The Style

I was instantly drawn to this dress when I spotted it at Banana Republic. I have a thing for ruffles, plus the blue is so bold. One of the reasons I love Banana Republic is that they sell petites! As a petite woman, it is so hard to find clothes that fit properly. Fortunately, Banana Republic never lets me down and always has enough petite clothing. Shout out to the other gals with short legs! To create the illusion of longer legs, however, I added a pair of stilettos from Banana Republic. I hope you enjoy!

Dress: Stripe Cross Flounce Fit and Flare Dress from Banana Republic

Shoes: Sandals from Banana Republic circa 2016. Similar styles available here OR here

The Mood

We have all acted out of impulse at times, but impulse shopping can really hit your pocketbook hard if you are not careful. The near constant exposure to the marketing of retailers in combination with the convenience of plastic can lead even the best of us to impulse shop. For many years, retail was my therapy.  However, after one frightful summer when I realized that I had not saved any money from a single paycheck, I decided to get it together and developed a few simple, but effective, rules for minimizing my frequent impulsive splurges and sprees.

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Set a monthly shopping budget and stick to it.

This is key. As a fashion lover, I realized it was completely unrealistic for me to try to set a $0 shopping budget, but I also knew that spending every paycheck on shoes was not an acceptable option. By setting a budget and placing a limit on my spending, I feel free to acquire a few items here and there. And, once the budget has been reached, I stop spending. Since it is not always easy to simply stop spending once you start (we all often have the best intentions), I try to remind myself of something that I want more than the item I desire, such as a nice vacation or a new tech gadget or a facial at a luxurious spa. If you continue to remind yourself that each needless purchase jeopardizes your ability to have another item or experience you desire or need more, it will be easier to stick to your shopping budget.

Know what is in your closet.

Have you ever bought something at a store only to realize after returning home that you already own something similar? You have to know what is in your closet (or home) before you set foot into another store. Take an hour and just explore what is in your closet. If there are items that do not fit or you do not wear, remove those items from your closet and either donate them or sell them at consignment. After removing the items that you do not wear or cannot fit, make a list on your phone of any wardrobe gaps. Then, next time you are in a store take a quick look at your list. If the item isn’t on your list, put it back.

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Only buy what you love and what fits right now.

This one seems so simple and yet… I have a very firm rule, I do not buy anything unless I absolutely, undeniably love it AND it fits. First and foremost, if you do not absolutely love the item, it is unlikely you will really ever wear it, which is a waste of your hard-earned money. And, if the item does not fit properly, you will have to invest time and/or money in making alterations. While I am willing to pay to have my pants hemmed due to my short stature, I refuse to purchase anything that is too big with the expectation the tailor can fit it to my body. Instead, I only stick with items that fit my body perfectly. Do not be persuaded by salespeople or any discounts. If you only “like” the item or the fit is “a little off”, then just return that item to the rack.

Ask yourself the “when” and “where.”

Before purchasing any item, I have learned to ask myself the following questions: (i) how often will I wear this item and (ii) where will I wear it. There are plenty of times I spot an item that I love, but decide to put it back simply because I will only wear it a few times a year. While we all need different clothes for different circumstances, our closet shouldn’t be lopsided. I recommend you opt for pieces that work for casual and professional environments, and if you already have a closet full of blazers, perhaps you can forgo the one you saw in the store even if it is on sale or different from the ones you already own.

Wait before buying.

So, let’s say you found an item you love, that fits you perfectly and you know you will wear it on many occasions. Before reaching to pay wait a moment. Ask the store clerk to hold the item for you until the end of the day or, if shopping online, just leave the items in your shopping cart. If you are still thinking about that item a few hours later, then by all means, purchase away. By giving yourself a little time before the purchase, you give yourself a chance to truly assess whether you love the item so much you cannot live without it or, whether you are acting on impulse. Once you develop the habit of waiting, it is actually pretty easy to stick to it.