A woman holds up a dress for her husband to check out. “What do you think, honey?” she asks. “It’s ugly, ” he answers. “But it’s 50% off!” she says. “Yeah,” he says patiently, “but it’s ugly.”
This example, my friends, is a clear case of the Curse of the Sale. Oh, the seduction! The temptation! But as much as the deal and the discount may make us think we’re bound for retail victory, we’re more likely headed for retail folly.
Here are some tips for keeping the Curse from getting hold of you and your cherished closet.
When shopping, first be clear about what you’d love to have. If you find it, then — and only then — look at the price. Walk away if you can’t afford it, of course. But this way, you’ll buy only what you absolutely love. You’ll not only save money in the long run, but you’ll have plenty of value — good outfits and good feelings — to show for it.
IDEA: Conduct this sensual and aesthetic experiment (which won’t cost you a dime). Go shopping for clothes or jewelery with your senses in charge. Pick out what attracts you. Try a few things on. Do not look at price tags. If you find something fantastic, then check the price so you can choose wisely whether you can buy it.
At the very least, you will have felt the joy of wearing clothes that make you feel beautiful and fully you — and be guided by this in your future shopping. And who knows? You might just walk away with a sensational piece or ensemble that fits your budget — and which you will always know you chose for love, not money.
I used to fall prey to the on-sale mentality, the two-for-the-price-of-one allure. And after overstuffing my closet with items I never wore (or wore once so I wouldn’t feel completely horrible and could tell hubby “Yes, I’ve worn this. Don’t you remember?”) I have finally rid myself of that false notion. I would much rather have one truly right-for-me shirt instead of three “ehhhhh” ones that never get beyond the closet. This was true for other items too — a candle that didn’t speak to me (but it’s on sale! 50% off!), a potted plant that would look OK in a corner but one I’d never consider at full price.
Part of what helped me finally, forever get past this mindset was my Style Statement. I remember standing in a store looking at an OK-looking trash can. I needed a new small trash container and this one was marked way down. As I held the trendy, plastic can (it WAS kind of cute) I thought of my Style Statement, Genuine Heritage. … And that little container didn’t fulfill either of those words. I smiled at it and put it back. It wasn’t me. That’s part of why I had stood there longer than necessary debating whether or not to get it.
Most times our inner compass will guide us, give us reason to pause, even when it’s about such small matters as purchasing a trash can. Knowing your Style Statement can strengthen your resolve and make it easier to eliminate unwise purchases. It can give you that needed clarity to put down that not-right coat or another pair or just so-so earrings or an off-kilter chair that will only add clutter to your space. It has done that for me with succinct sweetness; it brings many more things, opportunities, and concepts into focus.
xoxo