MY 11 SHOPPING COMMANDMENTS

Forgive me, Substack, for I have sinned….

I have been a bad girl! I have been buying a lot recently. Like, a lot. I was going to try to justify it by saying that I am feeling more like myself finally postpartum, which is technically true, but also kind of a lie because that really has nothing to do with this recent shopping surge. I was also going to go through all the things I have on the horizon to try to explain why I NEED so many new vintage dresses. That would also be a lie. So I am just going to say what it is… I have been seeing a lot of cute shit, and I have been buying it.

I was going to eventually go on to list what I have purchased and say “do as I say, not as I do,” but I think it’s maybe important to explain… how I do. Because, while I am not perfect, I think I do pretty well. Of course, I make mistakes and buy things that I never wear or that just don’t feel right. But if I’m being honest (finally, after all of those lies!), it doesn’t happen that often. And I don’t think that’s just because I’m a stylist and it’s my job to shop (although that obviously plays a role).

I decided to sit down and figure out what makes somebody a good shopper because, as we all know, if you’re a thoughtful consumer, it is reflected in your wardrobe and your style. Knowing oneself is the key to personal style, and when you know yourself, you can shop for yourself. Not for who you wish you were, not for who you used to be, not for who you think you should be.

I can’t tell you who you are or what you should buy, but I can teach you how to approach shopping in a mindful way. These “10 commandments” are not necessarily a checklist I think about each time I am buying something (although my 7 shopping questions actually are more of a checklist—if that is what you are looking for).