Do you really need that?

As a fashion blogger, you would expect me to write lengthy posts about what you should buy, from where, from whom, and why. And while I have been known to offer casual fashion advice, there are also many items that I don't think you need. These are my top items you don't need this summer. 

Labubu’s 

Image sources from Pinterest.

I’ll admit it, I don't get the hype, but that's not even the half of it. We are inching toward a recession, and the job market is challenging, so I can understand how more and more people are seeking out small treats and nic-nacks. However, at the end of the day, these accessories are fun but excessive. The trend isn’t timeless, and even though it's cute to some, these toys are expensive, and when you're collecting these toy charms for your bag, it feels unnecessary. I believe in investing in items that matter and putting your money towards products that will last longer than a single trend cycle.

Do you know how many times I’ve gone out and used a micro bag only to find I can fit literally nothing inside? Well, I don’t know that actual number, but too many to count. There are some key essentials I need in my purse: my phone, wallet (or at least cash, my ID, and a card), pepper spray, feminine hygiene products, lip gloss, perfume, and a hair tie. A micro or mini bag can hold maybe a lip gloss and two cards, and maybe that's all you think you need, but using mini bags in excess leaves you to leave things behind and be unprepared. That's not to say having one is unreasonable, but buying a new one might not be the best decision or investment. 

Not to mention, if you can't fit those necessities in your bag, it might not last a night out…

Dupes

Enough with the dupes, please, I beg you! Not only are a lot of dupes and knock-off products made unethically, but they aren’t at all necessary for your everyday outfits. I’m sure the accessories you already have are just fine, or alternatively, make sure to look at smaller brands and businesses that you can support rather than purchasing knockoffs and cheap products. 

A new lip combo 

Am I a hypocrite for this one? Probably. At one point, I would buy everything in excess because I genuinely thought I needed it, only to discover that the best way to buy is when you love a product so much it becomes almost empty. It ensures less waste, but also that you love the products you purchase and that they are genuinely worth making a repeat purchase. Unless that lip liner is almost a nub…you don't need another. Use eye shadows and a brush, or your older lip liners. Alternatively, use an angled brush and lipstick slightly darker than the one you plan to wear—the same effect, but with significantly less money and waste. 

This also goes for other makeup products. There was a time when I had every color blush in cream, liquid, and powder. Yet I have recently found a shade and formula I love, and I use it 97% of the time. The other 3% is reserved for when I'm experimenting with a new look or a seasonal change. I wait until the products I love are done to rebuy because I like to find things I truly love and care about. 

A new phone case 

I know what it's like to want a new wildflower case wherever one drops, but who is looking at your phone case enough to think about changing it? I love, love, love mine! It keeps my phone nice and safe, it's cute, fits my personality, and I've been using it for a long time. 

On that same note, you don't need the newest iPhone just because it's new. It's essential not only to save money where it matters, but also to reduce the amount we consume. Buying in excess only exacerbates the environmental issues we already face. In general, it's essential not to overconsume and reduce; one area to consider is the use of your devices. Buying the new iPhone every year makes no sense when the updates are the same on most phones, and when it works perfectly well, the upgrade is much more in the scope of vanity than viability. 

Butter Yellow

As a fan of the color of the year, I can say it’s quite cute; however, these color trends really come and go. A few pieces in the iconic color of 2025 are fine, but remember what happened to Barbie Pink, or when everyone was obsessed with sage green? It doesn’t mean that these colors become irrelevant or cease to exist once the year is over, only that investing your wardrobe so closely into this one trendy color simply isn’t worth it this summer. Particularly, investing in fleeting trends isn’t going to be worth it in a few months time.

At times, we all find ourselves caught in the same cycles of overconsumption. However, to work towards a more sustainable future in fashion, numerous steps need to be taken, and these efforts depend on the fashion industry and its consumers. If you’d like to learn more about these sustainability topics, please follow us on social media and subscribe to our newsletter. 

Thanks for reading!