Frugal Follow-up

[FrugalFashionista]

We've hopelessly lost the old thread. How are you doing ladies?

I need to reawaken the thread as I need to get back on the wagon. I decided to temporarily suspend my shopping ban - it's summery here and I've started wearing summer clothes and I decided to make some purchases now so that I can wear them all season long (in low 20s it's still a bit too cool for my routine sleeveless dress/bare legs summer look). Most of my old summer clothes are in great shape but this is what I needed to update them -

1. white jeans (have lots of denim shirts and blue tops) - straight-leg, non see-through
2. colorful printed cigarette pants (my wardrobe is mostly solid colors - I want to wear prints but not near my face) - found a pair in my favorite colors from MSMG
3. sandals (bored of ballet flats and Havaianas) - black cage wedges, low-rent child-friendly version of the Altuzarra look
4. slingbacks (found a lovely two-tone white/taupe pair on sale)
5. a few bracelets to liven things up

I'm still looking for a couple of high-quality white or cream tops, scoop neck if possible. They seem to be the hardest item to find, but my refound Zara poly-viscose top is surprisingly versatile. Still thinking about a long and narrow snakeprint silk scarf in my best blues and also need to make a decision regarding nude/taupe courts (to go with my summer cocktail dresses).

Spring lasted for 3-4 weeks here and coincided with my 1-month shopping ban. By thinking a bit harder and digging a bit deeper I was able to find all spring outfits I ever needed without any spending! Summer will be around until the end of October so I hope that I will get quite a lot of wear out of my mix of old and new. But I think I'm almost done with wardrobe updates and might go back to tight-fist mode very soon

See frugal when you speak like that it makes sense. I think what makes it hard is that week by week, stores are bringing out new stock. I know I should step away from the iPad and just not look at shops online but somehow we've become conditioned. Then again, buying less but better doesn't always sit well with your lifestyle. I'm a SAHM with a very messy/dirty toddler. Anything I wear rarely lasts more than a day without being covered in porridge/chocolate/ketchup etc and so I need a lot of clothes otherwise I would constantly be washing (bad for me, bad for the environment). Also if I bought too well then I would be scared to wear it in case it got covered with the afore mentioned crap.

Am probably talking rubbish. Am on my second glass of prosecco

QC you are allowed to wear disposable clothes when you are a new mother It is a fleeting period through - my younger girl is now 3 and I can wear white and silk and whatnot but am stuck with the new-mom short-sleeved cardis and denim dresses If they get smeared, it's usually me anyway Don't be too hard on yourself - you have done many good things. There must be some karmic balance... Take it slow? Pack things away, reassess them next year? Build wishlists on Pin, then slowly accumulate new well-made items in your new colors? All these things will help you to figure out your true style.

But I agree we are being conditioned. New, shiny tempting things arrive every week and new trends are born all the time, making something you acquired last month or last year feel obsolete. Shopping has become a hobby and a social thing

Pretentious as curating your wardrobe sounds, I think there's definitely something in that. And I always learn something on Mumsnet, even if I had to google wabi sabi .

I am finding that things which I bought last year or 2 years' ago which are not cheapest of cheap have little holes in them. I am not sure if it is moths but could be as the clothes were packed away but I have not found holes in my older things. The cotton is now so thin on things it is almost transparent and you get a wavy lines on some t-shirts in the shops.

I remember some of my dd's clothing getting the odd hole in too so I wonder if it is quality related.

Sounds sad Alemci. I have a viscose Sweaty Betty top that developed small holes after a couple of wears Lots of sheer and semi-sheer tops in the shops right now, doubt they will wash and wear well as they are so very flimsy to start with.

Sorry about poncey-sounding musings - you can think of your wardrobe any way you want. Growing/cultivating/pruning and other gardening metaphors would work too.

I feel bad about my languishing skinny jeans, so wore my longtime favorite pair today with a very voluminious watermelon red rayon top and my freshly beeswaxed favorite blue shoes and pretty blue chain-strap bag. It's an outfit that always seem to work and cheer me up.
But it's a bit too cold now so am wearing a coral mohair jumper.

I did some ironing - DH put on a good record, so it was actually fun - and four items look and feel much fresher now Looking forward to wearing them later this week.

Thin cotton is a PITA, I find a lot of t-shirts get holey around the jeans button area, and I'm sure that's the cause on mine. Have heard it attributed to all sorts of things though, including particles of cleaning spray eating away at clothes (picked up when brushing past kitchen surfaces). Who knows?

I think the shopping as a social thing is interesting - for me I find browsing quite a social thing (love nothing more than sharing a delicious link on the MN Vogue thread), but actual shopping is a very different, carefully thought through activity. I like the combination - satisfies my fashion love without costing a fortune!

Ironing is a hugely under-rated activity - makes all clothes look newer and better. I only do it once a week, usually with a film on.

Loving your musings Frugal, I would love to prune back my wardrobe and cultivate my carefully curated pieces

I have also found that a lot of jersey tops have got holey around the jeans button area Hopefully and previously put it down to the fabric rubbing between jeans button and kitchen worktops.

I'm so glad it's not just me who gets holes in the belt/button area. It's only happened in the last year though so quality must definately be getting worse. I've started trying to do the semi tuck thing so that it can't rub. Either that or a vest underneath so that gets the holes instead.

I had mysterious holes appear in loads of new tops a few years ago. First of all thought I had a moth problem although never saw one of the bastards, spent a fortune on anti moth stuff, then thought it was my new granite work top, then a belt that I binned...but jeans buttons! Well, wish I'd known. Stopped happening now

I read somewhere that the weight of a white cotton tee has significantly decreased in the past few years (post cotton crisis) and that the fiber is fluffed up with various chemical fillers and surface smoothers Try weighing your old and new tees!

I've looked everywhere for a good white / cream / smoke blue simple top I could wear under my jackets. Cotton or silk or a mixture; not too clingy; not sheer or semi sheer; haven't found one yet. Maxmara have a good contender, but no idea where they manufacture their clothes these days. People Tree also have a few tops I could try, but they look quite voluminous on their website, and I'm not looking for a tent! If I do find suitable candidates, I will briefly suspend my shopping ban, as this is a really essential item that I would use constantly.

Oh, and I have a new style crush: Vika Gazinskaya - talk about timeless style.

Today's outfit
*White straight-leg jeans
*Short-sleeved denim tunic (extremely well-made, feels almost like couture) cinched at waist with a tan leather ribbon; side splits make it very flattering

• Oatmeal merino cocoon cardi
• White-taupe two-tone oxford slingbacks
• Silver mock-Tiffany chain bracelet These classic summer colors feel extremely luxurious! (Might work outside for an hour to tan my legs a bit.)

it's only the odd top. One is white stuff on the back of the garment (may put tiny stitch in but what a faff and the other is Oasis. It could be moths as my DH had a couple of jumpers with holes but they were bigger and these holes were tiny and everything else was ok. It may even be my washing machine but it is fairly new.

I tend to hang on to old t-shirts to wear at home but I don't really like them for work. I hate the new M&S ones with the longer sleeves. I usually find the m&S ones from previous years have been ok

I get that problem with t shirts as well. I put it down to where my belt buckle rubs when I'm doing things like standing at the sink. Maybe I need a more glamorous lifestyle then I wouldn't have these problems!

Today I am wearing an old favourite, an emerald green ruffle front top that I have had for about 3 years. It was from Loft, which is a US brand I love because they do such good strong colours. Emerald green is really good on me, it sounds sappy but my face noticeably lights up when I wear it. Have put it with dark blue jeans and my trusty leopard flats which have proved to be a really versatile buy.

Am contemplating a shopping ban. Last year I imposed a ban on buying handbags after my DS starting commenting on how many I had! Since then, I seem to have curbed the urge to buy any more. Hoping that a clothes shopping ban may do the same. Will think it over...

Hi ladies,

Have been lurking and loving the thread. Heading for six months of my ban and doing well. Have only slipped up once - snaffled a lovely soft cashmere tunic in a second-hand shop a few weeks ago. Felt very disappointed with myself for falling off the ban-wagon, but as I only have five a couple of bits of cashmere, I feel it was justified.. Have worn it almost every day loads.

Finding it difficult now it's summer but it's my birthday soon and I'm going to beg ask my DH to treat me to something new. Presents are allowed

Can't count. A bloody long time five months.

5 or 6 months! That's bloody amazing mothermirth.

Surely I can manage a month then...?

Hehe, it's not that difficult once you get used to it. I do a lot of window-shopping instead and dream of 2014 the time when I'm 'allowed' to shop again.

Have rediscovered lots of ancient garments in my wardrobe most of which are vile and need throwing out ? there is the the odd gem.

It is strange: as if part of my life has gone. Interesting, though I browse a lot, but just tell myself shopping's not for me at the moment. I keep watching stuff on Ebay, but letting it go. Feels almost like shopping without the spends

It is doable: you just need to be strict firm with yourself. I know it's not forever, so I can still fantasise about clothes

Hi all, I haven't been posting but I'm still following these threads with interest. And I'm now learning how to sew

Whoa, Vika Gazinskaya is inspiring! So stylish, but I'm getting the feeling that you have to purchase quite luxurious items if you want to pull off that oversize, minimal look? And be skinny.

Finally, anyone want to help writing to People Tree? They're a great fairtrade company, but they don't have enough basics, mostly lots of odd patterned clothes. So I thought I'd write to them and tell them more basics (such as thick white tees!) would be great.

Frugal Vika Gazinskaya's style looks like (a more extreme version of) the way you describe your own style sometimes - granny chic but very chic!

I made a dressmaker trip this morning - I don't have the time or inclination to do major alterations myself (although I do have the knowledge), so am having a vintage eBay winter coat (£30, pure wool and mohair, large scale tartan) taken in drastically, a much-loved-but-never-really-used Hobbs boucle skirt taken up (it's a shade long so looks frumpy, but otherwise perfect) and a shirt dress copied and then turned into an actual shirt (it's too small over my hips, always has been really, but top half fits perfectly). Apologies to those that have read that exact paragraph on the MN Vogue thread today, just thought it was interesting that even I with my really very minimalist wardrobe have been able to find things to alter, salvage and work with that weren't getting full use in my wardrobe. Interestingly, the Hobbs skirt can only be taken up successfully because it is well made - there wouldn't be enough fabric to move the back split higher up if it wasn't well made with big seam allowances. An occasion where buying slightly better quality and getting it altered has made it possible to have an absolutely perfect skirt in a beautiful fabric for sub-designer prices. I also have two pairs of jeans in my personal repair pile, as I am quite capable of the pocket-tear-repair and minor bit of seam mending required. All of that will increase my wardrobe by about 15%, and the only actual new item of clothing will be the copied shirt dress.

Well, I was the one who started talking about the shopping ban and have done the opposite.

I had a bit of a trawl through the charity shops on Saturday (by myself, which is always a bonus) I bought a cream/coral/blue patterned top, a pair of chocolate brown trousers and a teal/purple knee length skirt. All three items need altering, but that was part of the reason I bought them and only the trousers are the right size.

The top needs taking in and I've already taken one of the sleeves off, as I think it will look better sleeveless. Like frugal, I struggle with patterns but love this one.

The skirt is a Monsoon fusion one made of a heavy silk. It's a size 14, but a bit like hopefully, it's well made with wide seams and quality materials so good for adapting.

The trousers are cotton with a bit of spandex and slightly flared at the leg, so I will take them in to make slim, straight summery trousers that I have been lusting after.

It felt like a successful haul and I was conscious of what frugal had posted about charity shops and the level of waste. I saw a fair few things BNWT and most things had only just been put out that week. It makes you realise what a turnover they have and there were queues at the till. By the time I was in one of the larger ones in town, I was starting to feel a bit overwhelmed by all that discarded clothing.

However I also had a very enjoyable trip to Fabricland where I bought some green cotton for a 60s skirt pattern from eBay and some teal cotton polyester for a pair of trousers I want to make. The vibe was really nice and all the staff were really friendly, so different from your average high street store! hopefully, your sister's blog has been really encouraging and there's some great stuff on there about making your own clothes.

Oh yes, I did a really quick detour via House of Fraser, purely in the interest of this thread . There's quite a large Jaeger concession and they have some nice stuff. But even there they had dresses made out of 100% polyester and loads of viscose. Price tag? £160.

yonitime I like your Peopletree idea. I wonder if the realise that many of us would love decent basics, but can't find them.

I ordered some tops online from Debenhams just now Mantaray and John Rocha. I tried them on instore and they were reasonable. They were more shirty material than t-shirt.

The John Rocha t-shirt had Modal in it. Not sure but won't keep if I don't like. Just want a few bits for work.

Hopefully re: trip to dressmaker's! That's what true style is all about - having things fitted and altered to suit you perfectly!

QoW I had a stressful workday, and this is always dangerous for overshopping impulses. I procrastinate by browsing online, and although I've completed a ton of work, it scares me how quick and efficient I am at fillling a cart and clicking 'buy'. I should probably become someone's personal shopper... I think I managed to solve my longstanding neutral top problem, but what annoys me is that a) I broke my shopping ban and b) I found 3 different tops, not just one Very mixed emotions

Mothermirth great to have you back! And yes please do stick around, hats off to 5 months! I've been able to do 4 weeks and 3 weeks Back on the wagon anyway. And be gentle on yourself, 2nd hand bargains really cannot ever be planned purchases.

Yoni and QoW I agree 100% re: People Tree and will join the petition! I very rarely buy prints, but I need good plain basics and would not mind paying for them. A white scoop-neck tee made of thick cotton, like this one from a US-based line, is next to impossible to find.

Alemci modal is one of the higher-end cellulose fibers (cousins to viscose). I quite like rayon, modal, tencel, and lyocell; they are often heavier weight and silkier.

Hopefully and Yoni I love people with striking personal style! Diana Vreeland is my perma-favorite, but Vika looks much more like me. She is of course infinitely quirkier and more stylish than I will ever be, but many of her silhouettes are my favorites too. I have similar body proportions so looking at her outfits is really helpful - this (without the lippy and scarf) or this or this could be me right now and I'd love to wear that. Her coloring (muted) and her pale and slightly nondescript face sound familiar too

Recovering Shopaholic nails it again! (You may have linked to this post before but it really hits home tonight.) The Ban is on once again...

This is my current favourite thread, I love coming on here for inspiration. This afternoon I've spent hours listing clothes on ebay, and I have to confess I'm shocked at how many still had labels on or had hardly been worn. The link you posted frugal is really poignant, many were purchased because I wanted something to wear but didn't know what. I've never really wardrobe planned so collect orphans constantly - I intend to change.

I have got a lot better since the original thread started - I think I've worked out my style and a pallet of colours I like (many of the clothes I didn't love were browns - so no more earthy colours). But I think I still need help in how to plan. Should I be aiming for a set number of outfits? How should I identify gaps? I've always tried to buy in outfits, but I'm now thinking I should buy to go with what I already have and make each item work in several outfits. Am I over thinking this? Does anyone know of any stylish wardrobe planning sites? i like putting me together and shopaholic but I think their outfits can err on the side of conservative (only my opinion - but I probably can't talk!)

I also wonder how I can inject variety - rather than end up in the same skinny jeans and tops? For example, at this time of year I give up on skirts as opaque tights and boots look odd, but it's too cold for bare legs, so I just end up in different jeans and tops - I think this boredom of the same silhouette gets me buying mistakes, I want to wear something different but can't find anything I'm comfortable with. How do I experiment without wasting money? (I am much better in the winter and love skirts and dresses, but I'm not tall so knee length or just above looks best hence the bare leg problem in the summer)

Feel I'm waffling now!