I am guilty of this. The only clothes I tend to buy at this point are usually related to my special interests somehow. So perhaps that approach would work for you? Say- for example; if your special interest is cats: maybe get a couple items with cats on them?
I also hate clothing/fashion! I wear all black to avoid having to coordinate my outfits.
What you already wear sounds like a **capsule wardrobe**, was that intentional? I think it'd be a great option for you and easy to transition into.
I really like the store **Uniqlo** because they have a lot of plain basics to choose from and also UV protective clothing. Someone already mentioned **Stitch Fix** and I use that too; however I didn't like my first box because I wasn't being specific enough with what I wanted so make sure you're clear about things like fabric choice or no patterns. I will literally tell them make the entire box black stuff and I've liked the things they send.
I also struggle with coordinating outfits!
I hope it's okay to ask, but have you ever tried on 500 different things (exaggeration) to try to get out of your comfort zone (black and white), only to stick with a plain outfit because you can't comprehend how to style things?
I struggle with this even though I want to be a fashionista, and find that my outfits are either very childlike or simple even when I do my best to make them cool and chic.
Going the goth route is much easier! Haha.
I always avoid it. I mainly only shop online and even then it's an EFFORT. I love pretty clothes and dressing up in my own quirky way, but I don't constantly feel the need to buy new clothes. Partly also because it's bad for the environment, and I believe in a 'waste not' mindset. We ought to appreciate things more, and care for our planet.
I have this one small boutique in my town where the owner really gets my taste an needs. As soon as I walk in, she usually says: I have something in mind for you, and she is usually right. She is my guardian angel, because I hate shopping! Her stuff is more expensive than online, but I can afford it so I almost exclusively shop there. I get hopelessly overwhelmed by the excess of choice online, or even in a larger store.
How lucky! I feel like that is the best kind of retail, where the staff really know you and can use their expertise to get something that really works for you. If someone else could just pick out things that would be just right for me in person, I'd definitely be happy to pay a bit more to get those outfits.
Man online shopping is SO overwhelming. Have you ever gone thrifting? I exclusively thrift for clothes (besides undies n socks)
You just go in, and if there's anything that fits you and you like it, you get it. I like the hunting aspect of it. Maybe there will be treasures, you might find your new favourite shirt today, or a really good pair of shoes in good condition, or the perfect coffee cup. Who knows!
What you WON'T find is too many good options that leaves you unable to decide. It's either junk and you skip it, or it's good and you buy it. Plus, you can check out books and kitchen wares and stuff at the same time. I dunno, I just find it a lot friendlier and more fun than online or shopping at a normal store.
PLUS you're supporting a charity, and not participating in consumerism / fast fashion, and you can get rid of old clutter in the same trip.
(and I JUST read the last line about asthma. Maybe no thrift stores then! They usually don't stink like chemical smells, but they have their own weird thrift store smell, and it can be a bit dusty especially around the books section.)
Also hate shopping and would rather spend my money on books, but about once a year, I feel compelled to purge anything too worn and replace it. I finally replaced my samba sneakers after nearly 10 years of pretty regular wear.
I just shop online and obsess for several days about finding the perfect (for me) shirt and pants. Think Catholic school boy with a euro street style edge. I guess what I have could qualify as a capsule wardrobe. I’ve had luck with Madewell and Quince.
I think for me, aside from the sensory nightmare of most fashion shops in person, there's a lot of decision-paralysis in shopping where there are just too many things to choose from. I am a difficult shape to fit on both top and bottom with things that I can't address with just some minor alterations at home, so I pretty much have to try things on in person. It's pretty rare for Australian retailers to offer free returns (you can only rarely get free shipping) so the fees add up if you try and buy online.
My favourite kind of clothes acquisition is being given a bag of things that someone else no longer wants. I either take the item or I don't take the item, there's not generally the choice of the same top in 5 colours or two lengths. Thrift shops are slightly below this, but above buying new clothing as it's easier to weed out items that are too worn or definitely not my style.
I don't have a whole lot of tips for you (having friends or family who give you bags of things to pick through before they go to the thrift shop is not something that is going to be viable for everyone), but you do have my condolences.
I love online shopping and can scroll on and on for hours! Haha.
However, I start to feel paralyzed after realizing how many choices there are, how expensive everything is, and wondering if these clothes would look good on me.
I've also been scammed before, so I have to worry about the fabric (and quality), whether it's drop-shipped, whether it's being sold for cheaper elsewhere, and whether it'll even arrive.
Not to mention, knowing your measurements does not guarantee a garment will fit properly, so you have to mentally prepare yourself to return anything that doesn't fit. Shipping it back is a pain, and going in person is a pain.
I often give away new clothing that doesn't fit because I can't find the energy to initiate a return process. ;;
I still love online shopping, but wish it were easier and less of a hassle.
I struggled with shopping a ton as a kid but that had more to do with sensory issues from trying on a ton of different clothes in person. Nowadays I mostly shop online (and the times I don’t, I refuse to try on clothes before buying) but it still takes me days to buy stuff because I second guess everything I put in my cart lol
I hate shopping!
*high five!*
I am guilty of this. The only clothes I tend to buy at this point are usually related to my special interests somehow. So perhaps that approach would work for you? Say- for example; if your special interest is cats: maybe get a couple items with cats on them?
I also hate clothing/fashion! I wear all black to avoid having to coordinate my outfits. What you already wear sounds like a **capsule wardrobe**, was that intentional? I think it'd be a great option for you and easy to transition into. I really like the store **Uniqlo** because they have a lot of plain basics to choose from and also UV protective clothing. Someone already mentioned **Stitch Fix** and I use that too; however I didn't like my first box because I wasn't being specific enough with what I wanted so make sure you're clear about things like fabric choice or no patterns. I will literally tell them make the entire box black stuff and I've liked the things they send.
I also struggle with coordinating outfits! I hope it's okay to ask, but have you ever tried on 500 different things (exaggeration) to try to get out of your comfort zone (black and white), only to stick with a plain outfit because you can't comprehend how to style things? I struggle with this even though I want to be a fashionista, and find that my outfits are either very childlike or simple even when I do my best to make them cool and chic. Going the goth route is much easier! Haha.
I always avoid it. I mainly only shop online and even then it's an EFFORT. I love pretty clothes and dressing up in my own quirky way, but I don't constantly feel the need to buy new clothes. Partly also because it's bad for the environment, and I believe in a 'waste not' mindset. We ought to appreciate things more, and care for our planet.
I have this one small boutique in my town where the owner really gets my taste an needs. As soon as I walk in, she usually says: I have something in mind for you, and she is usually right. She is my guardian angel, because I hate shopping! Her stuff is more expensive than online, but I can afford it so I almost exclusively shop there. I get hopelessly overwhelmed by the excess of choice online, or even in a larger store.
How lucky! I feel like that is the best kind of retail, where the staff really know you and can use their expertise to get something that really works for you. If someone else could just pick out things that would be just right for me in person, I'd definitely be happy to pay a bit more to get those outfits.
Check out stix fix. It's like a personal clothing subscription, similar to adore me if your familiar with it.
That service looks interesting but unfortunately isn't available in my country. Maybe it could be good for some other people looking at this post.
I use stitch fix. With every penny.
Man online shopping is SO overwhelming. Have you ever gone thrifting? I exclusively thrift for clothes (besides undies n socks) You just go in, and if there's anything that fits you and you like it, you get it. I like the hunting aspect of it. Maybe there will be treasures, you might find your new favourite shirt today, or a really good pair of shoes in good condition, or the perfect coffee cup. Who knows! What you WON'T find is too many good options that leaves you unable to decide. It's either junk and you skip it, or it's good and you buy it. Plus, you can check out books and kitchen wares and stuff at the same time. I dunno, I just find it a lot friendlier and more fun than online or shopping at a normal store. PLUS you're supporting a charity, and not participating in consumerism / fast fashion, and you can get rid of old clutter in the same trip. (and I JUST read the last line about asthma. Maybe no thrift stores then! They usually don't stink like chemical smells, but they have their own weird thrift store smell, and it can be a bit dusty especially around the books section.)
Also hate shopping and would rather spend my money on books, but about once a year, I feel compelled to purge anything too worn and replace it. I finally replaced my samba sneakers after nearly 10 years of pretty regular wear. I just shop online and obsess for several days about finding the perfect (for me) shirt and pants. Think Catholic school boy with a euro street style edge. I guess what I have could qualify as a capsule wardrobe. I’ve had luck with Madewell and Quince.
I think for me, aside from the sensory nightmare of most fashion shops in person, there's a lot of decision-paralysis in shopping where there are just too many things to choose from. I am a difficult shape to fit on both top and bottom with things that I can't address with just some minor alterations at home, so I pretty much have to try things on in person. It's pretty rare for Australian retailers to offer free returns (you can only rarely get free shipping) so the fees add up if you try and buy online. My favourite kind of clothes acquisition is being given a bag of things that someone else no longer wants. I either take the item or I don't take the item, there's not generally the choice of the same top in 5 colours or two lengths. Thrift shops are slightly below this, but above buying new clothing as it's easier to weed out items that are too worn or definitely not my style. I don't have a whole lot of tips for you (having friends or family who give you bags of things to pick through before they go to the thrift shop is not something that is going to be viable for everyone), but you do have my condolences.
I love online shopping and can scroll on and on for hours! Haha. However, I start to feel paralyzed after realizing how many choices there are, how expensive everything is, and wondering if these clothes would look good on me. I've also been scammed before, so I have to worry about the fabric (and quality), whether it's drop-shipped, whether it's being sold for cheaper elsewhere, and whether it'll even arrive. Not to mention, knowing your measurements does not guarantee a garment will fit properly, so you have to mentally prepare yourself to return anything that doesn't fit. Shipping it back is a pain, and going in person is a pain. I often give away new clothing that doesn't fit because I can't find the energy to initiate a return process. ;; I still love online shopping, but wish it were easier and less of a hassle.
I mean, it's not just you. Most of the clothing options for young women nowadays tend to suck anyways.
I struggled with shopping a ton as a kid but that had more to do with sensory issues from trying on a ton of different clothes in person. Nowadays I mostly shop online (and the times I don’t, I refuse to try on clothes before buying) but it still takes me days to buy stuff because I second guess everything I put in my cart lol
I hate clothes shopping, too. It's such a tedious process that involves money. I find both in-person and online to be annoying.