits useful for your journey towards a more conscious closet and a more sustainable life. Also, if you have any other tips, leave me a comment! I would love to hear them all.