Well friends, the day has come. It is finally time for me to fess up to the ugly truth: I am an online  shopaholic. Now, it might just be me, but I’m preeeeeeetty sure I’m not the only one in this boat. In fact, I know I’m not the only one – there’s been a horrible uptick in online shopping addictions ever since the global pandemic. The entire world had nothing better to do, so to ease the boredom – and to try and feel something again – we scrolled through pricey clothing brand websites for hours and hours on end.  

In an attempt to feel alive, we’d panic order a bunch of wacky garments that we highly doubted we’d ever actually wear, anyway…. Well, maybe once or twice while posing for Instagram, but in real life? Yeah, fat chance. 

(It’s okay. We’ve all done it. How many of us bought that one fuzzy green bucket hat that looked cute on Billie Eilish so we decided to buy one for ourselves… until finally realizing that none of us would go out in broad daylight in that hideous thing.) 

Why we feel guilty after buying clothes we don’t need and will never-ever wear

When I open a closet bursting with unworn clothes, it’s as if I release a tremendous surge of guilt. It feels shameful to observe the messy heaps and chaotic bundles of dresses and high heels that I’d spent so much money on. And here they are collecting dust – and wrinkled – as I abandon these expensive pieces completely. My closet feels like a tomb for forgotten clothes that I’ve let fade into neglect. When I see them unused like this I get a crushing wave of buyer’s remorse.

So in order to ease the shame spiral, I’ll do the exact opposite of what I should be doing… by popping even more wardrobe items into the shopping cart! Perhaps adding new pieces to my never-ending wardrobe would hide all the old pieces that are screaming to be worn at least once. But buying an entire fresh set of clothes would make it so I didn’t have to think about the old clothes… right? ….. Right?  Wrong! So very-very wrong.

The thing is, shopping addictions can create a toxic cycle that we all can stand to break from. Wake up to the “shop your own closet” movement so you can take back your power and cut off your shopping addiction once and for all.

But what exactly does it mean to shop your closet, anyway? And how will it save you a ton of money in the long run? 

What does it mean to ‘Shop your closet’?

Essentially, “shopping your own closet” refers to the practice of reevaluating and appreciating the clothing you already own, as opposed to draining your wallet to buy new ones. It’s amazing how shopping your own closet can remind you how many adorable, fashion-forward items you already own. 

Yet if you feel as though you already know your closet inside and out – but are still unhappy with what you see – there are other benefits to this minimalist-inspired practice. 

Shopping your closet permits you to rearrange your clothing 

You may never have considered the myriad of ways to style and repurpose your outfits that can completely alter the entire essence of your wardrobe. Lately, I’ve been super drawn to the statement look that combines femininity and masculinity and I’ve been incorporating that into my outfit choices. I love the irony of combining a sporty top with a feminine skirt to create a unique contrast. It’s a charming way to change up my look, and there’s a sense of liberation that comes with not being limited to a single, gendered aesthetic. By combining overly girly with overly boyish elements, I’m crafting a whole new style – one I never would have imagined if I hadn’t discovered the concept of “shopping your wardrobe.” And now? I simply can’t get enough of this look! 

This practice is a powerful way to embrace gratitude while unlocking your creativity, allowing you to reimagine and get seriously creative with your existing fashion pieces in fresh ways. How can you repurpose your wardrobe? How many styles can you come up with based on the items and materials you already own? How can you capture the look of your dreams without having to cough up any additional dough?    

It’s excellent for sustainability and for helping the environment

Shopping your own closet is not just insanely beneficial for your wallet, it’s incredibly helpful for the environment? If you care about making this planet a safer, greener place for everyone, taking small steps can make a massive impact. 

By sticking to the items that are already in your closet, you’re reducing the waste that piles up in in landfills over time.    

Honestly, what do you have to lose by trying this method out? Simply close out all those tabs you have open for Zara and Anthropologie, and open your own closet instead… and get shopping!