091. A Nerdy Decision Tree To Shop Smarter Wardrobe Basics
And Forty-Five Brands Worth Your Attention
For this last newsletter of the year, I wanted to wrap up the conversation we started a few weeks ago about wardrobe basics. Recently, I have published a mix of tactical pieces geared toward wardrobe efficiency and pieces encouraging more joy-inspiring purchases. The blend of topics is intended to meet each of you where you’re at. I write to spark ideas, knowing you’ll find what works for you.
In today’s newsletter, we get tactical again. With winter sales kicking off this week, it’s a shopping-heavy time of year after all. I’m taking on the dicey topic of shopping for basics once more and proposing more practical ideas. The inspiration for the right basics should come from your laundry basket, not your Pinterest board. Based on what has helped me in the past, I built a decision framework that should help you cut through the emotional spending. It will lead to a SAVE or INVEST decision based on your expected wearing patterns. I outline some common behaviours around shopping for basics you can identify and learn from. Finally, I heard you loud and clear: you wanted more brand suggestions, so I put together an edit of classic and elevated basics featuring over 45 brands.
If you missed the first part of this series, I have exceptionally taken down the paywall so anyone can read it:
Shopping The Right Basics: A Decision Framework
Too often, we approach spending on basics with a binary mentality: either seeking the cheapest option or falling for ‘investment piece’ marketing. To use this decision tree, start from the top with the next purchase on your wishlist. It will take into consideration everything from potential outfit pairings to the financial viability of the purchase*.
*The recommendation to SAVE or INVEST here refers to your approach to the purchase, not strictly to price points. You already know that a higher price tag doesn't automatically equal better quality, just as a lower price doesn't always mean compromise. This can also mean investing your time in researching the best options. That being said, if you keep reading below, I have done much of the research for you.
**If you interpret SAVE as spending less, remember to do so in alignment with your values. This might mean the occasional fast-fashion purchase, but it could also mean shopping secondhand or vintage.