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Original poster

I'm not buying any clothes this year...

30 replies

daimbardiva · 10/01/2011 12:51

We are building a big extension to our house and are really up against it cash-wise...so I've decided to not buy myself anything new this year! I'd been thinking about it anyway , and the build is now the incentive I needed.

Have any of you ever done this? Is it possible? I'm hoping it will lead me to discover all those hidden gems buried deep in my wardrobe/get more creative with what I have. I'm also hoping that if I simply don't window-shop (either online or in RL) the temptation to splurge just won't be there...

Or am I just kidding myself - will I be sobbing at the gates of Zara within months?!

OP posts:
Verso · 10/01/2011 13:13

OMG I so should do this!! You are very noble! I have just changed size though so am using it as an excuse to spend like crazy rationalise my wardrobe. Bravo to you, and good luck!

ragged · 10/01/2011 13:19

I am trying very hard to do it. Will probably crack on pants (many of mine are starting to fray badly). But I won't let myself buy any until the day I literally don't have a clear pair left to wear.

Am not trying to save dosh, just trying to reduce the quantity of stuff in the wardrobe.

maryz · 10/01/2011 13:20

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ragged · 10/01/2011 14:06

Be honest, Maryz, if you're like most women you still have in your wardrobe all the dusty/out of fashion clothes from (X time ago) when you were skinnier, so really losing weight is rarely a legit excuse to buy more.

maryz · 10/01/2011 14:35

This reply has been deleted

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ragged · 10/01/2011 17:36

Make your own fashion trends, Maryz. Wink

YooHoo, Daimbar (OP), we didn't mean to hijack your thread. Come back, come back, come back...

Gillybobs · 10/01/2011 17:43

Have you seen any of the 30 for 30 blogs (think one is called Kendieverday.blogspot.com) where the writer vows to only wear 30 items of clothing in a month(30 days). I know its not the same thing but when Im trying not to spend I find these blogs really inspirational, they find new ways to reinvent outfits or mix and match rather than buying new things to wear.

I think these girls started out with a shopping habit and by challenging themselves they just had to make their wardrobes work harder. Though it might help inspire you to see the fun side of not shopping ; )

Anyway, good luck, Id love to make such a commitment but have zero will power

Gogopops · 10/01/2011 17:47

I have also been thinking of doing this as well. Just received my last two boxes of sale stuff from Boden and I've vowed this will be my last spend this year (apart from new ski stuff that I need as I can't fit into my old ones!). Also trying to have a clear out of my wardrobe so lots will be going on eBay. I'm just so sick of clutter and clothes everywhere!

My bathroom cabinets are heaving so no more Boots spends until I've used every single bottle of shampoo/conditioner/shower gel in the bathroom. I've been told that the secret is not to pick up a basket in Boots when you go in for some paracetamol (and end up spending £30 on crap essentials).

ragged · 10/01/2011 17:50

Here is the KendiLea blog you meant.
I need to wear about 30 items per day in order to stay warm enough. Grin

Gillybobs · 10/01/2011 17:53

Ragged, thats the one, thanks. You dont need to count thermal longjohns in your 30!!! : )

everythingchangeseverything · 10/01/2011 18:49

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Verso · 10/01/2011 20:26

So what is the "wise" and "avid" thing all about then? I have wondered but didn't have time to read all the way back through the threads!

HotSprocket · 10/01/2011 20:36

I am trying to do this too!

I have so many clothes, and i don't wear most of them. I will probably need to buy some pants though. Or else go commando.

I am trying to limit what i buy for dd too. No more dresses that i get just because they are pretty and they only get worn once before she outgrows them.

Gotabookaboutit · 10/01/2011 21:20

Going to do this till May when the weather changes and I have hopefully lost this last stone!

rookiemater · 10/01/2011 22:29

I'm doing a similar thing but have decided to restrict myself to one item of clothing or accessory a month as I know I won't last all year, plus my swimsuit will die before our holidays.

I think I should be able to manage with the promise of one item every now and again, or save it all up for the sales Grin

Original poster
daimbardiva · 10/01/2011 23:22

Oooh, nice to know I am not alone. Will look at that 30 blog too, for some inspiration. I have to admit I did have a mild January sale splurge as a final hurrah beofre the big clothes-fast...

OP posts:
CointreauVersial · 10/01/2011 23:28

daimbardiva - I am very impressed. That is what I SHOULD be doing, we have been haemorraging money recently, renovating our bathroom, new car etc. etc. but I still blew £120 in the Monsoon sale today. And £60 at Boden yesterday.

I do have the excuse that I've recently lost a stone, so had to re-stock on skirts and trousers, but do I NEED more clothes? No.

Can I recommend charity shops though? A cheap fix, at least, plenty of nice stuff there for those who are prepared to rummage.

Shame I don't listen to my own advice....

CointreauVersial · 10/01/2011 23:43

Just had a look at that 30 blog - how gorgeous is she? And her clothes!

everythingchangeseverything · 11/01/2011 13:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
daimbardiva · 11/01/2011 14:21

Thanks for the explanation everything - I'd always wondered what that was all about. Seemed to be a lot of chat about skinny jeans last time I looked at that thread!

Love that blog too. Maybe getting organised about this no-shopping thing is the key to surviving it...making a spreadsheet listing clothes sounds fun Well, more fun than listing invoices for plumbing, building, windows etc. etc.!!

OP posts:
Original poster
daimbardiva · 05/04/2011 16:14

Well, 3 months into the year, and I've done it so far! No clothes buying, whoop. It's not acutally as hard as I thought - I just make a point of not looking in shops/online and then I can't buy. However, I'm also now pregnant, which makes it easier - I have lots of nice maternity clothes from last time round which I'm actually looking forward to wearing again.

Have also been invited to two summer weddings and I reckon i'll HAVE to buy a dress for those, as literally own nothing suitable that will fit over a bump...I reckon that counts as an emergency ;)

OP posts:
Meggles76 · 05/04/2011 16:29

Thanks for the update... I remember reading this thread in January and thinking 'Ishould do that'.... £180 worth of goods arrived from Boden today for me and DD so obviously I didn't do it Blush.

Interesting to hear that it is not as hard as you thought it would be. Agree that it is best to avoid online browsing and window shopping.

Congratulations on the pregnancy - although this is a drastic measure to take in order to allow yourself to buy a new dress or 2 Wink

OatCuisine · 05/04/2011 16:52

Well done OP, and thank you for re-posting.
I have done a similar thing although not intentionally; more a combination of saving for a build plus a toddler who will not sit quietly in a buggy while I try on clothes.

The interesting aspect of it has been that I have less desire for new clothes now than I did before - odd. Maybe that will wear off Wink

sarahfreck · 05/04/2011 18:02

I got this book from the library www.amazon.co.uk/Not-Buying-Year-without-Shopping/dp/1416526838

Judy Levine and her partner decided to go a whole year without buying anything other than essentials ( food = essential, clothing = not essential).

I enjoyed it and it inspired me a bit!

Quodlibet · 05/04/2011 18:20

I did a year of not clothes-shopping in high street retailers (I allowed myself underwear and workout wear). It was really positive, I ended up spending much less money and really enjoying the far fewer occasions when I went shopping in markets, boutiques, charity and vintage shops. I've ended up with some really lovely, good quality pieces as a result with much more longevity than stuff you buy loads of on the high street. I think a lot of high street shopping gives you a quick thrill but leaves you with pieces that lose their magic/appeal really fast when things have been washed a couple of times. Also high street retailers are designed to make parting with your money really really easy, ie shopping online - you have to put much more thought in if you're shopping in markets/for vintage.

I have also instigated a one in/one out policy this year which means if I buy something then something else goes to the charity shop. Also planning a clothes swap party soon to redesignate some things I like but never wear.

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