Having ditched “no spending”, I am doing “consider” spending...

[Notcontent]

I really wanted to do a “no spending on clothes” 2019 as I don’t really need anything and I would be good to save more money. But I realised I don’t think I can (well, I would if I had to) as buying the occasional thing brings me pleasure and I feel like I really need that at the moment.

But I think I am doing well with “considered” spending - I.e. buying less and things that I will actually wear! So today I bought some plain black high waisted jeans - a very boring purchase, but I wanted some “smart” jeans as all my others are very casual. I was tempted by various pretty things but resisted and didn’t make the mistake of buying stuff that is lovely but I will never wear...

Anyone else?

I know what you mean Flo! I like new and interesting, and I like a bit of an edge. I also have many clothing personalities, so I don’t like to restrict myself too much. I have a capsule-ish wardrobe for my day-to-day wear right now (and for the next couple of years) because I generally know what I like to wear for work, for leisure and for going out. But it changes fairly regularly too. My work wardrobe especially is a bit more fluid, because I wait til the sales, preferably the heavily discounted stage, and then generally just try whatever appeals to me.

For me it’s the spending that can’t be mindless, simply put - that’s because I can’t afford to keep spending like I have. The approved purchases list is to help me not to want every lovely thing I see, because I generally will. It’s a checks and balances system to avoid mindlessly picking up things that I really don’t need and can’t afford to want. That doesn’t mean I won’t allow myself a wild card, or impulse buy, or something a little more out there, if I have the money available. But it will mean that I will have to choose which item I want most - can I do without something on my list, or would I really rather have that specific style of skirt/trousers/jacket/whatever, that’s on my list.

Another strategy I’ve got is I have an expensive item earmarked to save for. This year it is a Mulberry bag and scarf. Every time I spend I will have to ask myself, what do you want most, this thing now, or to be a little closer to that thing you really want. Because I really can no longer get away with having everything I want.

I can see the point about mistakes - also sometimes ‘classic’ things can be mistakes just because they don’t work for you (‘crisp white shirts’ look horrific on me, I finally realised this year).

I don’t think I could ever do ‘capsule’ dressing. For me, having lots of options, more than I actually really need is part of the fun. And so is the careful researching and planning etc. The considered-ness comes into it because I know I have a tendency to impulse shop or feel speedy when I feel happy or get good news... the opposite of traditional retail therapy where you shop to make yourself ‘feel better’!

So like you said Ninkaninus it’s a mirror to my emotional landscape, and being conscious of that is probably a good thing.

Anyway, what is on everyone’s ‘considering’ list? nosy

I start each year with a diary and write down what I spend.
I very rarely impulse buy , I will walk away for 24 hours then maybe order it online (I like M&S deliver to store) or browse online then buy in the shop.
Very rarely buy clothes online unseen in real life.

My weaknesses are jumpers and showergels.

I have just bought some in the M&S 20% off

I am more selective with jumpers after one got pulls in it after 2 wears (Primark not-such-a-bargain. And since they did the re-sizing , I struggle to find things that fit properly)

Better to buy one Woolovers than four Primark

I’ve got loooads of things on my list at the moment, but it’s kind of divided into various categories like, things I actually need things I definitely want, things I’ve seen and thought oh I like that but I could happily leave it if I had to, plus more expensive things some of which I won’t ever buy. There are also some things that I know I won’t buy unless I’m a size smaller (i fluctuate a fair bit and at the moment I’m on the bigger side of where I feel comfortable and I know what sort of things I feel good in and what things just wouldn’t suit me at this size). A big rule for this year is that I am not going to buy things to slim into - if it doesn’t fit me now (at point of wanting to purchase IYSWIM) I won’t be buying it.

The only things I’m definitely looking to buy for the summer are a black jumpsuit to wear in the evenings, a dusky pink evening bag, a pair of taupe heeled sandals (was going to be tanned but have decided on taupe to allow me to wear with aforementioned bag).

*tan. And apologies for missing punctuation!

I've done considered spending and now all of my clothes are really boring!

Why would all your clothes be boring? I don’t understand that. I still pick clothes I like, trendy items, interesting pieces and statement pieces. I just can’t have everything I want, all the time.

The quality and fabric of clothes is awful now, even expensive stuff is not necessarily nice fibres. Some styles are very unflattering and don't fit well.

My considering list:

2 berska jackets on asos
One is a winter one with a discount on it
The other a spring jacket at full price

I can live without them of course
But..jackets for some reason I’m very picky about as it’s hard to get them that aren’t cheap looking or looking the same as everyone else.
So I’m thinking about those.
But also thinking about the lovely summer we had and I’m hoping I don’t need a jacket at all!
So maybe the winter one and forget the spring one.

Yes woodhill it makes me sad that our quality of clothes are so bad.
In America the quality is unreal you would buy the bra and it would last you 30 years!

I've just bought a Joules coat, useful for Spring

This year, all my clothes/fashion spending will be considered, and I think it will be quite straightforward for a while as A) I really think the collections haven't signalled anything very new, and B) because last year I spent a lot, well, and er actually, I can't see any voids that need to be filled. I might need underwear or a couple of white T shirts, but nothing very spendy. So my considered is that I am only buying secondhand and vintage. And by definition, one is unlikely to spend more than £35 in my local stall, and that would be for a good designer item in more or less unworn condition.

Yes I'm with you! There's only one thing I want to buy... a pair of Lucy and Yak black dungarees!

Slippermaiden - buy the dungarees! I did and they are amazing.

Notsure I do have a midi pinafore dress from them, I love it! The dungarees keep going out of stock, but they are in stock at the moment, I'll get a pair!

I know- I was lucky to get a pair before they went out of stock. As soon as they arrived I wanted another pair too in a different colour as one is just not enough! I really love wearing them. I'm sure the black ones will come back in stock soon.