4 Ways I Identify What I Want to Purchase Next
there is beauty in pain
Even though spring is officially over a month away, I have been looking over my wishlist more often in anticipation of what I could add to my closet next season. As I sort through the possibilities, I thought I’d share four methods I use to balance what’s on the other side of my shopping cart.
1. Identify Pain Points
Take note of painful moments when getting dressed. I mean figurative pain by the way, not literal – please don’t wear anything that causes you physical pain! When I find myself saying “I wish I had X” to go with an outfit or “this would look better with Y,” I jot it down. The more I have the same thought with different outfits, the more importance and weight I give to that item.
2. Noteworthy List vs Wish List
Keep track of things that spark an interest. This is your place to be generous with yourself. I find this is the first step to identifying something I truly want vs an aspirational want. I categorize an aspirational want as a spark or something that initially catches your eye. This is where I’d put something you haven’t sat on and thought through for very long.
Based on how often I refer back to that item in my “Noteworthy List,” I then decide if I want to upgrade it to my wishlist.
Another key differentiator between the two: my wish list contains items I’m actively shopping for and keeping an eye out for. If I end up wanting to purchase something not on the wishlist, I reassess my wishlist entirely and see if any items need to be removed.
3. Daily Outfit Pictures
Take pictures of your outfits. This helps me on many different levels:
It tells me what I’m actually wearing vs what I’m avoiding — I believe we are all outfit repeaters on some level. Having images to see what you are actually wearing each day can help provide insight on if what you want to purchase would actually end up being worn.
It provides proof of gaps in my closet — in a similar vein to the first point, this helps with pain points you may encounter like wishing for X or Y to compliment an outfit often
It helps with the evolution of my style — I believe our personal style is constantly evolving because as humans our thoughts, desires and beliefs are constantly evolving. Our outward appearance can change just as much as our inner self does.
I recommend taking pictures of your outfits for at least a month and YES that includes the ones you don’t love or just threw on. This will help decipher between the you that is getting dressed everyday and if the items on your wishlist that match your current vs aspirational style.
Don’t get me wrong — I’m still a strong believer that our personal style is always evolving. It’s okay if some of your wishlist items are more aspirationally aligned. Incorporating an aspirational item requires a bit more sifting and thought to ensure that your current self can achieve the style you aspire to. You want to ensure what you’re buying can bridge the gap between your current style and your aspirational style. Otherwise, you’re probably doing yourself and your closet a disservice.
4. Give Myself Time
Time provides perspective in shopping. I pride myself on being an intentional shopper and an outfit repeater. So everything I buy, I want to be obsessed with. There have been many times where I’ve purchased things on a whim and I didn’t really end up loving it or wearing it as often as I thought I would. Giving myself space and ensuring enough time between initial desire to purchase helps remove the pain of those regretted, spur of the moment purchases.
Do you have tips on how you identify what you want to purchase? Let me know in the comments!
xx Ofelia
Ofelia--we might be the same person.
Love this- especially your process of identifying needs, creating an aspirational wishlist and then narrowing that down further.