From Rags to Riches VI: Curate your wardrobe

Wow it has been three months since my last post in this series. I must have really been on the mark when I said "I am ready to embrace riches again. Really, I am ready." These past few months have been a lot more prosperous on the financial front due to decreased rent, increased freelance jobs, and student loan payments (I will address student loan repayment once I actually graduate).

So I spent my Saturday night going through my receipts and using this fantastic Excel spreadsheet my girlfriend so generously shared with me. Yes it was time for me to reflect what type of a whirlwind I have actually gotten myself into. I am quite proud of how I have handled everything as I paid off debts, paid bills, and created a savings account for a rainy day before I even thought about spending money on clothing and entertainment (my two weaknesses).

When I did manage to begin shopping, I was armed with a list of required needs to fill in my wardrobe. I create this list when I am putting an outfit together and I realize I am missing the pièce de résistance and write it on my iPhone notepad in the order of importance. That way when I have some funds to put toward my wardrobe feel like shopping, I have a prioritized list of what to buy.

This also saves a lot of time because I don't get distracted (too much) when I am shopping because I have a 'Top 5' list of items that I am looking to buy and everything else can wait. UNLESS you find an amazing classic piece that is lower on your list of 'wants' and it is on sale for a great price and it is in good shape and is good quality. That is exactly what happened to me in Buffalo in the Saks Fifth Avenue outlet store when I found an oversized black cashmere scarf for around $100.

The above list reflects what is currently on my 'wants' list that I am looking to purchase. The dark skinny jeans are crossed off as I bought Citizens of Humanity Avedon jeans at Aritizia on Friday (after agonizing three long weeks over whether they were worth the money - they are). 

So my recommendation for saving money, time, and buying useless items that aren't relevant to  your wardrobe is to assess your needs prior to hitting the mall after you got your paycheque. Create your own wardrobe wishlist based on your real needs of creating a core wardrobe of functional items that will work well in many situations.

See related posts:
Buffalo Hunting  (my shopping trip to Buffalo) 
From Rags to Riches VI: Banish Big Box 
The Art of Consignment: From riches to rags IV
Cooking for dollars: From riches to rags III
Keeping in line: From riches to rags II
From riches to rags