“I have nothing to wear” is a phrase I often say while staring at a closet filled to the brim with clothes. One of my more self-destructive habits is going on a shopping spree when this type of situation occurs.
Although I wouldn’t consider myself an extreme case, I am most definitely a shopaholic, specifically when it comes to fashion. Call me materialistic, but clothes are my favourite thing in the world. The feeling of walking into an Aritzia after a long day and a big paycheck is completely unmatched and could cure any ailment. Every sweater and coat I try on feels like a warm hug, welcoming me home.
Regardless of how romantic it sounds, I know this tendency is a huge problem. Relying on material objects to fulfill you will only drain your bank account, leading to more stress and gloom. However, throughout my gradual and continuous recovery from shopaholism, I’ve learned how to shop for clothing in a way that is fulfilling, sustainable, and foresightful. And no, I don’t just mean thrifting.
One phenomenon that has been detrimental to the fashion industry, the environment, and the culture as a whole is the ever-accelerating trend cycle. With the help of social media, the world is becoming increasingly globalized, making it easier to see what everyone is doing, using, and wearing. Gone are the days of waiting for the next edition of Vogue to come out for outfit inspiration; nowadays, the trendiest styles can be accessed within seconds, or however long it takes you to find the accounts of Bella Hadid, Emma Chamberlain, or Devon Lee Carlson.
The upside of this is that trendy fashion has become more accessible to a wider audience; everyone gets to be in the know about what’s popular, not just those who keep up with fashion religiously. However, it also means that trends are coming and going at the speed of light. A notable example of this is the House of Sunny Hockney Dress, which became incredibly popular in 2020 due to virality on TikTok and other social media, only to be found in thrift stores just a month later. The term “microtrend” has been used to describe the ultrarapid popularity and subsequent decline of clothing items that have become all too common recently.
With trend cycles becoming shorter and shorter, the amount of pieces ending up in landfills is increasing by the minute. People see something they like, buy it from a cheap manufacturer, wear it a few times, and throw it away once public interest fades. Thus, the shopaholic cycle continues.
So, how to alleviate oneself of such a corruptive habit? The phenomenon of trends often stems from our human desire to take inspiration from our idols. “I want to be just like her,” the voice at the back of your brain says, as you gaze upon an it-girl wearing a trendy outfit. You want to be the next Bella, the next Emma, the next Devon Lee. Have you ever considered being your own it-girl?
Curating your own personal style and sticking to it is the most surefire way to recover from shopaholism. By trusting your instincts on what you want to wear, you can train yourself to drown out the buzz of tiny trend cycles and focus on buying clothes for your eyes only.
“How do I curate my own style?” You might ask. My advice is to think about people that catch your eye. Maybe it’s a character in a movie or TV show, a woman in a photo shoot, or a piece of art you enjoy. Purchasing clothes that make you think of things that interest you is something you won’t regret. Also Pinterest. Use Pinterest for style inspiration.
Another tip for managing your style is to shop with foresight. Every time you come across a piece you like, try to picture three different outfits you could create with it. Once you get good at this, bump it up to five. It also helps to think, “will I wear this in three months? How about three years?” Being more cautious about what you purchase will help to ensure every piece you buy will be treated with love.
It’s safe to say I’m still working on my shopaholic tendencies. When a sale is nearby, there’s a good chance I’ll be there swiping my card and acting like 10% off means free. However, once I buckled down and critically thought about what I like to wear, I found myself adding fewer and fewer items to my cart. With this, I have more money to spend on important things, and more energy to direct toward the important people in my life.