I find that you can pretty much categorize the biggest ways money is wasted on style in 4 ways. These categories being (in no particular order):

1. Not Taking Care Of Clothing
2. Blindbuying Items
3. Not Buying Items That You Actually Want
4. Buying Things When You Have No Idea What You’re Doing

1. Not Taking Care Of Clothing

As an example, I’ve probably wasted around $400~ by not purchasing shoe trees (when I should know better.) This isn’t a HUGE number when compared to how much money I’ve spent on clothing altogether but, it still adds up. That $400 could’ve been a nice dinner.

As another example: polos and chinos are super wash sensitive and shrink easily if you don’t follow the garment care instructions. Just one improper wash cycle could shrink these garments and BOOM! you’re out $70 to $90.

I have an article on taking care of clothing you can read here.

2. Blindbuying Items

This is more popular in the fragrance community than in the men’s style community as a whole.

Blindbuying is basically buying something and taking a gamble (buying a fragrance you’ve never sampled, buying a suit when you don’t know your measurements, etc.)

If you don’t know your size in a brand or you’re not familiar with how an item will work with you you probably don’t want to spend the money on that item.

Generally, you want to do as much research as possible before buying your garments or anything styling-related.

As an example: I blind bought a fragrance from Amazon, Milestone, that had RAVING reviews. I didn’t like it AT ALL. It was a complete waste of money and I’ve decided to just mail it to a pal.

Whenever possible try before buying unless you can guarantee that you can return the item.

3. Buying Items That You Don’t Really Want

This is another big one for me. I’ve found myself buying items that I “like” as alternatives to items that I love in hopes of saving money. This almost NEVER works out.

As an example: I bought a pair of GH Bass loafers instead of just going with Meermin or Allen Edmond. They had this cheap-looking vinyl-y plastic crap all over that I had to remove with rubbing alcohol. Me saving $100 quickly turned into a completely UNFUN DIY project. If you account for labor I ended up costing myself MUCH MORE than $100.

If you are equipped financially ALWAYS pick the quality good over the cheap alternative.

EVERY single time you cheap out you will regret it.

There’s been plenty of times that I’ve bought $20 sunglasses from mall kiosks or Target and almost every single time I say to myself “Wow, I shouldn’t have spent that twenty dollars.”

There has never been a time I’ve bought RETROSUPERFUTURE, Ray-Ban, or Illesteva sunglasses and thought “Wow, I shouldn’t have spent the money on those sunglasses.”

Another thing to consider is that, if you’re anything like me, chances are you’ll just end up buying the item you wanted initially anyway.

I also address this in this article here.

4. Buying Things When You Have No Idea What You’re Doing

This is how I wasted the MOST amount of money. None of the other categories even come close. I’ve wasted nearly $20,000 throughout my style journey because of this. Do not go crazy buying items if you don’t know:

• How to size yourself
• What works well with your body
• Very much about style

You want to make sure you have a firm grasp on style and fashion before you start taking out a second mortgage to buy clothes (not literally, don’t do this, it’s very fiscally irresponsible.)

Therein is the value of styling services. I HIGHLY implore you to consider talking to a MEN’S stylist (real ones, not clothing box services), even if not me, before going trigger happy with your purchases. It’s not fun or cheap having to replace your whole wardrobe. If you’d like for me to help you just go ahead and click here and we can chat.