But while the odd new statement candle may not make a major dent in your savings, if you, like us, are teetering on the edge of a major ‘treat yo’ self’ rabbit hole, then you may need to take a step back and reevaluate your approach to shopping.
If you’re partial to a change-of-season shopping spree, the best way to make sure you don’t end up with a huge bout of buyer’s remorse — or a pile of unnecessary debt — is to take a few factors into consideration before diving headfirst into a purchase.
And while you may not need to apply the same thought process to every spend, getting into the habit of sitting on a purchase before biting the bullet can save you loads and set you up to be more financially savvy post-lockdowns.
To offer guidance on how to determine the value and longevity of an item, we’ve compiled a list of factors to help determine whether or not it’s actually worth your cash.
Read on for some sage shopping advice that may help you save a few pennies.
Since then, I’ve always made a point to do a bit more research into the fabrics that are worth splurging on.
Though it depends on what you’re shopping for, it’s not that common to see fabric that’s 100% anything these days. And you’re not being ripped off if you do pay a little more for an item that does happen to contain some synthetic materials, but it’s worth taking into consideration just how much of it is made with materials that aren’t guaranteed to last long.
Natural materials that understandably drive up prices are cashmere, merino wool, silk, leather, suede, down, alpaca and angora wool. Of course, these are mostly non-vegan and as such, it’s important to identify where these materials are coming from.
Mid-range fabrics include cotton (depending on the percentage and the source), Japanese denim, linen, hemp, bamboo and Tencel. Though these are plant-based and natural, they can require plenty of chemicals to produce. Tencel is actually synthetic, but since it’s made in a way that recycles chemicals, the fabric can be more expensive.
The common synthetics you’ll find that should only make up a fraction of expensive items include acrylic, viscose, elastane, spandex, lycra, nylon, polyamide and polyester.
We don’t all need to subscribe to the capsule wardrobe method, but if you’re going to spend half your take-home pay for the week on a pair of lime green flared trousers, it’s worth doing some research on the brand and its resale value on sites like Vestiare Collective so you can take into consideration what you may be able to make back on it once you’ve decided to move on. Sometimes, you’ll find that you can even profit from a purchase!
There are plenty of organisations that take the guesswork out of it, too. The Iconic has a Considered Edit that filters your search so that you’re only shopping clothing that has been made using better practices, and there are sites like Good On You that round up and rate brands based on a slew of ethical criteria. From providing safe working conditions for their staff to utilising natural, sustainable materials, there are plenty of wider-world impacts to consider when shopping.
And in today’s politically divisive climate, we can even see where many brands put their money with sites like Progressive Shopper that shows which political parties large corporations like IKEA and Gucci contribute their funds towards.
Firstly, it’s never, ever a good idea to purchase clothing that doesn’t fit right, or only fits if you don’t sit down or eat lunch. As Refinery29 writer Connie Wang says, “Buying clothes that don’t fit with the assumption that they may fit if you do a bunch of things that aren’t that fun is a terrible idea.”
Which brings me to my next point. While there’s merit in shopping for items that bring you joy, if you’re trying not to get carried away, make sure that you can see this item realistically fitting into your life. Not just in terms of your lifestyle, but also with the rest of your wardrobe. That sequined halter top is great, but would you benefit more from the coat you really need this season or some updated trainers that you’ll wear every day? (Probably.)
It’s easy to flick through new catalogues or peruse runways and get caught up with the aspirational side of fashion. One way to combat this dreamier approach and save your pennies — even if that top is 70% off its original RRP — is to picture wearing it with at least five outfits and ask yourself if you’d be comfortable wearing it thirty times.
More often than not, your friends know your dressing habits better than you, and if they’re saying you’ll never wear that skirt, they’re probably right.
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