In our last post, we talked about some of the frustrations that come with shopping, and we offered some tips to help you assess your wardrobe before buying more. Now, we want to carry that thoughtfulness into the actual shopping experience itself.

Many of us in the Dahl community make deliberate decisions about clothing that reflect what we feel comfortable putting on our bodies and into the environment. But at some point, this can become mentally fatiguing. We hope to lighten this mental load through some simple decision-making tips. 

Here are 5 questions we like to ask ourselves before we make a purchase:

1. Am I comfortable in this?

• If you’re adjusting all day or you’re worried about how you look, you’re going to want to change.
• Don’t purchase something out of an aspiration to fit into it one day. You probably won’t ever wear it, and this is often a shame-inducing process.
• Think about your lifestyle and what you want from your clothing. If you like dresses but spend most of your day sitting, consider tiered dresses. There’s enough fabric to sit however you want, so you won’t feel restricted or worry about people seeing up your dress. If you work in an office, think about how a piece might layer with sweaters when the office gets cold. 
• Consider how different fabrics make you feel. Breathable fabrics will change your life! Cotton and rayon can be great for this, while polyester can often feel hot.

2. Is this my style, or just trendy?

• All of us are influenced by social media and the culture around us, and sometimes we buy things because other people say they are cool, not because we actually like them. Consider where you saw the style, and then ask yourself why you liked it.
• Think about where you would wear this piece. Is this a frequent setting for you? If it’s for a one-time occasion and you never see yourself wearing it again, it might be helpful to reconsider the purchase.

3. Does this pair well with 2–3 items in my closet?

• Think about the colors, patterns, and textures of other items in your closet. Do these pairings create a good balance on different parts of your body?
• Will you need to buy other pieces to make this new purchase work? Does it need alterations like hemming, which can take time and money?

4. Is it good quality that will last a long time? 

• Think about whether the material will shrink, and whether it can hold up to body odor, stains, and the climate you live in. If you live in a dry climate, consider natural, breathable materials like cotton and linen, which are gentler on dry skin and less prone to static than synthetics. In a humid climate, look for light, loose-fitting pieces in fabrics like linen that don’t stick to your skin and dry quickly. 
• Be honest about how you care for your clothes. If it takes a lot of effort to keep a piece in good shape, it might take up too much of your time.

5. How much of this do I need?

• Think about the quantity you’d like of each item. Even things you love can quickly turn into clutter when you buy too much of one thing.

Through these questions, we hope to help you build a wardrobe that you love and cherish. This is what we are doing for ourselves with Dahl. 

With love, 

Kelsey & Bethany