MY #1 SHOPPING RULE: THE RULE OF 5
A RULE I CREATED TO BE MORE INTENTIONAL WITH MY PURCHASES TO HELP STRETCH MY SHOPPING BUDGET TO IT’S MAXIMUM CAPACITY
WHO ELSE HAS BOUGHT A NEW TOP BECAUSE YOU “LOVED IT SO MUCH” THEN MONTHS LATER IT STILL HASN’T BEEN WORN?
We’ve all been there! There has been a time in our life we’ve walked in our closet looking for something to wear only to be reminded of the items we purchased but still haven’t worn, tags still attached and all.
When we make impulse purchases we end up with a closet of one offs that we only have one other item to wear with it, if even that.
When we make impulse purchases we end up with a closet full of clothes yet still have NOTHING to wear. WHY are we like this?!
In 2013, after losing 20lbs, purging 90% of my closet and only having a clothing budget of $150 a month I was in desperate need of a high functioning wardrobe. That is when, why and how I created my #1 shopping rule, The Rule of 5.
I knew in order to still buy quality pieces I loved I was going to have to get creative (and disciplined) and that’s exactly what I did. Every single purchase I made for the following year was well thought out and 100% intentional. I had no room for impulse purchases, the function of my wardrobe couldn’t afford it.
I bet you don’t like throwing your money away, do you?
We all deserve to hit our financial goals (and best wardrobes) and a great starting point is to become more intentional with what we spend our money on.
I want you to be great in everything you do so I wrote a 24 page book to fully share The Rule of 5 with you. There’s even worksheets for you to brainstorm your goal wardrobe!
Just enter your email below for your FREE Rule of 5 guide to get started on your best wardrobe yet!
If you need more help building your wardrobe my e-book, Build Your Dream Wardrobe on a Budget is a great tool. The 12 steps I take when planning and shopping for my wardrobes each season is covered in detail with examples for you.These are the steps I take to ensure each purchase is intentional, it’s also the strategy I used to budget to purchase my first Louis Vuitton handbag. In fact, The Rule of 5 is one of the 12 steps in the e-book.
FEATURE SHACKET
I’m going to start this with an apology, this jacket is sold out. SORRYYYY! I’ve heard things from my Instagram ladies that this has been spotted in store, one person was able to snag an online return. It’s possible is all I’m saying.
I love a good sherpa coat and wanted to dabble in the shacket trend so haven’t eying this one for a few weeks I finally took the plunge. I’m so happy I did because it does not disappoint! So far this season this is my most reached for coat but we’ve only had about 2 weeks of cold here.
I’ve found two pretty similar styles of this coat and linked them in each image and title in this post, just click!
SIZE: I bought my TTS, medium
JEANS & A SWEATSHIRT
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SWEATSHIRT
I love this sweatshirt, it’s excellent quality. I love it so much I added it to my version of a Gift Guide aka “Julia’s Favorite Things” because it does make an excellent gift!
Size: runs TTS but I sized up for an oversized fit.
JEANS
This is a style you’ll have for years and they work year around. These are the Curve Love fit from Abercrombie so they have room for hips and butts but also fit around the waist.
As far as Abercrombie Jeans go the only fit I can recommend is the Curve Love, their other jeans are not made for a pear body type.
Size: TTS
LOAFERS
These are Gucci dupes I found on Amazon. I reach for these so much I can now justify buying the Gucci’s.
Size: go half up
SUNGLASSES
NAME NECKLACE
OVER A KNIT LEISURE SET
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KNIT SET
I have linked something similar for you because this was is Zara and sold out. If you want a chic knit leisure set Zara has been ON IT this year, check them out and see what you can get into!
OVER A DRESS
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DRESS
This is an Amazon score, you’ve probably seen this dress on Instagram cause other bloggers are catching on to it. There’s 5-10 colors, maybe more. The knit is a mid weight, doesn’t show every nook and cranny.
Size: go up one
BOOTIES
While the pair I’m wearing are from Nordstrom (2 years ago), I found the updated version from the same brand on Amazon. Legit, everything is on Amazon.
GLASSES
I’m into the Ski style sunglasses to add a little edge to a look.
$14, Amazon
BAG
Issa Chanel dupe from Amazon! Pretty much this is an Amazon look minus the shacket. This bag is a dupe and not a replica, no where on it does it say Chanel. While I enjoy a dupe to find out if a designer style is for me or not I never purchase replicas.
CATSUIT
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CATSUIT
This is another Amazon look. I’ve wanted a catsuit for years but never pulled the trigger cause I didn’t want all of my business out like all the young girls who would wear them to Lenox on the weekend *the shadddeee*.
But 2020 hit, I’m the healthiest, happiest and most confident in my body than I’ve ever been so I said F it, I’m adding this $20 Catsuit to my cart!
I purchased it not to wear alone with fur slides in the mall -_- but to wear under longer layering pieces like this shacket or a full length cardigan.
FIT: a lot of people have asked if this “snatches” and to that I say, “ma’am, this was $20 on Amazon” … of course it doesn’t snatch lol BUT it doesn’t highlight and cling to nooks and crannies like you may expect.
SIZE: TTS. I got my TTS, medium and I have room to “grow”
SLOUCHY TOMBOY
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HOODIE
This is men’s … In the F/W I love to buy a couple of men’s hoodies up one or two sizes (large or xl). Men’s hoodies are longer than womens so you can do more with them, pair with leather leggings under a full length coat is a go-to for me.
I also love pairing them with oversized sweats or these camo pants. I’ve worn a version of this outfit to Target more times than I can count.
PANTS
Another men’s item. This exact pair was thrifted but UO has them as well. FYI: the style at UO is called “renewed” which mean’s they’re second hand.
SIZE: this is a tough one because these are actual military pants. No two pairs are the same because they’re tailored to fit the original owner. The tags in a lot of them are gone or worn down so you can’t see the size.
I have no clue what the actual size is I’m wearing but I’d say a “large” under UO’s terms.
UGG BOOTS
My favorite must have winter shoe. I mostly wear these to walk the dog or run errands which is my actual day to day life.
The mini UGG’s can look cool and chic, imho, when paired with an oversized sweatshirt and full length coat layered over. Or leather leggings, oversized sweater and full length wool coat. Once it gets cold cold I think most people just want to be cozy and warm and these do that.
SIZE: UGG boots are only made in full sizes so if you’re a half, size down.
For example, I’m an 8 – 8.5 and wear an 8 in UGG.
These make a really great gift and did make it to “Julia’s Favorite Things”
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