25 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Buying Something
Shopping with intention is the root to shopping sustainably. To do so, you have to consider the purpose and long-term potential of the item. This requires self-awareness and reflection before committing to a purchase. You want to buy things that are in alignment with your values, style, and lifestyle with the goal that you’ll be able to love and wear the item for years to come.
Using filtering questions like these can help you gain that awareness and better think through your purchases.
Here are some questions you can ask yourself:
On the necessity of the purchase
Would I pay for this item full price? (if the item is on sale)
Can I find it secondhand?
Can I modify something I have to create this?
Do I truly need it?
How many uses will I get out of it?
Is it reliant on an occasion to wear it? If so, could I borrow it?
Have I wanted it for a long time?
Have I had enough time to think through this purchase?
Am I just shopping for a mood boost?
Does the purchase put stress on my financial goals?
On its relationship to the rest of your closet
Do I own something similar?
Can I wear it with at least 3 other outfits?
Would it require additional purchases to make it work?
What purpose does it serve and does it offer something new?
Does it fill a gap in my wardrobe?
On the item’s future
Is it high quality with long-term potential?
Will I love this item for years to come?
What material is it made from? How well-constructed is it?
Am I willing to care for this item, repair it if needed, and responsibly dispose of it when done with it?
On the style
Does it allow me to express or explore my personal style?
How trendy is it and does this trend align with my personal style?
Is it comfortable for me and does it make sense with my lifestyle?
Does the brand align with my values?
Do I feel good wearing it?
Do I truly love it?
Ultimately, what matters most is that you truly do love it and can envision yourself loving it for a long time. Of course, it can be hard to predict what your style may be in coming years. To this, I’d ask how much your style has changed in the last couple years. Can you envision your former self purchasing the item 3 years ago? If not, what has changed in your style? Identify the common threads of your personal style over the years and use that to inform what you buy now. While our style may fluctuate, there are typically still patterns we follow when it comes to silhouettes, color palettes, or overall vibe. Recognizing what you like to explore and experiment with and what you have continually loved through change can be instrumental in tracking how to shop for your preferences. Even when employing questions like the ones above, we don’t have to get so strict with ourselves. We can enjoy fashion and get playful with our style intentionally. One tip I have is to build the foundation of your wardrobe with versatile, high-quality, sustainable basics around the part of your style that has stayed the most consistent. Then, when it comes to supplemental pieces and exploration, look to more low-stakes purchasing options like thrifted garments or vintage statement pieces that you know could have a good second or third life if you decide you no longer want it.
We have all made those impulse purchases that we’ve regretted or ended up never really wearing. These questions can help you better think through whether a purchase is worth it and eliminate the possibility of a purchase being made on impulse. Of course, there are many questions here. You don’t have to go through every single one of them before every purchase (but think about how purposeful your purchases would be if you did!). Ideally, you’d reference the handful that are most relevant to you and your purchasing habits. To figure this out, evaluate the purchases you’ve made in the past that didn’t work out. Figure out why you didn’t actually like or wear the item and what you told yourself that still convinced you to buy it. Then, develop your filtering questions based on what could make you think though that same thought process that has previously been a stumbling block.
I hope that these can provide a helpful framework for you and guide you to more intentional purchases.
If you want more practical tips or want a way to share these questions on social media, check out my Instagram here.
September 2021