6 Reasons Everyone Should Buy Better (But Fewer) Clothes

I’m not writing this article from the perspective of a fashion expert like David Rose from Schitt’s Creek (which is one of the most underrated comedies of all time, by the way), but rather as the general productivity/self-improvement blogger that I am.

Let me quickly define what I mean by “better clothes."

‘Better’ doesn’t mean buying clothes from Burberry instead of Old Navy. It means buying better quality materials that last (physically) longer and that stay in style longer. This may or may not mean spending more money on each item of clothing.

So, whether you’re rolling in the Benjamins or rubbing together dimes, this article is for you.

Here’s why you should consider adjusting how you look at clothing.

#1: Productivity

This is really the main reason I wrote this article.

Most people’s wardrobes probably look similar to mine did before I decided to shift my strategy to “less of more quality” than “more of less quality.”

Dozens of everything, but you only wear a few things regularly.

The rest is basically there to add time to your daily routine. You wade through it, trying to find the same things you wear over and over.

In fact, a study by the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that making repeated decisions depletes an individual’s mental energy, which leads to poorer quality decisions later on, a phenomenon commonly referred to as “decision fatigue” (Vohs et al., 2008).

I wrote at length about decision fatigue on my main blog, if you want to read more about it.

Dress for Success: Wardrobe and Grooming Strategies for Productivity, Efficiency and Reduced…

#2: Comfort

Treat yo’ self gurl.

There are comfortable and quality clothes for every budget. You might just have to look a little bit harder.

A report by McKinsey & Company outlines how consumers are increasingly valuing quality and comfort over price when making clothing purchases (“The State of Fashion 2021,” McKinsey & Company).

#3: Long-Term Cost Savings

Another reason I feel guilt-free about telling everyone to “spend more on each item” is that, over time, you might end up spending even less if you do it right.

A study published in the Journal of Consumer Research argues that consumers who opt for high-quality products tend to benefit from long-term cost-effectiveness (“When Is Costly Signaling Worth the Cost?,” 1998).

#4: You’ll probably Look and Feel Better

Yes, clothing is a basic necessity, but that doesn’t mean you can’t also enjoy how it makes you feel about yourself.

Research by Professor Karen Pine from the University of Hertfordshire suggests that what you wear can affect your mental state and confidence levels (Pine, “Mind What You Wear: The Psychology of Fashion,” 2014).

#5: It’s One of the Few Things You Buy That You Use 24/7

Well, maybe more like 23.5/7 if you’re bathing or any other standard naked activities you partake in… but the point remains. Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Surveys reveal that Americans spend about 3% of their annual expenditure on clothing and related services, making it more of a necessity than a luxury (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2019).

#6: Socks and Underwear Aren’t Expensive

Relatively speaking, there’s no need to try and save money by hoarding dozens of nasty socks and underwear. A piece by The Wall Street Journal highlights the rising trend of consumers willing to pay a premium for high-quality, comfortable socks and underwear (“Why We’re Paying More for Basic Clothing Items,” 2017).

How to Start

Here are my tips for upping your clothing game without destroying your budget.

Step #1: Purge Your Current Wardrobe

Many of us have a hard time getting rid of “ok” clothes.

Go back to reason #1, though: productivity.

More clothes means more time sorting through them.

And back to point #5, having bad clothes means you might wear them…

Ask yourself, “If I have to eventually wear this, will I like the way I look?”

If the answer is no, donate it.

Tip: Before your purge, don’t do your laundry for a little longer than normal. If you do laundry every 3 days, put it off for an entire week. This will mean your most commonly worn clothes will be safe from the purge and the only things left will be the items you didn’t wear for an entire week.

Step #2: Try to Hit the M.E.D of Clothing

I’m borrowing this concept from one of my idols, Tim Feriss.

M.E.D. (Minimum Effective Dose) refers to the minimum amount of something that provides the desired end result.

This might look like this...

• 7 pairs of boxers
• 4 Gym Shorts
• 4 Sweat Pants
• 12 Pairs of Athletic Socks
• 4 Dress Socks
• 8 T-Shirts
• Etc…

Everyone’s needs are different, but it’s likely that you need less than you think.

Tip: You don’t have to do this all at once. If you have no nice clothes at all at the moment, don’t feel like you need to replace everything at the same time unless you can afford it. If you can afford it, go for it. No need to wait but you also don’t have to rush if you don’t want.

Step #3: Adopt the 1-in-1-out Practice

After you’ve trimmed down the wardrobe, don’t lose control of it.

If you buy a new shirt, an old one should go.

Toss three old socks when you buy a new three-pack.

What do you think? Let me know in the comments!