I am not going to buy clothes in 2020

[DuchessMinnie]

I have a stuffed-to-bursting wardrobe and I have everything covered from beach to snow to weddings and parties. I don't need to buy any more clothes, I need to lose 2 stone so that everything in my wardrobe fits me.

I have just binged in the sales and have bought another 3 dresses, 2 tops and a pair of work trousers. I really, really don't need anything. Anyone else?

My outfits in January- by far the most used was my Chloe bag which has a very good price per wear now. And my black joggers which I wear when working from home.

A purchase free month for me too! Congratulations to everyone else. Haven't been as tempted as I thought I might be. This must be my first clothing free month since I started earning 12 years ago...

Well done to the non spenders! duchessminnie is that photo of all your January clothes from a styling app?

I know I failed a bit today but I’m taking the positives from the situation. In the changing rooms I really liked a pair of jeans and another long sleeved top. But I had a word with myself that I didn’t need either. So this thread is totally reining me in that’s for sure.

@Igottastartthinkingbee it's Stylebook- I find it helps! Well done for resisting- every little helps :)

This is a cool thread. My problem is the thinking that if I still buy this and this item, then my wardrobe is complete and won’t buy anything for a long time. But then new items always seem to appear on that list. Right now it’s a really nice and comfy cardigan. I’m thinking once I have that, I’ll have more use for all the lighter tops I have to wear underneath. Chances are though that a need for new nice tops would be triggered for this purpose ...

I guess I won’t promise myself no new purchases at all. But I will be very very mindful about it, only buy stuff I love and will try to choose more sustainable options even at a significantly higher price. I will also go through my existing wardrobe and start wearing everything I have.

As for cosmetics, I would love to get to a point where I have simply one of each product category that I use, and then just replace those as needed. One cleanser, toner, serum, cream, eye cream, mask. Now I have a pile of stuff. I’m not the worst hoarder but can be better for sure.

Honestly these threads always make me wonder how can we be so addicted to stuff and buying that we actually need “peer support” and discussion forums to manage and get rid of all of it.

Well, it is 01 Feb and I have not bought any clothes so far. I am with you OP. I too have some lovely clothes that I hardly ever wear. I have lots of really expensive cashmere. gorgeous coats, great boots and do I wear them - no! I pull out the same crap all the time and look a mess.

I too need to lose 1.5 stone and feel good before I feel worthy of my nose clothes.

I've bought nothing new for 3 years now. I've learnt to sew and buy vintage, charity shop clothes which I alter to fit. I feel better dressed and more stylish than I used to be.

Well done, tenred. I too used to buy only (midcentury) vintage clothing but bought so much of it that I am having to go cold turkey on that too. Is hard resisting the Lilli Anns even now.

I am so frugal elsewhere. Packed lunches, swapping utility providers regularly, no bought coffees, only ever the odd takeaway. But beautiful clothes are my passion. Everything I own I love and wear (or make the occasion to wear). I just have far too much of it all!

And am about to make my fortnightly trip to the seamstress for some alterations. Absolutely the key to making everything suit you perfectly.

Placemarking. Will be back to read through

Purchase free january here. I set myself a target of getting to February payday. So only 20 days left!!!

A full month managed here today, both clothes and cosmetics. I think this must be the first time ever that I have not purchased stuff during the January sales.

Me too, no clothing purchases in January. I have found unsubscribing from the marketing emails and unfollowing my favourite shops on social media has really helped me resist the temptation.

Unsubscribing from marketing emails definitely helps. And have also avoided going into clothes shops or logging onto instagram (where lots of the vintage clothes sellers are).

Am falling in love with my clothes all over again. Not that I didn't appreciate them before (they all spark joy) but there is something about not being able to find a thrill from a new purchase that I find really focuses the mind on the wonderful details of the clothes I already own.

One month down - well done us!

I nearly bought some trainers last week, but managed to shut that down before doing any damage. I have great trainers already.

04 Feb and not bought a thing yet. It is not as hard as I thought.
This week I have started wearing and washing my jumpers. I have about 15 and only work 2 of them all winter as I've grabbed them off the top of the pile. I'm washing and putting them away and aim to get through the pile by the time the weather warms up.

No clothes bought so far!

Had a wardrobe clear out at the weekend. I only have a small wardrobe and it was getting cluttered in big old jumpers that I dont wear. They have gone into the donation pile. I have one pair of blue jeans which have been worn constantly for the past 3 years, they have worn thin and have a hole in a risque area, so I have ordered a (second hand) replacement. Also ordered another pair of (second hand) black casual trousers to get more wear out of the sweaters I'm keeping. We will see when they arrive how happy I am with those purchases!

I have 2 pair of jeans & I wear them all winter long. Last week they were both in the wash and I CBA to do a load. This forced me to dive into my wardrobe & I really enjoyed wearing dresses, tights, skirts etc - sometimes we let habit guide us to much.

I'm having a (rare) day in the office tomorrow and I think I'll wear a dress for a change.

42 days!! That makes it a full 6 weeks. I am sooo proud of myself. I know 6 weeks isn't long but I was completely addicted to shopping. I would rarely go a week without buying something, and was always searching for something to "complete" my wardrobe. I am slowly recovering financially now.

This week I have started wearing and washing my jumpers. I have about 15 and only work 2 of them all winter as I've grabbed them off the top of the pile. I'm washing and putting them away and aim to get through the pile by the time the weather warms up.im trying to train myself to do this, I buy new things but don't wash and wear iron and put away what I've got.

6 weeks here too, and it feels like a miracle! Paid off my next account in full, still making money rather than spending it too which is nice

well done everyone!! Awesome you are seeing a big improvement in the finances. The planet thanks you too.

I don't really notice any change there are I tend not to shop too much anyway - I disconnected from that lifestyle shopping thing a few years back. It is still a habit not to buy ANY clothes - I do tend to buy online a few times a year. I'm going to a wedding in April and I am planning on making a dress for that.

I have found/rediscovered an awesome handbag I'd forgotten about - the handle has broken - I meant to send it back for repair and then forgot, but its a super nice handbag. So I will take it to Timpsons for a repair as I don't think it will cost much - it just needs access to a eaving sewing machine to sew thick leather. And then I'll pretty much have a new handbag.

I've also managed no purchases in Jan and up to now.
So proud of myself.

I’m ashamed to admit it but… I lasted only 33 days, and then my life took a crazy turn and my emotions went through the roof. As a result, I bought three pairs of cashmere socks… and a fancy dress... and two pairs of shoes. I need to calm down before I deplete my bank account!

The good news is I've counted a total number of my clothes/shoes/accessories. And the result is… 251 items across 25 categories 😧 I have no idea how much I have spent to acquire all of these items as I did not keep the receipts (except for the items purchased in 2020 and mentioned above), but I will be tracking my clothing expenses from now on.