How to avoid shopping mistakes: the no-regret check for buying clothes

A dress still hanging in your closet with the tag on. A sweater that looked beautiful in the store but goes with nothing at home. Almost everyone has them: shopping mistakes. They cost money, space and often a little confidence too. So how do you avoid shopping mistakes without turning shopping into a chore?

The good news: learning to avoid shopping mistakes is easier than you think. You do not need strict rules or a shopping ban, just a few questions you ask yourself before you pay. We call it the no-regret check. Below you will find out how it works.

Why we make shopping mistakes

A shopping mistake rarely happens because you have bad taste. Instead, it is usually the moment. You spot something on sale, you want to treat yourself after a busy week, or you buy something because it looked great on someone on Instagram. In the store you focus on the garment itself, not on what you already have at home.

In addition, lighting plays a part. Store lighting is often warm and flattering, and the fitting room mirror is placed at just the right distance. At home, in daylight, the same color can suddenly look very different next to your face. That is exactly why it helps to have a few fixed questions ready, so you do not decide on feeling alone.

The no-regret check: 5 questions to avoid shopping mistakes

In doubt about a garment? Then go through these five questions. If the answer to one of them is no, chances are it will become a shopping mistake.

1. Does the color suit me? Hold the garment under your face, preferably in daylight. Do you look fresher, or does the color pull all the attention to itself?
2. Does it go with at least three things I already own? Think specifically about which trousers, skirt or shoes you would wear with it. If you cannot, the piece often stays on the hanger.
3. What does it cost per wear? Divide the price by the number of times you will realistically wear it. A hundred-euro coat you wear a hundred times is cheaper than a twenty-euro top you wear once.
4. Are the fit and quality right? Does the fabric pull, is a seam crooked, or does it need altering first? If you already have doubts now, they will not disappear at home.
5. Would I buy it if it were not on sale? A discount is a nice bonus, but not a reason in itself.

Question 1 in the spotlight: does it clash, yes or no?

Of all the questions, the color question is the most important one, and also the one people skip most often. A garment with a beautiful cut and good fabric still feels like a mistake if the color makes you look dull or tired. You do not always notice it straight away, but somehow you never reach for it in the morning.

That is why we keep it simple: does it clash, yes or no? Hold the garment next to your color palette or your color fan. If the color blends in calmly, you are good. If it jumps out or clearly does not belong, leave it on the rack. You do not have to think about it for long: you usually see the answer within seconds. Read more in our blog on how to use a color fan.

Avoid shopping mistakes with a wishlist

The easiest way to avoid shopping mistakes is a wishlist. See something you like? Put it on your list first instead of buying it right away. That can be a note on your phone, a Pinterest board or the wishlist in an online store.

Then look at it again after a few days. If you are still thinking about it and it passes the five questions, it is usually a good buy. If you have already forgotten about it, you have saved yourself a mistake. A wishlist also helps you see what is really missing from your closet, instead of buying the same kind of piece over and over again.

Avoid shopping mistakes: shop with a plan

Want to avoid shopping mistakes? Then do not go out without a goal. Mistakes often happen when you wander into town or scroll through an online store just because. A few habits make a big difference:

• Know what you are looking for. Check your closet beforehand to see what is missing. A basic pair of trousers that goes with everything? A cardigan for in-between seasons? Write it down.
• Know your base colors. When you know which neutral shades suit you, almost everything combines. Read more about wearing neutral colors.
• Take your time. Try not to shop when you are tired, rushed or sad. Then you are more likely to buy to feel better than because you need something.
• Try everything on, online purchases too. When you order something, try it on at home with the clothes you want to wear it with, and send it back in time if it is not right.

Want to go one step further? With a capsule wardrobe in your colors you build a closet in which everything goes with everything. That automatically makes it easier to see whether a new piece fits in.

And if it goes wrong anyway?

Even with the best intentions, you will sometimes buy something that does not work after all. However, that is perfectly fine. First check whether you can exchange or return it. If not, try styling it differently a few times, for example with a scarf or top in a color from your palette near your face. That way a less flattering color sits further away from your face and you can still wear it.

Finally, if it really does not work, give the piece a new owner through a second-hand platform, a clothing swap or a thrift store. See it as a lesson: which question would you answer differently in hindsight? Take that question with you next time.

The best way to avoid shopping mistakes

All the questions in this blog help, but one thing makes the real difference: knowing which colors suit you. Once you know, you answer the most important question in seconds and there is far less doubt. As a result, you shop more purposefully, your closet becomes calmer and you actually wear what you buy.

Not sure which colors those are yet? Take the free color test for a first indication, or get your colors analyzed with one of our color analysis packages. You receive your personal color palette within 48 hours, so with your next purchase you know right away: does it clash, yes or no?

Looking for inspiration for your wishlist? On our Pinterest page we collect outfits and color combinations for each seasonal type.

Frequently asked questions

Read also: Why following trends does not automatically make you more stylish and How to build a wardrobe