Let’s face it. Compromise is a part of life. And some of it is just an essential part of being a decent human. We are not going to thrive in life if we can’t be flexible.
I’m pretty sure there is no one more flexible than I am when it counts. For example, I have let my husband have half of the closet for almost 20 years now, even though his clothes are boring and I need more room. I also bought my daughter a coveted box of Lucky Charms for Christmas one year because she was tired of organic granola. Like I said, I’m pretty much an angel.
There are areas, however, where I refuse to compromise. I will not compromise in my faith. My values. My love of tea. And now, my closet. Since I hung up my fashion victim hat and held my wardrobe to a higher standard several years ago, I stopped compromising when it comes to my wardrobe.
Here, 6 ways you may have been compromising in your closet, and what to do instead!
Old Thinking: “I can’t have the wardrobe I want because of my budget.”
New Thinking:
There is no longer a reason to feel limited in your style because of budget. Growing up, the options for shopping were discount stores (KMart) and department stores (Burdine’s). Today, we have consignment and thrift stores, both virtually and in our towns, as well as secondhand sites for both regular and designer merchandise, flash sales, online and in-person outlets, and straight to consumer brands like Quince and Portland Leather. There is literally no reason to compromise due to budget. Be selective, do a little digging, and find what you want at a price you can afford.
Old Thinking: “I don’t have the time to create the wardrobe I want.”
New Thinking:
Having a good wardrobe takes less time than having a bad wardrobe. Time is really not your reason. It’s how you allocate your time that can mean a hassle-free time getting ready or one that is stressful. By spending a little time upfront, planning your outfits for the next day or the week, you save the morning time-drain of choosing an outfit and start your day on a much more positive note. Plus, compromised closets are a chronic time waster because you end up wasting a lot of money sifting through items you don’t want only to end up in the same old thing you always wear.
Old Thinking: You compromise by not having the wardrobe you need for the places you go.
New Thinking:
Being prepared isn’t just for Boy Scouts. A fully functional wardrobe supports your lifestyle where it is right now, whether that is casual days at home or polished days at the office. It also has options for all the occasional places you go to, from weddings to funerals. By buying these items when you see them, and not when you’re looking for them, you will not have to compromise for your next event and you won’t have to scramble and overspend on the wrong item.
Old Thinking: I always end up getting caught up in the moment and buying items I later regret.
New Thinking:
Shopping is not a social activity. I know I sound like a party-pooper, but it’s true. If you go shopping with a friend or friends, skip the clothes and buy gifts instead, because social shopping leads to high pressure situations where you get caught up in the encouragement of friends (or an enthusiastic salesperson). Buy an iced coffee and watch your friends shop, and save your own purchases for when you have a time (and a shopping list) so you can be intentional.
Old Thinking: “I don’t have any options because of my location/size/budget/preferences, so I just have to take what I can find.”
New Thinking:
This is along the same lines of thinking as the budget shopper, above, but with the absurdly huge number of options available to us now, there is literally no reason to settle because of size, budget, location, or other “limitations.” Stop settling and hold out for the pieces that you will love and that you deserve.
Old Thinking: “I compromise because I’m used to just buying whatever kind of works. Compromising is a habit.”
New Thinking:
Raise your expectations. Rather than going shopping and just settling for what you see, go with a list and a plan, and don’t give up until you find it. Buy less but buy better.
Which of these compromises has led to the clutter in your closet? And which of my new style credos will you adopt instead? Let me know in the comments!
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