A guide to shopping intuitively
How to shop with awareness
Earlier this month, I shared that my guiding goal for my wardrobe in 2025 is to keep listening to my inner-knowing—shopping and dressing according to my intuition rather than focusing on what I “should” be wearing1. Intuitive dressing has become a cornerstone of how I approach style, and it’s a practice that’s deeply connected to mindfulness.
I’ve seen some great creators here on Substack explore similar ideas, like Sogole Kane’s recommendation to close out of Pinterest and Stephanie Johnson’s goal to dress like herself during her Hard 75 Challenge. These perspectives have inspired me to reflect not just on intuitive dressing, but on intuitive shopping as well.
Today, I’m sharing prompts and reflection questions to help you shop intuitively.
What is intuitive style?
Intuitive style involves dressing in a way that feels authentic, effortless, and deeply personal—free from the pressure of external trends or others' expectations. It’s about:
Tuning into your inner voice.
Understanding what makes you feel comfortable, confident, and like yourself.
Trusting your instincts to guide your choices.
How do we foster style intuition?
Practicing mindfulness and learning to listen to your body are key to strengthening your style intuition. When we’re mindful, we can:
Observe how fabrics, silhouettes, and fits align with how we feel rather than how we think we should look.
Honor our bodies as they are today, without forcing them into external expectations.
At its core, dressing intuitively means quieting the thinking mind and turning inward to connect with the deep knowing within us.
How do we shop intuitively?
Mindfulness can also transform how we approach shopping. When evaluating a new purchase—whether in a store or at home—try these techniques:
1. Be present
When you try something on, your mind might immediately race. Perhaps you envision wearing the garment on a future vacation or feel frustrated if a familiar size no longer fits. These thoughts aren’t inherently wrong, but they can distract from making a clear decision.
Mindfulness isn’t about silencing your thoughts but observing them without attachment. When distractions arise, notice them with curiosity rather than frustration and gently guide your focus back to the present moment.
2. Pause before looking in the mirror
Take a moment to experience the garment before checking the mirror. The mirror often invites external voices and societal expectations into the equation. What we think is our opinion might be shaped by others’ perspectives.
Instead, focus on how the clothing feels on your body:
Does it feel comfortable or restrictive?
Do you feel at ease, confident, or excited?
Are there areas where the fabric irritates or pinches?
If something feels “off,” listen to that sensation. If it feels light, joyful, or empowering, that’s a positive signal.
For me, I’ve discovered that loose, wide-leg pants are more comfortable than other styles of pants, and that certain brand’s proportions don’t fit my proportions the way I like. More on that in this post about straight-leg denim.
3. Notice emotional triggers
While trying on a garment, pay attention to your emotions and thoughts:
Am I drawn to this because I genuinely love it or because I feel I “should” love it?
Does this reflect my authentic style, or am I influenced by how it looks on someone else?
Am I buying this out of fear—fear of missing out, fear of looking a certain way, or fear of judgment?
Am I disappointed it doesn’t look or feel the way I imagined?
These reflections can reveal whether a purchase aligns with your intuition or if external pressures are guiding your decision.
A note on authentic dressing
For me, dressing intuitively means seeking safety, calm, ease, comfort, and practicality. My wardrobe reflects my desire to feel cozy and understated. I like to signal an interest in aesthetics without drawing too much attention to any single piece. That’s my authentic style.
For you, intuitive dressing may look completely different. It could mean embracing bold patterns, prioritizing sustainable fashion, or curating a minimal wardrobe.
Intuitive dressing is not about negating reality or societal pressures—it’s about discerning what feels authentic and empowering within the context of your life.
Using mindfulness to embrace reality
Mindfulness helps us tune into reality rather than living in our minds. By focusing on how clothing feels and aligns with our inner selves, we can build wardrobes that reflect who we truly are.
Let me know in the comments, what’s one way you’ve tuned into your intuition while shopping?
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This is very much how I was trained as a salesperson selling women’s clothing, to talk to customers. I always advised my customers to close their eyes and see how they felt in it. Sit down, move around, raise your arms, bend your legs. I also advised them to walk towards the mirror and not stand in a static pose. And ignore the size, above all! Buy the best fit.
Great article, Maureen!💕
Love the helpful tips! I’m attending a new church and have been dressing using what I have and my intuition. I have not really done this since HS and I am about to be 60! It feels good and right! Sunday I put together an outfit that I felt good about but thought, “I would have never worn this to __.” I figure these people don’t know me and I’ll dress how I like! 😄 It’s very casual. But your writing really helps!!