Why People Who Overconsume Have No Sense of Style
Constantly chasing trends can cloud your personal style. Here’s why less is more when it comes to building a wardrobe that truly works for you.
With Substack’s new play audio feature, I’ve found myself enjoying long-form pieces more—listening to other people’s thoughts on a variety of topics, without the full commitment of a podcast. It’s an easy way to explore new ideas while multitasking, and a great alternative when you want something more digestible. Inspired by that, I thought I’d share some of my musings on an idea that’s been on my mind lately.
The title of this article might sound harsh, but I truly believe it’s accurate: if you love everything, you truly love nothing. When it comes to fashion, it’s fundamentally impossible for 1,000 pieces of clothing to resonate with your personal style and body type, because the two should always go hand in hand. It’s not about how much you have; it’s about how well it works for you. If your wardrobe is overflowing with “options,” it’s easy to forget what really fits and flatters your body, or even your personal aesthetic. Data, But Make it Fashion on Instagram excels at synthesising data to predict current and upcoming industry trends. The rapid pace at which trends evolve and our eagerness to follow them is truly fascinating.
Maybe it’s not entirely intentional, but on a subconscious level, you’re heavily influenced by the ever-shifting tides of trends. This is especially true when you’re constantly consuming fashion content—Instagram, TikTok, and even fashion blogs bombard you with the latest “must-haves.” There’s a sense of urgency in the air, as though you’re falling behind if you don’t keep up. But here’s the problem: trends are fleeting. And in the chaos of following each one, you lose track of what really resonates with you.
Take Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, for example. Whether or not her personal style aligns with yours, there’s no denying that she had a distinct style. Decades after her passing, people are still trying to emulate it. The reason? She didn’t follow trends. She was a true icon because her wardrobe was consistent and purposeful. Carolyn famously owned only 30-40 pieces of clothing. Yes, you read that right—30-40. She married into the Kennedy family and could’ve easily had a wardrobe the size of a small estate. But she didn’t need that. She was meticulous about what she chose to wear, often spending hours hunting for the perfect pair of bootcut jeans at What Goes Around Comes Around.
This level of restraint and curation is something most of us don’t consider. We’re conditioned to believe that more is better, that having endless options is a sign of wealth or success. But, in reality, it’s not about quantity—it’s about quality and intention. The most stylish people I know often wear variations of the same outfits on repeat. They’ve found what works for them: a signature colour, a silhouette that flatters, and a consistent theme that makes them instantly recognisable. They’re outfit repeaters, but they’ve mastered the art of refinement and consistency, which is at the heart of personal style.
Having a great sense of style isn’t about brand loyalty or chasing every trend that’s in season. It’s about finding pieces that work for you—pieces that fit your body, your lifestyle, and your personality. Take Gucci, for example. Recently, I saw a minimalist fashion influencer declare that Gucci was “cheugy” and that their recent maximalist collections didn’t align with her style. This is the very definition of following trends. Discarding an entire fashion house based on its current collection misses the point of timeless style. Items like the Gucci Jackie bag or the Pincetown mules have been around for decades and remain iconic because of their design, not because of the trends of the moment.
When you have a true sense of style, you aren’t chasing after the newest “it” bag or dress. Instead, you curate a wardrobe based on pieces that fit you, that are flattering, and that have longevity. It’s about selecting quality items that make you feel confident, rather than buying into the latest hype. Overconsumption leads to a cluttered wardrobe and, often, a diluted sense of personal style. The more you have, the harder it is to define what truly speaks to you.
Ultimately, style is about curating, not accumulating. It’s about finding the pieces that speak to who you are—not the trends that are trying to sell you a new version of yourself every season. When you embrace this mindset, you begin to develop a sense of style that’s authentic, timeless, and truly yours.
I talk more about my own journey from over consumption to minimalism and finding my personal style here:
From Excess to Essentials: My Journey to a More Intentional Wardrobe
A few years ago, I was the poster child for overconsumption. If I liked it, I bought it—trendy items, seasonal pieces, you name it. But somehow, I always felt like I had nothing to wear, even though my wardrobe was overflowing. After yet another meltdown before an event, I had to have a real talk with myself.
Finally. Fashion chasing should be grotesque on a planet burning up due to human overconsumption — but it looks desperate and silly to boot.
Couldn’t agree more. Having worked in fashion, with people who had access to everything, I found they had the tightest wardrobe edits. This reflects great self-awareness and confidence, not a lack of creativity.