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.
Who likes throwing their money away? … Pretty much no one!
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 click the image below for your FREE Rule of 5 guide to get started on your best wardrobe yet!
In todays video I’m wearing the Best Selling classic, Carrie Name Necklace from my shop, shopjulimarie.com. It has been the #1 popular piece the past 5 years. I have 3 of them in different sizes and chain lengths. Lately (and shown here) I’m wearing the Classic Carrie Name Necklace in gold on a 14″ Chain.
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.
I know you’ve seen this bodysuit on your favorite fashion bloggers Instagram feed and asked yourself if it’s really worth the hype. To answer your question, YES, yes it is!
Originally, I purchased the nude (shown) after trying it on I went right back to the Zara website and ordered the white too!
FIT: It is a thong for those that are particular about that. I purchased my TTS while it fits I feel like a size up may be better for length purposes. When I pull the top up so my boobs aren’t coming out the side I get a super serious wedgie and the thigh of it almost comes out the top of my pants. The fabric is super soft and stretchy so it’s super comfy, just the one fit issue with length. I may have a longer torso than I thought is what I’ve learned through this.
LOOK 1
JOGGERS: These were a recent purchase for Spring. They’re 90’s oversized sweatpants, I have them in black too. I wear one of the two at least once a week. I do say they fit TTS
SANDALS: When I saw these sandals last Summer I had to have them, they are more of investment but worth it to me. They’re my most worn sandal. Do go up a half a size. I’m an 8/8.5 and went with a 8.5.
HANDBAG: Another Amazon win I scored last Summer. It is an Hermes dupe so if you see it, buy it ASAP because the post will get taken down. I have the large option, it does come with a shoulder strap that I’m able to wear crossbody. I’m 5’4″
LOOK 2
DENIM: A new purchase! One of my must have items for S/S was a pair of light wash straight leg Levis and this Ribcage pair is everything I wanted. I went a size up and has they loosen up they’ll still look great!
SANDALS: Another new purchase for the S/S season. Did I need spikey cognac slides? No! Will I wear them, yes … ish.
HANDBAG: Purchased last Summer, great quality as expected.
LOOK 3
SKIRT: TTS, this skirt is just for styling if I’m being honest. The skirt linked is different from this one but is similar and better quality.
SHOES: This platform heel is from last year but there’s an even better version available this season. I went with my half size up and they fit great, are comfortable and easy to walk in. A cognac platform is very versatile.
HANDBAG: Another Amazon designer dupe I randomly stumbled upon. It’s similar to a Chanel bookbag. There are no double c’s or chanel logos so it’s not a knock off, just a similar looking dupe. I do recommend it!
LOOK 4
TROUSERS: The trousers I’m wearing are almost 15 years old. I linked a similar version that is available from the same brand
LOOK 5
PANTS: I’ve been wearing these pants all F/W and have all intentions on keeping that party going this S/S. I’ll be trading in sweatshirts for crop tops and bodysuits though. I did go a size up for an oversized look.
SHOES: I love these sneakers so much, I also have neon pink pair I wear daily to the gym. They are similar to a Balenciaga sneaker. I went with a 8.5
WHO ELSE HAS SEEN EVERLANE EVERYWHERE & BEEN WONDERING IF IT’S WORTH THE HYPE?
As someone who loves a quality basic I was absolutely curious about Everlane.
What does one do when they are a Curious George and want to investigate the situation? They do what they have to do and buy the product to find out for themselves. In full transparency, the team at Everlane sent me a few pieces (per my request) but you get where I’m going with this.
ARE YOU READY FOR THE REVIEW?
QUALITY: As someone who is a sucker for quality, I’m more than happy to pay extra for quality. Everlane‘s quality exceeded my expectations. Small detailing such as shoulder stitching makes a big difference in the overall look and feel of an item.
PRICING: I find Everlane is moderately priced. The hoodie I’m wearing here is $54 and for the quality it is 100% worth it. This is an item I’ll wear for the next 5-10 years. I also have one of their dresses that retails for $40 which is only $10 more than you’d pay for a dress at Target, but the Everlane dress far exceeds anything you’ll find at Target in the quality department.
EXTRA CREDIT: Everlane is a sustainable, ethical brand. In an effort to not be wasteful or add to plastic waste orders are shipped in cardboard shippers and clothing is wrapped in paper. It’s a cool, no frills approach that we can feel good about.
EXTRA EXTRA CREDIT:Everlane doesn’t concern themselves with trends instead they focus on quality classic pieces that you can wear for years to come.
HOODIE: This is one of my new Everlane pieces, I’ve worn it at least once a week since I got it a month ago. No joke! I’ve been pairing it with black oversized 90’s joggers when I’m running errands. I absolulty love this hoodie. I’d say the hoodie is a medium weight, it has great stitching detailing. The fit is a slim crop with a bit of a drop in the underarm. Beware: if you have a big head the neck hole is small. Every time I put it on I have to squeeze my head through and I have a really small head.
JEANS: Hashtag. New Faves. As I was building my Spring Summer wardrobe the #1 item on the list was light wash straight leg-ish denim. Preferably Levi’s and here we are … my current favorite jeans. I ordered both my TTS and 1 size up and ended up keeping the one size up. I love them, I recommend them. PRO TIP: when shopping for Levi’s, go to their website. They have new email discounts and run frequent promos. I was able to get these for $33 during a Winter Sale.
BOOKBAG: Yes, it’s worth the purchase. I do recommend it. Point. Blank. Periodt. This bookbag is a Chanel dupe (not a knock off, you will not find any double c’s). I’m very particular about my handbags and don’t buy or use fast fashion handbags but this one I was willing to make an exception. Because this is a Chanel dupe the metal detailing of the chain straps are two-toned. One is gold, one is silver just like the Chanel bag. Overall, it’s a recommend!
In my recent Build Your Dream Wardrobe on a Budget Guide I talk about two things.
Take Inventory of your Wardrobe
Sell items no longer in use to make money to buy new items
When combined you have a full fledge closet purge and in my opinion that is the best way to start a new season.
To give you an additional tool to help you Build your Dream Wardrobe I’m sharing my 5 steps to purging your closet
After purging 85% of not only my wardrobe but all of my belongings over the past 7 years I’m what I now consider a purging expert. One thing I’ve learned by doing is that the act of purging is therapeutic, it will lift weight off your shoulders, clear your mind and give you a stronger sense of self.
We tend to get so attached to physical objects for literally no reason at all other than we liked it at one point and we spent money on it. By holding onto objects that serve no purpose or bring no joy to us we are weighed down mentally and spiritually. I know it sounds ridiculous but purge once a month and see the difference it makes in your life.
One of the most common questions I get is, “Do you miss/regret anything you’ve purged?THE ANSWER IS NO! I HAVE NEVER REGRET ANY ITEM I’VE PURGED, EVER! TBH, I don’t remember 99% of the things I’ve purged. I mean, I remember my old sectional couch and dining set I’ve sold/purged but it’s furniture so of course I remember it however, I in no way miss or regret it. If you aren’t using the item in question now it’s because it doesn’t serve a purpose, does not bring you joy and you more than likely are not thinking of that item. Do you miss trash when you throw it out? … it’s the same thing.
If you’re new to purging I recommend purging once a quarter or monthly. Every time you purge you’ll find you get rid of more pieces. For example, I have a collection of v-neck tees and basic tanks I keep “just in case” for layering and because at one point in my life I wore basic white v-neck everyday. Every single time I purge I get rid of one or more items from that section of my wardrobe. Bear in mind, I haven’t added to this section in years nor do I actually wear any of these tops but I have some kind of connection to them and like to keep basic staples on hand which is why I don’t toss them all. Point is, with each purge this section gets smaller and smaller and is becoming more curated and impactful to my wardrobe.
STEP ONE: Pull everything out of your closet
This step is self explanatory. Pull everything out of your closet. We pull everything out because when you see piles and piles on your bed/floor etc you’ll have a dose of reality hit you. By clearing out your closet you’re also starting your closet with a blank slate. What you put back in is your edited wardrobe.
STEP TWO: Determine what you’re keeping and what you’re purging
The most asked question I got was, “how do you know what to purge?” there are 5 reasons you should purge an item
If you haven’t worn it in a year, toss it! If you haven’t worn something in a year it doesn’t fit into your lifestyle or you simply don’t like it as much as you think you do. Your subsconcious is very telling
If it doesn’t fit, goodbye!! Whether you’ve had a weight gain or loss, it’s time to move on and stop holding onto items that are no longer usable to you.
If it’s stained, ripped, damaged, etc. If an item is damaged beyond repair there is absolutely no reason to hold onto it. LET IT GO!
If you don’t absolutely LOVE it!! It has to bring you lots of joy! Life is too short to have anything in our lives that don’t make us happy!
If you do not feel Ah-Mazing when you put it on, it’s gotta go! This combines fit and joy. Every item in your closet should fit you like a glove, you should feel your best self in everything that you own. There are wayyyy too many options out there to settle for “good enough” and that goes for every aspect of our lives.
STEP THREE: Divide purges items into 3 categories; sell, donate or recycle
SELL: You may want to try to sell everything that isn’t damaged first then donate what doesn’t sell. You will get the most money for high ticket items on Poshmark or Ebay vs a local resell shop. Any popular brand names, denim, shoes and handbags are usually higher ticket items to try to sell on online resellers. What doesn’t sell online you can take to resell shops. I recommend hitting up at least 3 different resell shops if you’re selling in person, all locations will buy something. If you want everything out of your life and are okay getting less money for your pieces you can skip online resell and go straight to local resells.
DONATE: I love to donate to local non profits, women’s shelters, etc. If I’m not in the mood or short on time to sell my purged items I go straight to donating. There were a few years I didn’t sell any of my purged items I just donated, I got more out of giving to others than money could give me.
RECYCLE: Our recycle items are pieces that are damaged, undergarments, etc. I don’t know where to donate to TBH, I know that when you donate what the donation center can’t use they send to recycle centers so I usually do that. As far as store related discounts for donation H&M will give you a 15% off coupon for a bag of items. Madewell will give you $20 off a new pair of denim if you bring in an old pair of denim (any denim, it doesn’t have to be their brand). The denim donated is recycled and used to create insulation for Habitat of Humanity homes.
STEP FOUR: Put all of your keeps back into your closet
Another self explanatory step. Only put what you’re keeping back into your closet. Your purge items should be out of your possession within 48 hours. You’re defeating the purpose of purging if you hold onto your “toss” items. Do yourself a favor and GET IT OUT of your life ASAP
STEP FIVE: Sell the pieces in your sell pile, donate items in your donate pile and recycle the rest.
As mentioned in Step 4 you want to “dispose” of every single purge item within 48 hours. If you’re selling on Poshmark or EBay you get 2 weeks to sell it. After 2 weeks take to local resell stores then donate what’s leftover.
In todays video I’m wearing the Best Selling classic, Carrie Name Necklace from my shop, shopjulimarie.com. It has been the #1 popular piece the past 5 years. I have 3 of them in different sizes and chain lengths. Lately (and shown here) I’m wearing the Classic Carrie Name Necklace in gold on a 14″ Chain.
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.
BODYSUIT: This was a recent purchase for this Spring. It’s an inexpensive item so it’s pretty basic as far as quality, think t-shirt from Target. This is a thong bodysuit and does run TTS
HANDBAG: I purchased this handbag last Summer on Amazon not realizing it is a Hermes dupe so it gets taken down a few days after it’s uploaded. If you can score it I have the large size. It does come with a crossbody strap that is the perfect length for me. I’m 5’4″ and it hits me right at the waist.
SNEAKERS: I bought these in January for my S/S sneakers. I scored them 50% off. They do run TTS. I have them in pink too and wear them to the gym daily, very comfortable, but you do have to break them in.
LOOK 2
SIMILAR SHIRT: My button down was thrifted last year from the men’s section for $6. If thrifting isn’t for you just get a men’s button down a few sizes up
HANDBAG: I thought this clutch was a classic style but it’s currently not in stock. I bought this last S/S
SANDALS: These are hands down my absolute favorite sandals, they are a splurge for a sandal but being from the south and living in Sandals from March to September they were worth it to me. The quality of these sandals are amazing, highly, highly recommend! If between sizes go up. I bought these last S/S and wear them a 3-5 days a week.
LOOK 3
SIMILAR TOP: As mentioned in the video, I scored this top at TJ Maxx last Summer. It is a twill blend so it hangs a little different than a basic cotton t-shirt, the twill also elevate the style. I linked my favorite basic V-Neck from Madewell for you guys
HANDBAG: This was a recent purchase and is a Chanel dupe, not a knock off but a dupe ….there’s no fake double c’s. I scored this on Amazon in January, it popped up in things you may like. Yes, Jeff Bazo’s I do like that! For those who are sticklers beware that the chains of the straps are different tones, one is gold, one is silver just like the Chanel version.
SANDALS: These were purchased last Summer, they are insanely comfortable, legit feels like a house shoe. Run TTS
LOOK 4
HOODIE: YAS, Everlane, YAS!! This came in a PR package (that I requested) and I’m obsessed! I love and live in sweatshirts so I’ve been wearing at least twice a week (not kidding!). It’s cropped, has really amazing stitching detailing at the shoulder. If you are new to Everlane they are a sustainable brand, orders are shipped in paper, wrapped in paper. They use ethical practices and while the quality is EXCELLENT the price is kept at a minimum making their pieces affordable. So far everything I’ve tried from Everlane runs TTS.
SHOES: Purchased these literally a year ago when planning out my SS wardrobe. They run TTS, are very comfortable for a heel as they are platforms. The style I’m wearing is sold out but I linked this years version.
LOOK 5
BODYSUIT: This Zara bodysuit started making it’s rounds on Instagram last F/W so I decided to try it out for S/S and it is 100% worth the hype. After getting this one in I immediately ordered the white too. Black is next on my list. It is a thong bodysuit, I find it runs TTS. The boob area is double lined if you’d like to go braless.
SANDALS: These are hands down my absolute favorite sandals, they are a splurge for a sandal but being from the south and living in Sandals from March to September they were worth it to me. The quality of these sandals are amazing, highly, highly recommend! If between sizes go up. I bought these last S/S and wear them a 3-5 days a week.
DO YOU SAVE HUNDREDS OF OUTFIT IMAGES ON PINTEREST AND THINK “I WISH”?
IS YOUR CLOSET FULL OF CLOTHES THAT YOU’VE ONLY WORN ONCE, SOME EVEN HAVE TAGS STILL ON THEM?
DO YOU THINK YOU NEED THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO HAVE YOUR DREAM WARDROBE?
If you answered yes to any of those questions you have met your saving grace, That’s ME, in case you were wondering. I’m the Queen of Ballin’ on a Budget. Every single purchase I bring into my home is intentional and serves a purpose. I curate my dream wardrobe each season without over spending, and every single item in my wardrobe has been worn more times than I can count.
HUMBLE BEGGININGS
My ballin’ on a budget started at a very early age, growing up my Mom didn’t have a lot of money to take me shopping or buy me new clothes other than back to school (which was always a few weeks after school started) and a few new items for Summer. I learned VERY early on if I wanted my wardrobe to be fresh to death I was going to have to get creative.
Some of my most memorable shopping moments that turned into life lessons are still burnt in my memory like it was yesterday. These moments molded me into the woman (and amazing shopper) I am today.
AGE 9: While most kids my age feigned for a new toy, I wanted new clothes even if that meant I only got to look at them. One of my fondest childhood memories was going to the mall with my Mom and window shopping all the trendy clothing stores. I would make a wishlist and put outfits together in the store, I’d add the prices of the outfits up to determine how much money I needed to come back and buy it. It was rare I was ever able to buy something, but to curb my shopping appetite my Mom would take me to the $1 store for a surprise bag after all of our window shopping. It was literally a brown paper bag marked “boy” or “girl” filled with 5-6 items the store likely couldn’t sell all for the grand price of one whole dollar!
AGE 11: One holiday season my Mom took me to that same Mall to exchange some gifts for something(s) better suited. We were in a store that was having a huge store closing sale, everything was 20% – 70% off. On this day, in this store I learned percentages. I learned that 20% was the worst and anything 50% or more off was what I was looking for. I knew that the more I could score at 70% off the further my money would go. I can give you any percentage (especially when it relates to shopping) off the top of my head in less than 2 seconds. When you exclusively shop sales for 20 years you get really good at percentages.
AGE 17: During the Summers in High School I taught swimming lessons. The first Summer I was so excited to have my own money so I could go back to school shopping like I always imagined, no one would be able to tell me no or that we can’t afford it because I knew I could afford it myself. I knew I was going to be able to go back to school shopping before school even started and that I was going to be able to get new outfits because I worked for it, I saved for it and I knew percentages to shop the sales!
I will never forget going to the mall all by myself (my favorite way to shop) with a few hundred dollars and walking into an of the moment trendy store. I walked straight to the sales rack ,picked out my favorite items, immediately did the math to figure out the cost after markdowns, then did some more math to figure out how much money I’d have left over if I bought it and finally how many more pieces I’d be able to purchase. See, I had a goal, I wanted to buy at least 10 new outfits head to toe because it was always a goal of mine to not repeat outfits or any piece of clothing the first two weeks of school, preferably three weeks.
I practiced what I learned at age 9 by window shopping all of the stores first, creating outfits in each store, then doing the math for each look to determine if the items I wanted were the best use of my money. Could I create multiple outfits? Will I be able to hit my 10 outfit minimum goal? Every purchase was thought out and intentional, even at the ripe age of 17 I wasn’t impulsive.
I don’t remember exactly how many outfits I bought but I know I hit my minimum goal, I also know this was my best back to school shopping memory.
2013: I purged 85% of my wardrobe due to life changes and loosing 20lbs. I had a minimal budget but needed something to wear. With only $200 to spend a month and the unwillingness to sacrifice quality I had to get creative, resourceful and knew each purchase had to be made with intention. This is when and how my best shopping rule was created. The Rule of 5 has shaped my life completely, after 7 years of practicing The Rule of 5 I no longer make impulse purchases, not even $10 sunglasses. Every single item brought into my life serves a purpose. Because The Rule of 5 has impacted my life so much in such a positive way I’ve put together a 16 page e-book. You will need it if you purchase Build Your Dream Wardrobe on a Budget as it’s 1 of the 12 steps. No worries, The Rule of 5 is all yours for free!
WHY AM I QUALIFIED TO HELP YOU BUILD YOUR DREAM WARDROBE ON A BUDGET?
If a lifetime of creating my dream wardrobe while on a budget isn’t enough experience and commitment to the process I have a strong professional background in Fashion both retail and corporate too. That experience helped me to learn the best times to shop, where to shop and exactly the ins and outs that happens behind the scenes giving me an upper hand when it comes to scoring the best deals.
I’ve worked for/with Nike, Macy’s, Juicy Couture, Kenneth Cole NY, Neiman Marcus, and Tommy Hilfiger to name a few. I did contract work on the corporate level and was able to work with numerous global brands during that time, I didn’t jump from brand to brand every few months as some people first assume.
ARE YOU READY TO STOP MAKING ONE HIT WONDER PURCHASES?
ARE YOU READY TO STOP SAYING “I WISH” WHEN YOU’RE SCROLLING PINTEREST AND INSTAGRAM, AND START SAYING, “I CAN DO THAT?”
BUILD YOUR DREAM WARDROBE ON A BUDGET is 30 pages sharing the 12 steps I take to achieve my best curated wardrobe. Each step has an Action, Action Tips and my personal examples to give you a visual how-to guide. To help you achieve your goals I’ve also included BONUS TIPS to help you make extra cash to go towards your wardrobe.
After 7 years of trial and error, making adjustments each season I have mastered How to Create a Dream Wardrobe while staying within budget and I’m sharing that with you to help you achieve your Dream Wardrobe too!
My 30 page E-Book will be delivered straight to your inbox within seconds, then you can get started STAT creating your Best Wardrobe!
