Hold That Sweater! Do You Really Need It?
Questions to ask yourself before you shop
“Eh, it’s a little late, frankly, for the Happy New Years, you know?” I hear you, Larry. And honestly, you’re right. But I’m going to ignore you just this once.
HAPPY NEW YEAR, my dearest readers! I wish you all a year full of life, inspiration, warmth, and may everything you’ve ever wanted hit a massive sale!
I’ve missed you! It feels like forever since I last wrote — two whole weeks of silence while I was off on holiday. But here I am, back, with a head full of thoughts, stories, and questions to ask you. So, if you’ve (accidentally, ofc) let this newsletter slip into your spam folder, go dig it out. Let’s chat!
I want to casually mention my holiday. I went to the south of Spain, and it was everything I’d hoped for: sunny, warm, and absolutely lovely in every possible way. I also came back with a ton of beautiful photos because I traveled with a very special companion who has an incredible eye for photography. I’d love to show you all the pictures, but I have no idea how to weave them into this newsletter. So…can I at least show you one? (I’ve shared a few more over on my tiny new intimate Instagram page.)
Anyway! This first post of 2025 is more on the “note to self” side. RESOLUTIONS!
My one big resolution for this year is to start saving money. Not just learn how to save money, but actually start saving it. Just do it!!! Since most of my money is spent on clothes, I’ve decided to officially be a bit stricter with my purchases. I’d like to start asking myself some key questions before I shop, and I invite you to share your key questions too. Maybe together, we can crowdsource the ultimate list of questions to pop before you shop!
For now, I’ve got:
Can I actually afford this? (Do I have extra money in the “outfits” category this month?)
Do I already own one — or let’s be honest, multiples — of something similar? If so, can I sell something I already own first?
Will this actually make getting dressed easier?
Is it my size? My actual size? Do I even know my size?
If this weren’t on sale, would I even care?
If this weren’t Margiela, would I even care?
Am I shopping because I genuinely want this, or is it retail therapy pretending to be a “treat”? Can I sleep on it…for a week?
Do I really like it or do I need 10 people’s opinion on this first?
If someone else snatched this up right now, would I be heartbroken — or would I just scroll to the next thing?
If I’d never seen this online, on a friend, or in an ad, would I have even thought, “You know what I need? THIS”?
Will I wear this regularly? And how regularly? Can I wear it for years?
Can I come up with at least three ways to wear/style it?
Where will I store this? And can I take care of it properly? (Looking at you, cashmere.)
So, what do you think? What’s missing? I am currently running this cardigan I think I want through the above list…ughhh, not easy!
Ah and also! What’s your resolution for 2025?
Cheers to a stylish (and financially sound) New Year!
xx, Anni
“Will I wear this regularly” kind of covers this, but a big one I’ve started adding is “does this fit with the clothing needs of my actual life, or the life I wish I had/used to have and am wistfully still clinging to?”
Oh this list is fantastic!!! Covers all the bases for sure. And Anni, your “stop looking for the catch” stopped me in my tracks. I do this all the time and can never be happy in the moment bc I’m always waiting for “something bad to happen”. Officially borrowing this am my New Year’s resolution!