'I just discovered the "nice or twice" theory and it's transformed the way I shop.'

It all started with a can opener.

When Jaime Elana Pelletier found herself in need of a new one, she did what any Gen-Z content creator would do: she posted about it on TikTok.

"You know the saying, 'buy it nice or buy it twice?' Well I'm trying to upgrade my everyday items," the sustainability advocate, who boasts 89k followers on the platform, shared with her community.

Leigh Campbell styles Helena using the Style Maths Method. Post continues below.

When her can opener broke, she did "hours of research" to find the best replacement, eventually splurging on a reputable stainless steel option for $US60 that came with a lifetime guarantee.

@jaimeelana

The little things really do bring me so much joy 🤣 should I make this a series? @Sur La Table Rösle can opener #frugal #underconsumption #mindfulconsumption #ethicallysourced #ethicallymade #bougie #cooking #kitchen #kitchengadgets #noplastic #nicethings #budget

♬ original sound - Jaime Elana Pelletier

What does a can opener have to do with my wardrobe? Stay with me here.

Lifestyle writer Sofia Rivera, who blogs for the website Apartment Therapy, says there's a lesson about quality to be found in Pelletier's video.

Currently on a mission to declutter her apartment, Rivera says 'buy it nice or buy it twice' is her new golden rule when it comes to buying homeware items.

But if you think about it, it's actually a really clever theory for shopping in general.

And sure, it's not exactly a hot take. We all know more money does tend to yield a better return on investment — whether it's a kitchen tool or a pair of jeans.

But sometimes we need the reminder, especially when style has never been more accessible.

Search for any item of clothing on Google and you'll be served a bounty of bargain finds from sites like Temu and Shein. They look too good to be true, and it's often because they are.

The issue with buying poor-quality mass-produced items is that they're desperately replaceable. They're not made to last; they're a quick fix.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, the popular SubReddit thread "Buy It For Life" is full of users sharing their top-quality finds and the long-term benefits.

There's a razor handle that's been handed down through generations, a pair of RM Williams jeans going on 15 years of wear, and a carry-on suitcase one user has had since they were a child.

The 'buy it nice or buy it twice' theory is about recognising the value in buying well the first time around, rather than accepting you'll be repurchasing that item multiple times in the future… which may actually end up costing you more.

Realising this at the ripe old age of 36 was like a lightbulb moment for me, as someone who literally shops for a living.

Trying on a budget brown shirt, and considering a much more spendy leather option. Images: Supplied.

I took a good, hard look in my wardrobe, and noticed the pieces I wear the most, take the best care of, and receive regular compliments on are the ones I took the time to research and save up for.

It doesn't mean they were all luxury designer items, but they weren't purchased in the heat of the moment. They were considered.

We've all felt the flurry of excitement when a piece is heavily discounted. The urgent need to get it before it's gone, especially when our size is close to selling out.

Viral wardrobe consultant and author Allison Bornstein says to always take a beat before heading to the checkout.

In a TikTok video, the stylist urges that panic shopping and impulse buying rarely

"When the seasons change we feel [like] we need all this new stuff; we gotta buy, we gotta buy," Bornstein says.

"So we'll put a bunch of things in our cart, we'll get crazed, and we forget to take a beat and really think about the purchases."

Instead, she suggests using the '24 hour method' to help decide if a piece is for you: take a screenshot of the thing you're about to buy, and come back to it in a day.

"I guarantee a lot of the things that you "had to have" will feel less appealing," Bornstein says.

@allisonbornstein6

DO NOT PANIC! rushing and panic shopping does not work! Here are a few tips! #stylist #summerstyle #shopping #styletips

♬ original sound - Allison Bornstein

When I found myself wanting some shearling-lined shoes recently, I fell victim to the 'buy it twice' trap. Rather than searching for the pair I really wanted, I bought the first cheap ones I spotted at a local surf shop, gunning for that quick fix.

The self-doubt was already bubbling away in my mind on the drive home. On some level, I already knew I was going to return them. Trying them on with my jeans instantly confirmed they were the wrong choice.

I took them back the same afternoon, which was embarrassing but did save me the greater cost of harbouring a pair of shoes I'll never wear.

I course-corrected by spending a week looking online for shearling-lined flats, and settled on a pair by Alias Mae. I've invested in the Australian brand's leather sandals before and enjoyed years of wear out of them, so I knew they were a better choice.

I ordered the pair I really wanted, took a fair hit to my bank account, and the shoes haven't left my feet since. They're the missing piece to my winter wardrobe and they go with everything. As far as I'm concerned, it's money well spent — especially when you weigh up the cost-per-wear.

These shearling slides were the right choice for me. Image: Supplied.

Don't get me wrong; I still love a fashion bargain. But these days I'm more likely to look for affordable fashion gems in an op shop or on Depop than on the high street.

Keeping clothing in the cycle of wear makes me feel better about my spending choices, and satisfies the urge for a shopping hit.

And it has to be said that your budget, and what's within your means, is an important consideration. We can't all be buying cashmere coats from The Row when we just need a winter jacket.

But if you invest in the best quality you can afford, it'll pay off. Lesson learned.

Feature image: Supplied.