Now that I’m developing my personal style, it got me thinking about what makes something worth buying. In the past, I used to buy what I thought looked cool without considering how new pieces fit into my wardrobe. Now that I understand what works for me, I’m shopping more intentionally and buying less on impulse. But these ideas didn’t form overnight.
Emotional Pull vs Impulse
Here’s a story for you. A few years ago, I was in Miami with a friend for my birthday. After walking into Abercrombie & Fitch, I spotted a black-wash cropped t-shirt I liked. I tried it on in two different sizes—XS and S. The XS fit me better, but I still went with the S in the moment. My friend bought the shirt for me as a birthday gift, and I still have it—I just wear it at home.
Although it wasn’t a complete waste of money, that purchase taught me something simple: if I try something on and I don’t love how it looks, it’s going back on the rack. The point of buying with intention is to choose pieces you actually enjoy wearing—not the other way around. That experience stuck with me and it’s a big reason I trust my instincts now.
Time as a Filter
There have been plenty of times where I’ve found something online I like but wasn’t ready to purchase at that moment. That’s where wishlists come in clutch. If I’m not ready to purchase something, I add it to my list and give it time. If I can’t stop thinking about it—and can picture how it works with what I already own—that’s when I know it’s worth buying.
This approach came in handy when I picked up my driving loafers from J.Crew. By the time I bought them, I knew they made sense for my wardrobe. Getting them 25% off was just a bonus. I saved money and bought something I actually enjoy wearing. That’s a win-win.
Versatility and Integration
Those first two lessons helped me start buying more intentionally, but the biggest shift came when I realized that not everything I like will align with my personal style. Before I started paying attention, I would buy anything I thought looked cool. Over time, I ended up with a bunch of clothes I didn’t feel comfortable wearing because nothing really worked together.
Once I started paying attention to outfits I liked—on Pinterest and from creators I followed on YouTube—that’s when things started to click. I began to understand what actually fits my style, and more importantly, what doesn’t. That made it easier to tell when something made sense for my wardrobe—and when it didn’t.
Final Thoughts
Developing your personal style can take time. Once I started to understand what actually works for me, buying clothes became a lot easier. Over time, I learned a few things—the importance of trusting my instincts, being patient, and only buying something if it truly aligns with my taste.
For me, those lessons changed the way I shop. Whether I see something online, in a store, or on someone else, it has to make sense for me—not just look cool. I should be able to picture how it fits into my wardrobe before I decide to buy it.
Because of that shift, I’ve been able to shop with more intention and avoid wasting money on things I won’t wear. And in a simple way, that’s what makes something worth buying—it fits your style, works with what you already own, and you actually enjoy wearing it.