Clothes - can I really do this?

[CherryShirt]

I’ve always bought a lot of clothes - to the point that at one stage I was genuinely worried it was becoming a problem 😦 I’ve got a lot better over the past few years, although more through circumstance than design. There wasn’t much point in buying nice clothes during lockdown, and unfortunately I put on a lot of weight in that period, so a lot of the time, if I did buy clothes, it was because those I already had no longer fit (which kind of takes the pleasure out of it!)

I was determined not to overbuy in larger sizes; partly from a financial/common sense perspective, but also because I wanted to believe I could still slim back into the (ridiculous amount of) clothes I already owned. Well, it’s taken some time, but it’s finally happening - I’ve lost nearly two stone, so I’m digging out the stuffed to the brim suitcases.

I really want to make sure I don’t fall back into old habits. I was reading around new year about this BBC presenter who’d challenged herself to go through 2024 without buying any new clothes (although she did buy some second hand) and I’m genuinely wondering if I could achieve this. I have loads of clothes that are either hardly worn because I got fat, or never worn because I could never get into them in the first place and couldn’t bring myself to send them back 🫢 I think these would actually feel like new clothes, without the need to actually buy anything.

Is this really doable? I know it would be better for my wallet and the environment (as well as giving me more space), but I also think it would be an achievement psychologically. I can’t change what I’ve spent in the past, but I do want to improve my future habits. I don’t want to be ridiculously rigid about it - I’m not going to walk about in something that’s falling to bits because I’m refusing to replace it - but as a general plan, I think I can possibly do it.

What do you think? Can I actually stick to this?!

Go for it! It sounds fun a good for the environment/you!

Do it. But first be ruthless and declutter what you've got already, vinted or bin and leave a capsule wardrobe of things that you truly value.

Why wouldn't it be possible? I go months without buying anything new. A year wouldnt be much different.

That’s absolutely the point I need to get to, but going months without buying anything new was most definitely NOT my MO for a long time! That’s why it’s a big change for me.

Of course it is doable.

I hate shopping and only tend to buy if stuff needs replacing or I have something where I need an outfit such as a wedding.

I had to buy new bras and a coat recently as the bras and coat because they were falling to bits, coat 7 years old and bras a bit unsure but before covid.

I get it's a big step but your question aas whether it is possible. It absolutely is. Just with the same willpower you've demonstrated in losing weight.

Of course it’s possible, plenty of people do that all the time. Could YOU personally manage it without feeling like it’s a huge sacrifice? Well given that you have hoards of ‘new’ clothes that you haven’t worn already, why not sort through everything you own, keep only that which makes you feel amazing and then plan to introduce one of your new outfits each month or couple of weeks rather than all at once so that you get the buzz of a new outfit to look forward to all year. If you’re allowing second hand purchases too you’ll be absolutely fine.

I do this every other year, as I find stuff does need replacing every few years so it’s unsustainable to keep up long term - but every even year is a “no buy” year for clothes. This year I’m trying to buy only natural fabrics so each item is a bit more expensive, but better quality and not fast fashion.

In short - yes you can do it, and I quite enjoy the challenge if you can get yourself into that headspace.

Ooh this could be fun! Rediscovering what you’ve already got and creating outfits with them. Shopping your wardrobe they call it now 😀

Easiest if you unsubscribe from all companies that send you emails trying to get you to buy new stuff.

Exemptions allowed for socks and underwear.

You could also get rid of a lot of stuff on Vinted...

Thank you everyone 🙂 Some very helpful advice here.

I definitely need a declutter, but I think I would be better off doing that a bit further into the process. I know what I’m like and I can see myself thinking “Well, it wouldn’t do any harm to get a couple of things seeing as I got rid of so much”. I think if I can get three or four months in and then look at what I still haven’t worn, despite not having bought anything new, I’ll be more honest with myself and admit I’ll probably never wear it.

But yes, I think I am actually looking forward to the challenge!

That’s absolutely the point I need to get to, but going months without buying anything new was most definitely NOT my MO for a long time! That’s why it’s a big change for me.

How bad was your habit? In order to change you need to unsderstand WHY you need to be constantly buying clothes. The putting weight on is understandable, but what about before that, when you were slimmer and your weight was stable.

All behaviour offers us some sort of reward, even if sometimes that statement feels perverse. If you try to stop cold turkey that itch will still be there unless you find and deal with the reasons why you were doing it. Finding out can mean a good long look into your psyche and interrogating yourself or it can mean therapy. But it will help you change your 'MO'.

You may find this thread companionable:

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/style_and_beauty/5238538-low-buyno-buy-2025?reply=140845279

I did this for a year, I allowed myself to buy knicker and socks though. I saved sooo much money and I really hadn't thought I was that much of a shopper! It fed into other areas of life too, so repairing things rather than buying new - or just doing without. I never felt deprived. It was a great discipline.

@CherryShirt
You might find this thread interesting.

Low buy/no-buy 2025 http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/styleandd_beauty/5238538-low-buyno-buy-2025

Sorry, same post as @GhastlyGoodTaste 😆

I split my stuff between keep, maybe, charity and vinted. Apart from new underwear and about 3 t-shirts/ 2 jumpers a year and jeans as old ones fell apart I only allowed myself to spend the value I had sold on Vinted on new things for about a year. Helped to get random buying under control. The maybe pile got reassessed and I have another Vinted pile building.
I buy much less now as I am better at separating want from need.

I did this 15 years ago for a year just to see if I could do it. I bought one going out dress for my 40th and some tights and that was it.

Now I do a thing called shop my wardrobe where I view my clothes as if they were hanging up in a shop and I enjoy mixing and matching them and adding different accessories etc.

I'm sure its very possible if you have a lot of clothes . I think it was Konnie Huq (sp?) that I read about some years ago , that she hadn't bought any new clothes for years. She had a lot from when she was a presenter and hadn't put on weight so was able to do this.

There's a shop your wardrobe thread OP as well as the no buy one. Both starting 2025 and in the style and beauty section, if you wanted to join it.

I operate one out one in- if something disintegrates then I replace it but otherwise I don't buy clothes

In 2024 my New Year’s resolution was to not buy any new clothes, except for underwear (and gifts for other people). And after the first two months, it actually wasn’t that difficult. I managed the whole year quite easily. However, although I saved money, by the end of the year my wardrobe was still overflowing.

This year I am trying to be more mindful about my clothes buying. I have far too many coats, bags and dresses. Since January I have sold 29 items on Vinted and made over £200. I have bought a couple of pairs of new thermal leggings from M&S (£20 each) as we were staying in Scotland (and they were worth every penny). I am trying to be more thoughtful and only buy what I actually need not what I fancy. But I know I am easily tempted.

Good Luck!