Shop Smarter

You’re a bundle of unique features and traits. And no matter your body type, taste, or resources, you can find clothes that make you look and feel amazing, and that you value for their cool, individualistic qualities. Of course, building the ultimate wardrobe takes time and energy (and self-control and honesty). But if you shop thoughtfully, you’ll find yourself standing in front of your dream closet.

Make a shopping list

What garments do you always wish you had in your closet? Do you have a big occasion that requires something specific? Those items go at the top of your shopping list.

Stick to your plan

Stores are designed to push all your impulse buttons. Your list should give you strength to resist unneeded items. That being said, shopping should be fun, so if you fall in love with some

thing that’s not on your list, stroll around the block to consider the purchase.

Work with what you’ve got

When you’re shopping, look for pieces that you could wear with things you already own. If you buy an item needing to source another “perfect something” to make an outfit, that first item will just end up hanging in your closet.

Know quality when you see it

No matter the item, its stitches should be tight and straight (ten stitches per 1 inch/2.5 cm), and a tug at the seams shouldn’t make any threads unravel. Buttons should be secure, with stitching around the buttonholes, and zippers should glide up and own without snagging or creating lumps. If the garment has a pattern, it should line up at the seams. Insider tip: Woven (not printed) labels are a sign of quality.