If there’s one skill that I’ve honed in on over the years, it’s starting my journey with capsule wardrobes. However, when I first looked into it, I had to curb my shopping addiction first. That’s why I had to just stop buying so many clothes that I never seemed to wear. Here are 5 ways to buy less clothing that I’ve taken from years of streamlining my wardrobe.
Try a no-buy challenge for three months
There’s nothing more motivating than a challenge, and if you really want to make it hard, try not buying any clothes for three months. When I’ve done this previously, I’ve done it during autumn or winter, because my wardrobes are filled with enough sweatshirts and long-sleeved tops. Maybe you’re more of a summer person, and could do with decluttering your selection of dresses, tops and shorts?
The idea is to not buy any new clothing for three months unless it’s an absolute emergency (the only pair of jeans you own has a hole in the crotch, your waterproof jacket is no longer waterproof or your winter boots’ sole pulls away from the rest of the boot). Make notes about which pieces you keep reaching for, and which outfits become your go-tos. If you’ve not worn an item for three months, it’s probably a sign it should go.
It’s also a good idea to make tabs on any gaps in your wardrobe. Maybe it’s coming up to spring, and you realise all of your denim is dark wash, or you could replace your boots next autumn. You can make a wishlist for the upcoming season, as well as a list of the items you want to replace for this time next year.
Whilst I recommend not going shopping at all during your challenge, it can be a good time to go in the last couple of weeks to see what’s available. However, you can still go window shopping and try items on if you have the willpower not to buy.
Shop your own wardrobe
One of my favourite ways to buy less clothing is to monitor my actual wardrobe. In order to do this, I turn all my coat hangers one way. Then whenever I wear an item, wash it and return it, I’ll turn the coat hanger the other way around. It’s a visual way to actually see what you’re wearing and what you’re not.
Obviously, it might need to be altered if you keep all of your seasonal clothing, which is why I love capsule wardrobes. Personally, I like to pack away my out-of-season clothes, so I have more space to see my options. When you have a limited selection, it forces you to create new outfits that you might not have thought of before. It also makes it so much easier to learn which items are your go-tos and which ones can get gone!
Focus on staples first
Now I’m sure you’ve seen plenty of capsule wardrobe inspiration focused on neutrals and basics. However, a staple for you could mean lots of colours and prints. Whilst I’m a basics girlie, floral print might be a staple for you.
Think about your favourite pieces currently in your wardrobe, those items that you’d grab instantly if your house were on fire. Why do you love those pieces specifically? Is it the fit, the fabric, the style, the colour or print, or that it just goes with the rest of your wardrobe? That’s what I would consider a staple, whether the fashion influencers tell you it is or not!
For example, some of my staples include:
- Loose-fitting T-shirts in multiple colours (usually from Uniqlo or M&S)
- Oversized T-shirts of my favourite bands and sports teams
- Long-sleeved striped tops (mostly from FatFace)
- Jeans/trousers with an elasticated or a drawstring waist (mostly from Uniqlo)
- Neutral-coloured leather trainers (usually from Hotter)
- Lightweight bomber jackets in my favourite colours (from M&S)
- A collection of oversized sweatshirts (a mixture of high street and independents)
- Numerous Uniqlo-dupe bags (all from Primark)
As you can see, they’re not typically trendy items, but I’ve collated them over the years, and I wear them most days. None of my items is that expensive either, but I do believe in quality over quantity. 90% of my wardrobe is from Uniqlo or M&S, because they’re decent quality but at a reasonable price point. Most capsule wardrobe influencers would turn their noses up at my slogan T-shirts and Hotter shoes, but they’re my staples that I get plenty of wear out of, so I’m okay with that! Of all the 5 ways to buy less clothing, this is my favourite, because it’s making your wardrobe work for you.
Try a one-in, one-out rule
If you’re a shopaholic, one of the easiest ways to buy less clothing is to simply not go on any more shopping hauls. Instead, implementing a one-in, one-out rule is a great way to start modifying your wardrobe. The principle is that whenever you buy something new, you need to get rid of something (preferably in the same category). However, I prefer to do it the other way around and get rid of something first! That way, you know that you have the capacity to replace something, not just buy something just because you can.
Resist temptation
That means avoiding shopping as much as you can, deleting the apps of your favourite stores, unfollowing your favourite brands on social media and unsubscribing from their emails. Basically, go cold turkey to stop any temptation to purchase any clothing. With that being said, find yourself a hobby because it’s so hard not to buy things!
One thing I used to do in the early days was whenever I caught myself trying to online shop, I’d transfer the amount I’d planned on spending into a savings account. Trust me, once you see that balance increasing, you’ll decide to spend it on something else instead. I saved the money and bought a new laptop back in the day!
And those are my top 5 ways to buy less clothing. I’ll admit it’s a struggle in the early days, but if you can stick with it, you can definitely feel like it’s making a difference. It’s a great way to rediscover your style, as well as increase your savings, too.
If you enjoyed this post, all about my favourite 5 ways to buy less clothing, you can check out my other capsule wardrobe content here. Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok too.
