I'm obsessed with buying clothes I can't afford...help

[FairTurtle]

I'm an average earner but I looooove fashion, style, designer brands, etc.

Helppppppppp. How can I afford the stuff I like?

Buy one piece a month, then nothing else. It’ll help you buy nice things - but only what you want or need desperately

Scour Vinted for bargains?

Make the purchases then return (so you get the same dopamine hit, but without the financial implications)?

FWIW, this was me a few years ago, but was fortunate to start spending into my savings account rather than on clothes just before COVID - best decision I could have made for myself.

@BecuaseIWantItThatWay Haha that'd be good advice but the dopamine hit I get is from owning the thing and knowing I own it and can wear it 😂

Yes Vinted is a good idea! I do do this

Well if you’re buying everything full price you definitely need an intervention.

Do you identify things you love and stalk them until they’re on sale somewhere? Quite often, by the time something goes into the sales I’ve fallen out of love with it.

Do you regularly browse Vestiaire (or any other high end pre-owned clothing sites)?

Do you keep up with the latest collections on the Vogue Runway app? Oddly enough, I find one can get so caught up in considering two seasons ahead that you lose your focus on buying what’s available in shops right now.

@HotXHun I don't do any of these things, no! Wow, thanks so much. These are all great ideas. How do you find specific items you like on sale?

I spend with enthusiasm but I think I probably get 70% enjoyment from the research. I put ££ aside, I decide what I MUST have, then spend lots of time researching for absolutely the most perfect thing. Takes a while. My scent phase involved a lot of notes and testing in Harrods. Weeks and weeks of going in and spraying the back of my hands and giving marks out of 10 and watching YouTube and reading Fragrantica. All of that was free!

Hi op, have you done an audit of your wardrobe and created a wish list? It can help you fill gaps and lead to fewer, better purchases.

What do you do work and social life to warrant a lot of clothes?

You also need to pick apart why you need that hit and what you are bored, could you do something else instead ?

What is the vogue runway app? I search and just vogue comes up!

Ah, I forgot to add ‘Do you look for your favourite brands / designers on The Outnet? (Designer discount site.)

As for finding things on sale - firstly you can sign up to the mailing lists of your favourite designer websites or multi brand store sites. They’ll give you a few days notice of when their sales will start. But also you might get into the rhythm of when sales happen so won’t be suckered into buying three weeks beforehand. Though to be honest, post Covid, most places are still selling three quarters of their stock at reduced prices 9 months of the year.

Cross check regularly with all the obvious stockists for an item you’re interested in. I often browse a few US sites - because I like their styling and curation - but it would be crazy to pay their inflated price for an item by a European or British designer. So you should always check the price at source.

Google the specific item - there are a few sites that scour the internet and will show where an item is being sold and for how much. Let me tell you the real beauty of doing this: when you fall madly in love with a £3000 camel coat you will be partly influenced by the very lovely website of the very lovely designer, and all the flatteringly intellectual / environmentally engaged emails they send you. Everything together makes you feel like a discerning and deserving customer. But when you see the same coat listed on some shabby website you’d never consider using, alongside totally grim purple polyester ruffles - the lusted after item loses a good deal of its allure … Strange but true.

(Search the App Store. If using Apple. Don’t know where, if not.)

@AyeupDuck Honestly, I'm pretty fulfilled generally! I know it might not sound like it. But I have interesting hobbies, close friends, I'm happy with my career (for now)...I just really enjoy clothing and style! Everyone has a vice, I guess.

I was also diagnosed with a pretty major chronic illness a few years back, and this does seem to have coincided with that...maybe something to do with confidence/self-esteem. Who knows. But I do genuinely do just really enjoy fashion!

What about selling the clothes that you no longer wear or need anymore that could then fund your new clothes there's got to be pieces that your no longer in love with, I have a rule if I've not worn it for a 6 months it's gone or if I'm just not into it anymore it's gone