TO BUY OR NOT TO BUY… THAT IS THE QUESTION

Consumerism and fashion is a hot topic. My social medias are now flooded with ‘de-influencing’ videos, and trends that people ‘will not be hopping on’ in 2024.

I definitely am trying to stop buying, both for the planet, and because, well, even £5 work trousers add up. 

But how do you know when a purchase is worth it? How do you know when you should let be, and when you should indulge?

This weekend I was at brick lane with my friend. We were debating between museums and shopping, but I can’t stay away from the shops for too long. They bring out my creative side, and have a hold on me in every sense. So we shopped.

Swimming round my brain the whole time were my classic go-tos for convincing myself not to make a purchase (feel free to adopt these)

“£5 adds up”

“Would this look good with EVERYTHING?”

“Would you buy this if it weren’t only £10”

Normally when I stick it out and end up buying nothing, I leave with a sense of accomplishment, self growth, and happiness.

Sunday was not that day. 

I am still thinking about a coat I tried on in a stall market by brick lane and I don’t know what to do. 

It was a light and dark green gingham ladies’ cut ski jacket with an orange lining and orange fur hood trim. 

It was originally worth £280 and the man was offering £20. What a good deal right?!

I am no stranger to the bargain, so whilst this seems like a no brainer and an incredible opportunity, I have taught myself to not be swayed by numbers. Just because something is £1, doesn’t mean it needs to end up in my wardrobe. 

(This is not my wardrobe but the mood is remarkably similar)

But how do you know? How can you tell when you should and shouldn’t say yes? 

THE FIRST STEP is to avoid shopping when you’re trying to avoid shopping. It’s not a clever idea to hit the vintage stores when you have zero intention of buying anything. It’s also not a clever idea to try things on excessively. Window shopping = danger zone. 

THE SECOND STEP is to make a list and stick to it. My current list includes jeans, a black cardigan, sunglasses, and a coat. So the fact that I found a coat and didn’t buy it was probably where I went wrong. It was also only £20 and I was treating it as though the decision defined my life. 

There is no one answer to should I buy that? But perhaps these two steps can help you along the way to finding your own answer to that question.