I've had a no/second hand only shopping year

[XingMing]

and soon I shall need to re-buy staple garments. What am I looking for? I have bought shoes and underwear new, but I stopped looking at new stuff. I am not in the market for designer anything, and I am 63 with a back catalogue of quality stuff. So what is going to give my classics a big reboot?

Gosh, well done!

Inspiring!

Wow. I'm hugely impressed. I've no suggestions to answer your question, bit would you share some of your experience? I'd love to do a no/minimal spend 2020 and any inspiration would be brilliant.

Well done - I am really impressed. Can you tell us what you did?
I stopped 4 months once - it was something interesting - I just got out habit looking. It was also incredibly freeing.

I rarely buy anything new (unless it’s in the the charity shop with labels.)

I will spend hundreds on nice boots/ shoes.

I have an amazing wardrobe. People are very wasteful, in the last few months I’ve bought, cashmere jumpers (£5) Italian wool trousers (£6) brand new whistles wool /cashmere coat (£30) merino jumper (£5) LK bennet dress (£10) Stunning max mara silk blouse (£3.50) to name a few.

I have lots of time to look, which helps.

Re. your question - What's your style OP? What sort of things are you looking to buy?

Well done!

I stopped buying all clothes (apart from a pair of boots I need) in April and hopefully can continue until next April.

Like you I have too many good quality clothes that were not being worn as well as other 'stuff' which all went to the local womens refuge.

OP, what to you need to fill in the gaps?

Polydocket well done!. I think time does make a difference. I always say that we have to choose in life between time and money - we waste an awful lot of money because we don’t value our time.

I once tried a no clothes (including 2nd hand) New Years resolution of no clothes and lasted until October. It was not difficult .

I think for me it is habitual. I know I have enough. I buy a lot in charity shops though so I have to go cold turkey.

If you have a lot in stock, what about a good bag? I try to buy accessories to make outfits of the things I have waiting to be worn

Like you I have not really been buying cloths this year as I have loads already only two pairs of sandals were bought in April when they were on a special 50% off day. But I have a few big balls to go to in November and December and I think I will give in and purchase a new dress for these as I looked at old ones and I just want to get a lovely new red dress!! O I just remembered I bought a new dress in summer for a wedding!! But that’s been it two pair sandals one dress for wedding and probably I’m going to buy one new cocktail or evening dress. But that been really good for me I just love cloths but I really do have.enough!! As for you buying something to reboot your wardrobe how about a pair of leopard print ankle boots dune have some lovely ones. I bought a pair last year and I just love them!!

I'd be looking for a naughty bit of fast fashion to shake things up a bit. E.g - although I'm not sure if they're your thing - one of those unfitted floral dresses in autumnal colours (I'm not sure if they're my thing either but I'm finding myself warming to them).
Or something in a current colour - brown is back (hurray!)
Or some square toe shoes?
I know you've got plenty of coats but have you got one long enough to accommodate the longer length hemlines?
One thing I find sometimes struggle with second hand is finding current jeans: plenty of low rise and, increasingly skinnies but not much chance of finding say some Whistles Barrel Legs if you like that shape (I may be projecting here).

More ideas here: https://www.whowhatwear.co.uk/autumn-winter-2019-trends

A nice scarf? Well done op! I've also done a no spend for a number of months before, I found it went well but as soon as I started looking at stuff again it was so easy to fall back into bad habits so beware!

Thanks all. It's just to alleviate the boredom of seeing the same things all the time really. I think Flo is probably on the money suggesting a naughty bit of fast fashion. We have a good secondhand market stall, but the charity shops aren't exciting here (it's fairly agricultural) and the High Streets are pedestrian. I think I'll stick to my resolve a bit longer.

For the how I stopped shopping, it's actually been fairly easy as I don't feel there's anything much in the shops that would both be flattering and very novel. I read a few days ago that current looks are quite similar to the last few years, and I moved on from skinny jeans some time ago. I also bought a lot last year.

That's amazing op! I really want to do the same... maybe now is the time!

Allowing yourself new shoes and underwear sounds like a sensible compromise.

We are quite lucky with charity shops here and I've had a few good things from eBay.

I'm heavy on shoes, so need to replace them at sensible intervals.

Today, I took out a pair of ivory and (fake) metallic snakeskin ankle boots that I've had for about six years to wear with ancient black 501s and a check shirt, swapped with another owned by DS. I haven't left the house, but I feel as though I considered what I was wearing -- if only to bring the garden furniture indoors for winter, between downpours!

Good link @Flo; I'm enjoying it, although not spurred into any buying. I love the dark floral prints, but the shapes would make me look like a decorated toadstool. I'm not tall or willowy enough to wear shapeless outfits and look decent.