1. Look for retail-free environments
Shopping is one of those things that just happens when you find yourself in a retail environment. If you find temptation too hard to resist, a good way to navigate this is finding retail-free environments where you can get your jobs done and enjoy yourself. For example, find a new place to do the groceries if your current supermarket is located within a large mall. Alternatively, make a effort to spend more time outside taking walks, riding bikes, visiting the beach or visiting friends, rather than hitting the shops.
2. Shop your own wardrobe
Everyone is guilty of wearing their favourite clothes on repeat, while other items in your wardrobe gather dust and go unworn. Give your wardrobe a good clean out and examine all of those unworn items. Anything you no longer love or doesn’t fit correctly should be donated. Anything you can’t bear to part with should be restyled with newer items in your wardrobe, or get them altered to fit you and your style of dressing now. Don’t be afraid to turn long dresses into short dresses, have long sleeves made into short sleeves, and so one.
3. Unsubscribe from everything
If your email inbox is full to the brim with emails from fashion retailers, department stores, eBay, or other online money-traps, then it’s time to unsubscribe from all of them. Never seeing an email advertising a sale means you’ll never shop the sale!
4. Organise a clothes swap
A great way to reduce your expenditure on clothing without giving up shopping altogether is organising a clothes swap event with friends or family. Everyone can bring items they no longer love – but are in great condition – and swap them for other items they like from each other.
5. Mend and make do
Do you have a few clothes or shoes that you absolutely love but are looking worse for wear? It might be worth taking your shoes to get them resoled or re-heeled, or getting your clothes repaired. Repairs cost a lot less than buying brand new.
6. Set a list and live by it
If you really must buy clothes, one of the best ways to avoid unnecessary shopping is by making a list of items you truly need, and never buying anything that isn’t on the list. For example, if – after a wardrobe clean out - you discover your trusty winter boots really need to be replaced and you could do with a warm jumper and a comfy set of jeans, then pop those items on the list and only ever go shopping for those items.
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