Feeling Frugal for 2015

[FrugalMcDougal]

I'm planning a clothes/ make-up buying ban for at least the start of 2015 and just buying things when I really need them.

I have a good amount of clothes and accessories and think I could be much more creative in how I wear them instead of going for my old favourites when I'm rushing in the mornings. I want to make the most of what I have.

I'm aiming high and imagining myself planning the next day's outfit the night before.

Anyone interested in supporting each other and sharing outfits?

One thing that seems to work for slightly manky tops is soaking them in warm water with Vanish Oxy Action Antibacterial (the one with the green lid) for an hour or so before washing them. I've rejuvenated a few tops that were starting to get actually smelly that way (apparently washing at low temperatures, especially if you're using non-bio powder, doesn't kill off whatever makes armpits stinky). Really grubby ones may be beyond hope, but it's worth a try.

The white deodorant lines can be removed by splashing them with clear vinegar about an hour before washing.

Today I'm wearing a fuscia tesco dress which I've realised I really don't like! Going to shed it from my wardrobe to try to pair things down.

It is really unshapely and makes my bottom look huge

For residual sweatiness, I use a paste of bicarb of soda and white vinegar mixed together (it fizzes wildly, the kids love watching!) smear it on the armpits of the offending clothes and leave it for a while before adding it to the normal wash. It works pretty well for most of my more elderly tops and dresses.

I have to say, the ads for House of Fraser sale dresses in the sidebar are not helping me here. But I resist. Sent back a dress from Toast (bizarrely huge, what's going on with them?) and a pair of Porselli ballerina flats that I think I just wanted to touch and see what all the fuss was about. They are lovely but too big and I can't justify them. I'm wearing my trusty Boden denim dress with vintage turquoise necklace from Etsy and ankle boots I bought last Christmas. I don't need any more clothes.

I might be a bit late jumping on board but I want to join too. I am determined to only buy the necessaries for a full year, and to not buy any new clothes for myself until February 20th (first payday of 2015) - and only then if I need something.

So far this year, I have been mostly wearing jeans and a hoody - have been getting over jet lag from my december christmas/new years trip. I fell into the trap of just being at home so not bothering too much with what I'm wearing.

Today I have changed this. I am currently wearing a burgundy stretch jersey mini skirt. Black fleece lined tights, a white capped sleeve tshirt and a blue denim shirt. (and tartan slippers - which when I venture out will be replaced by either brown calf leather flat boots, or my comfy uggs).

(still haven't brushed my hair and have twisted it up on top of my head).

I'm planning a wardrobe audit today, and will be de cluttering. I need to take stock of what I have, and what I don't wear. Before I start my new job in feb I want to make sure I have all my favourites cleaned and ironed.

Strangely pleased with today's shop-the-wardrobe - same skirt as yesterday but with grey tights and dark brown Ugg bikers (work much better with it than black tights/boots, will make mental note of same), cream tee with very fine navy stripe, olive cashmere cardi.

Toast sizing is bizarrely inconsistent. I have clothes from there ranging from a 10 to a 14 and they all fit. It's very annoying.

I'm not even going to bore you with what I'm wearing today, as I would be repeating myself!!! I also was bad and bought a jumper in the White Stuff sale on my way to the dentist!! It is v nice - reminds me of the j crew army green one WIT has been wearing a lot recently on her Instagram if anyone follows her. I'm not really a White Stuff fan but the jumper has winter wardrobe staple written all over it! Was slightly perturbed when a woman in her 70s in the dentist's waiting room got v excited at the sight of my white stuff bag as its only recently opened in our town (I am 39) and then reminded myself not to be ageist!!

Have also downloaded Toshl for money management purposes and am trying to decide what to set as a realistic fashion and beauty budget for the year. I'm thinking £300 as I really don't need anything but know from experience that a ban is unrealistic for me and just leads to splurges.

Ooh also meant to ask what you would describe your style as and who are your style icons?

so my frugal start went astray but am sending everything back so back on track.

Only thing i have ordered is a GTech handheld hoover as my dyson one died and I can't leave without one (messy 7 year old son - a hand held is a godsend) - does this count?

Actually talking of sending back, AIBU (I know, wrong forum :) ) to be a bit peeved at how slow some big companies that do free returns are at actually processing them? Gap are now taking seven or eight weeks (they were a lot faster when they didn't do free EU returns), Cos and Asos are really slow as well. Boden, Toast, etc. are positively zippy by comparison. Obviously it's nice to have free returns so you can try stuff on etc. but then they get to hang on to your cash to invest in their orbital mind control platforms or whatever for weeks on end while my poor credit card weeps quietly.

Hmm, perhaps this will be an incentive to not just buy potentially interesting stuff "because I can return it if it's not perfect". [lightbulb moment]

7 or 8 weeks, that's absolutely ridiculous!

Boden are okay and Toast are really quick. I can't think of anyone else - oh yeah: Eric Bompard, the cashmere people. Slow as a hearse.

I remember you saying that before about Eric Bompard, I've always engaged in a sort of paranoid frenzy of self-measurement before ordering anything from them (er, unless it's a scarf or similar).

Actually looking at emails I think the seven weeks for Gap was a one-off and they did apologize for that, but they do say up to 30 days is standard and it can take longer again for the money to actually show up in your account, which is still kind of ridiculous.

daim you've just caused me to look on the white stuff website. i want the chicken jumper.

am resisting. for now.

Still bought nothing despite having a huge sainsburys near work with some v nice Gok stuff reduced. Got my no 7 cream on the gift card and got an eye serum as well in an xmas duo pack for basically 50p so v pleased. Did buy pans yesterday as handle fell off my big saucepan making pasta sauce. Lovely ceramic ones 1/2 price so 3 for £30.
Have "found" 2 lovely pinafore/tunics in the wardrobe from years ago, am going to get the taken up a bit they sit just on/Beli the knee and look dated so they're going to the lovely lady who replace my broken zip on my huge warm winter coat for only £15. That's all I've spent on clothes since December 10th.

Oops sorryememem84 well done for resisting!

Good question daim.

I love Kate Moss's style. My own is very close to My Fashionable 40s blog. I'm a real trainers girl like her! And I like a good handbag also like her.

Would quite like to be less casual though. Bored of skinnies now!

Hi ladies, lovely tips here!

I've been offline for a few days enjoying the quiet corners of Venice. The children enjoyed the carless streets and taking boats everywhere. We all loved the cold air, green water, long walks, sunshine and simple, satisfying winter food - radicchio, pumpkin, polenta and fresh seafood. I slept well and read a couple of novels. I packed everything I needed to wear in a backpack and wore basically the same outfit (varying only the base layer) every day. I love having very few choices and not needing to think about outfits (it was too cold anyway).

Trips are often difficult for me but this time I had no shopping urges. The sales started here the day before yesterday, but not planning on partaking. Zero web browsing seems to work for me - I even asked DH to block email and Safari on my iPad with his secret pin code Returning to work has been hectic and stressful but am trying to prioritize things better this year. I feel rested and happy after the holidays. Will try to continue to stay offline. Good luck everyone with your goals!

daim it's been deleted from online basket. I'm off work only dh's wages coming in. Shouldn't be shopping. I have loads of lovely things - do not need anything new (even if it does have chickens on it...).

I was going to head into town today. But it's raining. So now don't fancy it. Gym instead.

Today's outfit - khaki skinnies, brown calf length boots, black vest white vest, skinny knit black batwing slouchy jumper.

Back at work now so outfits will be boring

Yesterday: blue and white tweedy dress, black tights, knee high leather boots, black blazer, black mulberry bays.

Today: black shift dress, opaques, black patent high heel brogues, tweed blazer in tan, teal, olive and brown. Gold teardrop earrings and watch.

Today I'm wearing the silk Whistles blouse I got with an extra 10% off, under a grey Topshop jumper, with black Gap cigarette pants with a chunky jewelled Oasis necklace, and what I think a racy romantic paperback might call a slash of red lipstick (Lipstick Queen Velvet Rope).

I am rather boringly wearing much the same as yesterday but with a different navy and cream stripy top (APC, has buttons on shoulder in manner of baby's clothes). Definitely agree in the power of good lippie to brighten up an outfit. Today's is Nars Anita, which is a sort of rosy neutral but very "there" IYKWIM, makes me look quite "done".

Actually definitely rocking the toddler look today, as I also wore a dark grey merino hat with ears on it this morning. Possibly my style icon is "my two year old"....

I would also like to be talked down from looking at heavily discounted Acne clothes on The Outnet, please. I have a weakness for "I am a chic Scandinavian lady"-wear (see also: far too many Becksondergaard scarves).