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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:
tassisssss · 26/12/2013 13:14

I will need a new swim suit if I am ever to swim again though right now that seems like a good excuse not to have to swim

Impomea · 26/12/2013 17:04

Hi can I join you all ?
We are overseas so I hardly ever buy clothes here but am spending more and more online although I may have enough clothes to last the rest of my life!
When are you starting as I just need to get a few new bras in the M&S sale ? ( mumsnet's fault) Grin

Original poster
MaccaPaccaismyNemesis · 26/12/2013 17:23

Hi, I hope everyone is having a good Christmas?

I was thinking about 'the rules' and I think that it's a personal choice as regards emergency spending, underwear and replacing knackered items. But in the spirit of the thread, I am going to say that we can start on January 1st 2014 at 0900, so that if you need to stock up in the sales for essential items do it now!

I'm going to try and replace my shopping trips with something more productive and less expensive- I love sewing and have lots of unfinished projects, so maybe we can focus on what we are doing instead of shopping either online or elsewhere Grin.

And finally, I'm going to talk about what I have saved. So far I'm persuading myself that my winter coat will do for next year, so that's probably £50-100 saved. And that will tie in to paying back the overdraft and credit card. I want to be debt free by 2015.

What are everyone else's goals?

OP posts:
MudCity · 26/12/2013 18:05

I agree Macca.. The challenge is to find something to do with my time that replaces shopping.

Sounds a bit sad but I do spend ridiculous amounts of time browsing the internet looking at clothes and sparkly things. At least in the old days I would have had to move my backside to go into town and walk around the shops. That was almost sociable!

UnexpectedItemInShaggingArea · 26/12/2013 18:26

I did this for a year in 2010. It helped that I had a goal (needed to save for something big) and that I also lost weight during the year so previously un-wearable clothes became wearable.

I also put together previously shunned combinations of tops/skirts/trousers which I found fun as I am a fairly boring dresser.

NOONE commented negatively that I was always wearing the same stuff.

UnexpectedItemInShaggingArea · 26/12/2013 18:27

Ps-I get as much fun browsing as I always did, I just didn't press the "buy" button :)

WaitingForPeterWimsey · 26/12/2013 19:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Belize · 26/12/2013 19:49

Mudcity, I do that too. Just love browsing for things and so hard when all these emails come through offering wonderful discounts etc. always think just this jumper/handbag/pair of jeans.....

Definitely in for Jan 1st @ 9am!

Impomea · 26/12/2013 20:10

I am in France and the sales here don't start until 08 jan even the online M&S one Sad

FutureDreamer · 27/12/2013 07:39

I'm not going to commit to a year, it's just totally unrealistic for me. But I'm going to try three months Blush

We moved house recently and I had a big sort out, gave loads away but I still have 6 double wardrobes crammed with clothes - I have an entire drawer of scarfs FFS (although not all grey Grin )

msmiggins · 27/12/2013 08:00

I spend only the minimum on clothes anyway- but most of my stuff comes from jumble sales. Apart from underwear.
Many of the huge jumble sales I go to sell garments for 50p, I have Next, Gap, Jane Norman, Monsoon coats and dresses Some beautiful silk, cashmere, embroidered and vintage stuff, lots of everyday clothes, jeans, shirts etc too.

I rarely spend over £1 for a garment- and probably spend only £28 a year on clothes for myself.

cocoblu · 27/12/2013 10:52

I'm joining this, I am getting married in October so need to save money, I am embarrased at the amount of clothes I have, especially the ones that still have the tags on! I do have Selfridges vouchers left to spend so I might hold onto them and treat myself when I am struggling Smile Smile

onepotatotwopotato · 27/12/2013 17:27

I'm joining in. I probably have enough in my wardrobes to cloth everyone on the thread as well as those still to join Shock

I just need to not transfer my spending onto kitchenware, things for the house, presents for DH......

novelsituation · 27/12/2013 17:28

I'm so in - I spend a ridiculous amount a year on clothes, accessories etc. Tried to spend nothing last year and failed spectacularly - was worse than ever.
I don't want to be full of regret in my fifties that I have to work longer than necessary as I didn't save enough or pay off the mortgage early when I had the chance.
Will be 45 in 2014 and this is the year I plan to learn to be a financial grown up.
So here are my own set of rules. It's a five year plan.

Year 1 : Cold turkey! This is the year when I buy no clothes or accessories to break the buying habit. In terms of dressing myself this should not be a hardship as my wardrobe is in a really good place. In terms of habit - having no willpower when I see something I like - this will be pretty hard, spoilt brat that I am. However, I've just got to do it this year.
(The only exceptions in year 1 are tights, new sports trainers from DH on my birthday, and new underwear / nightwear at Christmas.)

Years 2 - 5: I am allowed to purchase 5 new items for myself a year. I can also spend any birthday / Christmas cash or vouchers on clothes. (Again, tights and necessary sports clothes are exempt)

Yup - I probably am overthinking it, but really need to commit to a plan which a) reduces money spent b) reduces the amount of stuff in my house.

FutureDreamer · 27/12/2013 17:33

novel I am impressed by your commitment. Have you read the book "not buying it"? Not specifically about clothes but a general anti consumerism journey.

I really liked it and it inspired me (I realise this sounds pathetic after only committing to only three months but I spend a ridiculous amount on "stuff" and I need to wean mysf off slowly...)

ashamedoverthinker · 27/12/2013 17:36

I think that is a great challenge. I am similar I bought lots of coats and boots combos. Big pile of summer clothes for big holiday. Way more than I normally do.

It can get quite addictive...habit opening emails from debenhams for a start.

Ive had a look on sales sites and there was nothing I really wanted.

novelsituation · 27/12/2013 17:44

Yes Futuredreamer - " Not Buying It" is brilliant. Read it last year, but unfortunately the message didn't stick immediately :) Should read it again soon to boost my willpower.

duchesse · 27/12/2013 17:49

OP, does your quest include underwear?

duchesse · 27/12/2013 17:55

Has anybody linked The Little Brown Dress Project yet? This artist wore the same dress every single day for a year. Apparently hardly anyone noticed.

msmiggins · 27/12/2013 18:13

I don't even find it a challenge. I hate buying "stuff" - I can't get myself worked up about any tablets- even my phone is 12 years old pay as you go- I would hate a smart phone, makes me feel a pawn in the whole marketing strategy of making us buy stuff we don't need.
I buy all the basics for cleaning materials- Cillit Bang and expensive brands are a waste of money. All my cleaning is done with vinegar, washing soda, value disinfectant and bicarb.
Shoes and handbags are the things I detest most- designer labels etc, I don't get why anyone would get themselves excited about a pair of shoes just because they have a "desirable" label on it. I hate being told what to spend my money on.
I do buy quality clothes, but always second hand-never new.
I do buy some things - but only those that actually are life enhancing, like nutritious food, I spend money of excercise classes- and we do like to travel from time to time.

ashamedoverthinker · 27/12/2013 18:29

duchesse just read a bit on that link - very cool. Thanks

Im intrigued by this...I think I used clothes to 'prop' me up this year. I think they gave me a boost and a 'front' but really I need to sort out my perspective on a few things on the inside. I think I relied too much on new purchases. I love what I've bought but I dont think i can justify buying much in 2014.

I really do need new underwear. I have 8 year old bras with holes in and saggy grey pants. I think I might see if I can go for two months to start with except underwear.

Makingchanges · 27/12/2013 18:34

I'm in as well. I'm terrible for internet shopping at night when I'm bored and even food shopping can lead to clothes shopping. I've already planned to sort out my wardrobes and drawers this weekend as I have more clothes than storage. Anything unworn or good quality (I'm ashamed to admit the amount of unworn clothes I own) will be ebayed to pay off some debt. (Zero insertion listings until 5th Jan)

SilverSixpence · 27/12/2013 18:35

I'm in! I am in the Middle East on holiday and it is shopping mad here so the plan is to make myself so completely sick of shopping that I lose my taste for it completely Grin

I have already made a couple of sale purchases for stuff I actually need and have a couple of things on my list then I'm done. Last year I bought tons and am decluttering so not keen on having to do it again.

I also have some fabric to sew into dresses so this will motivate me!

DaftDunk · 27/12/2013 21:59

My initial response was 'no', but after a thrilling evening budgeting with DH and the Spreadsheet of Doom, I'm in! I thought I needed a coat and boots, but actually I just want them. I do need jumpers, but am going to look in the chazza for cashmere. And I will need post-bf bras, which I'll get with a code. Should be a no-new-clothes-January, anyway Grin.

Whatnamenext · 28/12/2013 08:30

I'm in. I read this last night, audited my clothes and decided with DP that no more clothes are necessary.

Caveat is definitely underwear. I have some debenhams vouchers which I'll use for new bras in the new year then that's it.

I'm getting married in spring and am on the hunt for a bolero and shoes but the rest is done.