Designer Shopping Personality Types

last updated 14 May 2018

Everyone has a style personality—and if you're reading this, that concept will come as no surprise as we've dedicated stories to unraveling every fashion persona from the capsule wardrobe devotee to the girl whose whole look is extra. But styling preferences alone don't paint the whole picture. To truly understand your fashion identity, it's worth analysing your shopping habits. And not just the spontaneous, high-street buys we all succumb to occasionally, although it's a good idea to keep those in check. Your attitude to buying the big ticket, designer pieces that elevate your wardrobe can reveal a lot about your shopping style—after all, the way you invest in your wardrobe says a lot about your overall approach to money.

Do you have no problems digging into your savings to get that Gucci as soon as it drops? Or do you prefer the thrill of the wait, risking missing out on the latest Attico It shoe in the hope of a juicy end-of-season discount? Taking a quick poll in the office (an imperfect science, but fun all the same) we identified three main shopping personalities when it comes to buying designer.

We want to know—which of these three shopping personas best represents you?

Need It Now

Key characteristics:

Always finds a way to buy brand new and happily pays full price
Not afraid to try new trends
Knows the new product release dates of her favourite online stores by heart

Who is she?

We've all got a Need It Now friend—maybe you are that friend—who is eagerly tracking delivery of the next It bag before the rest of us have even cottoned on to the trend. They tend to be style chameleons too, with a seemingly endless wardrobe and a knack for finding their own take on every trend. It can be an expensive hobby, but savvy shoppers will sell on their pre-loved (and meticulously cared for) designer pieces to balance out the spending.

Planned Purchase

Key characteristics:

Allows for only one or two key pieces per season
Closely reads seasonal trend reports to identify the biggest hitters
Sticks to a curated style aesthetic whilst carefully evolving her look

Who is she?

Women with a very firm, distinctive personal style tend to have a Planned Purchase shopping persona. Their wardrobe is curated almost to the point of being a uniform, making it easy for her to identify which fashion pieces she should invest in next. Each major purchase is preceded by research into everything from styling notes to the best shipping fees to the anticipated cost-per-wear (very important). Once she's decided on the winner, she'll strategise her finances to accommodate the purchase—making sacrifices if she has to, because a well-selected piece will be worth the price tag.

Willing to Wait

Key characteristics:

Swears by a detailed budget, adhering strictly to self-imposed spending limits
Prefers unique pieces over the season's must-haves; if it's vintage, even better
Sets calendar alerts for the best online sales

Who is she?

First things first, let's get one thing clear: being Willing to Wait does not mean going crazy come sale time. This shopping personality strikes the balance between planning ahead and being open to opportunity. It all starts with a strict budget—she likely has a monthly spending limit for fashion purchases which she won't go over, no matter how perfect the shoes are. Instead, it's a waiting game until they turn up on designer outlet sites like THE OUTNET. This is the friend you should ask for shopping tips—they know about all the best sales, and where to source chic vintage and pre-loved pieces.