While enjoying a day of thrifting, I talked a friend down off the ledge. Ok, not to sound dramatic but seriously, she was about to make a fashion mistake that would have cost her, $200 to be exact. I never try to have hard and fast style rules {i.e. telling people what not to wear or buy}, so I knew I had to approach the situation delicately. In the end, she thanked me.

Read on to see how you can be a fashionable voice of reason {for yourself or others!} and prevent buyer’s remorse.

After an awesome experience at Mobile Vintage {the shop where everything is $10}, my friend Alissa and I made our way to L Train Vintage. She found a gorgeous fur. I mean, she was gorgeous. Sorry I don’t have any pics, but if you follow me on Snapchat {PatriceJWill}, then you might remember it. We both gagged at how beautiful the coat was. But the $200 price tag made us both pause.

I could see Alissa was torn, so she did what you should do when you’re on the fence: she held on to the coat while shopping and deliberated. 20 minutes later and she was no closer to a decision. That’s when I had to step in and be a good style expert and an even better friend.

[bctt tweet=”This one question will help you avoid buyer’s remorse “]

I flat out asked her, where would you wear this? She had a few outfit ideas for how she’d wear it, but she couldn’t answer where she’d wear it. That was the key! She put the gorgeous fur back on the racks, saved $200 and space in her closet. Again, she thanked me for being honest with her, instead of encouraging her retail therapy.

If you know your lifestyle doesn’t accommodate a garment or accessory, just leave it behind. That’s the mistake many women have made {self included}, where you buy something cute/unique/fun with the hopes of having somewhere to rock it.

[bctt tweet=”Can’t envision where you’d wear something? Leave it on the rack! #BuyersRemorse”]

When you find yourself in a similar situation, get real with yourself. Envision the item in your day-to-day life. Does it fit? Is it just a special occasion look? Do you even go to special occasions? You can have a ton of cute outfit ideas in your head and styling ideas, but if you can’t seriously say you have somewhere to wear it, then save your coins.

I know it was hard for Alissa to leave Dominque behind {that’s the name I gave the coat!], but we both know it was for the best.