How To Stop Wasting Money On Clothes

Do you want to stop wasting money on clothes that you never wear? Do you have a closet full of clothes but still say you have nothing to wear? Here are 12 ways you can curb spending and keep your money for things you really need.

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Do these things before wasting money on clothes

1. Take an inventory of your closet before you shop

Knowing what you already have in your closet will keep you from purchasing items you don’t need. I use a closet inventory app called Smart Closet. There are tons out there for you to use and this is just the one I’ve been using for years. You can use pen and paper, a notes app, or take pictures of your clothes and keep them in an album on your phone. It may take some time to write up your inventory but it’s worth it. Having a closet inventory is going to help with the other items in this list, which is why I mention it first.

2. Keep a wish list/shopping list

If you have an inventory of what is already in your closet, the next step is to make a list of what you actually need. Do you need to replace an item that is worn out or doesn’t fit? Do you need more clothes for a certain aspect of your lifestyle? Have you been eyeing a pair of shoes for a while but are waiting for them to go on sale? Is there an item you saw an influencer wearing and you would like to try it? Write down these items so the next time you are out shopping or see a sale, you know what to look for. You can also use a website like Shoptagr or ShopStyle so you are notified when a specific item goes on sale.

3. Sort out your basics first

The first items you should have on your shopping list, if you don’t already have them, are basics. Yes, it sounds boring, but I promise that having core wardrobe basics will make putting outfits together easier. Don’t know what closet basics are or why they’re important? Read my post here.

Questions to ask yourself to stop wasting money on clothes

4. How many ways can I wear the item?

A surefire way to ascertain how versatile an item is is to find 3 ways you can style it. This is where your basics come in handy. Try to find 3 outfits you can wear with this item and if you can’t, then it’s not the right item for you. If the 3 ways are all with jeans or black pants, it might not be as versatile as you think so get creative. If you can style different outfits AND for different occasions, then it looks like a good addition to your closet!

I have written posts about styling one item multiple ways: Black Turtleneck, Blue Gingham Top, and Olive Green Pants.

5. Does it fit my personal style?

It can be tempting to buy an item you saw on someone else or that really caught your eye while browsing, but if it does not fit the aesthetic and style you’re going for, you probably won’t reach for it very often. This is why understanding your personal style is important. I wrote a blog post about how I found mine but there are many resources out there to help you. My favorite resource is a book titled “The Curated Closet”. It includes multiple exercises to really hone in what you want your style to be.

6. Does it fit my lifestyle?

Ask yourself how often you really see yourself wearing this item. Is it something you can wear to work and also to dinner with friends? Can you dress it up with a few nice pieces of jewelry and also dress it down with a denim jacket or a pair of jeans? Even if you are looking for a piece of clothing to wear to a special event, ask yourself if you would ever wear this item after the event. If the answer is no, rethink your reason for wanting this item. Maybe you can repurpose something in your closet for that event or look for another piece that is more versatile.

Stop wasting money on clothes by following these tips when shopping

7. Shop secondhand

Maybe you really do need an outfit or a specific item for an event but if you know you won’t wear it again, consider buying it secondhand. There are lots of options for thrifting. ThredUp is a large online retailer for secondhand items where I often check for items before other stores. They have gently used items, new items with tags still attached, and designer pieces. Thrifting isn’t just for a special occasion shopping, though, you can find everyday items as well. This is a great way to recycle clothing and not contribute to the wasteful, fast fashion industry. It’s also a great way to try out a style or trend that you’re unsure if you will like. Check your local brick and mortar consignment shops and charity shops, too.

8. Pay attention to shipping/return policies

If I wasn’t writing this during a global pandemic, this item would actually say reduce the amount of shopping you do online since it’s easier to click ‘purchase’ than to go to the store and buy an item. Since shopping online might be your only option right now, my advice is to read the fine print about shipping prices and return policies. If your goal is to not waste money, then make sure you’re getting free shipping when you can and free return shipping. Amazon is obviously the most well-known retailer for free shipping and free returns if you’re a Prime member. Even if you don’t have Prime, you can typically get free shipping if you spend a certain amount. Nordstrom and Zappos have excellent shipping and return policies, too.

9. Unsubscribe from retailers’ marketing emails

I’m all for signing up for an email blast to get 15% off at a retailer but once you use that coupon, unsubscribe from the sales emails! This will clean up your inbox and you won’t be tempted to buy something just because it’s on sale.

10. Don’t save your credit card info online

Retailers want to make it as easy as possible for you to spend your money so the more steps you put in between browsing and making the final purchase, the less likely you will be to buy something on impulse. If you have to pull out your credit card and type in the numbers every time, you’re going to be more intentional about your purchases.

11. Uninstall shopping apps from your phone

How often do you scroll through your favorite retailer’s app and mindlessly add things to your cart without paying attention? Again, this is very convenient but is also a great way to waste money. Those apps usually come with push notifications to notify you of sales. It’s easy to be interrupted by those notifications and then open the app to see what you can get on sale, whether or not you need it. By uninstalling these apps, or at the very least, turning off notifications, you’re removing one more temptation to clicking ‘purchase’.

12. Wait 72 hours before you checkout

This goes along with the last 2 points and helps in the event that you do already have credit card information saved. There are so many times that I thought I absolutely NEEDED something but after waiting a few days before buying it I often decide that it’s not for me. It’s a good opportunity to go through the other questions first, like making sure you don’t already have something similar or if you can style it multiple ways.

I promise you still stop wasting money on clothes if you follow these tips. If you’re looking to build a smaller, minimalist wardrobe, check out my post on starting Project 333 and my update to that post.