Idea: Why can’t I pay less for buying a complete outfit?

When I get up in the morning, I shuffle through the same small number of tops and bottoms that I trust go somewhat together. I like wearing the same thing every week. I imagine that I’m not that different than the average male who wears clothing.

What if retail clothing establishments sold outfits. That is, they focused on selling a package of pants/jeans, undershirts, dress shirts, sweaters, sweater vests, sport jackets, scarves, ties, etc. that are meant to work together. And what if they sold these packages at a discount? The discount could be progressive so that the more items you purchased as part of the package the more you would save.

Here is why I would like this retail option: I like to look good, or at least match. I also like to feel like the hard work is done because I already have clothing that fits together. I also like a deal. This appeals to our human weakness for deals, like a late-night infomercial but classier. I want the knives, the cutting board, and the scissors that can cut a penny, especially when I am shown that when put together they are at their best.

Obviously, a lot of people enjoy creating their own outfits. The liberty of choices is another of our human weaknesses. Retailers already bend over backward to meet this need though. I concede there would need to some kind of balance struck between a total outfit approach and an a la carte approach, especially since even I don’t want to wear the same mass market outfit that I know (or may simply believe) 10 other guys along my path will be wearing that day.

But wouldn’t it be great if those stylish outfits draped over retail store mannequins–the ones comprising more layers than you thought possible–could be bought at a combo price? Perhaps fewer mid-priced belts and neckties would end up at Marshalls and TJ Maxx selling at $10 if their marginal cost, as part of a package, dropped the retail price from $30 to $15.

Note: This idea is free. I downright encourage its adoption and use.