Q: I think having a capsule wardrobe depends on having the perfect striped top or the perfect midi-skirt as opposed to having “meh” or “not quite right” items. Do you have specific shopping strategies to know what items are going to be just right? –Mary Beth
A: So true, and awesome question, Mary Beth! Here are my 5 main strategies to shop smart:
Create a list of your go-to brands.
Having a list of go-to brands is like having a secret weapon. Think about it–brands design with their ideal client in mind, and you better believe they have her profiled in detail. They know her body type, her style, and her price range.
There are literally thousands of brands out there and they each target a different type of person. So your brands are out there! Explore one brand at a time on sites like Piperlime or Polyvore. When you find one that screams you, add it to your list and make notes about the specific things that fit you there. When you’re in need of a party dress, just check your list and rely on your brand. You’ll save so much time.
For example, here are a few from my brand list:
Zara: jackets, layers, party dresses
Rebecca Minkoff: anything
Madewell: accessories, tops, dresses
Dolce Vita & Aldo: shoes
And one last thought about getting the right pieces. When you stick with quality brands, you’ve got insurance–you can be sure that the pieces you buy will be quality.
Ask yourself, “Would I reach for this over my {insert favorite piece of clothing here}?”
When I went shopping, I’d ask myself, “Would I reach for this over my chambray shirt?” I seriously could wear chambray every single day, so if I wouldn’t reach for it over that staple then I knew I’d never wear it–back on the rack it went. This little trick went a long way in preventing shopping regrets.
Identify where you’d wear each piece.
You know the old shopping advice, “If you love it, get it”? I can’t tell you how many bad purchases I made following that advice. Loving it doesn’t mean it’ll fit into your lifestyle. And loving it in a dressing room doesn’t mean you’ll love it at a restaurant.
So, try this advice instead: “If you love it, identify where you’d wear it.”
Okay, that doesn’t sound near as catchy. Eh, I tried.
Anyway, get specific. Think of places, events, and times of the day. If you can’t envision yourself wearing it to your regular spots around town, put it back on the rack.
Ask yourself, “If I can only have one, would it be this one?”
This is just a little mind trick. Even in my capsule wardrobe of 37 pieces, I have plenty of room for more than just one striped shirt, just one maxi dress, just one pair of dark jeans. But I always find clarity when I play this game with my mind. If I can only have one striped shirt, I’m going to forgo the stiff Forever 21 shirt and get the flowy Gap one instead.
Just a quick note: play this game in the boundaries of your budget to get an accurate answer from yourself. Because sure, if we could only have one purse it would be Marc Jacobs. But that answer won’t help if a Marc Jacobs bag isn’t in the budget.
Gather your pieces in an Amazon Wishlist before you buy.
(a) This helps you budget.
(b) This helps you see if your pieces will work together as a whole.
(c) This helps you make purposeful purchases.
Here’s how I do it: About halfway through a season, I start window shopping for the next season. When I find pieces I think I want, I add them to my Amazon Wishlist with the universal button. When it’s time to start the next season, I make edits based on my budget and then purchase what’s left on the list.
BONUS: Use the free Unfancy wardrobe planner to pinpoint your style + shopping needs before you hit the stores. Get it here.
Do you have a question you’d love to see featured here next week? Ask away in the comments section!
Hi Caroline. As much as I love outfit posts, I do so love these “theory” posts.
I was introduced to point 2 a year ago, and make a habit of living by this concept today. Both with differing clothes/outfits (which do I love more), as well as the ‘same’ item, eg. if you own 2 black jackets you’ll always opt to wear your favourite, the other becomes nothing more than wardrobe filler. Release it.
You’ve got me thinking about point 1. I have some shops I regularly browse in, but always strike out. Items are never my shape or colourings, and ha ha, they never will be! (Light bulb moment). Thank you.
I still do shop with the “do I LOVE it?” thought, but the item has to tick all the boxes AND have me love it, to make it to purchase status. Objective shopping with emotion as the cherry on top :)
Hi Caroline!
These are great tips! I LOVE Amazon (hello, Prime!) How did I not know that I could use it for a universal wishlist!? This is awesome! Thanks for introducing me to that. It’s going to make planning for my next capsule wardrobe so much easier! And It’s going to be such a good way to budget (hey Dave Ramsey)!
You are such a gem for all your awesome tips and outfit ideas! :)
This is a great post! Such wonderful tips and ideas. Question for you: what do you do if you live in an area with limited access to stores? We don’t have Gap, JCrew, LOFT, Madewell, etc. etc. We have a small mall, Target, Kohl’s, etc, but I really can’t buy stuff online constantly that needs to be returned (and pay the return shipping) due to size/fit issues or because it isn’t exactly what I am looking for – and I’m trying so hard not to keep so-so pieces! :) One example: I have been shopping for a gray tee that is the exact fit I am looking for, better quality, and the right neckline and I am striking out! Very frustrating to be looking for such a simple piece and not have luck. I am really enjoying your blog and all your thoughts on this topic. Thank you!! :)
Hi Carly! Thanks for your comment. :) I can totally relate–I used to live in a small town where I didn’t have access to higher quality stores/brands. Here are my thoughts: If you’re going by the Unfancy rules, you’re probably only shopping once every three months anyway. So maybe try scheduling a quick day trip to the nearby big city and do all your shopping in one day. One quick tip: shop online before you go and pick out some favorite pieces you know you want to try. That’ll give you some direction. Then you only have to go once every three months and you don’t have to waste money on shipping. :) xoxo Caroline
Nordstrom has free shipping to and fro so look there for better quality online :)
Do you have a favorite place to shop for jeans? I have the hardest time finding jeans that fit because I’m short and am fairly straight through the hips. The jeans I buy always seem to stretch out easily, too. My dresser drawer is full of jeans I hate, but I keep them because I don’t know what else to do.
Hi Caroline,
Thank you for this helpful article. Especially wishlists are great to sleep one more night about a pending buying decision. There are so many things you don’t really need as soon as you have enough time to reflect your wishlist.
As you mentioned above there are clothes and events. Sometimes we have 4 evening dresses but we join the right parties only twice a year. Solution 1: Buying less dresses. Solution 2: More party nights ;-)
All the best