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I learned a most important trick watching America’s Next Top Model with my sister: Buy oufits, not clothes.

You make the decision on what goes together and looks good at the store. You try stuff until you find what works.

When it works, you buy the whole outfit. Possibly in multiples.

No more decisions when getting dressed. You have predetermined outfits for whatever activity you’re doing that day.

Refresh every few months or years as your life and personality evolves.



I like a combination approach much better. Buy multiple shirts, tees, sweaters, and pants which can match with each other. Oftentimes these are less saturated earthy colours with white and black mixed in. It'll be timeless and easy to maintain—not to mention very suitable for ones who have analysis paralysis with clothes. You can't mess up!


Yes, I also try to be a conscious shopper and try to be able to maximise my wardrobe for multiple outfits. This is out of necessity too: I travel a lot, so having many outfits from a few items of clothes means a smaller suitcase. I used to have a rule that I would buy something only from a store where there was no more than 2 of but as the years pass, I admit that it's easy to slip into Zara when I'm in an airport with time to kill and suddenly "need" a new skirt or something. The ease of access is quite scary. I'm glad I didn't grow up with fashion available like this.


IME analysis paralysis is worse when almost everything is crap. For me, shopping is reasonably fun when I go to a store that has mostly good stuff. Picking a good item from 5 good / 3 bad ones is much better than picking a good item from 2 good / 20 bad ones.


If you don't want to buy everything at once, go shopping wearing something the new piece should go together with. Is that not common sense knowledge?


A wardrobing approach is the next step up from that.


Thanks! I'll try that the next season.




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