How can I improve my closet on a low budget?
*All photos in this post are from my first few years of business in the U.S.
How can I improve my closet on a low budget?
I received this question the other day on Instagram, and it made me think about the early years of my business. Today, I want to share some of the strategies I used (and still use) to make the most of my budget when acquiring new pieces.
It's not about how much disposable income you put towards your closet that will help you feel authentic and show up as the best version of yourself. Instead, it's about having a strong sense of self and understanding which styles will bring out the feelings you desire. Knowing this will make you a smarter shopper.
I remember it like it was yesterday when I turned to my husband, Brendon, and said, "I want to offer services to give women advice on how to dress." Brendon looked back at me and said, "Alright, we gotta go shopping for you."
My immediate response was, "No, I’ll use what I already own to show people that with thoughtful dressing, they can do so much more with the pieces they have. Instead, I want to use the money we have to learn more about becoming a stylist." So, I used my savings to take classes on how to become a better stylist, instead of buying new clothes.
With a limited budget as an immigrant trying to build a business, I had to get creative with my old clothes. This pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me show up as my best self for the few clients I had at the time. I focused on social media, teaching people how to style the same pieces in different ways because that was my reality. Slowly, over time, I purchased new pieces to elevate my closet, which I'm still working on—and probably always will be.
If I could give you some advice on where to start, it would be:
Don’t rush to buy everything at once. Imagine building your closet like furnishing a new home. If you furnish every single room right away, when you find something you love and know would be perfect, you wouldn’t have any available space and/or disposable income. Then you’d have to get rid of something you already spent your hard-earned money on just to acquire that second item, all because you rushed to buy everything without intentional thought. You might end up with lots of regrets in your closet because you spent money on pieces that were "just okay" instead of waiting for something that felt exactly right. When you buy fewer pieces at a time, you give yourself the chance to explore each one and understand what would complement it now that you have it. Allow yourself to enjoy each new piece and take the time to learn how to make the most of it before moving on to the next step.
Think of the price per wear. We often won’t think twice before buying an expensive gown for a special occasion, but we overthink spending on a new pair of jeans. Am I wrong? I have to tell you, I’d much prefer you rent a gown or borrow one from a friend so you can afford to treat yourself to a new pair of jeans that will make you feel like a million bucks every single day.
Make sure you have clarity on what pieces support your lifestyle and express your personality. Before losing yourself in shopping, look inward and think about who you are and how you can send your message to the world through the “language” of your outfits.
Shopping therapy sounds fun, but trying to solve an emotional problem with shopping will only create two other problems: One, a budget problem. Two, a closet full of pieces but nothing to wear.
Take your time, enjoy each new piece, and make thoughtful choices that enhance both your wardrobe and your confidence.
How's your relationship with shopping? Let’s continue this conversation in the comments!
