Shopping can be a very frustrating process and usually it’s because we can’t find clothes that fit us, or we get disappointed by the options that do. Shopping can quickly turn into a body-shaming experience when we don’t know why something doesn’t fit right.

If you listen closely to our new collection try-on videos, you might hear Bethany (founder of Dahl) commenting in the background, “Your body is not the problem. It’s the dress! If you don't like something on you, it wasn't made to work for your body.” Bethany says these things because as we try on clothes, we all need reminders that just because something doesn't fit us right does not mean there is something wrong with our bodies. 

Trying on clothes can be mentally taxing, so managing that load beforehand can make the whole experience easier. We've provided a process that we like to use before we buy new clothing. An important part of this process is learning what we like and feel comfortable in so that we can buy less and buy what we actually love. 

Wardrobe Survey:

Step 1: Sort your clothes into piles of what you love, don’t like, or feel indifferent about. This helps you visually understand what you are picking up most often, and what you never wear. 

Step 2: Go through each pile, and ask yourself why you categorized your clothes there.

Here are some questions you can ask yourself: 

• Do I feel comfortable in this piece of clothing? 
  • Think about the materials, size, and effort that goes into wearing it. 
    • If you notice things like odor, don't blame yourself. Take a moment to look into the material. Synthetic fabrics such as polyester do not absorb water well, so oils and odor can be harder to wash out. The next time you shop, consider buying clothes with natural fibers such as cotton. 
      
• Do I like how it sits on my body (Fit)? 
  • Think about your body dimensions: torso length, leg length, arm length – what fits well? 
  • Remember that our bodies change over time. It's important that we revisit and adjust our styling approaches so that we feel comfortable in what we are wearing. 
• Do I like how this piece pairs with other clothes that I have (Proportion)? 
  
  • You might have a really cool article of clothing that you like by itself, but you don't like it with your other clothes. If this is the case, consider the style of the piece and what you wear it with. If it's a tight-fitting piece, maybe it needs something looser to balance it out. If it's oversized, it might need something more fitted.

Step 3: Note what you don't want to buy again, and what you have in excess. 

Ask yourself: 

• Are there things I repeatedly find myself buying but never end up wearing? 
  • Again, think about fit, proportion, and comfort of each item. 
    
• Do I have too much of one item? 
  • This could be repeats in articles of clothing, styles, color, or pattern of clothing. 
    • As our bodies change, we might prefer different styles, and it's good to experiment to figure out what you like! 

Step 4: Now that you've assessed what you have, ask what you want or need next.

Ask yourself:

• What clothes do I feel good in, and where can I find similar styles & fits? 
  
  • Or, if you don't like the styles and fits you have at home, think about new styles and shapes you might want to try. 
• What is missing in my wardrobe? 
  • You might be missing the one piece that pulls together a look you were excited about.
• And most importantly, what makes me feel like myself?
  • Find more of these things! 

 

Before you go shopping next, try this exercise at home and let us know if it helped you. Hopefully these tools give you the language to help you figure out what you like and don’t like, and empower you to curate a wardrobe you feel confident in. That being said, don't take this process so far that you despise what you have or get so attached to your clothes that they stress you out. We love fashion just as much as you do, but your clothes should not ask so much of your body and mind. 

Stay tuned for a Part Two, where we will discuss tips and tricks for your shopping! 

With love, 

Kelsey & Bethany