Friday Musings: Shopping With Intention

 

Hello beautiful people, and happy Friday! Today I wanted to share some thoughts that have been on my heart lately about shopping, my personal consumerism and how I’m working on shopping with more intention.

Before we get into that I wanted to say a quick thank you SO much for your kind words on the blog launch Monday. Completely re-branding felt kind of like moving to another city or starting a new job. The past few months planning this have been exciting, scary, bittersweet, a little sad, and stressful all rolled into one. That said, you guys sure know how to show a girl some love and it made me feel on top of the world about the change.

 

Bodysuit: ASOS  |  Dress: Reformation  |  Shoes: Katy Perry c/o  |  Bag: Veggani c/o  |  Sunglasses: Quay c/o  |  Earrings: Urban Outfitters

What I Mean By Shopping With Intention…

I think it was around the holidays when I started to feel extremely overwhelmed by the massive amounts of consumerism we participate in on a daily basis. I am guilty of it too. As a fashion lover, I find myself constantly convincing myself I need the latest trend, or that I need an entirely new wardrobe every time I go on vacation. That rush of a new purchase is fun at first, but as the closet gets more packed and I (still) feel like I have nothing to wear, it starts to feel icky.

For years now I’ve been pretty conscious of what to do with my clothing when I no longer am using it — rather than drop it off at Goodwill (which can end up in landfills) I try to sell the pieces through second-hand websites or stores. That said, lately I’ve felt overwhelmed by the amount of clothing I seem to tire of each season.

What this says to me is that I need to be more selective with my purchases. This means less fast fashion purchases (especially the “just because it’s on sale” kind), and more ethical & sustainable brand purchases. I’m also trying to look very closely at each piece and ask myself if I really love it. How many times can I wear it? If I can only think of one way to style it, it doesn’t belong in my closet.

The above dress is the perfect example of that. While it is a more expensive piece, I really considered all the odds. First, it’s by a sustainable and ethical fashion brand. It’s a good feeling knowing your money is supporting a company with good morals . I then planned out the ways I could style it — and the opportunities are pretty endless. I styled it here with a bodysuit for a little-added warmth during these transitional months. I can picture it perfectly in the summer with a red sandal, coin necklace, and an oversized denim jacket. It would look adorable with boots and tights in colder climates as well.

I’m finding that when I really think through my purchases, it makes them that much more special. When I’ve already done the work to figure out how I’m going to style them, it takes away the “I have nothing to wear” feeling when I look at my closet. It’s a really good feeling when you make the most of what you’ve already got.

Would love to know your thoughts on shopping with intention below!