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

I would also say though that the women on threads like this are incredibly knowledgeable, and whilst I don't think colours can be done 'remotely', styling and wardrobe edits possibly can to a degree......

I've had a bit of an epiphany!

Downloaded the You Are What You Wear book and only got as far as the first page when I started thinking about the clothes I tend to buy.

I would describe my wardrobe as 'City Break in Spring'! I have a plethura of clothes suitable for sightseeing, shopping, theatre trips, lunches out, casual dinners, concerts, day at a theme park. Which is brilliant because I like doing all those things . The only problem is that I only do them once a month at most, the rest of the time I am doing housework or studying.

My pretty tops are too dressy to wear to clean the bathroom so on a day to day basis I wear the same 5-6 plain tops with jeans and maybe a cardigan. Because I don't have many basic tops I think I have nothing to wear so I go shopping. And buy more pretty tops . Really need a forehead slapping emoticon here.

So I have started to pin stuff that represents the very casual sort of things I need to wear day to day. I also realised that I like wearing jeans. Most of my pins involve jeans, I do have and wear a couple of dresses but mostly jeans. And that's ok and I shouldn't try and force myself into other stuff that I don't feel as comfortable in.

I'm still working on the 'what to wear on a dressyish hot summer evening' look but as none of those are going to come up for a while I don't think it's a priority.

The last time I posted I said I only had one decent pair of jean- how ridiculous s that when they are a staple of mine? So I've bought a new pair which arrived yesterday, fit well and I'm wearing today. And I sent back the pretty tops that came with the order.

Aphra your post had me nodding along and smiling. I'm a sucker for beautiful dresses, for posh dinners and weddings etc. That I rarely go to. Need to stop buying them, and wear the ones I do have more often.

I also had a bit of an epiphany today about tailored work trousers. I really don't suit them. Tried on a lovely pair (silk linen mix, felt amazing on). Front view great, side and back view was awful. Realised I can do wide legs with a fitted top, or skinnies with a slouchy top, but tailored (chinos included) just don't work for me.

Loving this thread for the mindful vibe and lots of ideas for up cycling and wearing things in different ways.

That's really interesting alpha-I love buying pretty tops, dresses and vintage prettys but essentially live in Kirsten skinny jeans, long sleeved plain tops and converse. I always feel like I don't have anything to wear-perhaps because I only buy things I never wear! I will think on

BillStickers, I'm glad I'm not the only person!

I think it's a big step when you realise that, actually, you don't suit a certain style. Particularly when everyone else is wearing it or it's all over the shops. I'm fighting a battle with coloured jeans at the moment. I covet a bright green pair, I have loads of pretty tops that would go with them. But I know they will look shit on me with my short legs and big bum!

x posted with awaywego

It's a disease, obviously.

aphrabenn that really made me laugh. On reflection my wardrobe is a mix of 'summer lunch on an Italian piazza' and 'hanging out in midtown Manhattan'. Most of the reality of the last five years has been exhaustion from being a single parent working as an NHS manager and dressing accordingly with the occasional flash of style.

I had a good 'ah ha' moment reading 'You Are What You Wear' at the hairdressers this morning (£8 textured cropped 60s bob courtesy of the local college). I don't buy labels or clearly expensive clothing even though I am very much drawn to quality and texture. I realised it's because my Mum was a stylish and confident dresser. But growing up with a flamboyant and foreign mother in a Home Counties village 1970s has made me tend to dress so I fade into the background even though it doesn't make me feel good about myself.

aphrabehn love your name BTW. I only found out recently who she was - really interesting character.

Queen you are the only person who has ever recognised my user name.

She was a fascinating woman, phenomally successful in her time and yet barely anyone has heard of her!

I'm a good one for dresses for occasions I'm rarely invited too!

I would love to be confident in my choices

This book sounds good - where can I get it? The kindle store?

I did the quiz and I'm a natural too.
Wish I could pull it off

Tomorrow is a clear out day while the boys are watching the rugby. Hopefully get a good clear out

can't spell

chablis you can download the first chapter for free on your kindle.

I did that quiz and came out as a classic, natural romantic .

I've just done the style quiz and came out fairly equal classic and natural with a hint of dramatic.

Thinking about my shopping habits that makes sense - I can be fairly confident in getting classic style clothes but then get bored and buy a pair of really high heels which I could never walk in or a totally ott party dress I never wear.

This is going to take some thinking!

A lovely sunny morning. I'm determined to do some organizing/ decluttering today. If you are in the same boat, join me and tell here what you are doing!

Or is there an item in your wardrobe that you could rescue with a simple DIY operation? By sewing on a missing button, by changing the buttons, by shortening it / taking it in / doing some simple repairs? I have a backlog of quite a few such projects and will promise to rescue one item this weekend. Anyone joining me?

Great style self-discoveries ladies: to Aphra, Awaywego, BillStickers, QoW and to Shop for mentoring . Understanding your style preferences helps a lot - again, it's easier to say 'no' to certain trends and styles and redundant repeat purchases. If you stick to a style (and know the potential pitfalls), its much easier to build a streamlined, coherent wardrobe over time.

If you got a mix of many styles, it may be worth reading 'You are what you wear' or doing a bit of pinning to find which style you most identify with. (A mix of two is fine.) This because otherwise you may need three or four sets of everything. (I experienced this last night: picked an edgy 'Dramatic' dress for the night but only found two pairs of 'Natural' and several very ladylike 'Classic' nude shoes - would have needed a sleek, plain and streamlined pair and could in fact wear that pair with most of my other clothes.)

I've had my colors done, it was a good investment. I've been aware of the system since the late 1980s but could never decide whether I'm a Summer or a Spring. Turns out I'm somewhere in-between (cool blonde hair, neutral/cool very pale skin, warm-toned olive green eyes with warm copper brown flecks). I received a tailored color palette and it really works. Before having my colors done, I had mainly black and red and white clothes and felt unsure about the rest. I was able to reorganize my wardrobe around my best colors, found my best neutrals (camel, smoky and denim blues, winter white, darker grays) and really got out of a rut. I still wear black sometimes but it's not my go-to anymore.

The style analysis and wardrobe editing I've done on my own. I've always loved fashion so I know a lot about it. That's a mixed blessing because that way I'm aware of many different styles. As a classic I really struggle with casual styles. Formal and high fashion is easy peasy for me hence I have an awful lot of party dresses, but laid-back LA casual looks awful on me. Yet I spend most of my time at home and with very small children. I've gradually worked out some options that work for me. This is why I'm always talking about formulas - found a new one yesterday: navy slim peacoat + long indigo straight-legs + navy high-heeled suede boots/navy flat suede chelsea boots; by changing sweaters/blouses/jackets underneath and bags and jewellery worn with it I can vary this quite a lot.

Good denim is the backbone of my everyday wardrobe: for me, a good pair of jeans pulls everything else together (currently loving my pale slim bootcuts, gray skinnies and indigo straight-leg jeans).

Oh, and much strength to CeeCee and OneLittleLady in resisting temptations. I know what it feels like...

Oh I'm so with all the posh frock buyers. I just love to get dressed up and look glam. Jeans don't excite me as much as aair of heels and a cocktail dress. I have learnt that I always gravitate towards them and could seriously go to a wedding/ cocktail party/ Ascot today with what I have in my wardrobe. HOWEVER Im not Kate Middleton......and am on a smart dress ban because I never hardly ever wear them!

Today's outfit: (classic)

River Isalnd lace top ( on my SS Pinterest board)
Dark skinny jeans (DP)
Tweed fitted blazer (H and M)
Burgundy knitted snood thing (H and M)
Tan heeled (non mum) boots
Tan Mulberry bag

My frugal tip ( may have been said before) is spend n accessories, makes the rest of the cheap outfit look expensive.

frugal think we share the same style

today's outfit

Hello All. Have really enjoyed catching up on the thread after a horrible 60 hour working week.

The "last purchase" before spending lock-down arrived and the sandals are fab. Have completed a week with no spending on clothes, shoes accessories etc, but given the hours I've worked this week that's possibly not too surprising. During rare half hours on t' internet a few temptations cropped up (particularly in the Outnet sale) but have managed to resist.

Frugal like you I am having a day of clearing out and sorting. My impulse is to go into the city to chill out after a hectic week, but I'll end up spending and bringing the stuff back to a chaotic wardrobe. Will stay home all day to work on the wardrobe, and go out with DH and DS for a meal this evening as the bright spot of the weekend.

Will find something nice to wear later, but currently in sports clothes after a run through icy streets.

Will report back later on the progress of the clear out.

Ladies, you are all geniuses (genii??) - I'm learning so much from just reading this thread. Have just had a lightbulb moment re the buying clothes that you love, but that just don't fit your lifestyle...that is definitely me. I think I need to read "You are what you wear"

I have to confess I broke my spending ban almost before it started yesterday - but I'm hoping it actually makes sense as it is an item that does suit my day to day life of running about after kids/living in the country in the chilly north: a Fat Face gilet, reduced to almost half price. I've never bought anything from there before, and it's certainly not high fashion but I can see it becoming a wardrobe staple...

Daimbardiva my advice with the slip is to keep the tags on for a day or two and think through outfits and occasions when you actually will wear it. If you can think of immediate uses (will I wear this today?) it's probably okay. If not, return it. Oh and return to the straight and narrow immediately. It's a learning process, don't start a rampage!

Saw a padded gilet (navy? green?) a styled with gray marl sweatshirt, bootcuts and big sunglasses on a very stylish woman (pushing a pram, walking a dog) last weekend. I but I have to warn you that I have a red gilet which I never wear

I started this thread because I had a big slip about ten days ago. Have since worn each item, and they were actually good purchases - very me. But do not like the impulsive/compulsive/mindless shopping mindset and feel equally happy or happier about my salvaged/revamped outfits.

Gallivanting well done resisting, clearout sounds great!

Drywhite yes I definitely could do Ascot today (have never been, will most likely never go) I even have suitable hats I really do not need to work on partywear, but will do a couple of Polyvores of humble everyday casualwear.

Even I have dug out a pair of 5 year old flares today, this thread must be having an effect!

I have had to break the spending ban this weekend for one essential item which I simply didn't own. I have had to buy a plain black dress for a funeral

I could do with a little hand holding.
It's been a tough week and I feel quite low emotionally. This is a trigger for me to go on an online shopping splurge to pick myself up. I am determined not to though.
Returned a bag today which I bought but recognise I don't need or even really want. Felt good!

It's been a week since I posted but I have been lurking and loving the thread. It is all very inspiring. I've also had sad news this week, a very close friend lost her fight with cancer so what's important in life has been bought into sharp focus. Sorry you've had a tough time too scarlet and onelittlelady.

I have tried very hard not to buy anything but succumbed to a bargain coat on ebay (not arrived yet - but I'm so bored of my only winter/waterproof sludge green practical coat I feel I can justify it - despite the other three winter coats hanging in the hall way). I have also bought a new lipstick. Ahem. But I am quite pleased with myself, that despite having been into town, I didn't come home with a bag full of H&M or Zara stuff or clothes for the DD's which would have been my usual response to stress/sadness. I walked around the shops remembering my over-stuffed drawers and it seemed to stop the impulse to buy. I also know that once I start buying in one shop, it gets easier to spend in another, and another....

Love the Frugalista pinterest board - (I'm following), and love the talk of wide-legged trousers, boy friend jeans, flares and boot cuts - all flattering shapes and I have quite a collection of all types regardless of the current fashion, I'm tall and they suit.

Sending consoling hugs to Shirley, Scarlet and OneLittleLady.
We have a family funeral this week too, made more complicated by the fact that it's midweek in another country DH is going, I'm staying home with DC. I'd like to go but it seems quite tricky.

Sending strengthening vibes to everyone! Keep strong! I find mindfulness techniques very useful in dealing with cravings and urges. Here is the 4R technique (based on the simple analogy of an itch that you want to scratch).

1. Recognize the urge/itch.
2. Refrain from scratching.
3. Relax into the underlying urge to scratch (let yourself experience it without doing anything)
4. Resolve to continue interrupting your habitual patterns by learning and consistently practising the 4Rs.

If this does not help, try distracting yourself with other activities. Go out, take a walk or a bath, paint your nails, listen to some music or do something else that you feel relaxing and enjoyable.

Not time to talk much more but I've resisted multiple urges today. Organizing going more slowly but I got some transparent acrylic boxes from Muji and sorted out my jewellery - found very nice items I didn't remember having.