One item a month - £100 limit.

[ComeBackPeterComeBackPaul]

That's it really. Want to buy one decent item of clothing every month instead of loads of crap. Where to go, what to buy.........?

I’ve been doing better at this over the last year or so - one truly lovely pair of trousers from Cos instead of two static-y Topshop pairs and so on. I slipped a bit as the weather got nicer, and was seduced by cheap and cheerful t-shirts, but this month have bought a beautiful jumper in the Bella Freud sale which I know I will wear loads, and nothing else. (The jumpers are down around the £100 mark, which I realise is still criminally expensive, but I have a few others, all sale buys, and I love them so much years on.)

On tights, about five years ago I bought one pair of Falke tights every month for six months, and binned all my other tights. Each pair is still going strong. I like the 100 denier matt ones. I prefer Falke to Wolford, I think it’s the sizing - S, M, or L, instead of S/M or M/L - but they are around the same price bracket.

I'm not convinced that 1 item a month, or 12 a year, is realistic. Things wear out quicker if you haven't got many + for practical reasons you can't just have 3 tops in total.

When I did my Mats, I worked out 2 items/month is the minimum if you include shoes and bags.

Thanks ladies, Wolford tights are on next month's shopping list and might try Falke too after Judy's post.

I’m not convinced that 1 item a month, or 12 a year, is realistic

Speaking for myself, my wardrobes are bulging. If I buy one item a month, by the end of the year, e.g. I will have 112 tops instead of the 100 I now have.

JoJO Mo0st people will have plenty in their wardrobes already. This thread isn't about starting from scratch, but about buying substantially fewer items and choosing them really carefully.

I could buy nothing for a year and probably never repeat an outfit. For shame.

Q

Well, if someone has tons of stuff already, then I can see how 1/month can work.

I’ve improved with my cheap fixes but I’m sometimes still seduced by the latest Zara must-have. I’m way fussier about fabrics now, whic automatically reduces my spend because so much fabric in shops is bleurgh.

I’m on the lookout for a navy or black coat. I had hoped to get one in the sales but haven’t.
A couple of silk shirts. I’m resigned to paying full price.
Wolford are Falke are so worth it. Even at full price. They’re so comfy and wag and wear for years. I like the Wolford velvet 66 but I’m moving to less opaque and last winter bought slightly more sheer ones. I am back to embracing the horror that was barely black. Honestly I am. Gone right of the heavy opaques. I should be kicked of S+B.

Wag and wear?? That’s a new one. Flapping my tights in the wind. Pretty picture.
Obviously I mean wash and wear

I got a black silk shirt in the M&S sale today. I don't think their silk washes terribly well but thought it worth a try for £19.

Bump

I love this thread and came back to read it. - a great one to keep going!

I am pinteresting everything I like so that I can mull it over.

I’m also going to do a lot of trying on of eg whistles stuff when the new stock comes in, so that I can be ready when the offers start coming in.

I’d also really like to buy a lovely cross body small black mulberry - I’m so far trying to not buy ANY summer clothes from here on in and really wait in the autumn... four or five months of not buying a single thing, or makeup either as have more than enough, and i could really afford it! I find it so hard to believe in a way, and yet I could fritter that easily!

Like others, I realised I had more than enough basics and I’m trying to wear my ‘favourite’ or ‘for best’ clothes to death.

Where would you recommend for cashmere and merino sweaters? Afraid to try m&s as their sizing and quality are hit and miss and I don't live near a store. Would be willing to travel to try on though.

anois as part of my mission to buy less/better I did extensive cashmere sweater research last winter! I ended up buying a black polo neck from M&S, and a grey crew neck from J-crew. The J-Crew one is far better quality, but cost a lot more - I bought it in JL with a voucher I got for Christmas. The M&S one has washed well, and I got it with a Sparks 20% thing which made it pretty reasonable. I’m a size 10, and got an M&S 10, I think the JC is Medium.

^^ Thanks Judy, off to research J-Crew now! 😂

I like this idea - so sick of buying things that aren't long lasting and I'd rather pay money for things I can get a good few years out of. It was interesting reading the thread about m&s and how many people had relatives with clothes from years ago that were still in great condition.

Tights - I haven't tried Wolford but I swear by Snag - they're cheap too and a wide range of sizes.

I am intrigued by all the Wolford recommendations... I've always been tempted but seem to revert to m&s every year.

If anyone's looking for decent denim, I was in tk maxx earlier (it usually stresses me out but it was quiet!) and they had a good range of current / Elliot.

I tried to find J-Crew online with shipping to Ireland with no luck, very limited selection on JL website. I took a chance on a different brand and also got a pair of Wolford tights.

www.johnlewis.com/wolford-matte-opaque-80-denier-tights-black/p1541188?size=m

www.johnlewis.com/winser-london-boyfriend-jumper/midnight-navy/p3981046?size=m

Sweater is dry clean only, but I love the V neck and relaxed fit. That's next month budget on my credit card, but I'll pay in full before interest is charged. It'll also stop me buying cheaper things, so it's really a saving! 🤔😂

Good buys, anois!

This is my jumper:

www.johnlewis.com/j-crew-everyday-cashmere-crew-neck-jumper/heather-grey/p4197036

Mine is less fitted than on the model, it feels like wearing a hug.

Thanks Judy, I love that grey but I'm too booby for a crew neck!

John Lewis are trying to target this market with their Modern Rarity label. I had a personal shop there recently for a smart casual business trip, and most of the stuff that ended up in the bag was this label.

I think the trouble with a £100 per month/ 1 item per month approach are the big ticket items. I bought a new winter coat last year, it was 100% wool and will last a good while (not my only coat) but was £175 on black friday so substantially reduced. I also bought shoes that week, also massively reduced in the sales and 'only' £120. I'd been watching both for a few months but that was 3 months spending (I did actually spend £100pcm on clothing last year but averaged 2 items per month, some mo ths with nothing or 1 cheap thing, some September with more).

True 100 p/m won't always be possible, but once this becomes a habit it will even out in time. You're unlikely to buy a wool coat every year for example if you buy a classic style. However good quality clothes in natural fabrics will frequently cost more, I'm planning on 200 p/m (and probably 1 or 2 items) to avoid compromising.