Confessions of a Shopaholic That Will Actually Help You
Ah, the sweet smell of new clothes. There’s nothing quite like purchasing a piece that makes you glow from the inside out.
I have always loved to shop. I grew up scavenging Marshall’s racks on Saturday afternoons with my mom and sister. As I’ve grown older I’ve experienced many fashion transitions, from uniform to poorly and confused college freshman, to slightly better-dressed college senior (everyone loves a crop top), to trying to get a real job. Needless to say, my shopping preferences and most importantly my long-term priorities have changed.
Addict turned Expert
I will preface this by saying that yes, I do have an addiction to shopping. I think about clothes ALL the time. I would be the person to win $5,000 in a lottery and immediately take it to a Fendi store to buy this coat. Alas, that is not real life, and to create, maintain, and innovate a top-of-the-line wardrobe in your 20s is neither easy nor cheap. I also want to own a home one day and pay off my student loans, so, you know … conflict.
I have placed a high value on having a superior closet AND saving money. I used to think these were conflicting priorities until I worked in retail and found a way to keep my closet fresh, my financial goals in check, and my sanity intact. It took me 8 years to collect this treasure trove of secrets, and like 2 weeks to try to write this and synthesize it. It may not seem like the most crucial take of the current moment, but I feel it’s important to spill the tea on how to make shopping an accessible, non-intimidating activity. Clothes are supposed to make you feel good, so the process of finding ones that work for you should be enjoyable. Fashion is a deeply personal and subjective hobby. Everyone has a sense of style, everyone is fashionable.
If you are worried about my qualifications, that’s good! You’re a skeptic and I already like you. I’ve been on all sides of the coin — a purchaser, a buyer, a seller, and even a sales associate that makes commission — and it’s been an eye-opening journey.
Here’s a little bit about me:
I worked as an admin at Stussy when I was 19, processing and filing forms. Thrilling, I know. While I was there, I witnessed how t-shirts were designed and then sold at like $50 each. Let me tell you, anyone can do it. No matter the price of a t-shirt please remember it’s just a t-shirt.
I worked as a buyer at the Buffalo Exchange in Costa Mesa. The Buffalo Exchange is a buy, sell, trade store for used clothing where all are welcome to shop. It’s a great way of cleaning out your closet while being environmentally friendly. This was like The. Best. Job. Ever. I was directly responsible for the merchandise coming in and out of the store. And I’ll tell ya, people get rid of some good shit.
Nordstrom showed me the direct relationship between customer service and purchase power. As a sales associate and social media coordinator, I saw the work it takes to really SELL a product. I also learned that almost everything in a store will go on sale eventually.
And my final and most important qualification: my own personal style is cute AF. So, if you’re still with me after that dump of personal information, I commend you, and let’s get started.
1. Start with a goal
Great, you’re going shopping! How fun! Grab a coffee, grab a friend. But why? What are you going shopping for? If you’re like me or are any fun at all, you shop for sport. It’s all about what you can find. What’s NEW? What’s SHINEY? This is extremely relatable, and can also be an unhealthy way of spending money you don’t have.
Pro Tip: Know what’s in your closet. Look for what needs updating. What could you add to your already fantastic collection? Does your white tee have yellow pit marks? Do you only own skinny jeans? Great! You have a goal!
Of course, leisure shopping is okay! #selfcare. But when balling on a serious budget (like moi), sometimes that isn’t the most practical. Which brings me to…
2. Do your research
What’s trending? What’s the season? What is a season? (I’m from California, that joke never gets old). These all affect the best times to hunt, I mean, shop — especially vintage. Look online before you go to stores. Sometimes you can find sale pieces that offer a price not yet offered in stores; sales associates will adjust them accordingly. The best sales come right after the holidays — Black Friday for example. (But also Christmas, Memorial day, 4th of July, you get it). Sales follow the seasons. Spring goes on sale when new summer collections come out, so on and so forth. Beautiful, but dangerous knowledge.
3. Buy used + vintage/ Thrift your heart out/ RECYCLE
I have a deep, deep affinity for thrift and vintage stores. Some of my best buys both fiscally, and physically, are because of thrift stores. I bought a leather jacket for 30 dollars at a thrift store. THIRTY F***ING DOLLARS. Genuine leather. Thrift stores acquire unique pieces and if you score the right ones, it can be IMMENSELY cheaper, more stylish, and more price appropriate. Besides, you’re basically recycling. Live in the thrill, thrift your heart out.
4. Don’t like buying vintage/don’t have time? Here’s how to shop brick and mortar like a pro.
Become friends with a sales associate. Shopping is a team sport! Befriending a sales associate is like being nice to a server at a restaurant. It’s a symbiotic relationship. Trust me, I hate talking to people too, but they probably know a lot more about the inventory than you do. I especially advise this strategy if you are shopping at a specific store regularly. Ask questions! How things fit, if brands run big or small, if it will go on sale, if this is a replenishment piece (meaning the vendor will be sending in more), or if it will sell out. Maybe they can do a price adjustment if it goes on sale, or order you a different size if it isn’t in the store.
It’s about quality NOT quantity. Trust me. Still trying to master this one. It’s really hard to not buy two pairs of Topshop jeans for $180 in comparison to paying $250 for one pair of Frame jeans. That cash-money difference is visually quantified by how long those jeans last. That’s called financial longevity people! It’s exactly why I’m so obsessed with vintage. Look how long those pieces have been kickin’ it! I mean it is all about balance — buy that $10 Target tee to go with your $225 denim. Balance is good!
Pro tip: Recognize your go-to, favorite, never wash pieces. Are you obsessed with jeans like me? Do you get aroused when you hold a perfectly constructed jacket? You have found your investment pieces. Proceed with caution.
5. Other random tips:
· I was taught this beautiful “value” concept from my friend Haley. She said when justifying a purchase, identify the dollar amount as a scale of “usage.” So, if a pair of pants is, let’s say $150, you can justify the price based on the number of approximated times you will wear or use that item. Will you wear those jeans 150 times? Probably, if you’re me. Therefore they are of value and you MUST purchase. I used this scale when I buy sunglasses.
· Stop thinking colors don’t go together. ALL colors are created equal. Same with textures. All colors and textures go together. Unlearn this idea that you can’t wear certain colors with your hair or skin tone. Instead, mix it with colors that DO work for you. The unfortunate truth is you just have to keep trying shit on until the colors and textures look nice together. Actually that’s a great life motto — keep trying shit on.
· If something doesn’t fit you 100% correctly, don’t buy it. That easy. UNLESS! You are willing to get it tailored. I highly recommend tailoring all your clothes if they don’t come correct, especially vintage, considering they will rarely fit you perfectly. Most stores like Nordstrom or Macy’s offer in-store alterations, sometimes for free, while vintage or buy/sell/trade stores probably can recommend somewhere local that’s bomb.
· Unsure of something? See if they’ll hold it for you. The more time you have to think about it the better. Putting distance between yourself and an object will help you decide if you like it (that statement works for all aspects in one’s life). Can’t stop thinking about it? Good thing you can run back there and grab it! Totally forgot about it? Perfect, you don’t actually need it.
· Finally, I would like to say that we are all not perfect. We get buyer’s remorse about things purchased in the past, and that’s okay! Making mistakes is okay; reinvention is everywhere in the fashion world. Donate, Poshmark, ThredUP — there are plenty of outlets to get your investment back!
Now glow the f-up with these unasked-for tips and tricks!
