Habits can be pretty difficult to break. That coffee we can’t start our mornings without, watching TV to fall asleep, or the habit of buying something new as a treat or ‘just because’… I’ve been pretty guilty of that last one, using shopping often as a way to escape problems, because I’m bored, or because I’ve seen an item everywhere and feel that I need to add it to my wardrobe. The last few years I’ve found myself on a journey to try and shift my relationship with shopping, so that I can stop using it as a crutch, and properly enjoy fashion for what it is. And what I’d hazard to say has been the most life-changing ‘rule’ I’ve started following when deciding to buy something new is the 30 day shopping rule.
Wearing Everlane silk blouse, Assembly Label shorts, H&M blazer (old but similar), Isabel Marant belt (also here), Boden braided sandals, Everlane mid size day tote, Linjer watch, Mejuri earrings, Vrai & Oro chain necklace, Missoma interstellar necklace
What is the 30 Day Shopping Rule?
Basically, whenever you feel the urge to buy something new, empty your basket or leave the store and take note of the item and write down the date. Then, over the next thirty days, evaluate whether you actually need that item, whether it’ll bring value into your life, or if it’s just a passing phase. If you’re still thinking about it thirty days later, and the urge to purchase said item has lingered, only then should you consider buying it (assuming you have the money set aside to pay for it!).
Why this is such a valuable shopping tactic
I used to be a chronic impulse shopper. It’s what led me to have a wardrobe that wasn’t cohesive, and full of items that I just didn’t love. I had a four step shopping pattern: I saw it, I liked it, I wanted it and I bought it. While I think participating in fashion should be fun, this took that a step further. I treated affordable and expensive items like fast fashion purchases, seldom thinking about the longevity or the environmental footprint of my shopping habit.
The 30 day shopping rule has changed things for me, a lot. While I still buy the occasional item on impulse, I’m much more discerning about my choices. I find it easiest to browse online and save items in my bookmarks, which I revisit every fortnight or so. More often than not, I’ve found the desire to want to purchase those items has subsided within that time. I’ve realised it’s not a style I would normally wear, or I may have something similar in my wardrobe, or ultimately, it could just be completely out of my price range. Whatever the reasoning, taking the time to sit on a purchase before pulling the trigger has taught me how to spend my money more wisely, and invest more in items that I’ll love and cherish for years to come.
Do you use the 30 day shopping rule?
This is such a great shopping rule. I’m just starting on the journey of minimizing my wardrobe and I will definitely implement this!
I work a lot with wishlists as well and “declutter” them from time to time because I’ve found that I no longer want those items. But this method doesn’t always work well because I’ve found that on the internet things tend to sell out very quickly, especially very sought after items. So often I am just frustrated because something that I actually liked very much isn’t available anymore. Very often you just have to make ‘impulse’ decisions.
I think shopping online is sort of hit and miss ;).