How to stop buying clothes you don’t need

When red carpet stylist Elizabeth Stewart posted a picture on Instagram of Cate Blanchett in a scarlet shirt dress, her hashtag read: “It’s chic to repeat.” Blanchett wore the Michael Kors dress back in 2014, yet this week it looked as pristine as on its first outing.

Thankfully, the wear-it-once culture that follows occasion dressing is waning and repeat wearing now carries a badge of honour, rather than being attached to stigma. As Hollywood royalty, it’s likely Blanchett’s dress remained in a temperature-controlled vault and the actor would have a tailor on hand to ensure any archive pieces remain a perfect fit, but even without these celebrity trappings there are still easy ways you can make longevity a signature in your own wardrobe.

Shopping your wardrobe, rather than dashing to the shops or scrolling in search of something new, is certainly a chicer way to style yourself, but it is also a more sustainable way to consume and will save you money in the long run. But is it really possible to make clever investments that you will still want to wear a whole decade ahead?

There are a few pointers to keep in mind, which will ensure your fashion investments last the course.

Tip 1: Think ten years older

Being led by dopamine when you shop can lead to impulse purchases and trend-led buys that won’t last the season, let alone a decade, so focus on cultivating the joy there is to be found in cherishing your clothes, saving them and bringing them out year after year. The late Dame Vivienne Westwood advocated we “buy less, choose well (and) make it last” and these are definitely sentiments to consider every time you are mulling over a purchase.

Visualise yourself wearing an item in ten years’ time. Shakaila Forbes-Bell is a psychologist and author of Big Dress Energy, where she outlines the “four, three, two, one rule” and advises, “before you buy something, ask yourself if you will still be wearing it in four years’ time.” Cast your mind even further forward, to ten years, then “picture your future self in the outfit. If that image doesn’t look right, walk away.”

Wool blend wrap coat, £289, Aligne aligne.co

Tip 2: Consider clothing care

Once you have imagined wearing your purchase for the long haul, make sure you are set up to look after your clothes properly. You may not have access to a vault, but ensuring your wardrobe is moth proofed, your hangers padded, you de-bobble your knitwear, don’t over-wash your denim and attend to missing buttons, stains or wayward loose stitches at the time will ensure your pieces look fresher for longer.

When you are ready to spend, turn the garment inside out, if possible, and check the seam allowance. If there is a good width of fabric available for a seamster to let out, or take in, you will future-proof your purchase against fluctuating body shape, meaning your favourite pieces will always fit you and last longer.

Victoria Beckham Twill flared pants, £550, Net-a-Porter net-a-porter.com

Tip 3: Spend more

By spending more on your clothes in the first place, you are more likely to pay closer attention to them. The part of our brain that feels pain is also triggered when we spend large amounts of money, so if you shop at the higher end of your budget (rather than buying a top for the price of a posh coffee that doesn’t even register), you will likely feel more attached to the purchase.

Petro Stofberg is COO and co-founder of Wardrobe Icons, an online platform showcasing “what never goes out of style” (which is just celebrating its 10th anniversary.) Stofberg believes shoppers should always, “invest at the top of your comfort zone. The more challenging it is to make a purchase, the lower the chances of making a mistake. If an item gives you butterflies, go for it. A positive emotional response to a piece will increase the likelihood that you’ll wear it on repeat.”

Leather loafers, £245, Russell & Bromley russellandbromley.co.uk

Tip 4: Choose classic

Ten years ago, Stofberg was extolling the virtues of “Burberry trenches, Gucci loafers, Joseph leather trousers, J Crew Tuxedo white shirts…” which she still advises as forever buys today. But are there any colours or cuts that never go out of fashion? Stofberg advises caution when it comes to pattern, “Particular prints can make items feel dated, so it’s best to opt for more timeless graphic designs.” Florals can age particularly fast but stripes, polka dots and tartan are all timeless motifs.

Mohair jumper, £110, Sezane sezane.com

Tip 5: Keep style in mind

If you are concerned that curating a wardrobe full of classics and avoiding trends may leave your outfits feeling a little lacklustre, focus on the styling. “You can give your classics a modern twist through carefully selected accessories or by combining them in innovative ways,” says Stofberg. “The way you style a white shirt today will differ from how you wear it in two years, yet it still remains relevant.”

Silk crop tux shirt, £225, ME+EM meandem.com

Tip 6: Colour charts

Being more savvy about colour will help. “When in doubt, choose classic colours like navy, camel, black and grey,” suggests Stofberg. Indeed those shades never cycle into trendy territory and remain timeless, as well as being versatile enough to go with so many other colours in your wardrobe if you do decide to add a little a trend-led update or personality piece into your outfits.

Pinstripe blazer, £275, Wyse wyselondon.com

Tip 7: Cultivate calm

Shopping while you’re distracted, hungry, overly happy (or sad) will likely distort your reasoning and lead to buys with less longevity. We’ve all had brilliant news and headed out for a little treat, although shopping when you need a pick-me-up is equally dangerous. In Big Dress Energy, Forbes-Bell describes the science behind this rule: “Studies have shown that when people feel prideful, they’re drawn to buy stuff to help them show off – luxury watches and going out-out clothes.” Shop from a state of neutral emotion and plan your purchases. Write a list and always stick to it and you’ll cultivate a wardrobe full of chic, timeless classics that could rival Cate Blanchett’s.

The Midi New York, £445, DeMellier demellierlondon.com