I am mostly writing this to hopefully follow my own advice. I have fallen victim to overconsumption far too many times. For every event, formal, trip, and special occasion, my first thought is what I will wear. I immediately run to Revolve and Princess Polly and throw things in my cart, knowing I will most likely wear these clothing items once. I have spent way too much money on clothes that have only been worn for a few hours. In high school, I was an avid seller on Poshmark and loved the satisfaction of selling my clothes but only made a fraction of what I paid. I often used this as a crutch and justified wearing things once because I could sell them after, and it wouldn’t be wasted. This left my closet full of trendy pieces and items I couldn’t style in multiple ways and never wanted to wear.
Now in college, I crave a neutral, staple closet. Building a whole new wardrobe is tempting when brands like Aritzia advertise themselves as versatile and staple pieces. I have learned that I can shop for pieces like this in my closet. I recently went away on spring break and challenged myself not to buy anything new for the trip. I shopped in my closet and realized I already had everything I needed. I didn’t need four new dresses, two new sets, and five new bathing suits. I already have dresses and bathing suits, which are meant to be worn!
My biggest tip for reducing overconsumption is to think about your purchasing. I ask myself a few questions to test myself. Could you style this in multiple ways? Would you wear this after college? Do you already have something like this? Are you only buying this because an influencer wore it? Do you genuinely LOVE this piece? If any of these answers conflict, then
wait on the purchase. I have primarily been thinking about clothes that I can wear post-college. Buying new going-out tops is tempting, but do you need more? Probably not.
If I could create my perfectly curated winter/fall closet, it would consist of versatile, simple pieces. It would be best to have a favorite pair of comfortable, good-quality jeans. These are my Levi’s low-pro jeans and my Abercrombie high-rise 90s jeans. Both go with everything and are comfortable all day long. A good set of basics is also essential. For me, this means a few plain t-shirts, long sleeves, and a gray sweat set. I love Aritzia and Brandy Melville for these basics. In the winter, I rotate a few sweaters almost every day. A few good sweaters are essential for colder weather. I love JCrew and Brandy Melville again for these. For jackets, a black blazer, a good leather jacket, a simple wool coat, and a puffer can be worn a million different ways. In terms of shoes, all you need are good white sneakers, a black bootie, and simple sandals. A black loafer can elevate any outfit while keeping it simple. You only need a black belt, a simple leather bag, and a hoop to accessorize. Every item I have just listed can be worn together and dressed up or down. You would also never notice if any of these outfits were re-worn because they are simple and classic.
Although I have not covered every essential for everybody’s perfect closet, I have covered my favorites. Try to pare down your closet and get rid of things that don’t make you happy to wear! I usually do a closet clean out every few months and donate the clothes that I no longer wear/ no longer fit. Now is the perfect time to clean out your wardrobe because spring is fast approaching. This obviously doesn’t mean you should get rid of all your fun clothes. It just means to be proactive about what you will actually wear. Your washing machine is your friend! Use it! Rewear those adorable outfits and try your best to stop buying for every occasion!