Considering a year of no new clothes for 2016

[GoneAndDone]

Anyone else done it or considering it?

I buy a lot of clothes so it would be a huge challenge. But I own so many that I'm quite ashamed of it... Could easily not buy any for a year and still have something for every occasion.

I'm on a tight budget this month with Christmas and some house refurb bills going out.
I've made a list on my phone of all the items in my wardrobe and have planned outfits for Xmas parties, Xmas day, Boxing day, NYE etc... This helps me stay focused and avoid buying things I don't need.
I'll need to be strict with myself in January when I get paid as new season is always a temptation for me.
I'm 40 next year and the older I get, the more I'm fulfilled by experience rather than things. Therefore I'm hoping to spend some of the money I'm saving by being mindful on a trip somewhere I've always wanted to go.

Blue it's the same for me - Dec is a tightrope, and I will do my best to avoid Jan sales.

I think travel is the best investment. I made another investment that I am rather happy about - two small oil paintings, one for my bedroom, one for my office. Every time see them, I feel happy. Our city library has a program where you purchase them from local artists in tiny, interest free instalments. They handle the paperwork. If you grow tired of them or want to stop the payments, you can return the artwork, you only lose the fees you've paid so far. This way, you don't have to be a billionaire and can still have beautiful things.

How is everyone getting on? Any Sale bargains sneaking in?

I haven't been able to resist the sales, have bought two sweaters and a pair of pajamas. The upside is that I've thought about the pajamas for a full year (until I binned the previous pair), and the sweaters have been on my list for months...

We are leaving for somewhere warm tomorrow and I packed our bags today: while going through my stuff, I realized I have far fewer unused clothes than before. For a recovering fantasy shopper, the motto 'Will I wear it today?' is really useful - it ensures that I will only buy items that have a place in my life.

I love fashion, and seeing lovely things on other people is definitely one of my shopping triggers. In 2016, I'm going to spend less time on Instagram and more time reading. I joined this thread, posting the link here just in case someone else is interested.

I've done two months now - no clothing/shoes purchases at all. Still going really well! I have so much more time now that I'm not browsing clothing websites or eBay every evening.

All catalogues that come in the mail get put in the recycling immediately. I've also spent some money buying nice things for my house and it puts things into perspective to realise that I can spend £75 on a nice floor lamp I can enjoy every day, instead of spending it on a skirt or two that would probably be worn once a month for half of the year.

I was initially going to allow myself to buy a pair of Brora cashmere fingerless gloves in the sales this January but I'm not going to do that now. Partly because I took up crochet again and made myself some, and partly because I just don't feel any need to buy them. Maybe in January 2017!

I might join the other thread too but there are a lot of good posts on this one from many posters so I don't want to give up on this one either!

I'm doing really well for me - nothing since 31/10 and am totally avoiding the sales, working on the theory that if I didn't need it at full price I don't need it at all.

Hoping Jan will be a fairly frugal month anyway after all the expenses of lots of guests for Christmas.

Although I always find new season stuff difficult to resist.

I had a quick wander around the sales and bought nothing - I was not even tempted, which is a little worrying!

Hello, I'm joining this thread for 2016. I have way too many clothes, some never worn, and I have no need for anything new.

I've trawled through sales websites in the past few days and not been tempted at all by anything, just had a nagging voice saying that there was no point buying X even at a huge reduction because I have at least two just like it!

In 2015 I logged all my clothing purchases in an online notebook and I was shocked at how often I bought clothes as I thought I was quite restrained. Also looking back over the list I see that there are some items that I haven't even worn (as the right occasion/weather hasn't come up) so clearly it was an unnecessary purchase.

Spiralglass for the past few years, I have recorded all the clothes, shoes, jewellery and bags I have bought in my diary. Some months it is truly shocking how much I have spent. What I have also noticed is that I make a lot of stupid purchases during some months (most notably January, February, April, August and September, which I have put down to shopping because of boredom and also shopping before the best clothes come into the shops).

So while I'm not committing to a year of not buying clothes, I am committing to January and February of no new clothes, shoes or jewellery. This is definitely wishy washy compared to other people on this thread, but it would be a big achievement for me. Feel very scared at the thought of it so I know that means I should do it as it will be the challenge I need. Yikes though

The art purchase opportunity sounds great Frugal
Today was payday so always a time I could go into spend mode. I've booked some flights for the spring for us.
I've avoided the sales so far but we're in London on Saturday and I have ear marked a couple of pieces to investigate further. As I said before, I'm aiming for low spend, mindful shopping habits as opposed to no spend.
The outfit planning worked for me. It didn't allow me to think I needed to buy something new. I wore a Zara midi dress both Christmas day and NYE. Boxing day I went with jeans and a subtle Xmas jumper.
Happy New Year all

Welcome to all the newbies and a Happy New Year to everyone.

I think BlueEyed that planning does make all the difference, just spending a few minutes seeing what could possibly go together rather than thinking I need something new. I have often found when I have items that I never wear and put them with something I didn't perhaps envisage it going with originally I have a whole new outfit.

hello, would love to join please :)

i'm bookmarking this thread on my phone so when i search for MN its the first result that comes up, potential diversion tactic from S&B i hope.

i've not bought a single thing in the sales. i like the idea of taking stock of what i have to see how i can make it work for the year ahead. i took a picture of my skinscare stash so i can see how much is left at the end of the year.

I think about this every month. The thought of doing it for a year sounds really painful. I often find that a new pair of shoes or a top sort of revitalises some other items that I already have. Life is too short for denial. If I feel like I have too much I eBay or take to charity. I bought a lovely new shoulder bag in the White Stuff sale. To justify it I sold a bag I hadn't used at all on eBay. I didn't feel as guilty about getting the new one then. I keep a few things back usually when they our new but I try to wear everything I have now (I've got rid of loads). I use a uniform system for work ankle grazers trousers, shirts, dresses or skirts and shirts and then have a uniform for weekends, jeans, tops and really nice cardigans. This works for me. Do you really utilise as much as you could? Are you saving too much for "best"? You could always have a day and evening change of outfit (mind for me this is getting into my pjs in the evening!!).

I have purchased a Regatta Great Outdoors Jacket to replace my 'dog walking' jacket which was definitely on its last legs - so a one in one out purchase. It was £50 reduced to £25 so definitely a bargain. It felt really good to purchase something I actually needed, rather than just make a random purchase to stuff in the wardrobe along with the other numerous items!

Just come back from town and after 2 1/2 months I have now succumbed, bought a Breton top and denim skirt in the Crew clothing sale and a bag in Russell and Bromley.

I had coveted the top at full price and the skirt was a knee length denim one that I spent all last summer looking for reduced from £55 to £20. I don't feel too guilty as both items I would happily of paid full price for and didn't buy them ' because they were a bargain'. Also had £30 of Christmas money to spend.

The bag - well love it love it love it, I'm not a bag person and rarely see a bag I like particularly in black so am very pleased.

So although I have fallen off the wagon, they were all considered purchases, purchases that will be well used, not things that I bought because I could which I have done time and time again in the past.

Back on the wagon

I have also fallen off the wagon, but again they were all considered or necessary purchases:
a coat, because I gave mine to dd1 and now it's turned cold again!

2 dresses - because I wanted some casual-ish dresses to wear to the pub etc, in an attempt to not always wear black skinnies.

some new Converse - because they were on my list to buy in the spring, but I found them on offer so bought early.

None of them were expensive, and all of them should get a lot of wear.

I did this about three years ago, it was easy.

I should add it was easy because it was a novelty and I really needed the money I saved, I might do it again this year.

Just read this article, it seems to be a thing! www.garancedore.fr/en/theminis/real-resolution/

I used a Christmas gift voucher yesterday but I'm going to try and not buy anything else this year. My income had dropped so its going to help. I've no weddings thankfully! That's what usually sends me shopping.

Still going strong... This is definitely making me assess the items I own and in some cases think I wouldn't buy that again. Not if I knew I couldn't just go out and buy something else when it turns out I don't really like it, if that makes sense. I don't really love any of my winter boots even though I own several pairs...

I've taken up crochet and made myself a couple of cowls and a hat, though. I don't really consider that cheating even though it's adding to my winter accessories.

GoneandDone I've made two cowls this winter - a soft white and a gray one. They update quite a few sweaters from past seasons, and I can take them off easily.

Not bought anything since before NY but have exchanged a few things - Christmas present duplicates and faulty items. So much of what I've bought recently has been disappointing quality wise or faulty it does put me off buying more clothes. Just not worth the hassle!!

Buying clothes from charity shops only appeals to me although not sure it's in the rules

£9 purchase to record - a Regatta Sweatshirt in the sale - down from £30 to £9. I have thrown away two jumpers, so could be worse. Total of £34 spent so far this year, excellent for me, as I usually buy all sorts of random stuff in the January sales.