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

Thanks for all your hard work, Frugal, things are shaping up!

Just a suggestion - how about a second thread for planned purchases? Then people who are click-happy know to steer clear, but those of us that want a second opinion/discuss a possible purchase can post? it can be a frugal-themed thread though, so we don't have to explain every time "I'm trying to buy less/better quality/stop impulse spending etc"

Russian YY I am the same! Found that once I lost weight I bought so many less clothes. I notice that I become alot more impulsive/thoughtless with my spending when I am unhappy with my body - think I try and compensate for feeling pants with nicer clothes! Luckily I know that now and can stop myself!

Hi Cheese this is a great idea - starting a separate "Frugal Fashionistas Plan Their Purchases" thread for store link sharing for planned purchases, 2nd opinions and possibly discount code sharing too? Will you take the lead and start it? I'm a bit wary of what happened to W&A (it started out as a wise purchases / no to compulsive shopping thread) so would really love to keep this thread store link free because this is what makes us different. You get here for wearing your old stuff

I'm not joining the potential new thread for now (Total S&B Shopping Ban in March) so here are my caveats: in many shopping threads, there is a hidden fee for participating. The more you purchase, the more positive feedback you get. So you want to set up some precautions / wrist slapping / goal setting / rewarding planned purchases and staying on budget. You may want to also deal with the Keeping up with the Joneses issue in some way. And finally, keeping any S&B thread alive for longer periods needs a core group of dedicated participants. Too many splits and spinoffs, and the thread dies.

Have PM'd RussianRed and Issimma, thanks ladies!

This is a perfect thread for me so keen to join. I've been on the minimalist threads in Good Housekeeping for the last few months (hi issimma!) and that has transformed my wardrobe.

I've been doing Project 333 since December. The principle is that you have 33 items of clothing for 3 months and then you rotate three in and three out. You don't get rid of the rest of your clothes in the meantime but just pack them up and put them away.

When I first read about it, it made me feel quite anxious. I've learnt in life that when I feel that way, it's usually something that I will really benefit from. And that has absolutely been the case.

I've eBayed about 40 items of clothing and charity shopped a lot more. But most importantly I feel relaxed when I look in the wardrobe and enjoy getting dressed in the morning. I've also identified a couple of things I actually need (rather than I want or impulse buy) - a block coloured skirt, casual non-skinny jeans and comfortable but fashionable casual shoes (my holy grail!).

Hello all new frugalistas!

This thread has inspired me to dig out a very old and battered red satchel from the garage (bought from covent garden at least 15 years ago) It was dusty and cob webby and destined for the tip, but have cleaned it up (baby wipes tackle anything) and pulled it back into shape with some tins of beans. I really like the zatchels satchels and have some on Pinterest, but I knew my satchel was somewhere. Feeling very smug.

Also DH has taken DD on an adventure so have managed a few more rows on a dress I'm crocheting. I love a 70s vibe for summer. It's crocheted in gorgeous tangerine merino. Not everyone's cup of tea I know! I've seen quite a lot of hand crocheted stuff in shops recently, all for £150 +, so hoping this gets me frugal points although merino cost me £30

Very inspiring QueenofWhatever, love the minimalist vibe!

I don't mind people planning their purchases here, long term planning is good, as long as tempting links, codes etc are not mentioned.

I need absolutely nothing this month, but if I'm thinking sensibly and responsibly, I too need to replace a couple of tops (my old H&M t shirts are so tatty darned thin cotton that they cheapen any outfit) plus a pair of sensible dull gray or black wool trousers. Not exactly summer material, but perhaps a good idea to buy them during the final reductions in winter sales.

In my twisted head, luring must-have impulse purchases that can be wildly impractical often override the sensible basics (that good quality plain top, the simple skirt, etc.) I mean, is there ever going to be a time when I feel excited about looking for gray wool pants or a beige shell top?

Bill - satchels are such a trendy thing this summer. Well done! And loving the crocheting!

Crocheted dress sounds wonderful! I have a barely-used sewing machine that I must get out and get myself busy on a project.

Glad I'm not the only one re. body and clothes. Everything I have fits me, but I need to sort out the wobbly bits. I have very little body confidence atm. Have just meal planned and bought for a very healthy vegetarian week of eating.

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Billstickers crocheting sounds great that way you will get exactly what you want and will almost certainly be better quality than the ££££ in the shops I envy your skills have often thought about enrolling on a basic dressmaking course just so I can do my own alterations has anybody done this if so how difficult is it my mum has a machine I could borrow I just completely lack any skills in that department.

Can anyone point me to an easy to understand website/ thread about selling on eBay? I got rid of all my larger clothes to various charity shops, but I have some clothes that are now too big and some that were impulse buys and are mint with tags that I need to get rid of, and preferably make some money on. I've never eBayed so don't know where to start.

TIA

Feeling a little better - have just culled my wardrobe and am now down to 29 shirts! I have also saved a couple to turn into mock shirts - yes, I know, they do look a bit bizarre but I like the look under a jumper without adding bulk (which I can ill afford)

Oh this thread has come at such a good time for me! I am working and on call this weekend - normally this makes me stressed and grumpy and I soothe myself with good old internet shopping. Not this weekend. If I start to weaken I shall come on here and you lot can set me straight.

It was only seeing others here say that they shop when stressed etc that has even made me realise what I do. Think I could do with more of that info about shopping psychology too.

I think I really need to sort out in my head what my style is and keep reminding myself of my actual life so I don't but yet more items I hardly wear because I do not in fact work in an office (just like the clothes!). Does anyone else do this?

Can I join please?
I like other posters have wardrobes full of clothes that fit me but nothing to wear!
One particular problem I have is too many 'posh' clothes, great for a summer wedding, unfortunately i'm not going to any! Anyone got any ideas how to make them more everyday wear (I work f/t in an office)?

Ilovemyteddy - the eBay mumsnet chat board is very good

Fergoose is the eBay queen over there.

fairy can you add cardigans/sensible shoes? Or are they too posh?

Thanks, Chablis. Will head over there and have a look.

The thread is helping me to keep focused. Been through my existing wardrobe again today and planned some outfit ideas for the week ahead. I seriously don't think I need to buy anything until high summer / summer holiday.
Another thing I am going to do is take some shoes and boots to be re-heeled. I am guilty of buying new footwear instead of doing this.
I am also making a month by month plan of aims for the house project - these will only happen if I curb my spending.

Have just seen a thread started on the eBay site by our own cheeseandchive which makes me think it's probably not worth the effort of selling on eBay as most of my stuff isn't high-end stuff. I discovered a local store that sells people's secondhand clothes at £1 a month per item, so may give that a try (whilst at the same time avoiding browsing the racks!!)

Am also up for swapping, although I'm a Pinterest virgin as well as an eBay one (old Luddite!)

Haven't read eBay thread but IME known brands (Hobbs, white stuff, next, whatever) do better than unknown, but I think you have to resign yourself for some things going for peanuts, which can be annoying as it is time consuming regardless of how much it goes for.

I have done quite we recently with some virtually unworn m&s bits and an ageing Brora cardi.

I think it's the time consuming nature of it, plus the fact that I am not the world's most organised person, that is putting me off. Maybe I'll wait for the next free listing weekend (I know this weekend is free) and put one item on there and see how it does.

Argh! Just seen a Next coat which I bought and am never going to wear, go for £26. I paid £30 for it and would be delighted with £26 so am now thinking maybe I should do the eBay thing. Maybe I'll look around eBay for things similar to those I want to sell and see if it would be worth my while. Presumably you need a Paypal account. Can you take the money out of a PP account? I told you I know nothing about eBay

I find 3-4 things at a time manageable - not too much time listing, and more chance of one thing making some money, making the whole process less irritating

Bugger! It actually went for £41!! I have to do this, don't I?

Yes, you need one and yes, you can withdraw from it (instant and no minimum amount now, which is good)

I'm not the most organised person either

I usually list 8-10 items at a time

Usually better know brands though and ds old mini boden gear