How many times have you purchased clothing that you thought you would love and get all kinds of use out of only to find it sits in your closet and is never worn? It’s a common problem that people have and results in clothing regrets. That translates to money spent on items that will never get used. So, how can you prevent these regrets from happening?

There are actually a number of tips and advice that you can use that will help ensure you cut down on the clothing regrets, if not eliminate them all together. It will be a whole new mindset and way of shopping that provides you with much better results.

Stop the Impulse Purchases

The very first tip is to stop the impulse buying. Sure, something may be trendy, an eye-catching color, or unique, but that doesn’t mean you need it. If you’ve been purchasing items just to keep up with the latest trends, you are probably also aware of how much of a slippery slope this can be. It will be a never-ending cycle of buying new stuff, and let’s face it, not every trend suits all people.

A good way to put an end to the impulse purchases is ask yourself a few questions: do you truly need the item? How you will style it? How often will you be able to wear it? How does it work with your existing wardrobe?

Identify Your Body Shape – Then Alter Your Clothing

Another tip is to learn what kinds of clothes suit your body type best, and go to the tailor to make alterations whenever you need them. Once they take your measures, they use a mannequin called a dress form to work on the piece, or even create a new one if you want a custom-made piece of clothing.

This advice can work on newly purchased items that just need a bit of tweaking, or those items that have been pushed to the back of your closet and are deemed as shopping regrets. Not everyone can buy off the rack and have perfect results, which is why tailoring can be so important.

As for the body shapes/types, the main ones are hourglass, triangle/pear, diamond, inverted triangle or apple, diamond, and rectangle. Each one is unique and each one will have a list of clothing styles that truly do flatter you best as well as common mistakes to avoid.

Focus on Quality Not Quantity

When shopping for clothing, another great tip is to focus on quality not quantity. Sure, you can fill your closet to the brim with fast fashion options, but if you aren’t wearing them, you didn’t really save any money in the end. It’s best to build a solid wardrobe anchored in quality pieces. From there, you can pick up a couple of inexpensive options each season that are trendy, but still work with all your basics.

Shopping for quality also means the clothing you purchase will hold up well over time. You won’t have to worry about items fading, falling apart in the wash, stretching, or shrinking.

What About Color, Print, and Pattern?

The final tip is to be mindful of the color, print, and patterns that you purchase. Do they flatter your skin tone, and will they match with items you already have in your closet? One common mistake people can make with color is to assume neutrals work on all skin tones, which isn't the case.
Typically, neutrals like gray can be difficult to master, and so can white. Often it comes down to the undertone and depth of the color that makes a difference.

Love Everything You Purchase

By using these tips, you’ll be able to truly start shopping for clothing you love and that you have no regrets over purchasing.