Is less really more? I’ve heard that phrase a lot and have often wondered if it’s really true. I guess it all depends on what arena it refers to and what a person means by it, but when it comes to intentionally limiting our choices, it does seem to carry weight.
Modern research seems to connect our abundance of choice to the anxiety and frustration we tend to feel as we peruse our jam-packed closets and bemoan the decision before us. One way to reduce this “wardrobe anxiety” is to limit our options. Let us explain.
The Downside of Choice
It seems like a good thing that “modern Americans have the most freedom and wealth of choice than any other people in history and subsequently more autonomy.” After all, as Opinion Editor Matthew Ahasay so well puts it, “Choosing and deciding for oneself is the very definition of freedom.” But there’s a downside: “the inundation of options has proved to be psychologically restrictive and selections less enjoyable.” And Ahasay isn’t alone in this observation.
Author Jane Porter cites researcher Barry Schwartz in recognizing the natural result of “choice overload,” directly linking abundance of choice to unhappiness. As Shwartz explains, “As the number of options increases, the costs, in time and effort, of gathering the information needed to make a good choice also increase. . . . The level of certainty people have about their choice decreases. And the anticipation that they will regret their choice increases.”
The Connection to Clothing
While it might seem like reducing the number of clothing pieces in your wardrobe would lead to a greater sense of I-have-nothing-to-wear, if you limit yourself intentionally as we describe in this series — eliminating pieces that don’t fit, aren’t flattering, or don’t work with others in your wardrobe — you’ll actually be on more confident footing to quickly and easily put together an outfit each day.
When you have a limited color scheme and selection of items that can work well together, you won’t have to deal with “choice overload” in this arena, anymore. Of course, the fewer pieces you have, the more important quality becomes. And that’s precisely where Penny Pincher Boutique comes in.
The New Way To Shop
As you establish a simpler, more intentional way of shopping, you’ll know exactly what kinds of pieces you need to complete your existing wardrobe. Penny Pincher’s assortment of high-quality, designer clothing will help you in that goal, as will our “Wish List” service, which keeps you from having to stalk our racks, awaiting the arrival of that perfect piece you need to complete an ensemble; instead, you simply have to let us know what you’re looking for, and if we see it come in, we’ll let you know!
Penny Pincher Boutique offers a stress-free shopping experience, providing you with whatever level of service you require, making your wardrobe-building endeavor a happy one.
Penny Pincher Boutique
We’re Westchester’s luxury consignment shop offering women’s designer clothing, jewelry, shoes, handbags and much more. Visit our shop at 184 Harris Road in Bedford Hills, New York or visit us online at www.pennypincherboutique.com. You can also find a selection of our items on sale on eBay. We ship throughout the United States.
Images in this blog post are taken from the Penny Pincher Boutique Instagram page. Images represent items which may already have been sold.
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