How To Love Your Wardrobe: 10 Things To QUIT

How to love your wardrobe starts with an intention to do something differently. If you’re staring at your closet thinking, “I have nothing to wear,” you’re not alone. The truth is, feeling good about your wardrobe isn’t about buying more. It’s about letting go of what no longer works for you. Today I’m sharing 10 things I quit that completely changed how I feel when I get dressed.

Love Your Wardrobe: 10 Things To QUIT

1. Trends

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The first thing I quit was trends. Fashion trends come and go. Every season there are new styling trends, item trends, and color trends. In my 20s, when I was still figuring out my style and what worked for me, I followed trends a lot more. But at this point in my life, I’m so much happier now that I no longer do that.

That doesn’t mean I never look at trends or that I’ll never bring one into my wardrobe. Every once in a while, if there’s a trend I truly love and I’ve sat with it for a bit, I’ll incorporate it. But in general, I’m not using trends to define my style or decide what comes into my closet. Instead, I’ve replaced chasing trends with timeless silhouettes and quality basics.

2. Social Media

The next thing I quit was social media. I realized that whenever I scrolled on Instagram, I lost a lot of time and didn’t always feel great about myself. A lot of the accounts I followed were glorified images or highlight reels. And even though I logically know that most of what we see online is curated, it still wasn’t supporting me or the bigger picture of what I wanted in my life.

So here’s a tip: unfollow any accounts that don’t make you feel good. Instead, follow accounts that inspire you, give you styling ideas for the pieces you already own, and genuinely make you feel good.

3. Statement Pieces

The next thing I quit was buying more statement pieces than wardrobe essentials. I used to buy tops with interesting prints or unique silhouettes. Over time, I realized my closet was mostly made up of statement pieces that didn’t work together. It wasn’t until I started bringing in more capsule wardrobe essentials that I could finally wear my statement pieces and create a cohesive wardrobe. Getting dressed became so much easier.

If you’re someone who loves bold colors or prints, I suggest keeping statement pieces to about 20–30% of your closet and letting the rest be high-quality veratile essentials.

4. Boutique Shopping

The next thing I quit to feel happier with my wardrobe was spending money at boutiques. I used to love shopping in them. I’d pick up statement pieces and bring them home, but the next day, when I went to put them on, something would feel a little off. Maybe the fit wasn’t quite right, or it didn’t feel like “me.” Then I’d look at the return policy and realize it was final sale, or the return window was so small that I couldn’t take it back.

While I still love browsing in boutiques because it can be such a fun way to spend the day, I no longer purchase from them unless they have a great return policy. Although I’m clear on my style and what works for my body and lifestyle, I still want the freedom to return something if I change my mind.

5. Occasion Shopping

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Occasion shopping was another thing I had to stop doing in order to truly love my wardrobe. If you’re not familiar with the phrase “occasion shopping”, it means shopping for a specific event. Maybe you have a dinner coming up with friends, and you feel like you have nothing to wear, so you go out looking for that one outfit. What ends up happening is you accumulate a closet full of outfits and not pieces that work together. I’ve experienced this myself, and I’ve seen it in so many of my styling clients’ wardrobes. They end up with items that can only be worn one or two ways, and only for certain situations.

Unless it’s a formal event like a wedding or a gala, it’s much more valuable to shop for pieces, not outfits. Even though my wardrobe isn’t huge, it has everything I need for every part of my life. I have versatile pieces that mix and match, so I’m always prepared without needing to shop last-minute.

6. Shopping Last Minute

You will never find me shopping last-minute for something anymore. This used to be a habit of mine. The first time I met my now husband’s parents was almost 20 years ago. When I got off work, I immediately went shopping. I ended up buying something from a boutique, probably spent too much, and didn’t even love it. I felt like I needed something because I thought I had nothing that worked in my closet.

What I’ve learned is that when you’re shopping last-minute, you often end up buying something you don’t truly love or spending more than you normally would because you feel rushed. I much prefer taking my time to find pieces that I love and focusing on the best quality at the best price.

7. Buying An Item Because It’s On Sale

I no longer buy something only because it’s on sale. I used to grab pieces simply because they were marked down, thinking I was getting a great deal. But I used to make purchases based on the price and not because the piece fit my life, suited my personal style, or fit me well. I wasn’t thinking about the big picture; I was only looking at the price on the tag.

Now, while I’ll still look at sale items, I first look at the piece itself and make sure it works for me. What I’ve found is that when we buy fast-fashion items that aren’t well-made and don’t fit quite right, we end up not wearing them. Even if it felt like a great deal in the moment, it’s not a great deal if the piece never gets worn.

8. Uncomfortable Pieces

The next thing I quit was wearing anything uncomfortable. I used to be on set for film shoots wearing heels all day. And in my 20s, I could get away with it a little more easily, but I still remember countless times when I couldn’t wait to take my shoes off. And that’s only one example. You might be someone who needs stretch in your jeans, or softer fabrics, or looser silhouettes. If something is uncomfortable, you’re not going to reach for it. If you do wear it, you’ll probably regret it at some point during the day.

9. Listening To What Other People Think You Should Wear

This next one is big: listening to what other people think you should be wearing, and not listening to yourself. When I was younger, I’d wear things because someone told me a certain color looked good on me or a silhouette “worked” for me. But over time, I realized I’m not someone who gravitates toward a lot of colors or bold prints, even if other people think they look good on me.

I’ve curated a wardrobe with colors, silhouettes, and styles that I love. I know what I like, and I know what I’m going to wear. When you’re wearing something that doesn’t feel like you, you’re not going to feel as confident as you would in a color, silhouette, or style that you truly love and feel great in.

10. Looking At The Size On Your Clothing Tag

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The last thing I quit is paying attention to the size on the clothing tag. Sizes are all over the place. A size large in one brand might fit like a size small in another. What matters far more than the number is how the item fits your body. Use the size as a starting point, but focus on the fit. That’s what will truly determine whether you’ll wear a piece.

If you buy your old size but it’s now too tight and uncomfortable, you’re not going to reach for it. As I’ve gotten older and my body has changed, the sizes I used to wear don’t work anymore, and that’s okay. Letting go of what no longer works makes space for pieces that truly do.