buying vs doing / things vs experiences

I went to a panel discussion last night for ideas about how to keep going when the going gets tough. It was no surprise that it turned out to be full house and from surveys conducted in the USA, the retail and property markets are hitting an all time low while F&B is generating revenue like never before.

People are not 'buying things' as much as spending on 'doing things'. Experiences trump tangible goods. Shops are closing down at an alarming rate as the amount of sales doesn't justify the amount of rent and overhead costs retailers are dishing out to corporate developers. The notion of minimalism certainly contributes to the thought processes fof those who buy into the philosophy of 'Less is More'. The fashion revolution movement is getting a wider audience as we consumers are becoming more aware of our spending habits and the unethical dealings in the poorer countries; as well as the negative impact on the environment at large.

There was this new dining place currently opened just down the road where I live and I asked the owner why she decided on F&B / catering as opposed to a retail shop. The answer was pretty straightforward: people don't need another pair of shoes but they need to eat! Families are eating out more these days especially for those with full time jobs which leave them hardly any time to cook and relax after work. 

Be honest with yourself: does consuming something actually fix a problem or make life better? I have a library of books bought brand new from both the local bookshops and Amazon gathering dust on my shelves so I definitely don't need another book for a long long time. No more bookstore visits. Rampaging my cabinet to find a whole lot of toiletries of different brands accumulated over the years is shocking. I wouldn't need to stop at my local pharmacy for no reason unless I need Panadol.  It's great to remind myself that there is a 7-11 store somewhere nearby so I can usually purchase something urgently the last minute and hence avoid impulse / bulk buying.    

Evolution has brought some new programming to our psyche. FOMO is one of the reasons for consuming whatever is available for what we believe is 'survival'. Would you die because you miss a couple of posts on FB or have accidentally deleted an email from an advertiser trying to sell you the latest beauty gadget? Personally I have on average 30 emails that go to my spam folder on a daily basis and I only subscribe to newsletters which align with my vision, my values and my lifestyle. Instead of spending on material goods like there is no tomorrow, I am more likely to invest in e-courses , seminars, networking events, etc...which is bound to create more future value than it costs to acquire right now. I have a virtual marketing assistant helping me with social media management. I buy credits to use in a job bidding service. I am paying for new and useful technological gadgets to help with my business. A tripod, a mic, and a course on videoing is probably next on my list.

Fashion Value for Money?

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Times have certainly changed drastically in the past decades along with technological advancement, and I still remember vividly how my mother used to mend and repair her clothes with a sewing machine and buying something brand new in a boutique was such a luxury at the time. She would only pay a lot for a garment which she occasionally indulged in when it was a good fabric and well made. 

Fast forward to 2017 when fast fashion is the norm and 'buying new' becomes more like a hobby or everyday chore. It is no longer about quality and finish but all about brand positioning. The correlation between quality and price is no longer there. A large percentage of what we spend at each transaction goes to the rental of the shop, the advertising and the packaging. Women over 40 don't shop on High Street believing that they are only for the young and that pricier 'labels' and brands tend to have more kudos which in turn give them more confidence. God knows the same item of different pricing often come from the same factories around the globe!

Having said that, there is a way out of this quality vs pricing dilemma by way of creating a minimalist wardrobe which seems to be trending these days. You can still aim for quality but own less pieces. Imagine you have shoes you love, a great coat, a stunning dress, a timeless jacket and everything you love is already hanging in your closet, why would you purchase anything less than? Clothing purchases could be lifetime investment as long as you understand yourself (which is why it is worthy to see a personal stylist for a professional colour and style analysis). Similar to alcoholics, those who shop for instant gratification could use a bit of restraint while practising an attitude of quality. Getting a discounted item on sale but which you don't wear is not a bargain after all, is it?

Coming from a background of digging for treasures in charity shops and wearing hands me down from my cousin and relatives, I have come to appreciate secondhand clothing as they are and have learned to mix and match unique items since I was little. I am often complimented on my 'expensive looks' which comes down to how I style myself that makes the difference. I will wear a $100 top with a $1500 shoe and sometimes the cost of the accessories I wear to complete the look far exceeds the total value of my outfit combination. Then again, if you have an eye / flair for style (and colour), something inexpensive can look stunning. and that is exactly where my pick and mix ethos come in. 

So tell me, are the pieces in your wardrobe worthy of the money you spent mindlessly?

A minimalist wardrobe speaks VARIETY

If you have been following me for a while, you would have heard about my personal transformation from a shopaholic / hoarder to a minimalist in progress. My decision of learning about colour and style and became a personal stylist over a couple of years ago is the turning point and never before could I have imagined how much easier it was to have a pared down wardrobe when it comes to creating outfit combinations, not to mention the money spent on 'trash'. A minimalist wardrobe is about having less to choose from but what is sitting in there goes well with each other and can be easily mixed and matched.

Variety is one of my mode of living and having my wardrobe revamped and simplified turns out to give me more variety in my choices. I look good in every single item behind the doors because everything goes together. I can't see myself wearing the same outfit 2 days in a row but now I can wear something different everyday without having a crammed wardrobe. I don't suffer from decision fatigue as getting dressed is such a breeze. How cool is that? I like colours so mine is not a monochromatic boring wardrobe with only black and white. Far from it. And above all, I have more confidence knowing that I am looking beautiful in my choices of clothes and accessories.


So what is the secret behind it? Here are a few tips to get you started if you are looking to pare down.

• know what your style is
• know what colours you like and what colours go with your skin tone
• know your body shape and look for cuts that flatter 
• do not copy others, be yourself
• learn to layer
• use accessories to complete the look
• be ruthless in the process of culling
• choose quality over quantity
• purchase only when something is worn out and absolutely needs replacement
• keep to just a few basics (and probably in neutral colours), making sure each piece can go with 3 other things in the closet

Let me know how it goes...!