Really struggling to stop buying clothes

[barkinginessex]

and bags, shoes and accessories etc...
Every month I tell myself that I'll just buy one thing that I 'need' and my wardrobe will be complete but I can't seem to stop.
I went through my clothes today and have 4 huge bags to donate to charity, it's shameful.
Has anyone managed to cure a shopping habit?

I find I shop here when I'm not happy with my weight - I'm searching forbtge holy grail of what will flatter me. Despite having more at home than I can hang yp or cope with. The irony isn't lost on me, that if I spent the hours shopping in the gym instead, then I wouldn't be searching for something to wear.

I can understand that, I am probably shopping to fill a void and it gives me something else to focus on.

Me too Barking, my husband left me and I had a look through my wardrobe and realised I'd been wearing rags for years becasue he spent all the money.
So I spent a whole weeks salary on new clothes and shoes and I feel great. They are all in size 18 Diana, I don't give a shit if I lose weight I'll just buy more.
I feel fab for the first time in years.

I keep the acquisitive urge at bay by taking photos of things in shops rather than buying them, then going away 'to think about it'. I find I rarely go back and buy.

Online is harder as the click is so easy.

Are your wardrobes gorgeously organised? Going through the stuff at the back and putting outfits together (inc existing jewellery, shoes, bags) can be as good as getting new things, esp if you photograph them beautifully laid out on bed in manner of fashion magazine / IG .

I also take satisfaction from imagining I'm being stopped by a 'street fashion' researcher and my outfit is a collection of old vintage eclectic things that only I had the nous to pull together, rather than head -to-toe this season.

(Gosh, I sound utterly insane)

Agree with MrsBadger about going through abd organising your existing stuff into outfits.

Unsubscribe from all the marketing emails. Yes, even ASOS.

Personally I allow myself to shop - as in, walk around the shops - but not buy things. I make notes of things I might like, or take photos, so I know I have a record. Somehow that helps.

By removing the activity of shopping altogether, it's too hard. I miss it.

Also - return things.

I think you need to go cold turkey for a while. Allowing yourself one thing is leading you astray. Try it like a dry month or go all out and even limit what you can wear project 333

LOVE what you said MrsBadger! I add things to my shopping basket, think about it overnight, look in my wardrobe for similar things and nearly 100% of the time end up buying nothing

I also 'shop' my own wardrobe. And constantly rearrange and bring things to the front to remind me to wear them.

I often shop my own wardrobe in an ironed antique silk dressing gown - so that I can pretend I'm a 30's star with a fabulous wardrobe

Do you do most of your shopping online or in shops? I've unfollowed all fashion blogs and I unsubscribed from sale emails etc. They were my biggest temptation.

I agree waiting for 24hrs helps - most of the time I've forgotten about the thing that I was convinced my wardrobe couldn't survive without!

Maybe set yourself a goal that you will wear something different from your wardrobe every day for a month whilst going cold turkey on any new purchases.

Its hard... I approach getting dressed as more like dressing up, so I have lots of looks (boho/retro/ladylike chic are just a few!) and that "one last necklace/handbag/coat" will just make the outfit perfect, of course... but I probably have all the items I need already.

I set up a separate savings account and dedicated it to travel. Once I stopped looking online which is my weakness I put what I was going to spend on clothes into the account. I saved so much money and now I buy what I need rather than impulse buys which I never really wanted. I think if you can stop for a couple of months you break out of the habit.

Just wanted to say that as I was poised to buy a pairs of sandals in two different colours online to try to match with an outfit, I shopped my own wardrobe instead thanks to this thread and dug up some sandals I bought last year in the sale in autumn, which are perfect. So thanks guys, I'm £110 plus delivery saved (2 lots of sandals at £55 each!)

All I've got to do now is choose a nail polish colour (from my existing stash!)