Help! I’m an impulse shopper!

If you look up the definition of “impulse shopper” in the dictionary I’m pretty sure my face is plastered there next to it (along with a shopping bags, online delivery boxes and an overflowing wardrobe). I must admit while I love a purchase I’ve been thinking more deeply about my shopping habits.

The thrill of the new and the resulting random purchases can work against you and make the process of getting ready in the morning really challenging. Here’s why:

You end up with lots of variations on a theme.

Ever look at you our lipstick or nail polish collection and realise you have about 25 variations of the same colour? This is because when you’re impulse buying you often gravitate towards things you don’t have to think too hard about because you’re comfortable/familiar with. “That lipstick is on sale and that colour really suits me - I’ll buy it!” Get it home and discover it looks veeeeeeery similar to the other lipsticks you own. and before you try telling me you wear them all, you don’t. You wear the same one most of the time and the others get pulled out on the occasion your fav is missing in a handbag. We do the same with clothes. We end up with 15 white tshirts, or black pants - all slightly different but essentially the same thing. A few years ago I did this with pink knitwear. I had enough pink jumpers to open my own pink knitwear boutique. So what’s the problem with this? Overwhelm. Which is the RIGHT white tee out of the 17 I own for this outfit? I can’t it because everything looks the same! Too much of the same makes your closet feel like a magic eye puzzle. There’s lots of stuff that all looks the same, and it’s hard to see the final picture.

You end up with randoms.

When you’re not impulse purchasing items you already own you’re buying completely random things that are not your style and go with NOTHING you already have. You feel like a pick me up, like a life change, but instead you buy that Fluro yellow shirt, then hang it in your wardrobe among all the items it definitely doesn’t go with. Occasionally as you are flicking through you pull it out, are confused why it’s there and then put it back and wear something else.

All dressed up and nowhere to go.

Depending on the frequency of your impulse shopping you might be adding more outfits than your social life needs. The lovely cocktail outfits you buy scrolling at 10pm are piling up but your social calendar says grocceries, a Pilates class and a movie night at home in your pyjamas. These add more clutter to your wardrobe and make it hard for you to sift through and find the items you actually need to wear.

So what can you do to try and make your shopping habits more considered and less impulsive? First, have more willpower and don’t do it.

HA HA HA HA HA. Jokes. It ain’t that easy. Maybe try these tips instead.

Create a wish list.

A housemate and I used to work in fashion retail and we had a ritual at the start of each season where we would sit down and make a list of pieces we wanted to create looks we liked. You don’t have to know the specifics of where you are going to buy it from but knowing you want a white jumper, tan boots or a red mini dress might help steer you in the direction of things you genuinely want/need when you’re 10pm scrolling or aimlessly wandering the shops. The the very least it might make you pause before you add your 25th pink jumper to cart.

Take some pictures of your current wardrobe.

Am I crazy? I mean, probably, but this tip is actually a winner for creating a considered wardrobe. I have pictures of my hanging shirts and dresses and snap shots of my folded tshirts. These are great prompters for me to look at before I purchase something on the fly. Do I already have this (or something very similar?). Do I genuinely have things to wear with this or am I just telling myself I do? A quick scan of your wardrobe pics can help you make a more informed decision. If you’re online shopping then get up off the couch and go look at your wardrobe. Seriously. It’s right there.

Give yourself a cool off period.

If it’s an item that’s easy to buy (i.e. it’s at your local shopping centre, there are lots available, it’s not super unique) then give yourself some time to think about it. Even if it’s just an hour which you have a coffee or browse somewhere else. Some stores will let you put an item on hold for a period of time while you think, make you’re considerate though and let them know if you change your mind, or put an time limit on it (i.e. if I’m not back in an hour, put it back on the rack). If you’re still keen to buy it an hour later then you probably geniuinely like it. Same applies to online shopping. Put the things in your cart if you like then review the next day. This allows you to “scroll and add” while you watch telly (yes I know you do that) without actually committing to a bunch of things you actually don't need.

Hope these tips help you navigate the perils of impulse purchasing and save you from potential wardrobe pitfalls.

Happy shopping!