Out with Covid,
In with Style by Christina Imberlina
The first emotional block is Sentimental value. We all have a piece of clothing that reminds us of a person or place we hold dear. There are brain indicators that create physical pain for people when asked to decide between keeping or donating an item. This reaction is our brain trying to protect us from harm.
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f you’re like me, last year you took on a closet-clean-out. However, if your initial clean out leaves you with a closet full of clothing but nothing to wear, you might ask where to go from there? There is more than one reason this occurs, and it's mostly rooted in psychology. I have developed Style by Christina’s four S’s for cleaning out your closet which dive into the psychology behind fashion and how to effectively shop better so you don’t create repetitive negative shopping habits that only perpetuate the cycle.
The next block is Shame. Do you have an item that you are keeping for “when you lose weight”? In actuality, these items are sitting in your closet, taking up space, and not being worn causing a shame loop. This shame loop can lead to anxiety and depression. The majority of retailers use vanity sizing to increase sales, the Journal of Consumer Psychology found that smaller size labels made customers spend more. So how do we combat this feeling of shame both self and societally generated? We get rid of the things that make us feel like we are not good enough.
Next, is the Scarcity mindset; a deep rooted belief that you don't have enough or that you won't have enough in the future. So, how does a scarcity mentality add to the mirage that you have nothing to wear? If you don't believe you have enough, then you will perceive that you don't have enough. This makes us think that buying a new garment every week is a good idea simply because the fast fashion stores bring in new stock! Letting go of the things that we no longer use or need allows us to find the confidence to believe that we are enough. Lastly, are Sunk costs. For those of you who are unfamiliar, this is a cost that has already been incurred and cannot be recovered. That designer item you spent a month’s salary on, yet it just hangs in your closet unworn. If you don't absolutely love it, or it doesn't fit right, then don't buy it. This will help you avoid sunk costs and major closet clean outs in the future! I always tell my clients to dress how you want to feel. It works, trust me! And let’s face it, shopping and decluttering our closets can be very overwhelming. But hopefully, by being mindful of these four S’s, and how you truly feel when you wear something, you may just find yourself shopping and dressing with more confidence, more space in your closet, and actual peace of mind.
...effectively shop better so you don’t create repetitive negative shopping habits...
46 GOALMagazine: A Publication of Go2Goal | Summer/Fall 2021
