Typically, I do not shop in groups or in high-stress situations, like sample or archival sales, but when I do, the temptation kicks in. I’m not alone, either–impulse purchases are not rare. My colleague, Vogue Runway’s Fashion News Writer José Criales-Unzetta, recently purchased a pajama set from the Marni x Uniqlo collaboration sale that he was element of. “Everything was selling out, so I was like, ‘I must have it instead of other people,’ ” he says. “To be fair, I have already worn everything else from the collab I got.”
According to the Harvard Business Review, in a stressful situation—like a possibly once-in-a-lifetime archival sale—our brains react differently, forcing us to make reactionary decisions instead of thoughtful, rational ones. I was worried about missing out on a piece of that sought-after archival pie, even if it came in the form of something I didn’t necessarily want. It was FOMO at its most expensive degree.
In order to bypass this duress, the question I typically ask myself is, “Would I buy this in any other circumstances?” Usually, if I take a five-second break in between pressing buy or heading to the register and quickly assess the situation, I understand whether or not I am making the correct decision. I also ask myself if the piece truly fits into my wardrobe and if I’ll wear it a year from now. But the most important question is if I would buy this item at any other time. If the answer is no, or I’m feeling elements and imagining the cash drain from your bank account then the best bet is to not buy. As for me? If anyone here is looking for a black Chloé turtleneck, it’s up for grabs. Just take a second to think before you buy it.