Should I buy this?

What to consider when deciding whether or not to buy the thing…

We all have something in our closet we bought because we love but never wear because it’s hard to style. I encounter this all the time when helping my clients in their closets. Sometimes these pieces are part of an aspirational fantasy. I counsel clients to part with these items as they are both physical and emotional clutter. Other times, these pieces represent a desire for change. Here there is room to explore.

The main reason a client first reaches out to a stylist is to break free from inertia. They are working towards change in other areas of their life and realize their style no longer reflects the person they are becoming. Perhaps this is a feeling you’ve had before.

When is it just a fantasy?

How can you decipher the difference between what is fantasy and what is a genuine yearning for a change in style? By preparing style boards, I help my clients imagine what kinds of looks are possible with these pieces. The client can then visualize if the piece achieves the look they desire. Only then can a decision be made as to whether the piece is worth keeping or acquiring.

I’m going to demonstrate this process using a pair of bright orange pants. If you’re not into orange pants, then pick something else. Something you love that is difficult to style. The goal is to discern whether the item is worth having or not. To find out if the orange pants are worth it, I’ll style them to see what I can come up with.

Set parameters

The first step when I style something is to set parameters, otherwise the number of options can be overwhelming. This can be done using inspiration images, setting a budget, deciding whether to buy additional items, considering what kinds of outfits and how many, and choosing a color palette.

Here are the parameters I’ve set for the orange pants experiment. I would like to create a capsule wardrobe with enough combinations for a week or two of outfits, in an elevated everyday style. To accomplish this, I’ll be shopping for two pairs of pants, three tops, and complete the looks with jackets, shoes, bags, and jewelry. I want oversized pieces that are comfortable and not restrictive. I would like the option to tone down or play up the orange pants and plan to do this with a versatile color palette. Since I’m shopping for new items, I will select pieces from brands that prioritize beautiful design and quality manufacturing over quantity.

Make a style board

Based on these parameters, these are the pieces I chose. Lilac matches the intensity of the orange, adding color without adding contrast. The eye needs a place to rest after all, too much contrast is distracting and creates a visually busy and overwhelming look. A dark olive jacket adds contrast without adding intensity. The dark color absorbs the light giving the eye a place to rest. The metallic jacket does the opposite. The neutral shoes and bag give the eye a place to rest, whereas the lilac bag becomes an extension of the tops and doesn’t compete for attention. Denim goes with everything, and on days when orange pants are just too much they tone everything down.

Consider the overall look

Here are the final looks. The magic of a capsule wardrobe is the number of outfits that are possible even with a small number of items. A small wardrobe is not only more sustainable for the planet, it can mean spending less overall or the ability to spend more on higher quality items that last longer.

By sticking to the same oversized silhouette, I have created 30 outfit combinations with just seven pieces of clothing. Layering items creates more looks and adds to the aesthetic. The different bags and shoes add more versatility. Jewelry is a great way to personalize a look. I like to add pieces that tie the color palette together. In this example, mother-of-pearl is a beautiful combination of the colors in the palette.

Now with the style boards arranged, we can go back to the original question. Are the orange pants worth it? The answer depends on your aesthetic preferences and lifestyle, so remember to try this exercise with an item you are considering keeping or buying. Styling the item will reveal the answer every single time.

Get this look

Find shopping links here. Or create your own signature look using my free workbook. It's easier than you think.

Prefer a done for you solution? I create lookbooks for my clients through my wardrobe makeover package. Learn more.

What would you like to see next?

What kind of capsule would you like to see next? Subscribers can send inspo images for a chance to be selected for the next seasonal capsule. Whether you love denim on denim, coastal grandmother, or quiet luxury, I will select one subscriber and turn their inspo images into a shoppable capsule wardrobe that goes out to my subscribers. Sign up now, you could be next!