Marie Kondo, or not?

I had multiple phases where I was obsessed with watching "decluttering" videos on Youtube, which led me down the rabbit hole of the ever so famous phrase of Marie Kondo, "does this item spark joy"?

It was such an oddly addictive process of decluttering my closet, papers and sentimental items, in that exact order. After I was done with my room, I even continued with the bathroom, kitchen and the storeroom. (I was definitely being a nuisance haha)

That was many years ago and I don’t do that anymore, or at least not to the extreme of taking everything out and rehoming them. Decluttering was satisfying because there was an overwhelming amount of things to sort through. But if we practiced mindful consumption, then would there still be a need to execute a full decluttering operation?

The 80/20 rule, or the Pareto Principle, states that we wear 20% of our clothes 80% of the time. So why do we continue to consume as if we don’t have enough?

I’m guilty as charged. Shopping, especially at a discount, gives me the thrill. Online shopping has made actual shopping such a breeze. Even secondhand shopping can be done with a couple of clicks. I spent afternoons after school selling my preloved clothes on Instagram (before Carousell was lauched), and then buying something “cooler” to replace that. The internet has made it so tempting to buy trendy pieces with photos, videos and livestreams of brands showcasing their newest launch. I used to chase these new launches, just to realise I hated how it looked on me when it arrived. And the cycle continues.

Not anymore.

My recent decluttering left me feeling bittersweet; I found it difficult to part with the pants and skirts that no longer fit me. Many of these were the 20% of my clothes which I wore on repeat. They saw me through my internships, and subsequently my first corporate job. Their commonality? Easy to wear, comfortable and make me look grown up and put together.

So as I began to refresh my closet with new pieces, I’m actively avoiding trendy pieces that I am unsure of. Opting for timeless basics instead - pieces that I can put together for both in and out of the office. While it may seem excessive, I give myself time and space to consider before making the purchase. Instant gratification releases a surge of dopamine, which only makes us feel good in the short term. Usually after a night, it becomes clearer if it’s something that I will actually wear.

And this time, I am willing to pay full retail price for quality and longevity. Here are some of my recommendations:

1. Everyone’s favourite - Uniqlo. Need I say more?

2. Olive Basics - I first chanced upon this brand at Greenhouse 2025 and was introduced to modal fabric. Modal is a semi-synthetic textile made from reconstituted cellulose, specifically from beech wood pulp, designed to be soft, lightweight, and breathable.

3. Love & Bravery - So when I found out they carried blouses made from modal AND was timeless in design, I squealed in excitement!

While Marie Kondo may be right about keeping only what evokes positive emotion, mindful consumption matters just as much, if not more. By definition, mindfulness is the practice of observing both thoughts and emotions with non-judgmental awareness. Hence, mindful consumption should be about finding a balance between logic and emotion.

I have a simple black dress, which I call my “potato sack dress”. It is nothing fancy and does not necessarily bring me much joy. However, this dress has saved me on mornings where I don’t know what to wear, or when I wake up bloated. I’m glad that I stopped to fully appreciate the utility of this dress, even as I nearly let it go on several ocassions.

On the other hand, I have this colourful dress with koi fishes on them. I bought it specially for Chinese New Year a couple of years ago, and have only worn it 3 times during the festivities. I have contemplated upcycling the dress into something else (i.e. a bag), but the dress simply makes me so happy just looking at it. It currently sits folded neatly in my drawer, waiting for it’s next Chinese New Year appearance.

Reducing our wardrobe to only basic, functional pieces can feel limiting, and honestly depressing. After all, the way we dress is a form of self-expression. So then, how much “joy” should we allow into our lives without over consuming?

Just as I am still learning to strike a balance between practicality and personal expression, I hope this article gives you some kind of inspiration to do the same. Perhaps, together, we can each build a closet that represent us, while providing the utility we need for our lives.