Anyone interested in a "use it all up", "don't buy any new clothes this year" thread?

[Penthesileia]

This may come across as a rather anti-Style and Beauty thread...

For all kinds of reasons - we're a bit stretched financially this year; environmental & ethical; intellectual, etc - I've been thinking that this year, I ought to try to:

a) use up all the beauty products I've accumulated before buying new ones

b) try not to buy any new clothes (except necessities, such as tights, should I ladder them, etc.), as I own lots of nice clothes and, frankly, although I really adore shopping for new clothes and having nice new things to wear, I simply don't need them; plus, I've come to feel that I ought not to buy clothes that are not ethically sourced, if I can manage it, and this is quite difficult - so what's more environmentally friendly or ethical than not buying anything at all?

Anyway. I realise that this is rather self-indulgent, and it's a luxury of a kind to choose not to buy more stuff (I say this because I know that there are many on MN who don't have much to spend on themselves). However, I was hoping to find some like-minded souls who might like to support me in giving up my shopping addictions.

I know this is entirely vacuous and frivolous , but we could (occasionally) post what we're wearing, how we're accessorizing or innovating to make our old wardrobe feel new, etc. Obviously, this thread might appeal to people who are already thrifty (kudos!) and who might be able to give tips, etc.

So, is there anyone out there who wants to join my challenge?

[thelunar66]

Yes, but I fear I'd up spending more buying little bits and bobs to make the current clothes 'work'. I'm thinking extra scarves, jewellery, belts etc.

I won't need to buy tights... I've a whole drawer full of unopened ones

[nowwhatdoido]

I'm doing exactly this. So, marking my place on the thread.

[cocohasleftthebuilding]

I will [panics] I need to save money this year. I made a start by buying a uniform for work so I don't ned to buy anything TBH. I have enough for the weekends. [panics some more]

[Penthesileia]

Oh, hello everyone! Phew. Was worried I might end up Billy-no-mates! (Am reluctant thread-starter...)...

lunar - yes, that is a consideration. Could you perhaps budget a small amount to spend in Accessorise each month. Maybe going cold turkey won't work for you? I have loads of nice jewellery (DH, bless him, always buys me nice stuff for birthdays, Christmas, and Valentines), so I'm ok on that front.

nowwhatdoido - hello!

coco - don't panic! I'm hoping it will be fun, and what I lose in not buying lovely new clothes, I will gain in a feeling of smug, self-righteous, holier-than-thou-ness!

[thelunar66]

I think I can hold out until Easter, that may be do-able for me. I'll need to shift my extra xmas poundage to squeeze in a lot of my stuff though.

I do admit to having a lot of stuff I've bought and never actually worn.

[cocohasleftthebuilding]

Just so we''re clear, hair dye is a necessity right?

[nowwhatdoido]

I have very little to wear for the summer though, but was thinking of buying a couple of summer dresses on eBay though.

[Penthesileia]

Yes, I have a couple of things that haven't been worn (nice dresses, mostly, which are my downfall). I'm now trying to think of them as the hidden treats in my wardrobe, waiting for their first outing.

If this thread works well, we could perhaps also consider a clothes swap, though maybe this is unworkable. Hmmm, but saw that Twiggy programme some time ago when she did a dress-swap thingy. Seemed fun.

And/or, we could encourage each other to Ebay those things we no longer wear and raise some money; then with the proceeds, and only then, we could buy something new?

[nowwhatdoido]

Also, I have to admit, in preparation for a non-spending year, I went a bit nuts just before Christmas and bought a lot of new stuff.

[Penthesileia]

LOL coco.

Am not fashion-nazi, so will leave it to the individual - so long as it's in the spirit of the thread - to determine what's a necessity for them.

[cocohasleftthebuilding]

My problem is shopping in Asda I take a detour through George's bit first. I stopped buing at Primark 2 years ago for ethical reasons, but I'm not sure supermarkets are any better.

[thelunar66]

Pen my downfall is lovely dresses too! What size are we all? and height? There are a few things I wouldnt mind throwing into the 'swap' pile... mostly unworn too.

[NoahAndTheWhale]

I would like to join in. I do need new tights though.

[Penthesileia]

Smart thinking, nowwhat. I missed that trick.

[NoahAndTheWhale]

I am a size 8-10 on top and 10-12 on the bottom. And 5 foot 4.

[cocohasleftthebuilding]

Though I was very smug yesterday and bought hair dye in Poundland . I used it this morning and I'm not bald.

Yet.

[thelunar66]

Me... size 10, 5ft 8in.

[thelunar66]

Hair dyes etc are necessity I would say.

[Penthesileia]

Hmm, coco. Initially, I was going to reply that going bald might save you money in hair-dye (hence very on-trend for this thread), but then I realised it would cost you more in hats. False economy, and all that.

I'm 34-26-35, and 5'8". I am an 8, or a 10, or even a 12, depending on where I shop.

[Miggsie]

Shoes...I could live a whole year without buying any...I hate shoe shopping.

My shoes get mended repeatedly and then one year in 5 I have to admit they are all falling apart and buy a new lot.

I dug out some shoes in my wardrobe that not only had I not worn, but couldn't actually recall buying...

Am madly sewing up holes in tights and buttons back on jackets.

[Penthesileia]

Hello Noah, by the way!

[thelunar66]

Am getting quite excited about it now..

[cocohasleftthebuilding]

Oh no! Shoes! Converse are bringing out Blondie ones in march and I have to buy a pair. It's the law so that's ok. Ahem.

Blimey 5 minutes in and I'm crumbling.

[Penthesileia]

Hello Miggsie: good point about clothes & shoe maintenance - some money needs to be spent towards that end. I too repair shoes endlessly, if I can (love buying new shoes, but also hate losing those which are already much-loved).

[Penthesileia]

lunar - are you almost excited as me when I (briefly) considered drawing up an inventory of my clothes, shoes, and beauty products in order to survey fully my wardrobe, etc? [nerd]

coco Come along now, young woman. Get with the thread.