Things I Stopped Buying (After Starting RERASA)
When I started RERASA, I thought I'd become better at designing clothes.
I didn't expect it to completely change the way I shop.
Somewhere between sketching collections, fitting samples and wearing prototypes for months, I realised something surprising.
The clothes I loved most weren't the loudest ones.
They were the easiest ones.
The ones I never had to think twice about.
The ones that quietly made every morning simpler.
So over the last few years, I've stopped buying a few things altogether.
1. I Stopped Buying Clothes That Need "Managing"
If I'm constantly pulling a neckline up…
Adjusting a hem…
Fixing a strap…
Or wondering if something shifted when I sat down…
It's not the right piece.
Good design disappears.
You shouldn't spend the day thinking about your clothes.
You should spend the day living in them.
That's why I gravitate towards pieces like our Balloon Sleeves Top. It makes a statement without demanding attention, and the relaxed silhouette means you're not constantly adjusting it throughout the day.
The best clothes are the ones you forget you're wearing.
2. I Stopped Buying Clothes That Only Have One Job
I used to buy "holiday dresses."
"Office shirts."
"Brunch tops."
"Date-night outfits."
Every piece belonged to one tiny category.
Now I ask one question before buying anything:
Can I wear this at least three different ways?
Our Denim Bodycon Mini Dress is exactly the kind of piece I'd buy today.
With sneakers, it's a weekend outfit.
With a linen shirt thrown over it, it works for daytime.
Add heels and jewellery, and suddenly it's dinner-ready. That's the kind of versatility I look for now.
One piece.
Multiple versions of your life.
3. I Stopped Buying Clothes Because Everyone Else Was
Trends are exciting.
They're also exhausting.
For years I felt like my wardrobe was always one purchase away from feeling complete.
It never happened.
Because the trend changed before I had the chance to enjoy it.
Today I'd rather buy something because it feels like me, not because it happens to be everywhere.
That's why I love timeless denim pieces like our Raha Oversized Denim Shacket and Raha Front Slit Denim Maxi Skirt.
A set that makes a statement paired together.
Or wear the Shacket over a dress.
Pair it with jeans.
Throw it over a tank.
The skirt with a shirt to work.
Or with a t-shirt for a casual lunch.
It doesn't belong to one season or one trend - it belongs in your wardrobe.
4. I Stopped Buying Clothes That Don't Work With Anything I Already Own
We've all done it.
You buy one beautiful top…
Then realise you need new trousers.
New shoes.
A different bag.
Maybe a jacket.
Suddenly that "great purchase" has become five purchases.
Now I shop backwards.
I imagine my wardrobe first.
If I can't immediately think of three things I'd wear it with…
I leave it behind.
Our Asymmetrical Shirt is one of those rare pieces that makes existing outfits feel new. It pairs effortlessly with denim, tailored trousers or skirts, so you get more combinations without buying more clothes.
That's the kind of shopping that actually saves money.
5. I Stopped Buying Clothes That Felt Good for Five Minutes
There are clothes that impress you in the fitting room.
Then there are clothes that impress you six months later.
I've learnt which ones are worth investing in.
I don't need dramatic details anymore.
I need beautiful construction.
Thoughtful fabrics.
Comfort.
Longevity.
One of my favourites is our V-Neck Mini Dress.
It's uncomplicated.
Easy to style.
Easy to travel with.
Easy to wear on repeat.
And honestly, those are the clothes that earn the most compliments—not because they're loud, but because you look completely at ease wearing them.
What I Buy Instead
Today, I don't shop for occasions.
I shop for ease.
I buy pieces that make Monday mornings simpler.
That survive long workdays.
That still feel good after hours of wearing them.
That work with the clothes I already love.
That's also how we design at RERASA.
Not around trends.
Not around one perfect Instagram photo.
Around real wardrobes.
Around real lives.
Around the idea that getting dressed shouldn't feel like solving a puzzle every morning.
Because after starting RERASA, I realised something I wish someone had told me years ago.
The goal isn't to own more clothes.
It's to own clothes that quietly make every other piece in your wardrobe better.