Clothing

I don’t know how to shop for clothes. I am nearing 30 and still don’t know how to dress myself. I go into a store and am overwhelmed by too much choice and music and people. When I download apps I browse for hours and end up buying nothing. How do you guys do it?

23 Comments

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Do what I do...

Jun 20, 2021 at 2:16am

Order five jumpsuits in different colours from the internet and rotate them. You're welcome.

10 6Rating: +4

Know what you need and why

Jun 20, 2021 at 5:23am

Well, we don't know your gender, and that does help.
You need to have (or create) a foundation of basics and you build from that. Create a list of what you'd need to wear for the week. How many pants, shirts, etc. What outerwear do you need? Shoes? What purpose do these serve? Do they need to be dressy or casual? Casual as in business casual or really casual like cleaning the garage casual? Knowing how many pieces and what "level" these need to be helps you plan what to have, get and buy.
Think of basics, essentials. A few pairs of pants to start: a pair of jeans, a pair of khakis, a few cotton trousers in neutrals. Then a few tees, again neutrals, black or white. Get a few different colours. Then add a few shirts, a black one, a white one, a neutral, maybe a colour or two. A couple of sweaters next. Cardigans, a zip up hoodie. Work to balance colours with what you have. Then a windbreaker or lightweight jacket. Go for a neutral.
Look at pictures from fashion sources to get ideas on combinations and colours and so you can see what is typically paired together.
That should help you.

19 3Rating: +16

Ideas

Jun 20, 2021 at 7:28am

In order of importance, how would you prioritize these?
Comfort, style, cost, functionality, style
Shopping in-store is indeed absolutely overwhelming with the blasting music, people and sheer volume to choose from. Maybe try going into the store in their first opening hour, or last opening hour, to have fewer people present. Wear earplugs to block out some of the noise.
Online shopping is hard: you have NO idea if the fit will be right, or even if you like the fabric. It takes several tries to get accustomed to the online retailers fitting and fabric quality.
What looks good on your body type? Sometimes searching online and seeing how others with similar body shapes clothe themselves helps a lot.
Highlight your best feature, whatever that may be.
And have some fun: jewelry, bright pops of colour, etc.
Sometime I wear stuff that maybe I shouldn’t. The unusual pieces have sparked conversations and yes, made even new friends with clothing!

10 3Rating: +7

Quickly, and not often.

Jun 20, 2021 at 7:41am

I found one specific store that has clothes that generally fit. I only go there. I write down what I need, e.g., two T-shirts and a pair of jeans. I run in and as fast as I can, target the items in my size, try them on and run away. I do this once a year at best, because shopping for clothes is about as much fun as dental cleaning, especially when the sizing is all wrong, and so much women's clothing is embarrassingly goofy and frou-frou, when all you want is a plain cut shirt.

12 3Rating: +9

No one...

Jun 20, 2021 at 7:47am

... really cares what you wear as long as it's clean. There's a small minority of people who appear to be a bigger group than they are who are the self-appointed fashion police. I wear basically the same thing everyday a t-shirt and shorts unless it's too cold then I wear pants. If I'm in a business setting I have a suit I'll wear that.

You don't say whether you're a man or a woman but if you're a man it's pretty easy to dress properly whether you enjoy dressing properly or not is another matter.

For women it's a bit more difficult but it's still not that hard basically you want to look like other people if you're concerned about the way you dress so just look at what other people are wearing and buy that.

Like I have to say the majority of people do not care what you wear this is sort of a settled problem now like the old school you can't have visible tattoos or piercings in an office setting that's no longer the thing. I've even seen lawyers wear brown shoes in court without being excoriated by the judge. I consider that excessive and an appropriate but those of us who do are relics in some way.

If you're in your 30s will presume your working and if you're working you just want to have a few pieces that you can rotate through that are reasonable for the setting you work in I mean from this it sounds like the sort of anxiety you're having could only be had in an office environment because in most trades the clothing is dictated by the occupation to some degree.

But my general advice would be don't overthink it. You and a small minority of people who are sort of neurotic like yourself are the ones who care about what you're wearing. I literally could not be bothered to care what someone's wearing as long as it's clean. And by clean I mean neutral smelling I don't mean smelling like Tide laundry detergent.

7 4Rating: +3

I survived the pandemic and all I bought was this stupid t s

Jun 20, 2021 at 8:43am

Clothing is almost nonexistent in my budget. I spend a fair chunk of money on a good pair of shoes once a year and rotate them with the one from last year, that's about it. I get a lot of free t-shirts from work and relatives.

Yes I'm one of the guys that women complain about dating but have bigger priorities.

7 3Rating: +4

Focus

Jun 20, 2021 at 9:22am

and retrieve from whatever store you fancy. Avoid distractions unless you spot a hottie. Treat yourself afterwards for a job well done.

5 3Rating: +2

Anonymous

Jun 20, 2021 at 9:51am

Why yes shopping is annoying.
So in tune with things.
How do you do it ?
Boycott shopping unless absolutely necessary.
Try that !

3 3Rating: 0

the outer garments have their place

Jun 20, 2021 at 10:55am

but I more focus on my inner life. Material things all eventually dematerialize but the inner life goes on forever ... Hey'a i don't got video to prove it but i've had a few peaks through the inter-dimensional curtain (most people do if you learn to properly work with your dream time) and; i certainly don't know everything, but i know enuff to vouch for these things. I'd bet my life on it :-) OCM Sto:lo Coast Salish greetings

7 4Rating: +3

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