Black Friday - Tips for Those with Loads of Clothes and Nothing to Wear!

That's right, we're approaching the season when the pressure to make purchases can reach seemingly unmanageable levels. Since the UK adopted the US Black Friday sales model a few years ago, it has grown into something many people find challenging to handle. The thrill of finding a bargain can lure you into a cycle of buying items that seem like a great deal at the time but end up collecting dust in your closet.

Maintaining a wardrobe filled with clothes you genuinely enjoy wearing requires a level of mindfulness that can easily be lost when caught up in impulsive shopping sprees and discount code frenzy.

Here are some Black Friday tips:

If you're susceptible to unnecessary or unaffordable purchases, consider these steps:

1. Unsubscribe from emails.

 Some stores inundate your inbox with multiple emails over a weekend, each offering different discounts. Avoid this barrage by unsubscribing in advance. You can always resubscribe later if you choose.

2. Screenshot items of interest and save them in a dedicated album on your phone.

Refrain from making impulsive purchases. By waiting until the initial shopping rush has subsided, you can better assess whether you genuinely love an item or if external influences are driving your spending.

3. Ask yourself the following questions before adding items to your cart:

• Do I need it? Seriously, do you really need it?

• Can I afford it? Regardless of the deal's appeal, can you afford the item right now, or could it wait?

• Will I actually wear it? If so, does wearing it depend on buying other items? A "no" to any of these questions is a sign to hit the pause button.

For those in need of new clothes, here are some recommendations:

Identify the gaps in your wardrobe that you'd like to fill.

Then, explore your favourite stores online and add the best options to your wish list, ready for when discounts become available.

- If you've determined a specific need, like a pair of chunky boots, utilise the discounts to invest in higher-quality items that may be typically out of your budget. This way, your boots will endure for a longer time as they are built to last.

- Make the most of the discounts by investing in better basics. We all need comfy leggings or plain white T-shirts in our lives. Purchasing cheap versions may seem cost-effective initially, but you'll end up replacing them every few months. Instead, consider acquiring high-quality leggings that stay fresh and new-looking for much longer. They may cost more, but over the course of a year, you'll save by upgrading.

Consider Rejecting Black Friday Entirely:

- Take your wish list and explore locally-run, independent businesses. The owners will take pride in helping you find the perfect pieces, and you won't be disappointed with the results.

- Explore preloved items instead. The convenience of shopping for second-hand items has never been better. Here are a few of my favourites:

eBay: The original second-hand shopping platform and still an excellent starting point for browsing preloved clothes.

Vinted: This app has revolutionised my shopping habits. I always check Vinted before considering any new purchases. More often than not, I find what I'm looking for second-hand and at a fraction of the price.

Vestiaire Collective: Ideal for lovers of luxury labels. It's the upscale version of Vinted, and they also verify the authenticity of items.

Depop: Described as Vinted for Gen Z, Depop is a great platform for trendy and unconventional styles.

The Second Row: This Instagram account lists items from influencers and celebs for you to purchase. You get to own the pieces you have admired them in.