Mindful Shopping: 6 Ways to Build a Quality Wardrobe and Feel Great About It

Just to set the expectations right—I’m guilty as well. I sometimes shop impulsively and fall for trends that won’t last that long. It is not as easy to stay strong when you are into fashion, but it’s still good to try.

I am trying because I see the statistics on fashion waste every year and want to contribute to a more sustainable world—even if only in small ways. And actually, shopping mindfully makes my wardrobe more beautiful while making me feel good.

The biggest obstacle for me, personally, was thinking that I had to be radical, like going ahead and just building a capsule wardrobe right away. It's been proven many times that habits are better built in smaller steps rather than all at once.

Here’s my take and journey on how I’m approaching shopping mindfully for a better wardrobe—and a better me.

Researching and planning

Researching can be really underrated when it comes to fashion shopping, but it has become my number-one activity before making any purchase—and there’s logic behind it.

Right now in 2024, chocolate brown is super trendy, and let’s assume I want to get a chocolate brown handbag. The old version of me would have just gone to the mall and picked the first one that looked pretty.

The new version is an upgrade, though. I research online—the possibilities, the brands, the trends in detail. I check social media networks like Pinterest to see how such pieces are styled in outfits. Then, I start planning.

With all the options in mind, I scan my wardrobe. How would that chocolate brown handbag I’m eyeing fit into my regular outfits? Do I have matching pieces?

If it would require me to purchase three more items to make an outfit, the handbag goes to my backlog, as sad as it sounds. If it is an absolute match for my wardrobe, I pick the best option based on further criteria—which I’ll touch on in a bit.

Simply put, planning and researching allow me to make better decisions about my needs and avoid unnecessary pieces in my wardrobe.

Quality over quantity

A common belief is that wearing quality clothes is too expensive, but that’s not entirely true. Trendy and low-quality pieces may seem like a cheaper option at first glance—but only at first glance.

Timeless and high-quality garments last much longer, whereas synthetics from fast fashion brands are usually made to last about a season. Fabrics like wool, silk, and linen can make all the difference in how your clothes look and feel, which is why it’s absolutely my top priority when I’m shopping.

Let’s bring in the famous "girl math" here. Price per wear can really show us the real picture between an acrylic sweater vs. a wool sweater. An acrylic sweater might cost $20, and after around 20 wears over the course of a year, it’s likely to show wear and tear—pilling, losing shape, and looking less fresh. Let’s do the math:

$20 ÷ 20 wears = $1.00 per wear

In comparison, a wool sweater has a higher price tag but will last for many years. Let’s say there’s a wool sweater that costs $80. If you wear it 50 times a year for three years, you get a total of 150 wears.

$80 ÷ 150 wears = $0.53 per wear

So, "girl math" proves that the wool sweater is actually much cheaper in the long run. And let’s be honest, "girl math" is never wrong!

Timeless designs and colors

As I mentioned earlier, building a capsule wardrobe can feel too radical for some of us, but the mindset behind it is still useful. A timeless or versatile piece can be styled in different ways and across seasons. Buying such pieces reduces the need for excessive shopping and keeps my wardrobe minimalistic.

Neutral colors, tailored cuts, and staple pieces are what I’m referring to here. Think of brands like COS, Uniqlo, and Arket—a lot of items from these brands can be worn in different seasons and for different occasions.

Choosing staple pieces that can be worn across different outfits helps me spend less time every day thinking about what to wear. It’s just much easier to mix and match when pieces go well together in a wardrobe.

Embracing the “pre-loved” concept

Second-hand shopping is another piece of the puzzle that can be underrated. If you're thinking of thrift shops only when I mention second-hand, let’s broaden that. Have you ever checked online platforms like Vestiaire Collective, Poshmark, or Vinted? I wholeheartedly suggest everyone check these out.

Through these platforms, I’ve found many pieces that still had tags on and were sold at significantly lower prices. It’s a great opportunity to invest in high-end brands or quality fabrics.

Additionally, it’s a great idea to sell some of the stuff you haven’t touched in years. Apparently, if you haven’t used a piece for at least a year, the chances are much lower that you will in the future. Why not sell it to someone who will love it better, while you get some extra money and space in your wardrobe?

Treating trends carefully

Now, this is definitely a moment of “easier said than done.” We are constantly exposed to new trends, whether we want to be or not. It also happens in a way that we don’t always notice. Have I always loved the cow print, or is it just a phase I’m going through?

While it’s not easy to remain indifferent to trends, I have a way around it that I’m kind of proud of. I approach trends with the goal of making them last longer in my wardrobe.

Most trends come and go at a certain point, but some appear and reappear over longer periods. I try to focus on trends that still lean toward timelessness. Alternatively, if I can’t resist, I focus on pieces that embody just one trend rather than several at once.

For example, leopard print is completely hot right now and comes in many shapes and forms. Personally, I’d avoid investing in something like a pair of Mary Janes or baggy jeans in leopard print, as it combines more trends and lowers the chance of the piece being relevant in the near future.

Instead, I’d go for more basic items, like a wool scarf with leopard print. Even if the craze fades, it’s highly likely I’ll still use the scarf in the future.

Sustainable brands

Finally, I also make an effort to shop from sustainable brands. These brands not only focus on high-quality fabrics like organic cotton, wool, and linen, but they also prioritize ethical labor practices and reducing environmental impact. Some of my go-to sustainable brands are Reformation, Veja, and Ganni.

This ties into “quality over quantity” as well. Sustainable brands care deeply about the quality of their products, so it’s always a good addition to my wardrobe—and to my mood—when I make such decisions.

The mindfulness journey

I’ve tried to share some of the ways I’ve found that works for me. My list isn’t about perfection—it’s about making small, intentional choices that feel right. It’s a journey that I’m still on myself, and it doesn’t always go as planned.

When I see my wardrobe coming together with the right pieces though, it feels rewarding and seems like a good progress.

Cheers for reading as always, see you next time!