Stop Buying the Basics first

But here’s the thing, if you know anything about the history of my own personal closet then you know that I have experienced having both the closet filled to the brim with nothing to wear, and the small capsule wardrobe, and what I’ve come to regarding basics is this:

Basics are just the same as statement pieces in that if you have no purpose for them (aka no outfits to wear with them) then they also can be a waste of money and space in your closet.

I know it might seem like a strong statement to make, but I definitely feel that basics can be a waste of resource and can contribute to the closet filled with clothes and nothing to wear problem if purchased without a plan.

The caveat to this idea though is that if you are someone that loves having essentially all basics that you interchange with each other, then having a closet full of basics probably works great for you and I love that!

But for me, I had gotten stuck for a while in a way of thinking (or I should say analyzing) if an item would go with a bunch of things in my wardrobe or not, and so much so to the point that it was restricting me from trying something that maybe only went with one or two other things for the fun of it.

I also was finding that I would prioritize basics or the “things I should have in my closet” before buying the item that really lit me up inside. So I was building a closet that would go the miles technically speaking, but in reality, wasn’t because I was uninspired to wear my clothes.

So.. if you’re someone who likes to have some pieces in your wardrobe that are more of “a look” or statement, then you should prioritize buying the look that you are trying to go for and build more looks off of those pieces. Instead of the alternative which would be to purchase things you’re “supposed to need” but still sit in your closet like the rest of the stuff because you aren’t excited about them.

You with me?

Because of this, I’ve come up with three questions to ask yourself (that I ask myself as well) when it comes to buying basics to keep yourself in check on if that item should be your priority at the moment.

The Q’s:

1. Does this piece make an item currently in my wardrobe a complete outfit that I haven’t been wearing because I didn’t have something to go with it?
2. Am I buying this just because it’s a good basic? Or is it on my necessities list?
3. Did I come in looking for this item, or am I buying it because it’s in my safe zone and I don’t feel like trying to find the thing I was originally looking for?

These questions pretty much cover all the bases for me: will the item serve a purpose for me, was it what I was looking for specifically, and will it excite me to wear it.

And that’s it!

I was right on the cusp of not buying them just because I knew they wouldn’t go with everything and that realistically there is a chance I wouldn’t like them in a year from now, and that there was even a risk I wouldn’t like them after wearing them right off the bat.

But I am glad I took the risk, and sometimes I think we all need to allow space for a little bit of risk in our closets. Don’t you agree?

Styling Notes | I paired these bold gingham pants with a basic I’ve had in my closet for a while, a cropped black tank top. I also wore a heeled clog with them because it makes them feel less like pajama’s to me and chicer. Finished it off with a woven bag and a dainty choker.

Outfit Details:

Gingham pants 

Fitted crop top (old) / Similar here 

Woven bag | Heeled Clog 

Necklace Set (old) / Similar here

And that it for now!

Tell me about your relationship with basics though, do you prefer having a closet filled with basics even if you don’t have a plan for them? Or do you feel like you find yourself not using them and uninspired by them if you purchase them without a specific purpose?

So much love,

Mary B.

 

 

0