Why You Never Wear What You Buy: The 3 Mistakes I See Most as a Wardrobe Stylist

The insider framework to finally wear (and love) everything you buy.

May 29, 2025

Let me guess:
You see something cute.
You add to cart.
It arrives.
You try it on.
It’s... fine?
You think you’ll wear it eventually.

But then, weeks go by. Tags stay on. It lingers on a hanger or gets folded neatly into a drawer, never to be seen again.

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. I see this over and over again — even in clients with walk-in closets and access to anything they want.

You don’t have a shopping problem.
You have a strategy problem.

Here are the three biggest mistakes I see — and how to fix them:

1. You shop for moments, not for your lifestyle

Here’s the truth: If you’re shopping for a dinner, a vacation, a random event… you’re probably setting yourself up for disappointment.
Yes, special occasions sometimes require a specific outfit (hi, weddings and dress codes), but here’s the thing — your daily life deserves your best clothes too.

Your closet should support your actual life, not a Pinterest version of it. That vacation outfit? If it doesn’t also work for a summer Friday or dinner al fresco in your city, it’s not worth the suitcase space.

The fix: Start with the life you actually live. Work backwards. Do you get dressed five days a week for an office, or are you running errands in athleisure most days? Are you a denim girl or do you prefer tailoring? Build your wardrobe for your lifestyle, and you'll finally have something to wear.

2. You shop based on the art, not the science

This one’s sneaky. You see something that’s stunning on a hanger (or even on someone else). You love the color, the cut, the vibe.
But when it arrives, it doesn’t sit right. It pulls at the shoulders. The waistband gaps. The sleeves are too long. You try it on once, and then it vanishes into the closet abyss.

That’s because you’re shopping with your eyes and not with your measurements.

The fix: Learn the science of your body. That means knowing your actual measurements and understanding what cuts, fabrics, and rises work for you. When you combine the art (personal style) with the science (fit), you get magic.

3. You haven’t defined your style — so you’re shopping based on someone else’s

This one’s the trickiest and the most common.

You saw it on your favorite influencer. It looked amazing. You added to cart. But it arrives and feels like a costume. It’s not you — it’s them.

I’m not anti-influencer (clearly), and I’m not saying don’t shop links. But here’s the catch: Shopping from recommendations only works when you’ve done the work to know your personal style. Otherwise, you’re borrowing someone else’s wardrobe — and it’ll never feel right.

The fix: Define your style first. When you’re clear on your 3 style words (a method I use with all my clients), you’ll know immediately which recs to skip and which ones are a perfect match. Confidence in your style means you’ll be immune to “I bought it because she looked cute in it” syndrome.

TL;DR:

Most people don’t wear what they buy because they’re dressing for a moment, not a lifestyle... choosing with emotion but not fit... or letting someone else’s style steer the ship.

But when you flip that script?
You shop less, wear more, and actually love your closet.

xoxo,

✔️Apply to work with me. My signature process will transform your style in just two sessions. I've helped tons women identify and bring their style to life all while saving them 10's of hours and $1000 of dollars each season.

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