As a Personal Stylist at one of the leading luxury stores in the US, it never ceases to amaze me how many clients come in at the last minute looking for things to wear to very important occasions! They are often frustrated, short on time and upset that we can’t get their size (or the deal they would like) on such short notice. I’m so excited to start sharing some of the shopping strategies I’ve taught myself throughout the years, as well as a few ways I plan and budget my wardrobe each season.
Believe it or not, I didn’t grow up in a family of shoppers. In fact, everyone in my family (including my mom and two sisters) would tease me relentlessly about my love of shopping. The teasing (and in some cases borderline bullying) continued as I worked as an actress in Hollywood. Some of my peers thought I spent countless dollars on my wardrobe, which simply wasn’t then and isn’t now the case! The truth is I always had such an intense passion for fashion, that I made it a priority in my life and taught myself how to build a wardrobe one piece at a time! Keep reading for 7 of my best tips.
1) Know your favorite brands
Let’s start at the very beginning… of the season that is! I’m always on the lookout for the first of the seasons look books from my favorite brands and designers. Currently I’m obsessed with a myriad of Parisian brands like this one, this one, this one and this one and American brands like this one, this one and this one. Following my top favorite labels on social media and subscribing to their websites helps me to get a first glimpse at what’s in store. Then it’s time to narrow down my absolute favorites and start envisioning what pieces I can’t live without, as well as what I really need and want for the upcoming season.
2) Set a budget – inventory your gift cards, plan for “First Call” sales and work with your stylist or advisor to maximize deals
Whether you’re a fashion connoisseur and collector like me, just starting to build up your wardrobe, dressing to impress for social engagements or the workplace, or simply just living life, wardrobe updates are a necessary expense that needs to be properly allotted. As a stylist, too often I see both women, men (and sometimes their children), coming in for an important occasions at the very last minute and expecting to find something in store, in their size and at the price point they have in mind.
When I started my career as a young actress and producer in Hollywood a mentor taught me the “good, cheap and fast rule” which I’ve since applied to almost every thing in life and especially fashion! The rule is that you can have two of the three… good and cheap (but not fast), fast and good (but not cheap) or fast and cheap (and this one is the most true… it’s probably not going to be very good). 🙂
Between post-Covid supply chain issues, inflation, tariffs and low inventory absolutely everywhere, waiting till the last minute to shop is a disaster waiting to happen. I think I’ll have to write an entirely separate post on shopping timelines for various wardrobe items, but for now let’s just say that planning ahead is your best fashion friend. And if you have the opportunity to work with a stylist I would highly recommend it! One of the services I provide for my clients is to be there “Fashion Financial Advisor”… again this involves knowing their wardrobe needs, checking inventory and advising on the best time to purchase based on sales, promotions, inventory, trunk shows and for my VIP clients messaging them when I find the perfect one off piece that I know they will love or want!
My own favorite personal strategy is to narrow down my must have list and purchase on the very first day of “First Call” or “Friends and Family Sales.” A caveat is that if I know inventory will be low of a certain piece or if I know it’s something I can’t live without, I will go ahead and purchase full price. This is where I use gift cards and credit card points and make sure I have realistically planned my budget around my absolute favorite wanted and needed items.
3) Check your closet inventory
Let’s face it… everyone has their thing… I had a blogger friend in LA that had (count em’) at least ten white leather jackets. A client I met for the first time told me she had a trouser problem and her friends thought she needed an intervention… she told me she had at least 80 pairs of trousers (as she proceeded to try on a dozen more in my dressing room). If you’ve been following me on the blog or Instagram, you probably already know that I have a thing for dresses. I’ve made it a point over the past few years to incorporate more separates, suiting, accessories and shoes, but I’m still working on allotting more of my budget towards lingerie and workout wear (which is wear I tend to skimp and not update as regularly… so that I have more money for dresses). 🙂
4) Be realistic on what you actually need!
After you finish reading this, I want to encourage you to step into your closet and take a quick inventory… or do a closet cleanout and really dive in deep. What do you have and what do you really need and want? What pieces do you have that haven’t worn for awhile and what pieces can be restyled with a few new updates? What pieces need to be given away, sold, or tossed? Think about it over a few days and the answer might surprise and inform your seasonal shopping list! If you’re really struggling with this, it’s probably a sign that you might want to reach out to a professional stylist for a sartorial boost.
5) Prioritize wants vs. needs
This is the time to really dig deep… in my case do I really “need” 5 new dresses this season, or should I just get one or two of my favorites and budget for the blazer, suit or workout clothes and undergarments I actually really need to replace? As mentioned earlier, we all have that thing (or things) we gravitate to and this is where it’s really important to determine the holes in your wardrobe… and figure out what you really need to take your wardrobe to the next level. After all, another dress, leather jacket or pair of trousers will do you no good if you’re missing a much needed pair of shoes, jacket, or a proper bra to pull the look together.
6) Save room for whimsy
Let’s not let this bit of advice cancel our number 5 above, but I strongly believe in saving at least 10% of your sartorial budget for a whimsical piece each season. I’m talking about the piece that you can’t stop thinking about and you’re not even sure why you are so obsessed! That dress, coat, jewelry or pair of shoes that just makes your heart skip a beat. Please note that I’m not talking about jeopardizing your entire fashion budget (or any other portion of your funds) to go in debt for a piece you can’t afford. I’m speaking of the wild card piece that you know you love and want and are not sure how or where you’re going to wear it. As long as you can afford it, I think it’s important to make fashion fun and see where this whimsical item will lead.
One of my first purchases when I moved to Dallas was this corset dress. I wasn’t sure where I was going to wear it (I had just moved here and didn’t have many social engagements as I didn’t know anyone). Nevertheless I felt a strong gravitational pull toward the dress and it’s become one of my most worn and most complimented in the past few years. Point being is to trust your gut and don’t be afraid to go out on a fashion whim!
7) Plan ahead for Invest Pieces
Have you been coveting a classic Chanel bag, Gucci loafers or that perfect watch or jewelry that you know you’ll love incorporating into your wardrobe forever? High ticket designer pieces are a larger investment that I consider when I’m going through my yearly budget. These are pieces that usually need to be planned and saved for over a longer period of time. Consequently you might want to also think and dream about how much use you will get over this item and also if it has a resale value…. some of my classic designer handbags are now worth several times what I paid for them even though they are now gently loved and worn.
With high ticket items, it’s a great idea to think of what other extra curricular expenses you are budgeting in for the year… ie. vacations, home repairs and remodels, upcoming medical or car expenses, a class or advanced degree that can upgrade your career or budget, or expenses for your children and pets, etc. In my case I’ve put designer bags and jewelry purchase on the back burner temporarily, as I’ve been preoccupied with curating my home décor. I will be honest though and say that I almost thought about postponing getting this Gucci wallpaper after falling in love with this bag at a recent Trunk Show.
Please feel free to leave a comment below about what you are shopping for, budgeting for or struggling with in building your wardrobe. Or feel free to share any tips that have helped you shop over the years below. I hope this post will be the start of a series of posts and discussions on wardrobe building, so please let me know if there are any questions or topics you would like me to address in future posts. And of course feel free to direct message me here if you’d like to set up a styling appointment or consultation either in person or remotely.
