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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:
foxdongle · 20/03/2014 11:25

hi all
weddings and charity balls - eek! difficult time for you macca and thinking do you have a plan?

got bikini now, just the 1 - £35 from next. actually looked all over and that was the nicest fit, needed one with a proper bra style that lifts to avoid rolls of fat look :D
so that's it then until next time I need something else.
this year is still heading for the year that I've spent the least EVER on clothes so still have to be pleased with that :)

foxdongle · 20/03/2014 11:27

after saying Next never tempts me now! typical!

Original poster
MaccaPaccaismyNemesis · 20/03/2014 18:29

I think I'll try and pull something that I've not worn with this group of friends on each occasion. My sis has mentioned some accessories I could borrow. She's a size 12 and I'm a 16 so no chance of borrowing anything clothes wise from her! I'm determined to stick to it. Paying off loads from debts and bank account still healthier. That's what's driving me at the minute.

Starting trying for a baby now but have maternity clothes stashed away if that happens quickly. Very excited and a bit nervous about it all.

OP posts:
ThePartyArtist · 21/03/2014 13:40

Why not limit your buying to charity shops? Depending on the area you shop in you can get some excellent stock (eg. I got brand new knee high suede Hush Puppies boots for £5). This way you'd be limiting yourself to ethical shopping and donating to charity too.

foxdongle · 26/03/2014 08:16

hi
how we all doing?
I've not bought or looked since bikinigate :) so I am back on the wagon.

the partyartist the trouble with cs is that the basics which will be the things that I need in the future- underwear, vest tops, leggings etc aren't things I would like to buy from a cs. I have a load of the other stuff already.

IamMummyhearmeROAR · 26/03/2014 16:49

I've bought nothing this month for me but I bought school shoes and trainers for my dd. She's gone up a whole size so can't be helped. Tried to buy cheap but didn't like anything I saw in the supermarkets, Next or M & S. She does a lot of sport so needs good trainers.

Blueandwhitelover · 26/03/2014 17:39

I finally came to the end of the clothes in the wardrobe last weekend. I ironed for the first time this year (my clothes).
Lesson learned- there was a ridiculous amount of clothes, I didn't like all of them when I put them on and letting go of some of them to the charity shop made me feel good.
In the three months since we started I have only bought one pair of trousers in the charity shop-brand new and ridiculously cheap and last week I did have to buy a pair of pyjamas for the sleepover with 74 kids :-)

Original poster
MaccaPaccaismyNemesis · 27/03/2014 19:09

Feeling a bit hacked off with life today, so need to stay away from the (online) shops. Anyone else struggling this week?

OP posts:
Thebluedog · 29/03/2014 08:40

Almost to the end if March and I caved and bought a pair of bike trousers off eBay.. So pissed off with myself as they didn't even fit!!

So I've put them back on eBay and my resolve is sound again.

That's it since the start of the year so I still feel better for, essentially saving, quite a few quid already. I also have a new found love for a few items of clothing I found in the back if the wardrobe.

hotchoc79 · 03/04/2014 12:32

I'm so impressed by all you guys and your stamina! I know I couldn't do it, but have cut back on purchasing by no online shopping and only buying a few items every three months. Last year I started the capsule 33 a clothes project where you only have 33 items in your wardrobe/coat hook/jewellery drawer for three months. I rather wobbly first year but now am embracing it and have found useful ideas from a blog called putting me together of how to make my wardrobe work better for me with less pieces and find this year I have made much more useful purchases - now I just need to avoid all shops until June!

Original poster
MaccaPaccaismyNemesis · 03/04/2014 14:38

Hi hotchoc- it's getting easier again after a very stressful couple of weeks. I'm learning that my shopping has a definite connection to my emotional state.

The warmer weather has helped me because it's been great to be able to pull out some dresses and summer stuff that was in the wardrobe aching to get out!

How's everyone doing? Did your trousers sell BlueDog?

OP posts:
MissAnnersleyismyhero · 10/04/2014 08:54

Hi all,

Still going strong over here - bought a straw hat in Turkey when I burnt my head, but it was £4ish. Otherwise have only bought tights and footsies for work (replacing those which were ripped or laddered).

I have a friend staying this weekend who is a big shopper so that will be a challenge.

The funny thing is that by avoiding the shops and websites I don't even miss it, I made a birthday list for DH (he asked me to!) and it didn't have a single clothing item on it.

I'll need a black tie dress for an event in August but hoping that I won't buy anything at all until then.
DH got a new job and will need new clothes for that over the summer so I can channel my shopping energies onto getting him a stylish new work wardrobe!!

Thebluedog · 11/04/2014 19:20

No the trousers didn't sell arghhhhh they are back on eBay again.

But since then I haven't bought anything else.

I still find myself wearing a chosen few items of clothing, so I'm going back to the wardrobe to see what's in there.

foxdongle · 12/04/2014 17:31

doing ok here, out with a friend on one occasion, I did try on some jeans but left them in the shop. friend kept asking why I didn't buy them :) I said I'm ok for jeans!
I've decided I'm not buying handbags either, another thing I have loads of.
I keep being drawn over to the s and b threads but nothing tempting me yet.
I've been wearing different things from my own wardrobe on the better weather days and have given 2 tops to my dd now that they fit her Shock

MissAnnersleyismyhero · 13/04/2014 08:03

Crashed and burned yesterday, had shopoholic friend staying and bought a jumper and jacket in a charity shop for £8.99. Sad

orchidella · 13/04/2014 11:19

MissAnnersley Well £8.99 is hardly having a splurge Smile I have had a few wobbles, spent 20 minutes seriously considering some T shirts from Boden, then thought better of it. It is helping that Marks and Spencer don't have anything I like and I am disciplining myself not to look at other websites. However the White Company catalogue came yesterday and have just gone and bought linen sheet Blush Did get 20% off though.

foxdongle · 13/04/2014 15:11

missAnnersley I bet you are spending a lot less than before and thinking about your purchases?
It's hard when you're with friends especially those that love shopping.
I nearly bought those jeans didn't I? I mean I tried them on and I don't even know why. this takes time. Have we been brainwashed into buying? It makes me wonder.
I've already failed at not buying as in I bought a bra and bikini. However if it wasn't for this thread I would have bought much more stuff.

MissAnnersleyismyhero · 13/04/2014 17:33

fox absolutely I am - I haven't bought anything else for myself really, and I did leave other things in our epic charity shop journey that she was egging me on to buy. I feel guilty for blaming her (I really should just have said no) but before she moved away for work we used to go out a lot and enable each other/encourage each other to spend and i just slipped back into that old habit yesterday.

Romy75 · 14/04/2014 12:28

I am the opposite to most of you. I struggle tp spend on myself. This is down to a poor childhood and wanting actual money in savings even if just £200.

Aside from special occasions even then my limit is £40 I do not spend more than £20 on any one item of clothing and £30 on a pair of shoes.

My dh hates that I am so mean to myself. It is self ingrained. Sad

IamMummyhearmeROAR · 14/04/2014 14:28

Well this month I spent about £100 on running gear. I just started last month and had been getting by in an ordinary t, fleece and leggings plus trainers that are almost 20 years old. It was beginning to affect my enjoyment and performance so it had to be done- running bra, running tights x 2, top x2, jacket, trainers. I need to get fit and despite the outlay this is the cheapest way for me.

foxdongle · 18/04/2014 09:32

I've survived London including oxford street!
been for a couple of days with dd. we went to see Mathilda at the theatre-absolutely brilliant.
also did some sights then dd wanted to go shopping. dd bought a pair of shorts and jeans and I bought some body butter from the body shop, but no clothes.
I thought I would be much more tempted.
In fact I was quite bored of watching people rushing about with piles of clothes. I'd forgot how busy it is, not a nice experience at all.

orchidella · 08/05/2014 11:29

I see this thread's gone quiet for a bit. Well I have to say I have caved in the last week and bought a lovely cool cotton summer dress and also a couple of things from ebay including a beautiful turquoise jacket (worn once at a wedding). Still I feel pleased that I managed 4 whole months without buying anything and hopefully will not spiral again into mindless purchasing. How is everyone else doing?

foxdongle · 11/05/2014 08:34

I failed ages ago, but still feel I'm winning over all.
the shopping gremlins pop up occasionally, but I'm managing to beat them off! I have to keep reminding myself that I don't need anything at present.
I may need some stuff come autumn (a pair of leggings, new jumper at least) and new underwear soon, but I will have cut back loads. spring/summer should be doable- I've got lots.

IamMummyhearmeROAR · 11/05/2014 17:14

I'm still going strong- not even tempted by the shops yet. I have enough summer stuff to see me through and I've lost a bit if weight so I'm fitting some more old stuff kicking about in my summer wardrobe. I suppose if I had a social life things would be more if a challenge but I don't have a reason to dress up!!

mkmjimmy · 12/05/2014 15:05

I've been lurking on this thread - and been really quite motivated by it. I've spent £80 since Christmas on a dress and a cardigan. Also bought new running shoes and new walking shoes (both replacements). I've really noticed the difference to my bank account. I'm partly doing it to try and save some cash for a big holiday we are doing this year, partly because I'm slowly losing weight and don't want to buy stuff for the size I am now, but mostly because I realised a lot of the stuff I was buying was just not necessary...

So if any of you who started this thread are still out there - thank you!