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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:
orchidella · 18/02/2014 12:24

MissAnnersley Good luck for staying strong at Bicester. Just remember that the channel 4 expose on TKmaxx also featured a section on Bicester village. It went there and revealed some of the clothes in the shops there weren't from the 'normal' shops on the High St and were specially made for the village to a lower pricepoint so not the 'bargains' they seemed!

thinking101 · 18/02/2014 13:30

interesting orchidella I think it was sisk who posted some stuff up thread about the ethics of buying clothes.

I'd be paid to remind myself of this. Smile

MissAnnersleyismyhero · 19/02/2014 07:34

off to BV in about 10 mins, picking up DM from train station on the way. I am determined not to spend any money except for lunch in pret.

I haven't missed shopping at all yet, have been keeping busy selling things on eBay and sorting out clutter, doing DIY around the house. This will be the first time I have gone "shopping" since before the New Year, boxing day I think.

orchid ooh I love shows like that, must try to find it on 4od!

androbbob · 19/02/2014 22:29

MissAnnersley hope you survived your trip! I too went to 'Town' this week with DD (who is 12) and we wandered around shops. Very little money between us and was quite tempted to buy something. Came away with school shoes for her and her refusal to go in Primark - went to Forever 21 instead and browsed. Nothing took her fancy and I am too old (and large) for shops like that, so all was well!

We are off to Birmingham tomorrow and I can foresee that will result in a mini shopping trip - need to be firm - I do not need anything. I am wearing a top that I have not worn since I bought that and have also worn 2 tops that I 'found' in my wardrobe this week as well - so has been refreshing - like having new clothes without the expense! Midway through Feb and bought nothing for myself - I too am feeling proud of myself Grin

Helenagrace · 20/02/2014 09:25

Just checking in to confess to buying a tshirt. It's the first new thing I've bought since January 2013. My mum bought me a bag for my birthday that I've been coveting for weeks.

Can I be forgiven?

MissAnnersleyismyhero · 20/02/2014 15:50

spent £20 on travel/food and nothing else , phew! Grin

Starting to find the tension of waiting for DH to get a job quite stressful, we have enough to get by (just) but it's the waiting/uncertainty that starts to take its toll.

androb well done! I actually refuse to go into Primark myself as the stuff is so cheap I convince myself it is actually saving money to buy it Confused

Blueandwhitelover · 20/02/2014 16:03

I'm still not buying even though I did go into two charity shops yesterday. I still have work clothes to get through next week before I need to iron. I have to admit I didn't expect to get through to March...

thinking101 · 20/02/2014 16:19

I'm on holiday not having a great time, kids are.

I'm so pleased I didn't buy anything new for this holiday.

I keep looking at what others are wearing, especially wellies, despite managing fine without them in my nonleather biker boots.

1.5 months in. I have bought 1 dress and 1 necklace.

AmberSpyglass · 21/02/2014 10:04

Sorry you're not enjoying yourself, thinking.

FWIW I can't bear wellies, so cold, even with thermal socks on! Boots are much nicer to wear :)

alemci · 21/02/2014 10:11

i've fallen off the wagon in February and bought one top, and a couple of jumpers in the Boden sale which were a good price.

I have cut back alot and am much more cautious about what I buy and try to avoid the shops.

thinking101 · 21/02/2014 16:11

I spent loads in the Boden clearance after seeing a thread with a link...virtually that is, there was some good bargains.

thinking101 · 21/02/2014 16:12

amber thanks I started a thread in UK to moan. Mostly down to my hormones and my DS

I feel better about the wells. I love my biker boots, they have been one of my best buys.

I've been thinking about reflecting on some of my best buys....

alemci · 21/02/2014 17:18

thinking glad it's not just me who succumbed to the Boden saleSmile

thinking101 · 21/02/2014 18:08

NO alemci i said VIRTUAL

orchidella · 21/02/2014 19:13

Read an interesting piece by Deborah Ross in the Times about what she calls 'Fashion Seepage'.

"Beware what I have termed Fashion Seepage. Fashion Seepage is why you have an excess of clothes and nothing to wear. It is why you are compelled to clothes-shop all the time. Fashion Seepage is why no one looks special despite all the shopping, the spending, the devouring of magazines, the fixation on catwalk shows. Fashion Seepage starts from the moment you hand over your money for an item.

If you could see Fashion Seepage with the naked eye, you would see all the qualities that drew you to the garment seeping from the bag as soon as it is handed over to you and pooling on the floor in puddles. You would then see it puddling on the pavement behind you as you make your way home — and by the time you get back? Its special-ness will have seeped away entirely, the last few drops spilling on your very own doorstep. You will take it from the bag, slump, and say: “Bloody hell, what did I buy that for? It’s only another top and now it expects me to hang it up and read the care label and I’ve probably trodden Fashion Seepage all though the house.”

And so you will shove it into a drawer along with all the other stuff that looked good in the shop but is now so ordinary. Fashion Seepage. It’s puddling everywhere. It’s probably even puddling at your feet right now."

More ammunition to help us to stay on the straight and narrow!

alemci · 21/02/2014 19:19

ok thinking I missed the virtual. still pleased with my jumpers at £16; no regrets

thinking101 · 21/02/2014 21:43

my dress has reduced...in dont need a dress.

Original poster
MaccaPaccaismyNemesis · 21/02/2014 21:45

Don't do it Thinking!

OP posts:
thinking101 · 21/02/2014 22:49

no i think it is about 25% of sun porrrrrsssshhh designery sunglasses (that Ive never owned - alwyas £4.99 types) that I would rather buy.

I keep thinking about the big pebbles.

Dont get me started about the holiday we've just had.....I wished I'd spent it on the house.

newbiefrugalgal · 22/02/2014 11:00

I'm impressed -reading the last few pages and you are all doing amazingly!

alemci · 22/02/2014 13:01

the weather is lovely so rather than buying stuff and mooching around the shops, I have been for a walk around a local lake and had a coffee and chat instead.

Am wearing the Boden sweater though so it is getting worn.

cathyandclaire · 22/02/2014 13:44

Have just caught up with the thread having started late...Well done everyone! I've managed one whole month without buying any clothes as of today...
Small steps and all that.
Bank account still looking desperate as have had horrible number of extra-curric/house jobs to pay so that is incentive enough to continue!

thinking101 · 23/02/2014 22:05

I still havnt bought anything, but I cant stop looking at online stuff. Sad
I want to BUY something

Original poster
MaccaPaccaismyNemesis · 23/02/2014 22:14

Stay strong! And turn off the shopping sites. Grin

OP posts:
thinking101 · 23/02/2014 22:52