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

frigal was it you asking about making dresses look younger/ how to wear cardigans? This thread is going too fast!
Anyway
[http://pinterest.com/pin/443815738248471911/ dress and cardi] I keep trying this look, just not quite achieving it yet!

Sorry frugal (new name?!!)
dress with cardi

Oh that's quite cool Drywhite ! Other ideas for Bleeding : avoid chintzy prints (animal print in a novel colorway or a quirky print may be just right, or try a solid color but accessorize with other, possibly clashing brights). And read Amber's blog - I think she has some work looks that feature wrap /V neck dresses.

My 3-y-o just had a hissy fit over not finding her favorite tulle rah-rah skirt

TiC so true! Reconciling the different aspects is quite hard. I love bold, dramatic clothes; my personal coloring is muted; my frame is slight but tall and I wear best very retro and conservative shapes (1950s style dresses for example).

Hi Frugal can you move this onto your completed swaps board please? I don't seem to have access........
pinterest.com/pin/122230577357585609/
Still lots of items for sale incl the cobalt silk top!

Frugal it's interesting to see you mention chintz and patterns because I have just gotten rid of most of my patterned tips and skirts and plan to only buy block colours in future. I do have a penchant for animal print though I must confess.
Travelincolour Yes, I find little overlap in my Venn diagram!
I love high necked dresses or boat neck dresses but they don't really do me any favours.
On the other hand, a round neck sweater that shows of the clavicle but not the cleavage is fine as long as it isn't too long

Apologies for typos. Doing two things at once!

Shop I moved your item to completed swaps. Ladies, browse the swapboard, lots of great items there looking for a new home!
And please get the cobalt top and the Diesel scarf so I don't have to

Still on the wagon! Completed my weekend's DIY project too. A navy cotton blazer has been in my wardrobe for a year, never worn, because it was slightly too big. Shoulders fine, so all that was needed was opening the lining from the side seam, taking the jacket it in a bit, and closing up the lining (by hand) again and finishing the seam by steaming it. Fit great now and I have a new blazer for this spring

A very busy work week ahead so less time to spend here. But please share your reworked outfits, budget tips, DIYs, style insights and everything else. And also the more difficult bits - setbacks and relapses. Again, to everyone for ideas, support and great company!

Thanks Frugal.

Queen of W I'm following you on Pinterest (I'm Doodle) and have spent a happy few minutes pinning ideas for elbow patches, so might actually complete the project by the end of this week. Thanks.
Issimma completely understand what you're saying re height. I'm 6' in my socks, and probably best described as an athletic pear shape. I'm careful not to wear cropped anything - trousers,tops or jackets (rolled up jeans are fine though). Skinnies are OK with chunky boots, but never, ever with ballet pumps. No crew necks or polo necks here either (frumpville). Also find it annoying that long tops often stop at my widest part and don't cover the derriere, and dress waistbands are often at my ribs. So I tend to wear reasonably classic/natural styles, layers, separates and try and not make myself look taller (I also wear muted colours, but am a typical deep autumn HoC wise).

Our thread is in coma

Hope I didn't kill it - have been very busy working all day.

I'm in love with Polyvore - it's so useful for creating new outfits from old staples without spending any money!

I particularly like trend boards made by other Polyvore members. I found lots and lots of ideas and inspiration there - see quite a few on my Polyvore Pinboard here.

Today's outfit for example. (With minor modifications, could find all items in my current wardrobe.) Leather skirts are great for freshening up overly conservative items - wearing my Miss Marple greige cardigan-jacket with a Topshop pleated black leather skirt, black opaques and black tall boots. Looks and feels very fresh, not middle-aged at all. A miracle

I've also figured out a couple of more casual dressing formulas for everyday use here and here. Great for those mornings when everything has to happen on autopilot or it's not going to happen at all .

So far the shopping ban is really working for me - I've been more creative and found lovely things I didn't know I owned. I found lots of fresh transitional looks for this spring without spending a penny

Shirley let's hope cropped styles go out of fashion soon...

I'm only 5ft and petite - size 6/8. I really don't mind being a skinny short arse!!
I do have to be careful with clothes though.
I avoid crop trousers, very wide fluid trousers, large patterns and prints, anything oversized.
I think I better suit slim/skinny jeans, slim bootcuts, jersey pencil skirts, fitted shirts and fitted cashmere sweaters.
I think as I've got older I know my style more. I am guilty of buying items that I already have. How many denim shirts, jeans, linen Ts does a woman need??!!

ScarletI've just downloaded a sample of 'You Are What You Wear' and it's making interesting reading as to why I have so many similar items (cashmere cardi's, stripey long sleeved tops) in my wardrobe. Might be worth a look for you (if you haven't already). I am def going to buy the full version. My reading list is getting very long on this subject but at least reading is better use of time than online browsing...a reading list on the pinterest might be a cool idea - I am happy to collate ideas/recommendations!

Enough from me...for fear it's my boring-on that's slowing/killing the thread!

I would definitely recommend 'You Are What You Wear'. It's really been making me think and more widely than just clothes.

Today I'm wearing a pair of GAP black brushed cotton wide legged trousers. I've had them for about five years and despite my minimal wardrobe and rounds of decluttering, I can never give them away. Wearing them has reminded me why - they're super comfy, they look great and they make me feel great.

When you have items of clothing like that, struggling to wear things that you don't love, don't fit etc. seems like unnecessarily hard work. Too much of my clothes buying is based on price and being in a rush.

All my thinking about colours and body shape seems to be paying off. I had a look at a clothes website with a sale on today (I'm not on a shopping ban) and spent about five minutes looking at abut 300 items of clothing. It was so straightforward; 'wrong colour, wrong colour' then 'wrong shape, wrong shape'. I narrowed it down to two things I liked but both were discounted as too much polyester and viscose and I've decided to only buy quality.

Normally I feel quite dispirited looking at those sites and ploughing through page after page. Today it felt quite empowering .

Agree about transitional looks from things already owned.
Today I wore Toast khaki straight leg trousers,neutral Primark cami,Mint velvet cream silk hem sweater bought before Christmas and worn loads,with grey Marks wedge ankle boots and khaki grey and cream Primark scarf.
DD1 recently passed a cream Miss Selfridge leather biker jacket on to me and I wore this when out,it seemed to 'trendify' the whoe outfit

I get stuck in such ruts, I find, and am really constrained by practicality too. I really want to wear skirts/dresses more often but my work just doesn't lend itself to them - and neither does living in the frozen north in a house where the minute you step out the door it's muddy. I realise now that I get really stuck into buying "themes" - at the moment I have about 5 pairs of M&S 5 pocket jeggings, which is fine because they fit me and suit me and tend to wear them day in day out with variations on fair isle knitwear (tunics/cardigans) which I love, but am in danger of killing totally through sheer over-exposure.

This is why I need to take some time to rediscover my own wardrobe...

frugal I have kept the gilet - I haven't worn it yet though, as it has been raining both days since I got it (the level of rainfall here could be the fatal flaw in the purchase!!)

I think this thread is slow because everyone is busy working, taking care of children, organizing, living etc - all very good!

Georgina your outfit sounds fantastic. A cream biker jacket is something I've been actually thinking about for some time (black too harsh on me, cream would go with everything). And yes, if you are wearing lots of older items, one trendy piece will update everything!

Scarlet it sounds like you are perfectly in proportion and understand your personal style really well!

QoW I'm happy to hear about your super-selective shopping round. I really think understanding one's personal style makes life simpler in the long run (although it can make life harder if you are in a rush and looking for something). But if you are patient, it's going to be rewarding!

I used to have a wardrobe bulging with stuff but nothing to wear. Now everything is much easier - styles, colors and shapes work together and possible ways to combine items are endless.

Shirley I've also found books very helpful in limiting my tendency to overshop/ buy multiples. I guess they make me more mindful. They also keep me offline A Pin booklist is a great idea!

Just caught up with the thread after only having had the chance for occasional skims the last few days. Real life 'n all....

Have decided I'm a Cornet - what unflattering nomenclature - with perhaps a touch of Pear (slight tendency to saddlebags). Broad shoulders, long legs and a fairly androgynous figure in between make it easy for me to wear most things (I know, lucky me, but too much choice isn't always good). However like others on the thread, I also don't do cropped trousers. They just look wrong. I am toying with the idea of cigarette trousers - probably rolled up - but fear they might be too reminiscent of cropped ones. Similarly, although I do wear skinnies, I never feel as good in them as I do in flares, wide legs or bootcuts. I think it's down to the shoulders.

auntpetunia, I hope you are feeling better and much less sore very soon. How is the wardrobe turnout going? Have you also browsed Pinterest to get some ideas of what you'd like to wear in the coming months.

I only hope we won't all be needing wellingtons and/or snow boots. Well, FF won't, I'm sure, but as for the rest of us, who knows! We had a very violent hail storm here two days ago, which came out of nowhere. I was making a cake (for a DC's birthday; cake baking is not a frequent occupation of mine) and I thought the water from the hail and the rain that followed it was going to rise high enough to test the seals on the French doors out into the garden from my kitchen. Thanks to a couple of wide steps, the doors are almost a foot above the ground outside as well..... Needless to say, my wellies and my trusty waterproof coat are my current "go to" items for outdoor wear. I am certainly not feeling inspired to shop for spring.

Thread can't die....just going really quickly so need time to catch up.
I need to sort through my wardrobe too. I just pinned a necklace onto my wish list only to discover one quite similar in my cupboard that ive never worn!

frugal the Polyvore outfits are great. Really should try it, is it easy to do? But between MN and my pinterest addiction there's not much time !

Interestingly, I pinned a couple of pics of me in outfits I wore this weekend ( skinnies that I've always been iffy about) but when looking at the photos objectively they look ok, and some kind comments reflected that. Similarly, I pinned a pic of an outfit I wear to work that I thought suited me, but looking at it on the board ( deleted now) it doesn't look as good as I thought. Think I might continue pinning to see. Mmmmmmmmmm

Dug out and washed and dried my massive faux fur coat and it looks amazing. Only from Primark in the first place so no massive spend of £££ when I got it but I do love it and it's very warm which I need as I really feel the cold. Going to wear it tomorrow in place of my trusty black wool number.

Im in the midst of a clear out/ ebay finding mission

So far - my house is turned on its head but am rediscovering lots of new things too

I have returned a denim shirt and have bought a jersey midi skirt instead.Its brilliant and goes with all the rest of my clothes and is so easy to wear.Can anyone tell me how to stop it creeping up to under my bra line though?This has inspired me to dig out all my Maxmara and Jaeger midis from years ago and sort out some suitable outfits.But they are all dry clean only and with 4 dc's [and a hairy golden spaniel with a penchant for sitting on our sofas when no ones looking] are they practical?I absolutely love looking at everyones pinboards and get quite inspired,but then try and translate these clothes to a life in a rural area,where everyone wears sludgy colours and trys not to stand out.I find that one really difficult.I do identify with the feeling of being a bit in a rut,like Daimbar.

'Tries to not stand out'?My english is going to pot.

Well the sun is shining here and the daffodils are out....and I'm having a 'I don't have anything to wear wobble'.

Winter - easy. Skinnies, slouchy jumper, ankle boots, swing coat. Not very inspiring but works with my life ATM.

Summer - dresses or shorts. I hate being even slightly hot and the thought of wearing jeans during the warmer months brings me out all funny. I get my legs out at any opportunity too

Spring and autumn I find much harder. But I don't need any more clothes, about to go back to work so have less days I need informal clothing for and childcare costs prohibit any spending.

Queen I love wide legs. Wore a pair of black wide legs at the weekend with a fitted fine wool green and camel striped short sleeved jumper. Now that's a daft bit of clothing - too warm for spring and too chilly for winter. But perfect for a visit to in laws in their ancient house with an equally ancient heating system.

I've spemt the morning reorganising my wardrobe. I've had lots of culls to the charity shop so not much went but I did tidy and sort. It all needs ironing though from being packed in too tightly, On the other hand have pulled out some unworn silk and cashmere for the swap board, no point in keeping them if they don't fit or suit me, regardless of the fabric!