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Original poster

Can I survive a year without buying clothes?

794 replies

MaccaPaccaismyNemesis · 23/12/2013 23:06

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!) Grin.

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?

OP posts:
androbbob · 07/01/2014 21:40

I wouldn't have thought so fish as you are getting clothes fixes so you can wear them, rather than buying new. No different to mending stuff to me.

Belize · 07/01/2014 22:08

Thank you Macca, it was a close call Smile.

Helenagrace · 07/01/2014 23:30

The Pia catalogue arrived today. The beautiful, beautiful bag I wanted last year is in the sale.

I shall be strong!

Belize · 08/01/2014 09:19

Oh er Helena, I'm saying nothing!!

Original poster
MaccaPaccaismyNemesis · 08/01/2014 10:17

Stay strong!

OP posts:
orchidella · 08/01/2014 12:08

Yes the Boden catalogue came today with a cardigan I'd been coveting. I actually went so far as to look at the Boden site reviews for it. They were mostly praising it but I'm trying to stay focussed and think of all the reasons not to get it!

I did a cursory search online and there doesn't seem to be any forums set up for shopaholics (not that I'd call myself that yet but am heading down that road). Wonder why?

Sisukas · 08/01/2014 16:15

This reply has been withdrawn

Withdrawn at poster's request

Original poster
MaccaPaccaismyNemesis · 08/01/2014 16:24

Sisukas- I totally agree with you. All of the e-mail I get say 'buy this thing, it's great', but who is it actually benefitting?

OP posts:
alemci · 08/01/2014 17:35

yes I am staying strong but we have been conditioned over the years' to buy, buy , buy. everywhere you turn. Internet makes it worse.

VestaCurry · 09/01/2014 03:15

I'm in. I know I do not need to buy any clothes/shoes/handbags/nightwear/knickers/bras/socks etc this year. I WILL however need to buy for the dc's. They keep outgrowing the stuff that supposedly has 2 years growing room Hmm, and their feet are becoming HUGE! I can't keep up, neither can my wallet!!

Helenagrace · 09/01/2014 07:45

Have stayed strong and not bought the bag!

Currently wearing the blouse I altered so I'm pleased to have sorted that out.

I found a pair of jeans in my sewing pile that I don't remember buying Blush. I'm in the process of turning them up. I've found another dress to shorten too.

ScienceRocks · 09/01/2014 07:50

Just found this thread - I am trying to do this !

Someone mentioned cancelling clothing catalogues. Hiw can this be done?

Belize · 09/01/2014 09:32

Hello Vesta and Science Smile.

If you just ring the clothing company and quote the number on your catalogue (near the address usually) then they should cancel them although it can take quite a while to filter through as they plan all their mailings ages in advance.

Well done Helena!

ashamedoverthinker · 09/01/2014 10:21

Hi all, not posted for a few days.

I have not bought anything and not really looked at much, trying to sort out mortgage - I can recommend this as bringing your spending habits back into touch. Had quite few NSD.

But I have just opened an email from monsoon it's advertising full on patterns - Not my thing, this will be one trend easy for me to avoid spending on.

Plus I'm ploughing my way through a huge pile of laundry - we simply have too much, we dont need it all - but why cant I get rid and we certainly don't have the room for it all. It tends to hang around in various stages of the process in bags for life, baskets and laundry hamper.

I think when Im not organised and cant find stuff I mistake for needing more, so if the laundry mounts up it doesnt matter. I think this has the opposite effect now we have too much to keep track of.

Fishandjam · 09/01/2014 10:51

I think one of my problems is that - despite my advancing years Grin - I don't really know what suits me. So I either play it safe and end up with multitudinous black trousers and jumpers, or I go a bit off-piste and buy stuff that ends up not looking good (and therefore ends up not being worn), or doesn't go with anything else I have. I'm also a sucker for buying something that I didn't originally want, but bought anyway because it was a sale bargain.

This year I am definitely going to be more analytical about the things I wear a lot, which things get me compliments, and therefore the type of stuff to buy next year.

foxdongle · 09/01/2014 11:02

hi everyone,
ashamedoverthinker I had some of those problems .
Couldn't get rid of stuff but kept buying more, not quite right, clothes. My wardrobes (2) were bursting with stuff.
last year though got sick of wasting money on more clothes I didn't need.
I culled my wardrobe. there are some good threads on MN (and elsewhere to help). E.g only keep the things you that fit right, you love and are your style. lots of other tips too.

It took about three goes to do it right and some stuff I was just hoarding. I halved my clothes. Now wardrobe all sorted and neat instead of all squashed and creased.

I did get some money back (ebay) but most went to charity even a really nice coat that I clung on to until the last cus I had spent so much on it but it just didn't fit right and after 3 attempts on ebay it didn't sell so off to c shop. After it had gone I actually felt daft that I'd found it hard to let it go when I'd only worn it about three times. And have nicer one that fits!

And when I did buy I tried to only buy to fill gaps (didn't always work see above post).
Now my clothes are sorted for this year. Determined not to make all those old mistakes again.

Belize · 09/01/2014 11:07

This is such good therapy.

I totally agree re ironing pile. Mine goes back months and so I'm restricted to only wearing a few of my clothes (I mean how nuts is that!).

Need to get on top of the ironing and think I will feel like I've been shopping all over again!

I've been sorting out a savings account for the last hour or so to put in for Christmas as I always get into such a mess at this time of year financially. This is all so good for feeling positive.

The one thing I dread at this time of year is our mortgage statement - we are on interest only and haven't overpaid at all more is the shame. We owe the same amount every year and only ever pay off the interest. This is so crap at my time of life and I desperately want to change it. This concentration on my spending habits will really help me to focus I hope on sorting out our priorities.

Belize · 09/01/2014 17:48

Well I got a full refund for my HUSH jumper that I returned despite them having a 20% off sale now so was impressed with that.

Also got a peculiar sort of high from getting the money back in my account, almost as good as spending it in the first place!

Novelsituation · 09/01/2014 21:01

Just checking in to say I've also not spent. There was a slight wobble when I foolishly went on the Jigsaw website. Websites are definitely my downfall. I just need to not look at all. If you look, you invariably will find!

Novelsituation · 09/01/2014 21:06

Belize and Overthinker do you have an ironing service near you? In my town there is a firm who pick up and drop off ironing. They do huge loads for a surprisingly reasonable cost. I would recommend professional help at least for a one-off to get rid of the big pile. It also gives you all those usable clothes back.

Belize · 09/01/2014 23:01

Novel well done for not giving in! I've been hovering over the new stuff on The White Company website all evening Confused. Hard this isn't it....

I have got a wonderful ironing lady nearby but given that I'm desperately trying to save money it seems crazy spending it on something that I should be doing myself. I need to just put a day in the diary next week and just crack on with it.

Rumbled45 · 10/01/2014 15:48

I will be joining you all.

I intend not to buy anything for myself until autumn. I am not a big spender - well cannot afford to be!

Tend to shop in H & M and Top Shop/River Island when they have sales.

I have enough clothes and shoes. There are no special occasions as far as I know. If so, I have two dresses to choose from.

MacaYoniandCheese · 10/01/2014 19:02

Still not bought anything! Hurray! I've been on a few S&B threads too and haven't felt tempted by anything. Actually it's sort of made me appreciate all the nice items I have and strengthened my resolve to wear and enjoy them, rather than lusting after further acquisitions. I just socked an extra chunk into savings which is very satisfying so I'll try to remember that feeling if I feel tempted by anything. At the moment it's very cold and very snowy where I live so it's pretty easy not to lust after clothes because everything just gets covered up with industrial-strength arctic gear.

Belize · 10/01/2014 19:08

Hello Rumbled!

Well done Maca Smile. I must admit I'm feeling better as each day goes by, I can imagine it's a bit like giving up smoking or drinking and hating yourself if you give in.

GobblersKnob · 10/01/2014 19:10

I so want to join you all, I have wanted to do this for the last few years, I have sooooooooo many clothes, and it is actually all stuff I love and wear, I am just a clothes junkie Blush

But I don't need anything else, and I could really do with paying some stuff off, I don't know if I am strong enough though......