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Tina, here.

ICYMI (translation: in case you missed it) we released a new Style Guide that has been crazy popular, Should I Buy That? If You Take This Advice, I Guarantee You'll Be More Stylish Without Making One More Purchase.  It came with a video, too, 3 Tips for Maximizing Your Wardrobe. Our members received the extended version before anyone else, and we've been releasing a shortened version of the Guide in 3 installments, here on the blog. This is the third installment where I'm answering your questions about shopping smart, balancing all the trends & avoiding buyer's remorse.

RECAP:

We started out by looking at the lies out there that make us feel like we're always just one purchase away from the perfect wardrobe.

I. Don't Fall For The Lies

If all the bloggers, retailers, subscription boxes, the ads on our computer screens, and insta feeds are designed to sell us something and make us believe we are just one purchase away from having the perfect wardrobe, then it's no surprise we are often frustrated with shopping and figuring out what to wear every day.

Early Access Insiders have already been enjoying the extended version of the guide. To access, join our free trial TODAY and get more great tips! 

 

II. The Good News

The secret to dressing well is not about what you buy, but how you wear what you have.

The good news is that great style isn't something you buy. Take a look at the first installment here, where we talked about these two points.

In the second part of the series I brought you my 25 Piece Capsule Wardrobe, and showed you some ways to get tons of outfits from those 25 pieces. You can shop my Capsule Wardrobe and see the outfits here, in the second installment.

Today I'm answering your questions about shopping smart, balancing all the trends & avoiding buyer's remorse.

• How do you know what to buy?
• How do you know where to find it?
• How do you know how much to pay?

I'm giving you my formula I use to determine what makes the cut for my shoppable guides! Stick with me and I'll show you how to wear what you already have in your closet! And what to buy, and where to buy it when you do need something. It's my job.

So, what about shopping, balancing all the trends & avoiding buyer's remorse?

III. Shop Smart For Your Age, Shape & Style

There are two secrets to smart shopping, and I'm going to tell you what they are.

Some of us love to shop. Some of us hate it. And we've all made mistakes. At the beginning of every season we take stock of our closets, make a list of what we need to replace or add, and then the crazy shopping starts. How do you know what to buy? How do you know where to find it? How do you know how much to pay? I don't sell fashion. I help you wear what you have, and only buy what you need; and I show you where to find it, what looks best on you, and who has the best deals. Right here in Your Style Vault with my shoppable guides. Here is the formula I use to determine what makes the cut for my shoppable guides:

(1). Do I love, love, love it?

First, life is short. A great outfit can uplift our mood. So why waste another second wearing something that only makes you feel ....meh instead of Fabulous! So, only buy and wear what you love, love, love and get rid of the rest.

Second, one of the most powerful secrets to shopping smart, after you figure out if you love, love, love what you want to buy, is its likely Cost Per Wear.

(2.) What is its Cost Per Wear?

Cost of Item  ÷  Number of Wears = Cost Per Wear (CPW)

Let's use a trench coat as an example, using one that's $109.99 and a more expensive one that's $229.99. We'll assume the less expensive one is trendy (this one has lace detail) and maybe is not as solidly constructed. You can see loose threads already. The buttons are loose, it's not a very substantial fabric that will hold up to multiple cleanings. So you figure you'll only get a couple years out of it. (I doubt this Tahari trench already has loose threads or buttons because Tahari is a great brand, but I often see this happen sooner than later.)

Trench Coat @ $109.99 ÷ 15 times (2 seasons) = $7.33 /per wear

 

Now let's assume a more expensive one is more classic, better made, and of a more substantial material. So you figure it will still look good in five years, after multiple cleanings.

Trench Coat @ $229.99 ÷ 75 times (5 seasons) = $3.06 / per wear

Which is the better purchase? By far the more classic trench that will hold up over time. This is why I never recommend spending much on trendy items. (If you prefer the less expensive one, just make sure not to overpay!)

For a refresher, take a look at The 25 Piece Capsule Wardrobe, the 25 items I would invest in to build a wardrobe from which you can create endless outfit combinations.

So, can you be that person who always looks good? Looks "put together?" Yes, you can. And, it's not about losing weight first. It's not about saving up for the next purchase. Stick with me and I'll show you how to wear what you already have in your closet! And what to buy, where, when you do need something. It's my job.

Related: 5 Style Tips For What To Wear When Nothing Fits

 

Please. It's just clothes. I love, LOVE, clothes and fashion. It's fun! It's who I am. But it's only part of who I am. And life is too precious to spend too much time and money on the wrong outfit.

This works for everyone. There's no judgement; everyone is welcome.