I love this analysis! I completely relate to this notion of. I’m good when it comes to Makeup and Skincare. I use Trinny London for both, and I trust it, and that’s it. I’m good. This is not something I wanna explore, but you are so right that the clothing thing is very different! The takeaway for me about going back to your wardrobe no matter where you are particularly hit home! I have a practice now of limiting online shopping to weekends and I didn’t think about how this means. I’m mostly online shopping at home where I’m comfortable and I can go to the closet and see what I already have… Versus on the way to an event wishing I’m wearing something else, or just hungry annoyed in an Uber. Thank you so much for writing this.
This is a great point! Limiting shopping to weekends means you are close to the wardrobe and perhaps also less stressed, while hungry annoyed is the worst!!
I really loved this analysis! Similarly, I feel like I’m all sorted on my makeup but less so on my style - and maybe that’s because I feel like my few make up products can take me through any occasion (from beach to work to gala), but I can’t say the same for my outfits?!
I still regularly find myself literally with a closet full of clothes but nothing to wear, typically for random new occasions (eg speaking at a conference, attending the races (?!)… which is what prompts an shopping spree.
The other thing is that my makeup stalwarts can easily be rebought. But when my favorite 10yo sundress is finally consigned to the donate pile, it’s so hard to find that same magic piece to replace it
Completely agree with Irene on retail just morphing into one. I was just in London and Paris and you seem the same brands with the same aesthetics.
Very true about make-up being more universal - and also rebuying it. As I was writing this, I thought there is no world in which I would be able to continue buying the same clothing pieces for 8 years, while it is very doable with make up. Regarding using the same things for different occasions, theoretically it could be doable but only if your style is super timeless and also you find what fits best. But much more challenging than with make-up indeed!
"When it comes to makeup, I am absolutely immune to any Instagram antics to buy something new. Despite thousands of TikTok videos saying otherwise, I feel like I have all I need that works really well for me and have no need to get anything new, experiment, or the like. I might switch a lipstick here and there, but an endless overhaul of my makeup bag? Not for me. I even have a skincare group chat with my friends, who share their discoveries and recommend products. Me? I am just immune to that, and very happy about it. Am I missing out on something? Possibly. However, the peace of mind is worth so much more."
This is the BEST feeling! I wonder if I'm at this point when it comes to clothing....close, maybe?
Love this post! I feel like I’m at a “mostly good” place with regards to clothes. I’ve come to the conclusion that despite my interest in following select fashion influencers, I don’t actually want to dress like them IRL — which eases a lot of the self-imposed pressure. Having a clear picture of what’s in my closet helped a lot, too. I keep pictures of every single garment in a folder on my computer desktop (which I should copy to my phone as well). Whenever I feel tempted by something, I check to see what I have that’s comparable, and ask myself if I would swap an existing piece for this prospective one. Usually, the answer is “nah, I’m good”.
This is a great point - most of the influencers have a vastly different lifestyle, and I also find that even my own outfits when I am trying things on in my room and taking pictures might be different from what I want to wear to e.g. a park or a business function. Swapping is also a good idea, I will try to think this way as well!
Such great insight and I can truly relate to your struggles 🫶🏼😌 what has helped me is to start playing with my own closet …first. Before even considering buying something new. I apply different kinds of systems and methods of editing and organizing a well functioning wardrobe that brings joy. I literally play with my clothes, just as I played with dolls …and electric cars 😁 as a kid.
That is giving me that dopamine dose and is in fact fulfilling.
I still get tempted but then always start with what’s already in my closet.
I love this analysis! I completely relate to this notion of. I’m good when it comes to Makeup and Skincare. I use Trinny London for both, and I trust it, and that’s it. I’m good. This is not something I wanna explore, but you are so right that the clothing thing is very different! The takeaway for me about going back to your wardrobe no matter where you are particularly hit home! I have a practice now of limiting online shopping to weekends and I didn’t think about how this means. I’m mostly online shopping at home where I’m comfortable and I can go to the closet and see what I already have… Versus on the way to an event wishing I’m wearing something else, or just hungry annoyed in an Uber. Thank you so much for writing this.
This is a great point! Limiting shopping to weekends means you are close to the wardrobe and perhaps also less stressed, while hungry annoyed is the worst!!
I really loved this analysis! Similarly, I feel like I’m all sorted on my makeup but less so on my style - and maybe that’s because I feel like my few make up products can take me through any occasion (from beach to work to gala), but I can’t say the same for my outfits?!
I still regularly find myself literally with a closet full of clothes but nothing to wear, typically for random new occasions (eg speaking at a conference, attending the races (?!)… which is what prompts an shopping spree.
The other thing is that my makeup stalwarts can easily be rebought. But when my favorite 10yo sundress is finally consigned to the donate pile, it’s so hard to find that same magic piece to replace it
Completely agree with Irene on retail just morphing into one. I was just in London and Paris and you seem the same brands with the same aesthetics.
Very true about make-up being more universal - and also rebuying it. As I was writing this, I thought there is no world in which I would be able to continue buying the same clothing pieces for 8 years, while it is very doable with make up. Regarding using the same things for different occasions, theoretically it could be doable but only if your style is super timeless and also you find what fits best. But much more challenging than with make-up indeed!
"When it comes to makeup, I am absolutely immune to any Instagram antics to buy something new. Despite thousands of TikTok videos saying otherwise, I feel like I have all I need that works really well for me and have no need to get anything new, experiment, or the like. I might switch a lipstick here and there, but an endless overhaul of my makeup bag? Not for me. I even have a skincare group chat with my friends, who share their discoveries and recommend products. Me? I am just immune to that, and very happy about it. Am I missing out on something? Possibly. However, the peace of mind is worth so much more."
This is the BEST feeling! I wonder if I'm at this point when it comes to clothing....close, maybe?
Thanks for sharing it and starting this discussion Irene, hopefully I'll get to it in clothing at some point too! :)
Love this post! I feel like I’m at a “mostly good” place with regards to clothes. I’ve come to the conclusion that despite my interest in following select fashion influencers, I don’t actually want to dress like them IRL — which eases a lot of the self-imposed pressure. Having a clear picture of what’s in my closet helped a lot, too. I keep pictures of every single garment in a folder on my computer desktop (which I should copy to my phone as well). Whenever I feel tempted by something, I check to see what I have that’s comparable, and ask myself if I would swap an existing piece for this prospective one. Usually, the answer is “nah, I’m good”.
This is a great point - most of the influencers have a vastly different lifestyle, and I also find that even my own outfits when I am trying things on in my room and taking pictures might be different from what I want to wear to e.g. a park or a business function. Swapping is also a good idea, I will try to think this way as well!
Such great insight and I can truly relate to your struggles 🫶🏼😌 what has helped me is to start playing with my own closet …first. Before even considering buying something new. I apply different kinds of systems and methods of editing and organizing a well functioning wardrobe that brings joy. I literally play with my clothes, just as I played with dolls …and electric cars 😁 as a kid.
That is giving me that dopamine dose and is in fact fulfilling.
I still get tempted but then always start with what’s already in my closet.
Great point, would be so interesting to hear more about the systems and methods! Maybe a theme for a substack post? :)
I’m not a writer 🙈 but I do share my tips on my Instagram profile instead. Otherwise we could maybe co-write something together? 👀🫶🏼
Great - I'll DM you! :)