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?

[mkmjimmy]

I suppose I should clarify the 2nd sentence - I've only spent £80 - when I could easily this time last year have spent a few hundred...

[ThePearShapedToad]

How's everyone doing???

It's now June and I still haven't bought any clothes! I'm now wearing this fact like a badge of honour! Roll on December

[IamMummyhearmeROAR]

So far this year I've bought 2 pairs of work trousers,2 pairs of £4 ballet flats and 2 pairs of £4 fake Birkenstocks and my running gear. Comes to about £136. Normally I'd have spent £100 a month at least so I'm happy. I've lost the desire to shop completely.

[MaccaPaccaismyNemesis]

Hello :) I thought this thread had gone all quiet! I've been pretty good, though did relent and buy one dress for the three weddings I've got to go to this year.

Paid off a load of catalogues, and now working on reducing my Next account. 100 left on that one, and the rest are all reducing nicely. I've spent the princely sum of 25 pounds this year on clothes which is actually amazing, compared to the thousands I've squandered over the years. Even wearing last years sandals!

What's everyone esles spend so far?

[foxdongle]

Hi Respect to all with the no spending/limited spends.

I have replaced some vest tops that had gone a bit baggy and t-shirts as I had none after last years cull (needed) but also slipped up lately and bought a couple of wants which I have worn lots btw.

however spend so far, and we're 6 months in, is way below previous years - total = a smidgen over £200 I've kept a record.

so thanks for the challenge Macca it's helped me and I must keep posting even though I failed a tad, in one way I've succeeded-by spending less on stuff I don't need.

I also started this last year so there will always be a point when I need something else.
I found it fairly easy through winter and spring, it's just lately I've been more tempted.
Another point-I have less clothes that I wear more often now.

[IamMummyhearmeROAR]

Slipped up last Sunday and bought a top for my end of term lunch out. It's still sitting in the bag and I'm taking it back tomorrow . I don't feel love for it when I try it on- it was a rush buy.

[MaccaPaccaismyNemesis]

Of course :). Checking in, doing alright but yet again had to buy something. My sandals literally fell apart, and have gone to shoe heaven. Invested in a pair from clarks which I will try to get a few years from. I'm telling myself I've not totally failed as shopping doesn't fill me with joy, more of a resigned feeling that my money and I are soon parted!

[Darkhorsefor1]

Hi macca I just today found this thread, started reading it and wondered where it ended so checked the last post. Your change in attitude is astounding!! You now seem reluctant to shop rather than reluctant to stop.

Totally inspired by this thread, will seriously attempt to buy no clothes for the rest of the year.

I have a charity shop habit, but keep buying skirts that I dont wear because I have no tops that go with them. Finally, found some tops on a recent holiday chazza shop splurge, and a couple of newsies. Wardrobe now good to go. Purse can remain firmly in bag.

In my old really skint days I used to leave purse at home, but that was pre tintaweb.

[Darkhorsefor1]

How is the running going mummy, and did you take that meh top back?

Does anyone else think they've made poor eBay choices, outweighing the genuine bargains? I think the postage costs, once added often make it less frugal. I would say, for me, the poor purchase outweigh the good, and I've let some stuff go that's been at an inconvenient end time and has gone for a good price, yet got carried away on a mad bidding war for some rather mediocre stuff. There is a weird psyche with getting something so someone else can't have it, that I wouldn't normally do. What is that about?

[Openup41]

It does not look like I will be buying any summer clothes. I have bought two items this year costing £35.

The worst thing is I really need clothes as I have only added the odd summer item here and there for years. I am wearing dresses as old as 2006! I feel crap especially when so many women mums at the school are wearing play suits and maxi dresses. I hate going out as I know I look drab.

[IamMummyhearmeROAR]

I did take the meh top back Darkhorse but sadly bought a top I loved and a cheap pair of skinnies instead so that was a bit nuts. BUT I only really go out with friends 4 times a year and this was my first work day out- it's important to feel part of the team right?! I felt great, stylish And confident and Ican't say I feel any guilt!
The running is ok- I had to stop for around 6wks after a gruelling 10k knacked my ankle and I've been a bit wishy washy since but I back training again as of tomorrow for my next race.
Hope everyone is doing ok.

[foxdongle]

Still doing ok.
summer clothes being worn to death, but still looking fine.
I'm probably going to last the summer, as no weddings or anything to attend.
Autumn is another story. I will need new boots, might get lucky and get some money for my birthday to buy them with.

Hope everyone doing well?

[PeoniesforMissAnnersley]

Hello all! I thought I'd drop in and say - I haven't bought nothing so far but I have bought far, far less!

-one second hand skirt
-one second hand jumper
-second hand jacket
-new work suit (this was really needed, my work suits are very tatty!)
-new dress and shoes for DH graduation

Not bad for almost 7 months!

[PeoniesforMissAnnersley]

Although I am planning on buying a couple of tank tops today as I have none (literally none ) and it's so damn hot!!

[Darkhorsefor1]

I've been looking for this thread for ages. It seemed to disappear. Well done peonies. I had a poor start, bought some fat face beach pants while on a mini break when my jeggins were cutting me in half and I couldn't stand it a minute longer. I had a quick look in the chazzas bbut only beige granny keks to be had and fat face seemed to be the only clothes shop in town ( Conway). A lot dearer than I'd usually pay for what are in truth a pair of clown pants but they're dammed comfy clown pants. That's it though. I even resisted an eBay skirt today and got a genuine thrill from the power of resistance!

[Didyouevah]

Hello all. Not sure whether I ever posted on this thread, and if I did it would be under a different name.

Anyhoo... DH and I agreed to no new clothes this year....


..... And we have not bought anything this year except some replacement shoes and underwear!

How cool is that?

I have very few items of clothing really, but it's really liberating not searching for stuff either in the shops or wardrobe.

I feel sure we'll make it until the end of the year no problem at all.

[IamMummyhearmeROAR]

I had to spend around £40 on 3 new tees from Gap- I've been wearing the same 4 tees since late spring and they are wrecked. Probably could have bought cheaper but I like Gap so may as well like what I buy! I'm still way below my usual spend. I reckon I'm at approx £200 when last year it would have been £600-£700 by this stage in the year.

[foxdongle]

Hi
Well after writing up thread about no weddings we've been invited to one, but only the reception bit, so I will wear something I already have.
Before I might have gone out and bought a new outfit, which seems a bit daft now.
I'm going on holiday to Spain soon, so will have definitely got my wear out of my summer stuff this year.

[IamMummyhearmeROAR]

Looking forward to the chillier months, how are your Autumn/Winter wardrobes? I def won't need a new coat or snowboots and I think I'll just give last years leather boots a good polish and check whether they need heeled. Def need new leggings but that should do it. I have a black tie event next week and another do soon but I'm just going stick with what I have. By this point in the year I probably wouldn't be far off the grand mark on clothes spends but am proud to say I'm still at £200 with running gear being more than half of that.

[PeppermintInfusion]

Apologies if it's been mentioned before but I've been reading the blog project333 recently on my attempts to wean myself off clothes shopping. I'm trying to whittle down my wardrobe this week to make a start.

[foxdongle]

I've got money from my birthday in August still in my pocket!
I'm really considering what to buy with it- possible some grey skinny jeans.
Birthday money has never lasted so long :)

There's a thread in S&B about cutting back, so I've joined that as well to make doubly sure I don't go off target which is still a miraculous £200 ish.
I've just read my last few threads and think I will last with boots until Christmas.

[Lushlush]

How about just going to charity shops for a while instead that really helps. Although it is very hit and miss.

[Captainweasel]

I tried. But failed at not buying. But have succeeded in buying less looking at what I have and actually thinking about what I need.

[IamMummyhearmeROAR]

Had to make a purchase. It gave me no joy but was essential. My work gear is now on last legs. I rotate the same tops and at 2 years old I'm finding they look worn and tbh don't smell that great after a few hours wear. I bought a cheapie £12 from Tesco but reckon I need another 4 tops . As a teacher I need to be smartly comfortable - I'm not that at all right now. I'm going to allow myself a £100 spend which will bring my annual spend up to £300- almost a grand down on last year though