Why do I always buy outfits for "future me" instead of what I actually wear?
It's 2025 and I'm standing in the dressing room of Needful Things, my favorite women's clothing store, staring at the mirror with a pile of carefully curated outfits draped over my arm. As I hold up a sleek black jumpsuit, I can practically see my "future self" strutting down the street, turning heads and exuding confidence. But the truth is, my current self is more likely to be found in a cozy sweater and leggings, curled up on the couch binge-watching the latest Netflix series.
This scenario plays out all too often. I'll find myself drawn to the latest trends, imagining all the fabulous occasions I'll wear these new clothes to. But when it comes time to actually get dressed, I inevitably reach for the comfortable, familiar pieces that I know I'll actually feel good in. So why do I keep doing this to myself?
The Allure of the "Future Me"
I think it all comes down to the power of imagination. When I see a gorgeous new dress or a chic pair of pants, my mind immediately starts conjuring up images of the perfect moment to wear them. Maybe it's a fancy dinner party, a night out with friends, or a big work event. In my mind's eye, I can see myself looking effortlessly stylish, commanding attention and feeling completely confident.
The problem is, that "future me" is often a far cry from the reality of my day-to-day life. I work from home, my social calendar is fairly low-key, and I value comfort above all else. So while that sleek jumpsuit might look amazing on the hanger, it's just not practical for my actual lifestyle.
The Sunk Cost Fallacy
But even knowing this, I still find myself succumbing to the allure of the "future me" outfits. And I think part of the reason is the sunk cost fallacy. Once I've invested time and money into these pieces, it feels like a waste to not wear them. I've already spent the money, so I might as well get some use out of them, right?
The problem is, that line of thinking often leads me to wear things that don't truly make me feel my best. I'll force myself to wear that jumpsuit to a casual dinner, only to spend the whole night feeling self-conscious and uncomfortable. Or I'll buy a gorgeous dress for a wedding, only to end up wearing something else because I just couldn't bring myself to wear it.
Breaking the Cycle
So how do I break this cycle of buying for "future me" instead of dressing for the person I am today? It's a work in progress, but here are a few strategies I've been trying:
1. Be honest with myself about my lifestyle
Before I even step foot in a store, I try to take a hard look at my actual day-to-day life. What kinds of events and activities do I typically find myself in? What clothes do I actually reach for on a regular basis? Keeping that in mind helps me avoid getting drawn in by pieces that just don't fit my real life.
2. Focus on quality over quantity
Instead of constantly chasing the latest trends, I'm trying to invest in a smaller, more curated wardrobe of high-quality pieces that I know I'll actually wear. This means taking the time to really think about what I'm buying and whether it aligns with my personal style and lifestyle.
3. Embrace my current self
At the end of the day, the person I am today is the one who deserves to feel confident and comfortable in her clothes. Instead of always striving for some idealized "future me," I'm learning to appreciate and celebrate the me that exists right now. And that means dressing in a way that makes me feel my best, not just what I think I "should" be wearing.
It's a constant work in progress, but I'm slowly getting better at resisting the siren call of the "future me" outfits. And you know what? I'm starting to realize that the person I am today is pretty great, too.
Conclusion
So the next time you find yourself drawn to that perfect "future me" outfit, take a step back and ask yourself: is this really for the person I am right now? Because at the end of the day, that's the person who deserves to feel confident, comfortable, and truly themselves. And that's a person worth celebrating, no matter what the trends may be.
