A smart, stylish reframe for how you shop
Let’s cut right to it:
The biggest issue with how we shop for clothing today—especially in North America—is this idea that clothes are disposable.
We’ve been trained to shop by price tag, not by quality, longevity, or even joy. And as a result, our closets are filled with pieces that were cheap in the moment but come at a cost: waste, clutter, and regret.
And listen—I love a good deal.
But let me be clear:
I would rather buy expensive clothing at a better price than buy cheap clothing at full price. Every time.
Why Settling for “Cheap” Isn’t Saving You Money
I can’t count how many times I’ve heard this in a change room:
“It’s not perfect… but it’s cheap!”
“It’s not really me… but it fits!”
We justify our purchases based on price instead of how the piece makes us feel. But what if, instead of settling for subpar clothing, we only took home the pieces that made us want to twirl in front of a full-length mirror?
Not revolutionary.
Just smart.
If you want to feel good in your clothes, you need to own clothes that feel good on you.
It’s really that simple.
The $150 Pair of Jeans That Taught Me Everything
A friend recently asked me if I’d seen her favourite jeans—Mother denim—on sale again. I had. They were marked down to $150.
“But the wash isn’t perfect,” I told her.
Her response?
“Oh yeah… $150 is a lot for them not to be perfect. But at $50, I probably would have bought them.”
To which I said:
“I wouldn’t have grabbed them at $50 either. The wash wasn’t perfect.”
Why would I spend even $5 on something I don’t love when I already own a pair I adore?
Whether you’re spending $5, $50, or $150—if you’re buying something that doesn’t make you feel great, you’re not getting a deal. You’re wasting your money.
How to Stop Buying Clothes You Don’t Love
If this sounds familiar (no judgment—we’ve all been there), I’m challenging you to try these two simple wardrobe habits:
1. Evaluate Every Outfit You Wear This Week
Each time you get dressed, pause and ask:
- How does this outfit make me feel?
- Would I reach for this again tomorrow?
- Do I feel “me” in this?
If your answer is “meh,” here’s what to do:
👉 Turn the hanger around or place the item in a separate drawer.
At the end of the week or month, take stock. If you have a pile of flipped hangers or “just okay” items… that tells you something.
2. Go Try On Your Dream Outfit
Yes, I’m giving you full permission to play dress-up.
Walk into any store—Holts, Aritzia, Value Village, wherever—and try on a full outfit that makes you feel absolutely incredible.
Then, do a little fashion forensics:
- What made it feel so good?
- Was it the colour? The shape? The fabric? The fit?
- Did you walk differently when you put it on?
📸 Take a selfie.
📝 Write it down.
Bring those details with you on your next real shopping trip.
Because your dream outfit shouldn’t live in a store—it should live in your closet.
The Bottom Line: Only Buy What You Love
The best wardrobes aren’t built with sales racks or last-minute purchases. They’re built piece by piece—with love.
So here’s your new standard:
If it doesn’t make you feel amazing, it doesn’t come home with you.
You deserve a closet that’s full of clothes you love.
Let’s stop settling for anything less.
— S.C.
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