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?

For me there're two questions. Firstly, the last thing I need are more clothes! I don't foresee having to buy much next year apart from replacing worn out items and maybe a few new things.

As far as a spring wardrobe goes I tend to add a cardigan to my spring wardrobe and wear boots not sandals with my dresses. Maybe it's because anything pastel makes me look ill and pale?!

And today, I had a few child free hours. I took a stroll round a few of my favourite shops and saw a few nice things but actually thought 'don't need it, don't even really want it'. Felt quite smug leaving actually .

emma the torrential rain and biting cold are making it fairly easy for me to ignore any flimsy "spring" clothes!

Also, if it is ever sunny again, I have t shirts, dresses etc in my wardrobe from last year which I can wear. I have TOMS and sandals too. I might need to buy a pair of shorts (have lost 1.5 stone over 2 years and finally thrown out the too-big ones, but may just stick to jeans and vest tops, depending on how hot it gets!)

Wow month 2 without buying any clothes. It's been touch and go a few times but it was lovely to see my next account paid off and no new transactions on the credit car statement.

I probably came across like i'm some serial every day shopper but to be honest im so far the opposite of that. I've got 5 pairs of shorts that i've had for the past 2 years & will definately be wearing them again this 'summer', they're well looked after & are showing no signs of falling apart so why not.
I just do get v.tempted when after all those dark nights & cold day's over winter, the clever retailers bring out all the new bright happy spring adverts for clothes, to just have a big spree...but then generally i remember how crap the weather is in this country & i'll probably still be living in my jeans in july & august :((

H&M are fab for basics like vests/cami's to go with shorts/skirts etc, they last really well & are so cheap. When i get my 2 binbags of summer clothes out of the loft that were put away there from last year, it'll feel like a whole new wardrobe anyway!

hi
emma actually as time has gone on I can honestly say that the itch that you mentioned has actually got weaker and weaker.

we will probably all end up replacing some stuff -that's inevitable really. I hope at least that I will have achieved not mindlessly shopping for this and that stuff that will end up in the wardrobe with tags on never worn/selling on ebay for a 10th of the price we paid or sent to the local cs.

and the clothes we do buy will be worn and worn ,because they have been considered over. and if we wear them out that's the point isn't it?

temptations- spring =no. summer = maybe :)

I love h and m too

Had a bad day today I'm goin out with some friends on Saturday in Manchester and it's the first time for agggeeeesssssss and true to form I want something new to wear..

Ive managed to avoid buying anything but it's been a struggle

Come on BlueDog- I bet there's something in your wardrobe begging to come out and be worn. Don't give in!

I had a bit if a laugh with my dd last night trying on loads if my old clothes.. And now I can't decide what to wear - because there's several outfits I like

And ....

I avoided NEXT internet shopping.... Phew!

Well done!!! Next is so easy to spend on, they offer loads of availability to get something delivered to you within a few hours these days, lethal! Glad you found a 'new' outfit though, it's amazing what you realise you've got when you have a dig through.
I'm looking on ebay at the moment for any summer dresses i can get now before the sun does peek out & then the whole 'supply & demand' kicks in & second hand stuff goes for as much as a brand new spanker!!

My shopping itch is getting stronger by the day & i'm dying to go & have a splurge...i hope your right foxdongle & it does get easier. My aim is to get to next pay day (24th) + 2 weeks on, and then i think i might have a little treat?? I really need a couple of pairs of flat shoes for spring time, don't think i can live in my staple brown + black boots for the whole year?

Nothing bought here and its been a week since payday

Three more tops to go through this week then that is the entire wardrobe worn once this year (anything that didn't fit has been boxed up) and some things disposed of.
I have to admit to caving this week, the local charity shop is getting rid of some clothes before putting out new stock and a brand new pair of Evans trousers for work were just £1 and I couldn't resist!

Now the sun's come out I am thinking about the summer - if I'm going to fit into my T shirts I need to be strategic now and start losing a few pounds. I have been going overboard a bit on the Lindt 70% bars lately Also are maxi dresses out of fashion now? I hope not, they suit me and I have 4 of them in good condition to wear on rotation.

i have 3 maxi dresses and love them and I will be wearing them all summer and on holiday orchidella
they are definitely me and i'm not following any new fashion this year if this no buying all goes to plan :)

Maxi dresses will always be in, i've 4 that i've had for the past 2-3 years & they're still in really good condition & 'trendy' so ill definately be getting those back out again.
To be honest i don't follow trends at all, i leave that to the teenagers of today! I stick to what i know suits me & my shape, what i like to wear instead of feeling like i've got to wear that outfit because it's 'in'...i'd just look like mutton dressed as lamb lol!
I went on to RI the other day & racked up £180 in my basket :( but then clicked on 'X' and felt very pleased with myself. It's like i went shopping & bought it all & it was all very lovely, but never actually did...nothing stranger than women as they say :-/

Well done everyone!

I've not bought a thing for almost 3 months now - well actually I did buy one cashmere jumper from Pure for £74 as desperately short of jumpers but that was it. This is so very strange for me but I do definitely feel a shift change in my thinking - the first for a very long time, in fact the last time I was so focused was almost 20 years ago when I saved up to go travelling for a couple of years.

My 'big' pebble and the only thing that seems to work for me, is travel again. Have a couple of big holidays booked and it is brilliant for channeling all my energies into - I think (for me) having a goal is imperative rather than just saving or not spending for savings sake.

Spring will be hard, especially as it is so beautiful today and I may allow myself a couple of tops as last years are pretty threadbare from wearing so much the last couple of years. It is perversely nice being this disciplined though - keep strong everyone!

That's great to know I won't be walking around alone in a maxi foxdongle and emma I don't follow trends either much. The skinny jean look for example is a disaster on me. I saw some of the 'trends' for Autumn and didn't like any of them (just as well). However bootcuts are coming back so that's a good thing. I don't know if I'd have the discipline to add loads of things to the basket and then walk away, emma Once something is in the basket I've virtually bought it by then in my head!

i am well and truly off the wagon

A parcel of splurge s on its way to me - sorry but i cant bloody wait to open it all.

Oooooh thinking where from? We can be excited vicariously!! or should that be vicariously excited?? Whatever, looking forward on your behalf to your parcel arriving!

I put 3 things in an on-line basket last night and then promptly deleted it, I felt good about myself afterwards if I'm honest. It is getting easier after almost 3 months.

I keep picking up this months issue of Red magazine, I cancelled my subscription but desperately want to buy it. So stupid as when it used to get delivered I would devour it for an hour or so and then never pick the bloody thing up again! It is the initial buzz isn't it that feels good?

I enjoyed the post up-thread about the 'puddle' effect was it called? Can't find it now but so true.

Yes by the time you get home the puddle has dripped everywhere and evaporates something like that.

I have more to add to my falling off the wagon and reasons ad I;m happy for others to comment. Be back later have bedtime to do.

I found one of my things bought only 2 years ago has developed a hole. everything is such poor quality I find.

A third of the way in and I'm enjoying the challenge now. It feels good watching my bank balance grow. I'm £300 better off than this time 2 months ago. It feels so much better than any clothes I could have bought.

Why did you crack Thinking? What did you buy?

For the first time since I can remember I don't have to pay NEXT this month.

I haven't bought anything from them since before Xmas and I've finally paid them off in full

Wow Bluedog! I've paid off two little ones so that's 25 quid a month better off already. How are you celebrating?