The Shopping Ban / Frugal Fashion Thread

[FrugalFashionista]

Tentatively dipping my toes in here ---
Do you love clothes, shoes, accessories, and beauty products - perhaps a bit too much?
Have you self-prescribed a shopping ban, are you on a strict budget, or are you trying to learn to shop more mindfully for other reasons? Are you a budding recessionista, thriftionista, frugal fashionista - or would you like to become one?
Would you like to do this with like-minded people, still looking stylish and up to date?

This thread could be a place for mutual support, inspiration and creative tweaks (planning outfits from what you already have; charity shopping, swaps, repurposing).

My personal goal: no more clothes, shoe or beauty purchases in March.

I'll tell you more about why I am here in true 12-step tradition, but we need a few like-minded people first

The catalyst for my 2013 spending ban was realising that I actually do have enough clothes? and ? as ffs have confessed ? I tend to buy similar cashmere garments over and over again.

Like FF, I find a total ban easier than allowing myself to be exposed to temptation. Have to keep my wallet under close scrutiny in antique/junk shops now though?

Frugal I'm finding (three months in) that if I feel I might fall into Brora off the wagon, I can assuage the urge by buying some small beauty item I actually need. Even a deodorant can do it for me! Or if I see an irresistible bargain, I might buy it as a gift for someone. Spending urge satisfied; personal ban intact: result!

into Brora off the wagon

Leather inspiration for Limoncello. Some of it very high end - if it fits you well, I'd regard it as a classic item and use it a focal point (the pins show how it's done - either by adding neutral background items or strong contrast). Adapt a look that you like and that reflects your personal style.

Mothermirth intrigued and inspired - very much feel the same, I have enough and the surplus is suffocating me (and v good to know your Achilles' heel)

Thank you for this thread - I have lurked since the beginning but now feel compelled to post!

I can manage winter/spring/autumn but most of my shopping msitakes are summer clothes. I am a size 18 and never feel quite right in anything in hot weather so I either buy things that cover me up (and feel old and frumpy) or things that don't (and feel fat). I've been using Pinterest for a couple of months and it's been a bit of a revelation for me - I've been pinning summer outfits and find I'm drawn to the same sorts of thing time and time again. Hopefully this year I can be a bit more realistic about what I am going to wear. I am going to get a summer dress that is a really flattering shape and colour shortened so it feels a bit more modern and have some shorts taken up to just above the knee - my legs are more toned from running so I feel happier about uncovering the knees now!

I also have a tan leather blazer so thanks for the Pinterest link. I can put together a couple of those looks from stuff I already own.

I'm just sending back a large online order. Firstly it's all high summer stuff that won't get worn for months, I'll rebuy if and when I need it. Secondly, I don't need any more pretty tops when I only have one pair of decent jeans that I wash and wear constantly.

I've had a look at the swap board - lovely stuff but too small for me sadly.

Keep up the good work, I'm really enjoying reading

Frugal [Thanks] Thats brilliant inspiration ( at the shoes although I fear I had a yellow pair like that back in the 80's ) some great ideas can definitely work with my existing clothes. Think the main problem was getting into a style rut and believing the only leather jacket style around is a biker. Blazer will make a refreshing change !!! Jacket has been granted a pardon and is waiting re intergration into rest of my wardrobe.

Hi all, haven't had a lot of time lately to catch up. Loving the willpower talk. I find I'm better taking a measured approach, like, with chocolate or pudding, if I say 'I'm not having any' I feel I really need it and crave it. But if I say, 'I'll have my meal and if I'm still hungry, I'll have something sweet', more often than not, I don't have the sweet thing, I seem to dissolve the need/craving.

Same with clothes I think. That's probably why I love Frugal's 5 day rule. If I still love it (and need it etc) in 5 days, then so be it. So far, I haven't bought anything.

Hello, I'd love to join you all.

Thanks to this thread I'm wearing dark indigo skinny flared jeans with black lace up wedge brogues that make the jeans just skim the floor. On top I'm wearing a slouchy white jumper and a very dark brown leather bomber jacket. None of this outfit is newer than 3 years old.

I have also dragged out an old pair of slightly too big, mid wash, straight leg jeans. They were too long for me but never returned them to the shop but now I've chopped off the hems and I've rolled them up artfully!

I was getting so sick of skinny jeans but didn't want to spend on new ones.

I have been on a tight rein on spending since July and have really learnt what suits me, what clothes I love and to see what I can do with what I already have rather than buy new. e.g I wanted a pair of black leather shorts but dug out an old black leather mini to get a similar look.

My wardrobe consists of very few clothes now, mostly in black, white, grey, nude and denim. For accent I have some tops and scarves in cobalt, mint, pink and neon. In terms of pattern, I've decided I'm not keen and have 1 stripy top.

I'm currently plucking up the courage to wear a blush tulle skirt with a grey t shirt to work. I've had that bloody skirt for years and never worn it even though I love it. Usually trousers are more my thing and I only have 2 dresses.

Finally I am lifting the spending ban as I feel I am under control. I have been looking for a black handbag for about 3 months but never found the right one. A few times I have thought 'sod it, that one will do' but I decided to search for one that I love love love and I have finally found it!

Am I frugal yet?!

Aphra I know exactly what you mean about summer clothes buying mistakes. I was just about to post on here about being a winter clothes buying person when I saw your post. I was a size 18/20 a year ago and am now a 12/14 all due to the lovely posters on the low carb Bootcamp threads on MN.

Now that I can buy lovely things in practically any shop I've gone a bit mad and spent a LOT of money in the past few months, and made some serious mistakes, and duplications. But I have been buying a lot of winter clothes and layering items because I was so used to covering up because of my size, and found it really hard to buy flattering summer clothes; and I am still much happier buying and wearing winter clothes.

I may have some clothes you may be interesting in Aphra. Will PM you.

Wow ilovemyteddy that's impressive weight loss . Has your entire shape changed?

Will look out for pm. I have nothing to swap though, only impractical shoes!

Don't worry about the swap. We'll sort something out. My shape hasn't really changed, everything is just a bit smaller

Sometimes, for reasons hard to fathom, a piece of clothing gets bad rap on MN. Case in point: wide-legged trousers, particularly when made of linen.

Wide-legged is my preferred trouser style. I particularly like the classic Katherine Hepburn style with turn-ups. I don't do linen but my friend wears gray linen wide-legged trousers (they may have a drawstring waist) and looks stunning. I also love flared jeans but find outfits that include them challenging to build.

I'm trying to resurrect a few wide-legged pairs and made an inspiration boards. It's all about proportion and volume (rule of thumb: keep the top part tight). Currently, they are worn quite long. Just in case someone else is interestef, here is my inspiration board.

I love wide legged linen trousers and I don't care what people say....worn slouchy with flip flops and fitted vest, love it. MN , and RL, sometimes diss certain items but if what is deemed "in" doesn't suit me I just ignore it (apart from ankle flapper boot cuts worn with mum boots of course !!!Q!)

I bought some very high waisted very flared indigo jeans a few weeks ago and am really loving them and getting lots of positive comments. I think they work because they are fitted at the tummy and top of legs so I silk have some shape. Am very excited about summer and the potential of wearing them with flat sandals or flip flops.

Hi all, great thread. Can I ask what is a normal amount of dresses to have? How many do you all have of your favourite item? I mainly wear dresses and skirts.

Frugal You are about to spring another of my death row inmates I have a high waisted pair of ivory wide legged trousers I have always been guilty of 'saving' them for best because I always feel so glamorous and grown up in them, but your pinterest has given me food for thought.

drywhite I've seen you pinterest board not an ankle flapper or mum boot in sight !!!

I have 30 dresses.... I don't wear them all, need a sort out ( doesn't include full length posh dresses)
I love short, fitted little cardigans ...I have 17, most of which I wear.
I know someone who owns approx 80dresses!

Pseudonymity Not sure how many dresses I have off the top of my head I would say ten bit that probably is a hopeless underestimation certainly only three or four I wear on a regular basis, but dresses are very frugal a whole outfit in one go !!!!

My biggest weakness is jacketscant resist 'em will go and count them later but I know its loads because I have to store them seasonally and find this time of year most frustrating one minute it's spring out come the blazers and denim jackets, then before you know it's winter again so back out with the wool !!!

Cool, that makes me feel better. I'm guessing around 30 dresses for me, I don't wear them all but some are summer and I pack my summer clothes away - haven't taken them out yet. My other weakness is coats - probably have about 15, but in winter they basically are your outfit. I have a lot of shoes but don't feel it's too much.

Look at
this
Belinda from the blog is rocking her old boot cuts!!!

Gulp, I couldn't possibly say how many dresses I have. Definitely more than 30. I do wear dresses a lot though.....so that's OK, isn't it? Anyway, I think what counts as a "normal" amount of dresses (or anything else) depends on the owner. Do you wear them all? Do you have any near duplicates? Can you store them all? Is there a style/colour/fabric you feel is missing from your "collection"?

I also like wide leg trousers. I have one pair of navy linen wide legs but they crease like anything if I sit down so they rarely get worn. I also have a couple of wool wide leg trousers that I used to wear for work but my favourites are a 5 year old pair of jeans from Whistles. Fitted on the hip and bum, they then flare out. They are soooo flattering. I wish I could find another pair like them but I never have. I also like J Brand Lovestory jeans, which are flares rather than wide legs but similarly flattering on me.

Am a bit surprised to realise that since this thread started I haven't bought anything apart from a 3 pack of mittens for one of my DC who seems to lose them at a rate of one per day.....

I'd like to join you please.

I'm nearing the end of a PhD and haven't bought any clothes since September, partly from financial necessity and partly because I am losing weight after reaching the heaviest weight I have ever been.

I have lost 7 pounds since January and at this rate will reach my target weight around June/July. Hmm. So I don't feel I can buy anything until I reach a stable weight.

At the moment I only have two pairs of trousers I can fit into and I hate hate hate wearing the same thing day in day out. It's also very cold where I am so I only have two jumpers that are warm enough. This should gradually get better though as I begin to fit into old stuff again.

Most of my clothes are schlubby student clothes, or were bought in the US and look totally wrong in the UK, or are left over from my undergrad days (think ridiculous amounts of evening wear that I can't wear anymore). I have one and a half professional looking outfits I can wear to interviews in the UK which I should just about fit into. But I am looking at doing a week's work experience after Easter - would it be OK to just alternate 2 dresses all week?

So basically I can't buy anything until I have a job AND have lost weight. But I need to look OK in a City environment.

I love wide leg trousers,but haven't worn much recently,been wearing skinnies tucked into boots but skinnies dont suit me in summer,i need balance of boots on lower half.
Have been wearing two pairs of skinny flairs from Marks,wonderfully soft and very flattering.
Will def be doing straightlegs and wider leg trousers when weather warms up!

Frugal - I have about three pairs of wide leg boden trews to go on eBay. What size are you? I could take pics and post onto the swap board?

They really do nothing for me as they are too big now but agree with them in principle especially in summer. They are much cooler IMO than skinnies. Lets a breeze through!

Violet, this thread must be working then! My aim is to have a place where we can talk about style/fashion and fine-tune our outfits without pressure to buy. I find I'm being much more creative with my outfits when I have to rack my brain and root around a bit. Today I discovered a set of big newsprint paper mache pearls and a sepia resin cuff. It had never occurred to me to wear them together but they really worked with a plain wool dress.

Lurking the 5 day rule rules... It helps me too, for mentioning it.
Welcome new people and Ilovemyteddy for offering to help!
Latina both jeans sound really great! Probably accidentally omitting many people for the honor roll so to all, thanks for keeping this thread vibrant and alive!

I have far too many dresses and do not recommend that route - I am trying to downsize. Have had the bad habit of buying duplicates
For me about ten per season (two seasons in my fashion calendar) would be right. I need a couple of each in three general types - casual, work and cocktail. But, fellow frugalistas, Coco Chanel said that a stylish woman needs just three good outfits.

No amnesty for flappy too-short bootcuts! But like many of you have suggested, they make great shorts and mock-boyfriends when rolled up.

And quite a few added items on the swapboard - keep checking it!

Fair there is a special place in my heart for starving PhD students so a few ideas. Could you go wild and spend the postage / 99c as mentioned before on the swapboard/ eBay/charity shops to buy another pair of jeans and a sweater? Or if you could specify your current size and color/style preferences - someone here might be able to help you out.

Two outfits is fine (you can vary them with accessories) but it might be easier on you to have three. (One worn; another in the laundry; a third clean and ready.)