Hands up if you’ve been shopping for over ten years. Okay I see you hands down! Since we all have so much experience I’m sure we’ve all developed certain shopping habits. Whether these are healthy or unhealthy habits I think we could all benefit from implementing some shopping rules.

Establishing my shopping rules has allowed me not only to be mindful of my pocketbook but also to better identify my style. Today I can confidently say these rules are the driving force behind me finding my own personal style and sticking to it!

Without further adieu, here are my top 5 shopping rules:

Rule #1

Every new piece must go with 3 existing pieces in my wardrobe

If you’re interested in building a cohesive wardrobe this is the top tip for you! This rule allows you to start buying pieces that mix and match seamlessly with your current collection. By just implementing this rule you will start to niche down your style, find your palette and create a more functional wardrobe.

Rule #2

New items must follow my style guide & palette

Now that we have an idea of what our style is let’s get specific. I have built myself a “style vision board” so to speak to help me stay focused when shopping. If you have no idea on where to start I suggest creating a Pinterest board and trying on what you already own. When you try on your existing pieces you can see what you love and what suits your body best. If all of this sounds super overwhelming start with a palette and go from there.

Rule #3

I must have seen it before

Okay this is a no brainer right!? The best way to make more informed purchase is to avoid impulses. I have found that online shopping helps me with this rule specifically. I love to “window shop” so to speak before intentionally going to see something in real life. I’ve actually appreciated the way this has changed my shopping habits. Online shopping might be your demise if you’re too tempted to press purchase. I think this is where we all find what works best for us!

Rule #4

It has to be an enthusiastic YES!

This is probably my most impactful rule. Finding your style takes practice like anything else in life and it’s all about making concrete decisions. I don’t know about you but the older I get the more I think about how I want to present myself to the world. I want every garment I purchase to feel like and “enthusiastic yes!” not just a “oh that’s cute” kind of vibe. You get me?!

Rule #5

I must already have the money saved in the bank

This one is a personal choice for sure. I know we all have different ways of budgeting our lives but for me I want to know I have the money before spending it. This fall I had my eye on the gorgeous In the Frow x Holland Cooper collection trench. Before the release of the collection I saved and saved. When the collection was finally released I had the money ready to go and it made pressing purchase feel so much sweeter. Now I am so proud every time I wear it versus feeling any sort of guilt.

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Thank you for being here and allowing me to spill my shopping secrets. Let me know if you have any shopping rules and/or if you have made a purchase that felt like an enthusiastic yes in the comments of the YouTube video!

Sending you so much love! And wishing you all the best on your shopping adventures!

Amanda xo

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