Questions To Ask Before Buying New Clothes

Last Updated on August 11, 2017

To go along with my video about 5 things I no longer buy, these are some questions I’ve found helpful and are good to ask yourself before buying a new garment:

 

When/where will I wear this?
  • Clothes should fit your lifestyle, only buy pieces you know you’ll actually wear.

 

What will I wear it with?
  • Make sure the garment works with what you already have and doesn’t require you to buy other things to wear it. I try to think of at least 3-5 different outfits including the item, if I can’t easily think of them I know it’s going to be difficult to make that piece work in my wardrobe.

 

Does it fit and is it comfortable?
  • If it doesn’t fit right, can it be altered? Your clothes should fit the way you want and if it’s not comfortable when you try it on, you likely won’t enjoy wearing it.

 

What is it made from and how do I care for it?
  • Make sure the material has the properties you want (eg. soft, breathable, water-resistant, etc.) and is a fabric you like wearing.
  • Check the care instructions and only buy things you are prepared and able to care for properly.

 

Is it good quality?

 

How long can I see myself wearing this?
  • 1 year? 5 years? 10? …20? This helps avoid fleeting trends and the longer you can see yourself wearing something the better the investment it is.

 

Does it fit with my budget?
  • Make sure you can afford it and that your money isn’t better spent on a different piece(s).

 

Are there any sustainability aspects? Is the company trying to reduce their environmental impact?
  • Look for sustainable materials, eco-friendly production, or any other areas where the brand is conscious of the sustainability of their products.

 

Were the people who made this paid fairly for their work?
  • Support companies who manufacture in an ethical way – pay their workers a living wage and treat them with respect. Check out brand’s social responsibility policies and look for fair trade brands.

 

Do I love it, or am I trying to convince myself I need it? Is the price/sale factoring into my decision?
  • It’s easy to get excited about something new so make sure it’s an item you actually want and will use (giving yourself some time to think about it often helps). It’s also incredibly easy to be tempted by sales, ask yourself if you would feel the same way if the product was regular price.

 

3 Responses

  1. Ashley Johnson
    | Reply

    I liked that you said that one way to prolong the life of the clothing that you buy is to check the proper cleaning instructions included on the tag and to follow them. I would imagine that washing your clothing correctly would eliminate shrinking, discoloring or tearing. I will be sure to consider reading the proper care instructions and following them better so that the new clothing that I buy will last longer.

  2. Daphne Gilpin
    | Reply

    Thanks for the tip to ask how long we can see ourselves wearing the clothes. I want to go to the shopping mall to find new clothes. Following your advice should help me end up with high quality, smart purchases.

  3. Dennis
    | Reply

    These were great tips. Really one should follow the questionnaire before buying the clothes. Thank you for the post.

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