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

We are still mulling over the linking policy (might need another survey) but please keep in mind that some of us are world record e-shoppers with an itchy trigger finger and a lizard brain - do not lead us into temptation.

That said, yes, I have been seeing a lot of Aztec print. Does anyone have any from the last time round? Ithink it was very trendy circa 1992 - DH had quite a bit of Aztec print - a rug and a lamp. I may have accidentally dropped the lamp--.

Chablis thanks for the mantras converse are going back pronto !

NomDeOrdinateur great list what colour is the leather skirt and what do you wear it with ? I have a black leather a line skirt but other than the one top I had to buy in order to be able to wear it I struggle to style it but would love to wear it more ? I too have made the discovery that I am entirely different bra size to what I was actually wearing and have donated to charity 43 bras !!! Does anyone have any on advice on how bras my wardrobe should contain to cover most clothing eventualities currently have one nude T shirt bra and one slightly more exotic dark purple satin number.

Queencadbury Arrgh saving stuff for 'best' got into the habit of this when Ds was tiny as everything I wore ended covered in something unsavoury now he is nine it is a habit I need to break as I have loads of stuff I don't want to spoil which is ridiculous !!!!

Frugal Survey completed look forward to results.

To my utter shame I have managed to concoct an outfit out almost entirely new items some of which have lurked in my wardrobe for up to 2 years without being worn. So I am wearing dark denim shirtwaister dress (8 months unworn) navy blue leggings (2 years unworn) navy Ash Bowies (3 months unworn) grey polo (thankfully very well worn)

I do regularly sell uneanted items on ebay though.
Today wearing Toast teal cowl drapey top,bought in sale,Monsoon dark straightleg jeans,bought off ebay,Wallis teal and navy necklace,ebay purchase from 3 years ago,Marks and Spencer navy suede heeled ankle boots.

Take this from a veteran from the fashion trenches - the safe place to wear a trend is a scarf or some other relatively cheap accessory. Do yourself a favor and avoid picking an ultra trendy coat or pair of trousers or anything expensive - you'll enjoy it for a few months or a season but then hate it for the rest of it's lifecycle

Ok today I'm wearing blue Topshop baxters, a black long vest from Matalan (best layering vests I've ever had and only £4) and New Look grey jersey drapey top. Got some superga's that I'm wearing in - whoever said they were like walking on marshmallows was lying.

Am going out tonight and am going to wear a plain Hobbs red silk dress with black opaques, black ankle boots and a biker jacket.

I'm trying to go the whole of 2013 without buying clothes. So far so good. My 'rules' are that I am allowed knickers/socks, if I need them: a new pair of socks makes my day (although I haven't indulged so far). I may also allow myself to buy something from a charity shop, if it's only around a fiver; I haven't done it yet though. I will make persuade my DH to buy me something to wear for my birthday in a few months' time: the thought of that is keeping me on the straight and narrow.

My tip: whenever I see an amazing bargain, I buy it? for someone else! That way, I get the 'spending buzz' without the guilt.

Would love to do some swaps? will see what I can bring to the party.

Charity shops are my best friend till the car boot sales start as I can't afford to replace my whole wardrobe 2 sizes smaller. It's quite fun looking for a bargain though

Limoncello for me about 4 or 5 t shirt bras is right (I favor white and black and have one beige), plus one or two specialty bras (plunge etc). We do laundry many times a week. More bras than that - a lot of clutter. But add a few more if you sweat a lot or live in a humid climate!

You could wait and do it gradually, Awks. I found that my style changed over a period of time after I lost weight, so if you buy clothes all in one go you might end up buying more of the same as when you were two sizes bigger, except your shape and maybe preferences have changed. if that makes sense?

Frugal, what about allowing links that are along the lines of
"I really like this, I am considering buying it because X,Y&Z - any opinions on the brand/quality/value etc?"

but aren't "look! a 20% off sale!".

Just an idea!

cheeseandchive I think I know what suits me and I'm trying to just buy what I know I will wear and what I like. But I'm not at the stage of buying one "piece" yet as shopping is such a joy atm and I think that I can revell in cheap 2nd hand clothes until I calm down enough to be rational :)

Re: links, according to our survey, they are a sore point to about half of us (these are still preliminary results, you can still take the survey and have your say)!!! So let's restrict links for now, we'll have a groupthink about how to solve the 2nd opinion issue later.

Democracy at work

An idea: should we give for curbed cravings/returns/resurrected clothes/ good deeds/ etc? Positive feedback changes behavior...

Frugal Think I may have said no links but am flexible and will go with majority. Agree with your previous post i.e. wanting advice on various items not hey look massive sale go buy !!!! This is how I curbed my spending on beauty by reading lots of reviews and getting advice from others instead of just rushing in waving my credit card around randomly in the beauty hall then wondering why nothing really worked for me.

I went shopping today and managed not to buy myself a single item of clothing! I did buy myself some hair dye BUT my roots were terrible and I've been putting off buying any until my colour and brand was on offer.

I've give myself a set of price rules on each item of clothing or beauty product. No matter how pretty, how much it will last or how much it would suit me, if its over my limit I won't look at it to be tempted to buy it. For example I won't spend any more than £5 on a top, no more than £10 on a chunky knit cardigan, no more than £15 on jeans/trousers.

I so need this thread. I have been buying as if the world is about to end recently and I desperately need to reign it in. I really do not have the money and I have nowhere to put any new clothes. Have filled in your survey FF

Limoncello - Thanks, I was surprised by how much of my very-old stuff still gets worn more regularly than most of the things I've bought in the past couple of years! (The skirt has been with me nearly a decade now, and was 2nd hand when I bought it .) It's black like yours, and I did initially struggle to figure out what would look right with it. I think the trick is to wear opaque tights, use layering and wear soft and drapey, slightly oversized tops with it - it looks modern and quite sophisticated that way, whereas if I just wear a fitted top and structured blazer, it leans precariously into "sexy secretary" territory... Big/heavy/chunky shoes seem to help make it look more up-to-date as well - I wear my DMs most, but any chunky heeled shoe/ankle boots look good as long as they look good with the tights.

In case you have anything similar in your wardrobe that you haven't tried with your skirt, I'll just mention a couple of things that I surprised myself by liking alongside mine. I've found that the Zara 3/4 length linen t-shirts (about £17, they do them every year) go really well with my skirt in forest green, burgundy, cobalt and grey marl, so I wear those a lot with a grey or purple vest top underneath and black opaque tights (usually with ankle boots). I was also really surprised to find that my slouchy Wallis jumpers (very holey crochet, made of thick cotton yarn, slightly loose, and falling to about 2" below my waist) work really well with it too - they're light colours (silver grey and pale pink), and again I wear a dark grey or dark purple vest top underneath.

Limoncello - glad to be of use. But admit a trainer weakness myself.

Frugal - will take the survey later on. Trying to get small person to stop dropping ice lolly over my floor and himself!

Onelittlelady for curbed cravings!
Walking out empty-handed is a feat!
This is a S&B thread, we love clothes too much and want to look reasonably stylish, and grooming is a part of that. Hair dye, just like deodorant and toothpaste, is a part of that!

And welcome everyone new to this thread! You ladies are so inspiring, loving everyone's personal stories!

We have almost 100 messages, over 40 survey responses (am very happy you took the time to complete it as it will really shape this thread)

DH canceled his evening plans so I'll need to hang out with him a bit but will get back with survey results later...

Nom thanks for the ideas pretty sure I have some slouchy soft t's and knitwear. You are definitely right about structured equalling lady of the night sexy secretary think thats where I have been going wrong with it.

Limoncello - you're welcome! It does take a bit of trial and error but you'll be surprised by how versatile it becomes once you've figured out what works with your style and shape. Also, a leather skirt with opaque tights is such a nice alternative to jeans for casual/smart casual/evenings out - it's just a shame they're not an all-year-round article of clothing...

Issimma - I know it's not in the spirit of the thread, but I would encourage you to get one in due course! I thought I'd hardly wear mine, and yet I wear it 3 times per week easily and it still looks as good now as it did 10 years ago (despite, as I said, being 2nd hand even then). Great value, on a cost:wear basis. Ebay is your friend - mine was £7 including postage .

I have a leather skirt that may well find its way to the pinterest swap shop

If still room for more I'd like to join. I had a big wardrobe clearout last year and got rid of loads but then went on a bit of a spree and don't feel I've been spending wisely.

I have a tendency to really love something, buy it immediately and then go off it! When I can't buy the item straight away I often change my mind anyway so perhaps I really need encouragement to wait a bit and see if I still love it before leaping in. I too am easily led by those tempting links, must have some weird fear of missing out on something good if I wait.

I do however have only 1 bra that fits so will need to (sensibly) invest in this area at least.

Survey done!

I would like style inspiration.

I have so much but wear the same over and over

I'm unadventurous and would love to be groomed but don't seem to have the time! I get up at 6 and away by 7- In this time I need to get showered dressed and breakfast and lunches made. So I don't wear make up or really style hair apart fom brushing it ( I wash it te night before to save time)

At weekends I'm busy cleaning and house things so when I go out which is rare I'm lost!

Oh - and if anyone can help me with Make up tips I'd be v grateful!

I still do my make up the same for last 15 years!!! But it look ok but would like ideas. I wear the same bronzey eyeshadow black mascara and liner plus black honey Clinique lipstick

Does this sound ok?