LITTLE GREEN DRESS

How To Shop More Thoughtfully This Back-To-School Season

By Hannah Timm

August 2026

One of the ways we get to a point of overconsumption is through unnecessary purchases. Back-to-school and the transition into fall can be one of the biggest times of year for shopping, which makes it a good time to stop, think, and come up with a plan before we start shopping. Before you head to the mall, visit your favorite boutiques, or start scrolling the internet without a plan in sight, I’ve got you covered.

Before thinking about making any new purchases, it’s important to take inventory of what you already own. Sometimes we don’t even know what we have or what condition our clothing is in, until we spend some time in our closets. It’s important to check in and see what you realistically need to replace, what you might need to add, and what you forgot you even own.

Last month I wrote about Preparing Our Wardrobes For the Season Ahead. If you haven’t read it, I recommend checking that one out!

Before you head to the store (or shop online), be sure to have a list. You can separate items that are most important from those that are simply nice to have. The most important thing to consider when making this list is the purpose each item will have in your closet.

When I work with my styling clients, I choose items that will work with various pieces, in multiple outfits, and across different occasions. It is key to think about versatility.

How much wear can you get out of one item? What can the item you’re considering be worn with? Can you think of at least five ways to wear it? Does it require buying another piece in order to wear it? Can you wear it on the weekends but also to school or work?

Thinking through a few of these questions can help you determine whether an item will actually have a place in your wardrobe or whether they are a one-off purchase.  

With back-to-school season and the start of fall, we can easily get caught up in the hype of marketing, sales, and shopping for a version of ourselves that doesn’t necessarily reflect our daily lives. It’s important to think realistically about who we are and how we really live. Whether you are making purchases for yourself or a member of your family, consider dress codes, functionality, fabrics and laundry needs, daily activities, how quickly your kids are growing, and what makes sense to spend more on versus buying secondhand.

Not all purchases have to be made brand new. There are so many options out there; sometimes it just takes a little creativity. Knowing which pieces to look for secondhand is a great place to start.

For my clients, I love recommending secondhand outerwear and accessories. Bags, jewelry, and shoes are a great place to start if you are new at secondhand shopping. These tend to be easier to purchase secondhand because fit and sizing may be a little more consistent.

If you are shopping for little ones, consider secondhand options, swaps, or hand-me-downs, especially for items they tend to outgrow quickly. 

Not every item you purchase needs to be an investment piece. However, I recommend buying the best quality you can within your budget. Consider asking yourself: How much does this item need to withstand? How often will I be using it? The pieces that need to work the hardest in your wardrobe may be the ones worth prioritizing.

Sometimes there is an underlying pressure to purchase everything at once, as though our wardrobes need to be completed by a certain date or completed at all.

I recommend starting with what you need first and foremost, then waiting and noticing. You can always add to your wardrobe as the season goes on. You might find something you like more than what is available right now. You’ll also begin to settle into your fall routine and have a better sense of what your life actually needs. Your needs might adjust, and so might your wardrobe.

Back-to-school shopping doesn’t have to mean starting over.

We can start by noticing what we have, make a plan, and shop with intention. A bit of preparation can help us bring home pieces that have a purpose and a place in our wardrobes. Sometimes, shopping thoughtfully means realizing we already have what we need.