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?

Another week without buying anything . Swiftly coming to the conclusion that I really only wear the tiniest amount of the clothes in my wardrobe.

Does anyone have anything that they would like to swap? I have a pair of black rocket dog very high heels that I have worn once. They are pretty but 4 inch heels and me do not mix well!

sisukas, that's great! I hope to teach my DD some good habits around money and budgeting. I'm having to teach myself now in my late twenties and I am kind of angry at never being taught to think about that stuff when I was younger. I've needlessly wasted a fuck load of money.

Yes Sisukas I am very impressed with your 9 year olds restraint. I agree that I wish my parents and taught me a bit of financial management!

Oh, and the shoes are a size 6

Sisukas I can really identify with the 'fear of scarcity' you outlined- v well put. Whenever I saw 'only 4 left in stock' on TKMaxx or House of Fraser that would really prompt me to hit the buy button. And half the time on Tkmaxx the item would be available again in a few days or weeks. I saw the Channel 4 Exposure programme on TKmaxx and now suspect some of my 'bargains' weren't what they seems and the 'original price' dubious too.

Well things here going well spendwise. I can pay off my credit card this month, still saving, and will buy one item off my non-clothes list too, probably set of contact lenses.

I used to constantly want to shop. I may go tomorrow as I need to take something back which is faulty but now I only go for a reason rather than another hobby. I try to have a list and only go where I need to.

I also used to get a very good discount in a store as a family member worked there and it used to make me spend more money I think.

I am trying to rotate my clothes a bit more and dig out things I haven't worn for ages

Orla Kiely shoes
Brogue tan ankle boots
Navy/cream shopper
Black/cream spotty dresses
Coral trimmed jumper
Coral trimmed scarf
Grey Blazer
Denim pencil skirt
Navy tweed blazer
Indigo jeggings
Cream/Balck silk print tunic
Sunglasses (lots)

Arrrrrgggggghhhhhhhhhhhh im so fed up.

Haven't bought a thing so far this year and I am still in 'unworn wardrobe clothes' for work, I have picked out and thrown a couple of tops that I realised I will not wear so why keep them?
I think I will have realistically gone through the wardrobe of things I will wear within the next two weeks and am determined to charity shop/ebay/bin anything that I haven't worn.

Another week of no clothes spending again - doing so well and feel so much better. 5 more days to payday and i still have cash in the bank - which is almost unheard of. I will transfer some of it to my savings account later.

Been to clothes shops twice this week - once on Friday to TK Maxx with DD for a browse. a relatively new shop to us but still not bought anything there, as I too saw that programme which rubbished the savings. Also went to M&S for a birthday cake. We didnt even bother with the clothes as nothing there of interest for a 12 year old!

I feel really good not wasting money on clothes - I definately shop out of boredom, so I have been channelling my energies to sorting out the house. Cleared everything out of my wardrobe today and gave it a good clean and then put things back. My aim is to get rid of several things each week as I have so much clutter in my room. We did this with the lounge last year as it was being fully plastered, decorated, new carpet, etc and it made it so muuch easier with less to put back.

I have a pile of clothes at the side of the wardrobe to charity shop - my aim for this week is to add a couple more items to the pile and get rid.

We are all doing so well.....

I didnt buy any of those things btw, I just wanted to vent.

Ive been to the gym I kept thinking about white linen trousers for the summer. I have two pairs in two sizes.

I'm out for dinner next week, nothing too fancy but it is in town with friends and all DH's. I started to automatically think, hmm what could I get...

This is fraught with things that are making me think about spending money on clothes. So far Ive had emotional, occasions, emails and new seasonish feelings plus an item on daytime telly made (it did!) look something up.

But it is Sunday night and Ive made it through the week. So to date I have kept it to one blue dress and a silver neckless. DD's clothes with Bday money from DGM. It could have been so much worse.

I need to do some chanelling.

Does anybody else buy clothes because they think people will like them better?? I know it's an odd thing to say, but I've noticed that if I'm meeting new people, or have something at work which means I'll be with people I don't knew, I get this massive urge to wear something new! It somehow has become my armour, and I think I'll be liked better because of what I'm wearing. Even though those people wouldn't know if what I'm wearing is new or old.

I noticed it the other day when I knew I was going out ( just to a party with dd ) and I got this massive, almost uncontrollable urge, to buy a new outfit. It suddenly occurred to me this was the reason why

Thebluedog - yes I did this with colleague (when she was my 'friend') and another friend who really had a different lifestyle from me - very polished, very Essex girl, WAG wannabe etc.

Adora - my weekend was great but had to curtail it as had hair appt early Saturday afternoon that I'd thought was later!

Had to get more leggings (Uniqlo) and some knickers (Uniqlo) - well didn't need them but needed the leggings and wanted to try some comfier ones.

Macca - I hear you re wearing only the tiniest amounts of stuff in wardrobes.

I am going to try (this year) to try the turning the clothes or hanger is it the other way round after you buy them? To see what I wear and what I don't wear.

the blue dog yes yes yes! re armour I felt like that the other week in relation to a school run thing. There was not way I needed another outdoor all weather jacket but i wanted one and matching (v expensive branded boots) I was convinced. I posted about it and someone said about the armour thing. Who knew not buing clothes could be so insightful.

There is something to be said for wanting to make a good ipression through presenting ourselves to 'fit' whatever we think we need to fit.

I have found myself wearing alittle bit more makeup. I did my nails when normally I cab. Similar vain the way others have been wearing unworn wardrobe clothes.

Im handwshing three dresses today. I am going to wear one of them for valentines.

Dont you think though helloboys when you try to fit you relaise these people are not your natural friends? Just interested as I found this a couple of years ago with people who were a it 'ladies lunch' types. Ive now made new friends from baby groups and realise I dont have to wear a 'day dress' to meet up for coffee, jeans and con's are fine with a smidge of lipgloss.

macca we lived hand to mouth growing up. We never had need for any loans or mortgages. Dh and I had acces to all this and we didnt use such financial products wisely. We have learnt the hard way. So after ten years together and despite a v. good income we dont feel well off...paying down cards, no savings. But I will say we do have a good standard of living, we consider Sky and Gym and 2nd car luxuries.

My meal plan and doing free activites with DD (Toddler) for 6 weeks is working. But we do have a holiday next week to look forward to.

I succumbed and bought a couple of cotton tops half price in John Lewis and a kath Kidston kagoule for my dd as a gift.

Long sleeve tops are a staple item in my wardrobe but I should really get rid of some of the older shabby ones but bet I won't.

It was a lovely feeling buying things I must confess
(Hangs head in shame).

Oh no Alemci! Up to you I guess, though I'm planning on sticking it out. Got my boots reheeled today which should make them last another year. Happy days :)

Does getting boots re-healed and a zip fixed on another pair count

I don't think it counts! The old me would have worn them till they were irreparable and then bought a new pair. £10 to have them reheeled versus £80 for a new pair.

not sure if I even like the tops, one is definitely going back. finding it harder to find things that look good. everything is going south

thinking I realise that now after the friendship has cooled/ended but at the time if you want to fit in and if you're a bit insecure you'll try/buy anything.

I recall being in this friend's bathroom whacking on fake tan with a mitt and thinking "this isn't me!"

I suppose its ok to try to and fit in as long as it is not too much of a stretch. Ditto here re Fake tan - Ive had some disasters when Ive tried to step up grooming with fake tan products. Made me long for winter clothes Im still a nervous dresser in summer.

thinking - sometimes it is nice to try something different - I got a gorgeous sort of fur (not fluffy) and leather orange clutch (envelope?) bag from Zara which though not me is something nice to zing up outfits and surprisingly also works with a necklace, co-ordinates with some things.

I also got a couple of smarter shift dresses (work, after work) which I may not have been brave enough to buy (by myself though) without someone else suggesting them.

My mum when I see her always says if something looks nice...

true hello I would never think/see and orange cloth. Im strictly black, brown of tan! Unless it is made to match he dress like in coast.

I love shifts - I cant wear a the moment im too fat for that cut, and I dont need work wear. But would consider a brighter colour for non work wear.

I have welly envy today. My feet however have surveyed