Do you really need that? – things to keep in mind when clothes shopping
Browsing aimlessly through aisles of your favourite clothing store can lead to impulse purchases and unaccounted expenses in your budget. Here are some things you should talk yourself through to think rationally before swiping that card!
What are your needs?
Some people value clothes shopping more than others, viewing it as an important extension of expressing themselves. Looking at your personal lifestyle, how much of your monthly budget do you think is a sensible value to go into clothing? Do you have enough to cover other expenses (eg. groceries, bills)? Try setting a value of how much you want to be spending on clothing each month, and use that as a goal to not spend over.
Of course, your spending on clothes will fluctuate. During the colder months, you might need to buy more clothes for layering, or invest in thicker coats. There might be instances where you need something new for a special occasion, or you need to replace some old T-shirts that are worn out. This leads me to my next point: looking at what you already have in your current closet.
What do you already have?
Although buying and wearing new clothes is always fun, always keep your current inventory in mind before making the purchase. Personally, I love a knitted cardigan, and will always be tempted to buy one any time I see it online/in a store. You might have items you love buying over and over again as well. Asking yourself about the necessity of the item you’re considering is a good strategy to keep rational about your spending.
Sometimes you may see something in a store that you know you don’t have. However, think about how often you will be wearing it. Is it more of a ‘statement’ piece you know you’ll wear once and never again? Or is it a basic piece that you know you will utilize lots when layering? The idea of capsule closets have been a buzz in recent years. This blog post goes over creating a capsule closet in a university context that gives many helpful tips. Of course, creating a new closet from scratch is not appropriate, but this may give you inspiration when it comes to closet organization and thinking of what clothing items to invest in.
Special occasions such as a ball or a conference may evoke the pressure to buy something new – everyone wants to dress to impress! Though, try looking at your closet as a first step. Is there anything you can revamp or DIY to create a new look? There are plenty of clothing hacks on Pinterest and TikTok that might give you ideas on how to upgrade your current items of clothing without spending a penny.
Is there any way you can get the item for cheaper?
In the case that you’ve decided you need a new item of clothing, there might be alternatives which result in cheaper purchases if your budget is looking tight.
Consider buying secondhand. Whether this be from charity shops or online platforms such as Vinted, buying secondhand can cut costs which come from buying firsthand. Using these apps, you can also list and sell any old clothes sitting at the back of your closet as well! This is a good way to clear out your closet, make some extra cash, and use that to invest in other things such as new clothes.
On the note of secondhand items, clothing swaps are also a fun way to enhance your closet. St AndReuse host clothing swap events within St Andrews, which might be fun to check out! Also, try asking your friends if they have any items they want to swap with yours, or if you can borrow an item of theirs for a special occasion.
Lastly, keep a look out for any and all discounts. Some online shops have huge discounts near holidays or particular days (eg. Black Friday), so timing when you buy clothes might help you save as well. Student discount websites such as UNiDAYS and Student Beans often have deals at your favourite brands, so always check before buying! Even if the discount seems small, every little bit counts. If you’re shopping in person and aren’t sure if they offer student discounts, don’t be shy to ask before making that purchase.
Sometimes it’s okay to splurge…
We all have those days where we just have the urge to shop. If it’s something you’ve been saving up for a long time, 100% go for it if you know you’ll definitely be using the item lots. However, if it’s an impulse purchase for something that you might not actually need… still go for it (occasionally)! As long as you know you have enough money to spend on necessities such as food and rent, treating yourself to a piece of clothing won’t hurt. Be responsible!
Happy budgeting 🙂