Fall/Winter French 5

Simplify Shopping

Happy day, Reader Dear!

Every September, once we get past the back-to-school kerfluffle, my mind turns to simplifying.

I know I’m not the only one.

For many of us, September is as much a fresh start as January.

And with it comes the same simplify, organize and get it together inspiration.

One of the ways I (try to) keep my life more simple is by limiting when and how much wardrobe shopping I do. Because shopping can take over your life. And your space. Particularly if you are always looking for the perfect X.

Which is how I have come to settle on a French 5 Shopping Plan.

It simplifies my life by limiting the number of times I am looking for new wardrobe pieces. Twice.

It simplifies my life by limiting the number of style purchases I make in a year. Twice Five. Ten.

If you’re curious about the three other ways the French 5 has improved my life, you can read more about that, here!

I Could Never Do That!

If those limits seem drastic, they’re not. I don’t have to buy EVERYTHING I might need within those limits. I purchase replacement items during the year as old pieces wear out. Jeans spring a leak? I order a new pair. Black blouse had one too many encounters with eggplant parmigiana? I’ll look for a replacement.

Some items don’t need replacing. That trendy pair or shorts that ripped on our last bike ride? No need.

How Do You Know What to Buy?

That’s a whole ‘nother blog post, but the short answer? I keep a wish list and look at my inspiration boards in Pinterest to see where my style is headed. AND I look into my wardrobe to see how well the items will play with what I already own. It’s a process of collecting ideas and comparing them to see what makes the cut!

Someone asked me if this process takes a long time. Maybe? It certainly takes less time than trolling the stores and internet weekly or monthly, discovering items don’t work and returning them/mailing them back. It also saves on the frustration of an unproductive mall adventure. Who needs that?

I appreciate how creating these limits for myself has forced me to be more selective about what I purchase. Which makes me a better steward of our finances and of the planet. (Did you know that Americans buy, on average, 68 items of clothing per year? That’s more than one item a week! Different studies show anywhere from 61-68, depending on the year.)

Do You Ever Regret Your Choices?

Sometimes. See my dress overload adventures. But I see the benefits as far outweighing the few regrets. What happens when something FABULOUS shows up on my radar after I’ve bought my pieces? Sometimes I leave an open slot for a serendipity purchase–something unplanned that rocks my world. Other times, I’ll put them on my wish list for our anniversary, Christmas, birthday, Mother’s Day, etc.

Right now, my gift wish list has a denim trench from Talbots and a French Kande necklace. I found both after I’d bought my five. I won’t die without them!

What Did I Choose for F/W 2023/4?

How About You?

Do you know how often you shop? Do you track your purchases? If so, how? Do you create any limits or structures for yourself? Do you have more clothing in your wardrobe than you would like? Or do you need to expand your options? Have you heard that 68 item per year data previously? How does that sound to you? About right? Appalling? What wardrobe struggles are you having? Let me know in the comments below… You might just inspire a blog post!

Stylishly and colorfully yours,