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FIND YOUR STYLE, FIND YOUR CONFIDENCE

Shopping Rut: 5 Easy Tips to Break Buying Habits

Two fashionable women striking a pose outdoors near the airport, after breaking their shopping rut with an exciting trip.

Freepik / Svetlanasokolova

Do you feel like you’re stuck in a shopping rut, buying the same clothes and getting bored with your wardrobe?

Or are you tired of purchasing clothes you never end up wearing?

With these 5 simple tips, you can break out of your shopping rut and find new pieces to add to your wardrobe!

Say goodbye to your shopping rut and hello to a refreshed style!

Tip 1: Make a List of Items You Need

Delighted young woman using a smartphone and carrying shopping bags, breaking free from her shopping rut.

Before you shop, it’s important to have a clear idea of what you need.

You need to create a list of the clothes you regularly wear by going through your closet. This will help you accurately identify what you need.

Here are some steps to take:

  • Create a prioritized list of clothes you need and wear

  • Use a list-making app or physical list to stay organized and avoid impulse buying

  • Consider sales and coupons when grouping similar items

Tip 2: Shop in Different Places

Mid-range view of a woman shopping at a local retail store.

Shop in new stores and boutiques, this can introduce new styles, brands, and unique clothing to your collection, helping you get out of your rut.

  • Shop different stores such as outlets, thrift shops, or flea markets to discover new styles and trends.

  • Search for clothes you need or want and look for stores that specialize in them

  • Support small businesses and independent designers by browsing sites like Etsy

Tip 3: Take a break

Person drinking beverage while in break time

Shopping can be overwhelming, take a break if you need it. This will help you to focus and choose the clothes you really need or love. It is easy to spend too much money when there are tons of options available.

Reflecting on Your Spending Habits

Taking a break from buying clothes and reflecting on spending habits can help you assess needs, wants, and budgets.

It also allows reflection on consumer behavior and can lead to making better purchasing decisions in the future.

Tips for Reflecting on Spending Habits

There are various approaches to consider your spending habits and consumer behavior, such as maintaining a spending diary or creating a budget.

Keeping a spending diary can help you track where you’re spending and make adjustments accordingly.

Creating a budget and sticking to it is an essential step to monitor your spending and ensure that you’re making progress towards your financial objectives.

Tip 4: Rent or borrow items instead of buying

Smiley woman selling clothes online medium shot

Rent or borrow clothes to save money and get the clothing you want for a specific outfit or event without paying full price.

You can rent clothing and accessories you love from places like Rent the Runway or Le Tote.

Borrowing items from friends or family members instead of buying them yourself can help you try different styles without committing completely.

You can also wear the clothes you want without paying full price by renting or borrowing them.

Discovering Styles and Trends Without Buying

Captivating portrait of an elegant, fashionable young woman.

Explore new styles and trends by following fashion bloggers.

Follow a day or week in their life to peek into their wardrobe, see how they dress and draw outfit inspirations!

A few Fashion Bloggers to follow:

Aimee Song (@aimeesong)

A well-known blogger, Instagram influencer, and designer based in Los Angeles. She has a popular blog, Song of Style, where she shares her style, fashion, and accessories tips.

Chriselle Lim (@chrisellelim)

Chriselle Lim is a blogger and stylist based in Los Angeles. She runs a popular lifestyle blog, The Chriselle Factor, and has a strong presence on Instagram, where she shares her style, beauty tips, and motherhood journey.

Blair Eadie (@blaireadiebee)

Blair Eadie is a blogger and stylist based in New York City.

She runs a popular blog, Atlantic-Pacific, where she shares her style, fashion tips, and travel experiences.

She is known for her preppy and colorful style.

Camila Coelho (@camilacoelho)

Camila Coelho is a Brazilian blogger and influencer.

She has a popular blog, Camila Coelho, where she shares her style, beauty tips, and travel experiences.

Camila is known for her feminine, sophisticated, and always on-trend style.

Negin Mirsalehi (@negin_mirsalehi)

Negin Mirsalehi is a beauty blogger based in Amsterdam.

Her blog and YouTube channel are widely followed, where she offers tips and tricks on fashion and beauty.

Negin is known for her glamorous and sophisticated style.

Danielle Bernstein (@weworewhat)

Take a peek into Danielle Bernstein’s closet! She is a blogger and entrepreneur based in New York City.

She runs a popular blog, We Wore What, where she shares her personal style tips, and travel experiences.

She is known for her street style and her own clothing line, Second Skin Overalls.

Kristina Bazan (@kristinabazan)

Kristina Bazan is a Swiss blogger and influencer.

She has a popular blog, Kayture, where she shares her personal style, beauty tips, and travel experiences.

Kristina is known for her elegant and feminine style.

Tamara Kalinic (@tamara)

Tamara Kalinic is a blogger and influencer based in Serbia.

She has a popular blog, Glam and Glitter, where she shares her outfit ideas, beauty tips, and travel experiences.

Tamara is known for her chic and effortless style.

Helena Bordon (@helenabordon)

Helena Bordon is a Brazilian blogger and influencer based in São Paulo known for her colorful and Bohemian sense of style, she runs a popular blog called Hélo in Wonder.

Tip 5: Making Shopping a Social Activity

Image of a group of tourists engaged in a social activity, using a map to navigate the city.

Going shopping doesn’t have to be a solo activity all the time.

  • Invite friends or family to shop with you to make it a fun social activity

  • Get feedback and advice from others on what looks good and what doesn’t

  • Make a fun day out of it by going to lunch or grabbing drinks after shopping.

Conclusion

By taking a fresh approach and trying new things, you can get yourself out of any style rut. Try out these five easy tips to refresh your wardrobe and find new pieces to add.

Create a shopping list and explore different stores to discover new styles and trends.

Take a break from shopping to reflect on your spending habits and make better purchasing decisions.

And don’t forget to rent or borrow clothes, follow fashion bloggers for inspiration, and turn shopping into a fun social activity with friends. With these tips, you can make your shopping experience exciting and fulfilling.

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