lLet’s be honest – most of us have a few things in our wardrobes we never wear. Tags still on. Bought on a whim. Didn’t return it in time. Or it looked great in the moment, but not so much at home.
It happens to us all.
But if your wardrobe is groaning and you still feel like you’ve got nothing to wear, it might be time for a rethink. Not a full-blown wardrobe detox (although a glass of wine and a try-on session can be surprisingly enlightening), but a shift in how we shop. Because intentional shopping = a wardrobe that actually works for you.
Here’s how to do it, without sucking all the fun out of fashion.
1. Know Your Real-Life Style
You might want to be the woman striding through an airport in heels and a cream silk trench, but if your actual week involves school runs, Zoom meetings and the odd pub quiz, that trench coat’s just going to gather dust.
Shop for your real life first. Ask yourself:
- Where do I spend most of my time?
- What do I feel most confident and comfortable in?
- Which pieces do I reach for again and again?
Hint: the answers are probably not “a lime green sequinned jumpsuit”. Unless you’re everyday fabulous, in which case… carry on.
2. Pause Before You Buy
Impulse buys are sneaky. One minute you're just having a look, and the next you’re halfway to checkout with a neon bodycon skirt you’ll never wear.
Try this:
- Add to basket
- Walk away
- Have a cuppa
- Ask yourself: do I really love it, or do I just need cheering up?
If you still want it tomorrow – and it works with three things you already own – it might be a keeper.
3. Shop With a Purpose
Desperation shopping is where wardrobes go to die. That frantic last-minute scurry before an event? That’s how you end up in a nude lace dress you’ll never wear again.
Instead, build your wardrobe slowly, around what you need:
- Good basics that feel like you
- A colour palette that mixes and matches
- A few fun, personality-filled pieces for extra joy
Treat it like building a house. Get the foundations sorted first. Sequins can - and should - come later.
4. Buy Less, Buy Better
It’s a cliché because it’s true.
If you spend a bit more on something that fits properly, feels good on your skin and doesn’t fall apart after one wash – you’ll wear it loads. And feel better every time you do.
Cost per wear, darling.
5. Ask the Magic Questions
Before anything new comes through the front door, ask yourself:
- Does this suit my shape and my life?
- Can I wear it at least 3 different ways?
- Will I still want to wear it in a year?
And here’s a little Tamarisk rule I swear by:
The 3 Outfits, 3 Occasions Test
If you can style it into 3 different outfits and wear it to 3 different types of occasions (say, lunch with friends, a casual work day, and a night out), it's a yes.
If it only works for one look and one moment, it’s more of a fling than a forever piece.
6. Support Shops That Get You
When you shop with small, independent boutiques (ahem), you’re not just buying a dress. You’re investing in a bit of style advice, a bit of connection, and a lot of love behind the scenes. Plus, you’re less likely to turn up to the party wearing the same thing as three other people.
We see you. We know what suits you. And we’ll tell you if it doesn’t look right – nicely, of course.
Final thought?
Intentional shopping doesn’t mean joyless shopping. It just means choosing pieces that you feel good in, and that fit seamlessly with your life.
If in doubt, step away, take a beat. You’ve got this ❤️