Episode 81: The Wardrobe Project: Style, Spending & Self-Image with Emma Edwards

About this episode

Emma Edwards discusses the psychology behind spending habits and self-image through her year-long experiment of not buying clothes.

Have you ever stared at a wardrobe full of clothes and still thought… I have nothing to wear? You’re not alone. In Episode 81 of It’s a Mindset, I’m joined by Emma Edwards — financial behaviour specialist, founder of The Broke Generation and author of The Wardrobe Project — to unpack the powerful psychology behind our spending habits, self-image and relationship with consumption. Emma undertook a radical experiment: one full year without buying any clothes. No new pieces, no second-hand finds, not even rentals. What followed was a deeply honest journey that challenged the cultural “hamster wheel” of fashion consumption and revealed just how closely our spending can be tied to identity, insecurity and emotional needs. This conversation goes far beyond budgeting. It’s about awareness, behaviour and the quiet patterns driving many of our financial decisions. Emma really encouraged me to reflect on my own consumption — especially when it comes to clothing — and what might be sitting underneath those choices. It was such a powerful reminder that money habits are rarely just about money. Emma is the founder of Broke Media and host of The Broke Generation Podcast, reaching tens of…

People in this episode

Host: Emma Lagerlow

Guest: Emma Edwards

Topics covered

• fashion consumption
• self-image
• spending habits
• financial behavior
• psychology of money

Keywords

• wardrobe
• self-image
• spending habits
• financial behavior
• consumption
• psychology
• fashion

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Broke Generation, Broke Media

Books & works: The Wardrobe Project

More episodes of It's a Mindset

• Episode 96: What Dream Have You Put on Hold? · June 9, 2026 · 20 min
• Episode 95: Are You Ready to Say Goodbye to Your Good Girl? with Caitlin Judd · June 2, 2026 · 1h 8m
• Episode 94: Money for Life: Helping Women Protect Their Financial Future with Helen Baker · May 26, 2026 · 57 min
• Episode 93: Exploring Love in the Modern World with Natalia Rachel · May 19, 2026 · 54 min
• Episode 92: From Courage to Confidence: Owning Your Worth in Life & Business with Wendy Pitts-Reeves · May 12, 2026 · 1h 0m
• Episode 91: The Overachiever’s Reset: Redefining Success When Life Forces You to Stop with Fleur Marks · May 5, 2026 · 1h 9m