We all need some retail therapy from time to time and while there is absolutely nothing wrong with making yourself feel better after you didn't get that promotion, had your heart broken or it simply has been a crappy day. However, if you have a habit of just going out and randomly buying clothes that usually end up in the back of your closet to never be worn, you might want to rethink your shopping strategy. The temptations are everywhere. Whether it might be in the form of giant haul video from your favorite Youtuber, an Instagram post or you just walking past a store, the incentives to buy more pieces of clothing can overwhelm anyone.

I have struggled with this and I am by no means immune to the issues. Nonetheless, I figured out a way for myself that allows me to shop more effectively. Maybe these tips and tricks will help you as well and even if they don't maybe, it'll get you thinking about how you can make some changes after all.

When I enter a shop (this can be applied to online shopping as well) and start looking at clothes, I always ask myself several questions. The most important thing is that you answer these questions truthfully because if you don't there is no point in asking yourself these questions in the first place.

1. Do I already have something like it?

Hold up the item of your choice and take a hard look at it. Then in your mind go through your closet at home. Do you have clothes that are the same or very similar? If that is the case then do you really need to buy a look alike? It might be a good idea to have a couple of basic tank tops that you can wear with pretty much anything but if it comes to specific items such as a grey sweater or certain type of skirts you probably won't need more than one.

2. What can I wear this with?

Fast fashion changes so much these days that what you might purchase now you can't really wear three months down the road. And this is not just because the quality of fast fashion can be terrible but also because some of these pieces are so unique that they hardly go with anything else. When purchasing new clothes I always try to figure out if I can wear them with other items I already own. You are much less likely to wear something if you can't really combine it.

3. Does it truly fit me?

Most people try on their clothes before they purchase them. So when you are in the fitting room and you try it on, be honest with you. Does the item you try on truly fit you? Is it flattering on your body shape? Even if you answer both of these questions with yes, think a bit broader. Is this the type of fashion that you enjoy wearing? While it's great if you are trying on something outside your comfort zone and you might grow to truly love it. However, sometimes we just have that gut feeling that we won't really grow comfortable with it. Listen to your instinct and hang it back on the rack.

4. Do I really need it?

I have put dresses away that were on sale for 10$ just because I wasn't 100% sold on it. Really think about why you would buy this item. If you can't think of a better reason other than it's on sale you probably don't truly need it. However, if you have a specific event for which you need something that you don't have in your wardrobe yet than it's safe to say it'll be a purchase worthwhile.

Extra tip:

Even if you have answered all these questions with yes but you still don't quite know whether you should get it, have it put on hold. Most stores will hold something for at least until the end of the business day or for longer than that. Leave the store and go on about your day. If you find yourself thinking about it and wishing you had bought it even hours later, it's a good indication you should go back and purchase it. If you completely forget about it or even rarely think of it than it was probably for the best that you didn't buy it.

Yes, I understand that doing this might seem a bit tedious and trust me it certainly did feel that way to me in the beginning. But I have noticed that even if I only ask myself two of these questions I get a much better sense if I am going to make a good purchase or something I come to regret later. My closet now only contains the clothes that I really love and wear all the time instead of bursting with stuff I never put on.