How to create a savvy wishlist to avoid overspending at the 2023 sales

Once again this year, the period when fashion purges all the unsold items from past collections has begun. In order not to be a victim of the system and navigate the jungle of possibilities between online and second-hand, the ideal would be to follow a compass that has the magnet pointed in the direction of purchases that actually make sense for the shopper. We know full well how the impact of a new item landing in the closet can change, even slightly, one's self-perception, but also how buying that coveted '90s piece can solve everyday fashion crises. That's why the guide to creating a wishlist for the 2023 January sales is based on breaking down actual needs and wants, all of which can be achieved, but gradually, without going over your budget and running out of resources. 

Making a wish list

This is the easiest step in the guide. Like during a brainstorming session, putting down on paper all the garments, accessories and hypothetical items to add to your closet serves to focus your attention on what it takes to open it up and be satisfied. 

Setting a spending ceiling

All projects start with setting a budget to reach the end goal. Based on how much you can invest during the 2023 sales, try to give yourself a specific limit for each different type of product, also considering how much is the average market price for the item in question in different channels. 

Divide the list into two categories, "Needs" and "Luxuries."

This, on the other hand, is the most difficult part of the guide: dividing the items included in the wishlist into "Needs" and "Luxuries" categories and allocating a hypothetical cost from the budget. Falling into the first category are all those items that are missing from one's collection and are worn most often, and thus have priority for purchase. In the second, on the other hand, fall the iconic pieces that you want to buy to better define your style, but are not essential in everyday life.

tip: To figure out whether a garment is really worth the expense, you can use the cost x wear equation, which is obtained by dividing the cost of a garment by the number of times you wear it. If the cost is amortizable over at least 100 occasions of use, then the purchase is within need; otherwise, it is a luxury. Thus the cost is both economically and environmentally sustainable. 

Identify the right purchasing channel

For every garment there is the right buying context: if on the wishlist for the 2023 sales is a leather outerwear for example, to amortize the cost the ideal would be to buy a second-hand or vintage product, on platforms such as Vestiaire Collective, Vinted, Depop or at selected stores with nationwide shipping. A classic white t-shirt or a black crewneck sweater, on the other hand, are basic items that can be found at physical stores or online stores. 

Buy only pieces in the right size and of good workmanship

The frenzy of the low price can convince a user to "get a bargain" by buying a garment that despite being to one's taste, is not in one's size or in good condition. The main risk of being bamboozled by the price is that the garment may make unnecessary dust and become a polluting purchase given the cost and emissions of moving goods to buy it.