Pinterest can be a great personal stylist if you know how to utilize all that it has to offer, and, the best part is, it’s free. When I figured out how to utilize Pinterest for my own personal styling, it changed the way I shop… and I’m a professional personal stylist. I’ve found two tricks that have totally stopped my impulse shopping, meaning I am saving money and loving what I buy.

Tip #1: If you don’t have a fashion Pinterest board create one right now! On that board, be broad and selective at the same time. Pin things that are out of your comfort zone, but in an authentic way. Things that will stretch your comfort level to be more of who you are authentically meant to be. Don’t pick a ton of different styles that aren’t you and aren’t realistic for your lifestyle. It’s more than okay to admire a style on someone else, but know it’s not for you. 

From this board, start recognizing patterns. Are there tons of pictures with plain white tees tucked in fun fashionable ways? Do you have that plain white tee in your closet? Yes? Great! Go experiment. If not, create a new board titled something like “Fashion Wish List” or “Dream Closet”. Find a picture of a plain white tee that looks like the style you like, and pin it to this board. Do you see light wash vintage jackets in lots of photos? Pin it to the wish list board. That way, when you are shopping and find that perfect denim jacket you love, you don’t feel guilty investing, because it is a smart wardrobe choice that you have been planning. 

Tip #2: Buying the perfect items for you. I remember being in my teens and wanting a (faux) leather jacket so badly because my best friend had just gotten one, and it looked so good on her. Naturally, I asked my parents for this jacket from Express for Christmas. My best friend was four inches taller than me, and while the newness of the jacket gave me confidence for about five minutes, I never really felt right in it. I am petite, and the jacket hit me at an awful place on my body. 

Years later, when I needed a new faux leather jacket, I tried on at least twenty. Whenever I was out shopping and saw one, I would try it on. I would look at the style, the price, how it looked on my body, and see past the excitement of buying something new in the moment to eventually find the jacket that made me feel like a perfect 10. 

I’m not talking about the perfect 10 we attribute to Victoria’s Secret models or celebrities. I’m talking about a personal perfect 10 where I feel: 1) authentic; 2) maximum confidence; and 3) I can’t help but smile because I feel so good. That is my #1 rule. In general, we love clothes more when we try them on in the store. So it is so, so, so important to really LOVE them in the store. Once I mastered this principle, I finally got to the point where my clothes make me feel more confident the longer I own them, and I never need to buy new clothes for a pick me up. I love everything I buy, so I love everything I own. 

For extra tips on how to style your wardrobe while you are mastering these principles, check out my styling Pinterest. I break down fashion by individual items and pin styling inspiration for tons of different styles.