15 Clothing Pieces I No Longer Buy – My Best Styling Tips

1. Anything That Isn’t Spectacular

Before buying anything, ask yourself: “Do I look STUNNING in this?” Not “does it fit” or “do I look good” – STUNNING. This question is about curation, intention, buying less. So many purchases just disappear and fizzle without lasting impact. Skip anything that isn’t spectacular. This is 100% intrinsic – YOU need to feel stunning, not what anyone else thinks.

2. Extreme Designs (The Easiest Way to Spot a Trend)

Really big scarves, really big bags – when it’s extreme for aesthetic rather than function, these trends I always avoid. They’re wrong for my personal style, wrong for my mild climate, look bad on me, and I drown in excess fabric. If you want to embrace these trends, go for big-but-proportional, not extreme.

3. Statement Pieces on Sale

I’ve saved SO much money this year from stopping this. Shopping sales for statement pieces almost never works. The more statement something is, the more intentional it needs to be. Basics can sit on your wishlist for a day or two. Statement pieces need to hang around much longer. Any flicker of doubt? Skip it.

4. Heavy Earrings

As a huge fan of big everyday earrings, they MUST be light. I don’t believe beauty is pain. Every time I buy bigger earrings now, I check how much they weigh. Heavy ones make me feel dragged down all day.

5. Everyday Jewelry That Doesn’t Stack Well

I’m a jewelry stacker – I don’t wear standalone statement pieces. I wear things that layer well with other jewelry I own. If it doesn’t stack, it doesn’t make the cut.

6. Uncomfortable Bottoms for Working From Home

I have multiple skirts and trousers waiting to be worn, but I consistently reach for just a few pieces. Why? I sit at my desk all day. 100% rigid denim? Too uncomfortable. Fitted pencil skirts with no elastic? Restrictive. Trousers that don’t give enough hip space? Never enjoyable. Among the 15 clothing items I no longer buy, uncomfortable bottoms top the list.

7. Shoes With Minimal Support

I skip any shoe that’s obviously got minimal support from the get-go. Thin soles? Skip (unless very occasional wear). Loafers with thin soles, boots with thin soles – I can find supportive versions of these, so I always opt for those. Chunkier soles absorb shock better. Certain delicate styles will just never offer enough support no matter what.

8. Bonded Leather Shoes That Peel

I HATE shoes that start peeling when worn in. Scratches? Fine – we can buff and polish those. Peeling and flaking? Disaster. The shoe won’t last. I look for shoes made in Portugal or Italy, vegetable tan leather, higher quality leather. Generally, shoe brands will be better quality than fashion brands.

9. Oversized Clothes With No Tailored Details

As a past lover of oversized clothing: ask yourself “Do I look sloppy?” The answer should always be NO. Oversized is about cool silhouettes and feeling modern – never sloppy. I read that oversized clothing is popular because online shopping means fewer returns with looser fits. Now I’m specific: sleeves should fit well, pocket placement should be right (not halfway down your leg), pants should be the right length. It should look like it was made for YOU.

10. Heavy Medium-to-Large Handbags

My rule: the bigger a handbag is, the lighter it needs to be. Small bags that are heavier? Inconsequential. Large bags starting at 3 kilos that you plan to fill? Unbearable. Avoid lots of metal accents, chain details, and overly structured thick leather in medium-large bags.

11. Light-Colored Mohair That Sheds

I love mohair alpaca knitwear, but lighter colors against my dark winter coat? Disaster. Always test what fluffy items look like against your coat fabric before buying.

12. Things Just Because the Fabric Is Incredible

SO tempting – nice cashmere, nice silk, 100% cotton on sale. You feel like you’re getting high quality at a good deal. But if aesthetically I don’t want to wear it, nice quality is pointless. I’ve gushed over 100% silk pieces that draped beautifully but weren’t in styles I actually wore. Epic waste of money, no matter how good the discount.

13. Things Just Because I Admire the Brand

Don’t buy things because you love the designer when the actual piece is just okay. I’ve bought from brands like Tibi because I admire their vision, but certain pieces I just didn’t need – they weren’t items I’d have purchased from another brand. Usually happens in sales when you see a designer you love. It’s about the brand, not the item.

14. Resort Wear and Evening Wear

These don’t get much use. It really irks me having things in my space I rarely use. I try to think of a nice dress as a nice top + nice skirt instead – pieces that can elevate more outfits throughout the year. Something about looking at items I rarely wear, even if I love them, just annoys me.

15. Clothes I Love to Look At But Don’t Love Wearing

Some pieces are the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen – I could stare at them all day. But once ON, they feel wrong. Frilly, fussy, not my vibe. This isn’t about whether it looks good – it’s about the FEELING once worn. I’ve learned these don’t have to be in my wardrobe. I can admire them from afar.

The Clothing Pieces You Should Stop Buying If You Want a Smarter Closet

You’ll feel more stylish when you stop buying pieces that look cute in theory but never work in real life. The goal is not “less shopping.” The goal is better decisions, so your closet actually serves you.

Pieces that often disappoint:

• Trendy tops with awkward necklines you keep adjusting

• Super thin light fabrics that go see-through in daylight

• Shoes that hurt, even if they look amazing

• Items that wrinkle instantly and look messy fast

• Anything that only works with one specific outfit

Common reasons these pieces fail:

• They don’t fit your real lifestyle.

• They don’t mix with what you already own.

• They require constant fussing, which ruins confidence.

A simple buying rule you can follow:

• If you can’t style it three ways with your current closet, skip it.

• If you can’t sit, walk, and move comfortably, skip it.

• If it looks high maintenance, it will feel high maintenance.

When you buy fewer but better pieces, your outfits get easier instantly.