Yearly Ritual to Become a Better Shopper

As we step into the New Year, it’s the perfect time to reflect on our wardrobe habits and how we can shop with more intention. Over the years, I’ve developed a simple yet powerful yearly ritual that helps me refine my style, make better purchasing decisions, and truly understand my relationship with my wardrobe. It’s easy to do, and the insights you gain are worth it! Here’s how:

Step 1: Take Stock of Your Additions

Start by listing everything you’ve added to your wardrobe over the past year. Be thorough—include clothing, accessories, and shoes. Write down the types of items, like:

• 2 cardigans

• 3 dresses

• 4 shirts

• 2 bags

This step helps you see the full picture of what you’ve brought into your life and sets the foundation for the rest of the exercise.

Step 2: Analyse Where They Came From

Once you’ve listed everything, take a moment to reflect on where your purchases came from. Break it down into categories such as:

• Secondhand

• Local brands

• Tailor-made

• Fast fashion

• Luxury brands

If it’s important to you, calculate the percentage of each category. For example, you might discover that 40% of your purchases were secondhand, 30% were local brands, and 20% were fast fashion. Understanding these patterns can help you align your shopping habits with your values.

Step 3: Celebrate Your Best Purchases

Next, pick out your top five purchases of the year. These are the items you’ve loved the most, worn often, and feel amazing in. Ask yourself:

• What do these items have in common?

• Is it the fit? The quality? The color or material?

Recognising these commonalities can guide your future purchases, ensuring you invest in pieces that bring you joy and fit seamlessly into your style.

Step 4: Reflect on Your Worst Purchases

Now for the honest part: identify your five worst purchases. These might be items you haven’t worn, don’t feel good in, or regret buying. Analyse why they didn’t work. Was it:

• An impulse buy?

• Poor fit or quality?

• Something that didn’t suit your lifestyle?

Understanding what went wrong will help you avoid similar mistakes moving forward.

Why This Ritual Works

This yearly reflection is about more than decluttering or critiquing your wardrobe—it’s about learning. By understanding what works for you and what doesn’t, you can shop more intentionally, reduce waste, and build a wardrobe that truly reflects your personal style.

Ready to Try It?

If you’re looking for a way to approach the New Year with clarity and purpose, give this ritual a try. It’s a small step that can lead to big changes in how you view your wardrobe and shopping habits. Who knows what insights you discover—here’s to smarter shopping and a wardrobe you love!