I'm a Fashion Editor, and This Is What I'm Doing to Ditch My Bad Shopping Habits

I'm a big believer in regular purges with your wardrobe , so I try to do so at least twice a season. The easiest way to make a task like this seem less daunting is to break it down by section. For me, this started with the hanging items in my closet. I tried on all the styles I no longer gravitated toward yet continued to keep with every purge. Those pieces were out of there! Then, I moved on to my folded items, then on to bags, shoes, and jewelry. I even revisited my socks, underwear, and workout clothes (I don't know about you, but I always hold on to more than is necessary for these categories and for too long.)

Make sure to say goodbye to clothing that no longer fits or that never fit in the first place, like pieces you may have bought intending to get tailored. I've learned that if I buy something that requires tailoring and don't take care of it from the get-go, I never will. When you come across those items during a purge, it's a clear sign to move on.

In my day as a fashion editor, I'm pursuing new-arrivals sections almost daily. Most of the time, I practice restraint rather well. Still, there have been times when a piece jumps out at me, and I have suddenly added to cart, have entered in my credit card security code, and am compulsively checking the tracking number until said package arrives at my doorstep — has this ever happened to you?

To cut down on these impulse purchases, I started making a wish list of items I feel my wardrobe is missing, styles I've purged and want to replace, or new trends for the season that really are worth the money. It's an extremely helpful tactic not solely to reduce impulse purchases but also to avoid an accumulation of items that, while cute, may end up either unused or feel less than authentic to your style because you bought them without a specific purpose.

With an innate interest in fashion, you may have more of a willingness to experiment with various style aesthetics and trends. For me, this has led to impulse purchases and many from fast-fashion brands in an attempt to save money. Spoiler: I rarely saved money. Instead, I usually bought more than planned and ended up with a mixture of pieces that hardly denoted a particular style. Sure, I put together plenty of fun outfits, but not many that I truly loved. (I look back at most of them and cringe, but we all know about hindsight, particularly as it relates to outfit choices.)

It took me a long time to establish what I now consider to be my personal style, mostly because I didn't take the time to reflect on what I was buying. I shopped willy nilly and let more affordable price tags convince me that a purchase was sound. Now that I've landed on a style that truly suits me, I'm much more thoughtful about what I buy. It's helpful to think ahead and plan out purchases. You might consider how versatile a piece is and how many ways you can wear it. I choose to invest in staple pieces that are more classic in silhouette but still fill in my wardrobe with plenty of affordable pieces that are similarly clean and simple for a cohesive feel. If a trend does tempt you, opt for a less-pricey version — if it's ultimately not for you, you won't be as burdened by the purchase.

Feminine pieces have been at the crux of my wardrobe since I can remember. Anything with a pretty print or frilled detail pretty much had my name on it. It wasn't until the past year that I found myself reluctant to pluck those pieces when getting dressed. Instead, I've been turning to basics like T-shirts and jeans more than ever before. I've morphed into a person who appreciates simple yet elevated pieces for their comfort and versatility. I'm able to put together a stylish outfit without overthinking and rarely encounter that dreaded feeling of hating what I've put on later in the day.

When it comes to buying something new, ultimately seek out styles with a timelessness to them, so you can wear them almost anywhere while feeling fuss-free and polished.

Sales. They're dangerous. They always manage to convince us that we need something we absolutely don't. I've validated tons of unnecessary purchases because of a markdown, but I'm not doing it anymore. OK, I'm doing it a lot less, anyway. When I happen upon a sale or am privy to one before it starts, I've implemented a strategy: seek out pieces from my wish list and only those pieces. Don't get sidetracked. Don't click through every category. Stick. To. The. List. Otherwise, it's like grocery shopping when you're hungry — a few extras usually appear in your cart and make their way through checkout on a whim.

One of the biggest perks of my job is discovering brands from emerging designers or smaller, independent businesses. Since COVID-19 hit, it's something that's become increasingly important. A huge goal of mine is to consume less and be more creative with the pieces already in my wardrobe. When a shopping urge does strike, I can genuinely rationalize a new piece when I know I'm supporting a company with my purchase, whether from a sustainable brand, an emerging label, or a local boutique. It's also a great way to procure unique pieces as part of the antimass movement fashion is moving toward, and you'll be able to discover amazing pieces that feel true to your aesthetic while contributing to the success of a company. Sure, I still have items from big-name brands on my wish list, but this considered approach helps streamline consumption and curb impulses.