Good taste doesn't necessarily have to cost a lot of money

there's a hot discussion topic online: #downgrading consumption but upgrading clothing. One post mentioned the positive impact of downgrading consumption, such as being more cautious with spending, no longer blindly buying, but rather carefully considering needs. Recent buzzwords like 'exquisite poverty' and 'long-termism in consumption' all refer to the same thing: how to maintain or enhance the quality of clothing within limited budgets. Despite the overall environment and whether consumption is downgraded or not, I have always advocated for the concept of 'buying one piece at a time' and making thoughtful purchases. This itself can bring happiness. Some items don't need to be expensive, but it's worth investing in winter coats. And then there are my true love items: a cashmere blanket that's 'warmer than a hug', silk four-piece set... they may seem expensive at the time of purchase, but they bring real happiness to my daily life. Every time I use them, I feel that it is truly worth it. Because of their high utility, the cost per use is not expensive. Focusing on the cost per use (unit price ÷ number of uses) and spending money on essential items rather than buying a large quantity of seemingly cheap items that do not increase happiness is a much better approach. Avoid impulsive purchases and ask yourself these questions before placing an order:

Do I genuinely like it, is it suitable, and do I actually need it? Believe it or not, just asking this question alone is enough to deter many impulsive buying thoughts. I call it the '3 soul-searching questions' before buying, haha. It's not just about liking it, it also needs to be suitable to ensure long-term wearability. That's why it's important to seek inspiration from bloggers who have similar body shapes and styles. When we write about trendy items, we also analyze which body shapes and styles they are suitable for, to provide convenient references for everyone. The second question is, will I wear it frequently after buying? Many people unconsciously find excuses when buying clothes: they'll wear it when they lose weight; they'll wear it for a special occasion; or they'll wear it next summer when the discounted styles are suitable... It will be useful in the future, so let's buy it now! Thoughts like 'buy it now' lead us to purchase a lot of unnecessary clothes. The wardrobe becomes increasingly cluttered, yet we still feel like we have nothing to wear every morning. How to determine whether a garment will be worn frequently? It's simple, just consider if it can be paired well with existing clothes. If it doesn't get along with the 'originals' in your wardrobe, then it will likely be left idle. If buying a new item requires purchasing even more new items, it will add to the financial burden (unless you really want to try!). If the garment can create at least three different looks, even better – it has the potential to become a core item in your wardrobe. However, core items vary from person to person, so everyone needs to explore and sort it out themselves. For me, core items include white t-shirts, white shirts, jeans, A-line skirts, oversized blazers... they are like a 'blank canvas,' providing both a sense of security in dressing and room for creative expression. If you're not good at styling, try to unify the styles of your clothes. If you're unsure about how to start buying clothes, this is a good trick: buy clothes with a unified style. When styles are unified, almost all items can be arranged and combined with each other, reducing the cost of trial and error and saving a lot of time. Sarah Linh Tran has a relatively fixed preference, always loving simple yet design-oriented plain-colored shirts and loose trousers with a breezy feel, occasionally incorporating some elements of the East. With a consistent style for a decade, it's even difficult to tell whether a photo of hers is new or old.