You’ve Bought Something that Doesn’t Work

I talked with my Cabi representative, Sheila, about this topic yesterday. But it was on my mind anyway since I have been cleaning out my own closet and taking stuff to Goodwill. There were a few items that were new and never worn, yet I knew they were a mistake from day one. (So yes, even a professional Carmel Wardrobe Stylist can make a wrong purchase.) And Sheila was telling me she had bought a pair of shoes, but they did not fit. She kept trying to decide what to do, and waited too long. The window for a return had passed. So, she just did nothing.

Make purchases you end up wearing with help from Carmel Wardrobe Stylist Beth Divine image shows smiling woman holding red shirt on hangerThose of us in the fashion industry don’t like to admit we made a mistake and purchased something that didn’t work. So first of all, go ahead and admit to yourself that this piece is never going to work. And if that is the case, don’t spend money on altering it or, worse yet, buying something else to make it work!! Enough!!

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio

Carmel Wardrobe Stylist Tips to Avoid Buying the Wrong Clothes

I prefer to approach shopping habits from the end results. For example, if you are constantly buying pieces online and end up not wearing them, it’s easy to diagnose that problem. Stop buying online. Find a way to make shopping work for you. One way to do that is to really understand what clothes you like. Do you have some wardrobe “stars” you love and always reach for? That reflects your style. You can also take my style quiz to see what your style is and then match that up with stores that sell many pieces of that style.

Here are links to my quizzes.

Women’s Style Quiz

Men’s Style Quiz

For instance, I love wider leg pants but know I have to be really picky about what really works for me. That basically means I have to try them on. I have found that when I don’t do that, I buy pants I like in theory, but they are not flattering on me.

If your style is more traditional and classic, even though you admire artistic and alluring clothing, be careful about actually buying these pieces. You won’t like them in the long run.

Also, try to pick up on patterns. If you look at your closet and you see multiples of a certain type of clothing, like velvet jackets or more black sweaters than you will ever wear, that is a practice you need to consider changing.

Another reason clothes you buy don’t work is simple. They’re the wrong color. I can attest to the importance of knowing your best colors. In one of my jobs, our dress code changed from casual to formal. I thought I needed some suits, and it was summer, so I bought a new linen suit in gray. Sounds great, right? It was a well-made suit that fit me perfectly. Yet, I didn’t like how I looked in it. Why? It was the wrong color. I actually looked so tired in it, and my dark circles really dominated my look.

Once I trained as a stylist and realized my best colors made me look alive and healthy, those were the colors I bought. And the clothes in my closet worked better.

Identify the Right Clothes with Carmel Wardrobe Stylist Support

Need some styling services? Reach out so we can plan the next step. Email me for Carmel Wardrobe Stylist guidance at beth@bethdivinestyle.com.

Keep it sassy, Indy.

Beth Divine, MA, AICI-CIC, Personal Image Consultant