Happy New Year, Tigers! Every new year, I like to set fashion challenges for myself to rethink my relationship with fashion. If you want to reevaluate how you shop, dress and spend, check out my 2023 fashion challenges below:

Cut Down on Spending 

If you find yourself spending your paycheck on new clothes every week, limiting your spending will allow you to reevaluate  your relationship with spending. Try putting yourself on a “no-buy” or “low-buy” budget. No-buy is putting a spending limit during a certain time period, such as six months or a year. A low-buy is limiting purchasing during a certain time period by putting several restrictions on your spending. While going cold turkey on your fashion spending seems intimidating, setting limits for one month will allow you to ease into it. Not only will limiting your spending allow your wallet some time to breathe, but it will also allow you to appreciate the clothes you already own. 

Leave Your Comfort Zone

If you feel like you wear the same thing every day, try to leave your comfort zone more this new year. If you’re used to only wearing neutrals, try to sprinkle in some more color within your outfits! If you are never seen without your sweatpants, try to throw on a pair of jeans once a week to head to class. Pinterest is a great way to find inspiration for your new looks. Remember, stepping out of your comfort zone is only fun when you still feel safe and comfortable in your skin.

Dress More Sustainably 

If you want to reevaluate your relationship with fast fashion, shop more sustainability. Try to shop only second-hand, vintage or sustainable stores during 2023. While shopping sustainably might seem difficult at first, there are plenty of online and in-person options for second-hand shopping. For online options, check out my article “Ask a Fashion Student: How to Thrift Shop Online” to learn how to shop sustainably from the comfort of your own home. There are also many in-person options for shopping sustainability, such as consignment shops, vintage stores and antique malls. Shopping sustainably will not only help you discover hidden gems, but also help the planet.

In 2023, think about the ways you can change how you shop, spend and dress. The new year gives you amazing opportunities to make some changes to your wardrobe, and your relationship with fashion.

Edited by Abigail Henshaw, ahenshaw@themaneater.com

Copy Edited by Lauren Courtney | lcourtney@themaneater.com