My Internal Checklist For All Fashion Purchases

OUTFIL DETAILS: POLKA DOT DRESS (ALSO LOVE) | WESTERN BOOTS (SIMILAR) | PINK BELT – $15 | DOLCE & GABBANA HANDBAG (AFFORDABLE OPTION) | SUNGLASSES

Over the years I have made some fashion blunders and purchased items I either never wore or spent too much on a trend piece. But in the last few years I am proud to say I’ve had almost no buyers remorse and I think that’s due to my rigorous mental checklist that all fashion purchases have to pass before I bring them home.

At this point, this checklist is second nature to me and I can quickly discern if an item will be worth the investment or not. As someone who has spent far too much money on fashion in my lifetime let me make the mistakes for you – so you don’t have to.

In this post, I’m sharing my internal checklist for fashion purchases and how I essentially decide what to add to my wardrobe.

MY CHECKLIST FOR FASHION PURCHASES

Cost Per Wear

My entire fashion philosophy centers around cost per wear. It’s an easy way to take inventory of your wardrobe and decide which items were a smart investment. I understand not everyone follows this way of thinking. However, I don’t mind spending more on classics that I will wear year after year or have endless ways I can pair them in my wardrobe.

My goal is always that the cost per wear be in the pennies.

If I purchase a pair of $200 denim (Mother denim is my favorite of all time), but I wear the pair multiple times a week then I consider it a smart investment. I believe your wardrobe is meant to be used and not just to have pretty things sitting on a shelf.

Wardrobe Gaps

The next on my internal checklist is to have a running inventory of your wardrobe, whether mentally or with photographs to help jog your memory. Those moments when you’re getting dressed and frustrated because you’re missing that specific item is when I take a mental note. That could be anything from a simple white t-shirt or a classic pair of ballet flats.

Taking a mental note of those items helps you the next time you go shopping because you’ll know exactly where to begin.

Quality

Remember that quality doesn’t equal price tag. When people often hear you say quality pieces the idea of a hefty price tag comes to mind. To me, quality is much more than price as I’ve found quality pieces at high street brands like Zara or H&M.

Quality comes down to two things: fabric content & fit.

I have a thing for fabric content and 99.9% of the time will only purchase items that are largely made from natural materials – cotton, linen, silk, wool, cashmere, etc. Wearing natural fabrics not only feels better on the skin, but also looks more expensive. You can find 100% cotton tees at H&M for under $15 – you just have to be willing to look.

In terms of fit:

I like to make sure first the item actually fits my body shape and size.

Well-tailored items will always looks better no matter the price tag. Is it cutting me off in the wrong place? Is the fabric pulling in areas it shouldn’t? Are the buttons placed correctly? Is it laying on my body the way it should? You get the idea!

Trend Factor

The last on my checklist is determining how trendy a piece is before I add it into my wardrobe. I love experimenting with trends like most fashionistas, but I will NEVER spend a lot on truly trend pieces.

For example, I loved heart sunglasses (and still wear mine) but there was no way I was going to purchase the Saint Laurent version when I found one on Amazon for around $10.

Trends vs classic can be different for everyone.

Going back to #1 on my checklist is that it all comes down to cost per wear. If you would wear a neon yellow bag on a regular basis then that might be a great investment bag for you. For me, if it’s not a piece I see myself wearing long term I will always find a more affordable option.

These are some of the items in my mental checklist when adding anything to my wardrobe. I hope you found these tips helpful and that it can save you money in the long run. Do you have your own mental checklist? If so, share it below in the comment section!