Can I survive a year without buying clothes?

[MaccaPaccaismyNemesis]

I like shopping, especially pretty day dresses, and I have spent much of 2013 building up a decent amount of clothes after bring pregnant and eating cake changed my shape though I have lost my preg weight now. (Only 2 years later!) .

I was having a look through the other day, and I think I could save a fortune if I made myself not shop for clothes or shoes in 2014. It could help financially to pay back the overdraft etc, and maybe just maybe I could save some money. I can definitely dress well for the year, but will people notice that I'm sporting the same clothes?

Would anyone like to join me in my quest to not shop in 2014?

Im tempted to sell my cocktail dresses now - there is 5:

Monsoon - heavily embellished in gold on black and cream worn x3
Coast - mink x 1 bag and shoes to match, black x 1 panneled bodice
Coast - pale moss green

I removed cards off paypal as I had fraud - suppose I better get my stuff together.

BELIZE if I did it you can- honestly I've not the greatest willpower in the world.
SISUKAS mainly by keeping away from my regular high street local shop which popped up on my bank statements over and over (almost weekly£10/ £20/£30 ish- not huge but adds up especially if you don't get your wear out of it.)

what I did buy was much better thought through, although I still bought some mistakes but at least I could recognise them as mistakes quicker and get rid and start again.

It was a learning curve and I did get a tad obsessed with reading this and that blog/thread. frugalfashionista thread was great btw.

I stopped buying "it will do" stuff too. Wear my favourites more often. Also when I did go shopping I had a list of what I really wanted/needed.
It does get easier and I got sort of bored of shopping for endless clothes (which I didn't really need) and nearly got what I wanted to achieve and that's why I'm going to give the full year a go.

Didn't have a particular big thing to save for just enjoy having a bit extra for doing other things with my family/friends.
Go for it I say x

www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1264899/How-I-gave-shopping-year-felt-better-it.html

www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1264899/How-I-gave-shopping-year-felt-better-it

That article could have been written about all of us! Good find alemci

3 days and nothing bought. I think that deserves a mini congrats to everyone!

Thank you for the article, it's interesting reading. Personally I'd never spend large sums on items, but rather buy cheap throwaway from New Look etc. I think it still costs the same in the end though! Another NSD today, and haven't been tempted as yet.

there is also some American stuff from wiki which was good. it is definitely a social thing for me and gets me out. the net increases temptation.

also must sort out wardrobe.

I think the habit is learnt. my mum and my late gm loved clothes.

I have managed to avoid the sales both online and in person although I did dream if shopping last night

I have always adopted a scattergun approach to shopping: just buying what I like, often without consideration as to how or where I will wear it and often without even trying an item on.

In just a week I have realised that despite having hundreds of items of clothing I have some really significant gaps and so I am starting to compile a list of bits that would fill those gaps and allow other items to be worn.

Ok, I'm doing fairly well. I said I needed running shoes and ordinary shoes - got both in the sales (the ordinary ones are Clarks Originals I've had my eye on for a while, so not an impulse purchase). Just need new bras and that's me done.

Another no spend day, and have spent the day with my DH and DS. Lots of e-mails and things in the post enticing me to spend. Anyone else finding it hard not to look?

I did go to supermarket, popped in the library and charity shops. at least it got me out the house.

I only bought food. no extras

Well done Macca!

Same here, still no spending. Have you unsubscribed to the emails? It is amazing how prompting they are when they pop up in your in-box all the time. I will also take myself off their mailing lists on Monday.

I do feel really quite inspired this time (have tried to do this before...) first time I think I have ever managed to stay away from the on-line shops at this time of year as it is so tempting and always lots of time on my hands.

Feeling very positive - this thread helps massively I have to say, so thank you for starting it Macca .

I did get two dresses in the Next sale but they were ordered before this thread started . I did have some other unnecessary things on order, which I've now cancelled.

It feels oddly liberating to think I won't buy any new clothes until next Winter! Now just got to get rid of the things I never wear and free up some space in the wardrobe for DP!

Thanks Macca, it is empowering. tbh I'm not sure if I can do it for the whole year but it is making me think about endless shopping to fulfil something within me rather than something I need.

let's face it, most of us don't need half the things we buy but we have been sucked in.

Nothing purchased here...haven't looked at any websites and I sent DH to the mall to get something DS needed instead of going myself. I also tidied up my closet and sorted out a bunch of things to have dry-cleaned, hemmed or repaired (I have several pairs of trousers in my closet with tags on that I haven't worn because they are too long ). Going to iron a big pile of blouses etc. later on.

Late to this thread but I am also going to try to do this as need to save some money. Will unsubscribe to the emails as they arrive and try not to browse eBay for so called bargains.

Not late slalomsuki, we will hopefully be here all year helping each other out .

Well done to everyone not purchasing so far

I'm doing pretty well actually. Haven't thought about buying stuff all day, until ironically I came on this thread and thought, ooooh I haven't been shopping....

Mended a pair of trousers and took delivery of the new pair that I bought before the challenge.
Am resisting the ebay button so far!

also quite bad about getting rid of stuff. I buy new stuff but stilo wear old stuff as I like it.

hi well done all and to MACCA for starting us off.

my next test is that dd wants to go to the local Westfield to spend her Christmas money. Unlike ds who is old enough to go and spend his with his mates dd is much younger and likes shopping with mum (!)
I am going to pencil in a late night slot (couple of hours max)
Shall get said needed bra while there even tho the jackets and boots may be calling (favourite items-got enough to last me years and had two pairs of boots re-heeled this autumn instead of buying new)
I'm determined to resist.

not completely stopped shopping, like the woman in that article
(v. interesting but no way could I do it) e.g. bought a bird feeder and bird food yesterday! (Also pricing up mini break- roughly same cost as a 2012 monthly shopping spree but more fun. That'll keep me focused.)

Thank you everyone for your kind words- I'm just happy that I'm not doing this on my own
Next directory arrived today, and it's gone in the bin! Unwrapped it, and opened it but thought better and it's off to the great recycling pile in the sky. Aiming to pay it off ASAP- but will be June/July. Catalogues are my downfall .

Whooooooooooop well done macca