Have you ever found yourself totally regretting a purchase? You wasted time and money to drive to the store, search for the right item, undress in the fitting room and try the item on. Despite having a vague reservation about the item you purchase it only to realize later that it was a horrible mistake.

We’ve all purchased items, wasting our time and money on clothing items that weren’t right for us. Getting rid of these items seems particularly hard because there’s a feeling that you’ve already invested, so you need to make it work. I get that. I’ve been there, even recently, but you don’t have to keep making this mistake. You can learn how to make purchases that you love and that love you back 90% of the time.

We’re talking about how to avoid making purchases you don’t love.

Using your style manifesto to avoid making purchases you don’t love

Run each item through your Style Manifesto.

Haven’t figured out your Style Manifesto yet? Download the workbook that will walk you through it all. Grab “How To Dress Like A French Girl” here.

Your Style Manifesto is a document that I created to help you figure out your personal style rules, likes, dislikes, and ideal look. Every potential purchase can now be run through your personal checklist to see if really makes the cut.

https://youtu.be/tFKBjxfWEsk

Trust your instincts

Does the garment you’re eyeing fall in line with the colors and shapes you need and want? How about fabrics?

If you have a gut sense that a certain item won’t work for whatever reason, trust your gut instinct on this. Ask yourself some of these questions when you’re shopping.

Could you see your style icon wearing it? Do you need to buy another garment to make it work? Are you buying it just because it’s on sale and a good deal for what it is?

What’s your emotional state at the moment? Are you buying this out of a need you have in wardrobe or out of boredom, guilt, or because you’re with someone else who is shopping? Do you have a real need for this item?

How is this item going to serve you?

Think about what these material things are going to do for you on a practical level. Because if these things aren’t serving you, they really are just taking up space and could be better used by someone else who really loves or needs them.

Don’t be afraid to try on multiple time, buy it, and return if you need to. There are very few style mistakes you can’t recover from my friend. Explore and experiment!

I really hope this has helped you get at least a little bit more clarity on how to avoid making purchases that you don’t love. Be sure to join the Simple Style Facebook community where you can get style advice from me, receive recommendations, learn about how to develop your personal style in more depth, and of course avoid making purchases you don’t love.