Not shopping anymore

[julietmanchester]

I've been reading some interesting articles about how some people haven't bought any major clothing items (aside from socks, knickers, etc).

I am trying to institute this very difficult task for the next 2 years minimum.

Anyone else have tried/done this? Any tips? Was it difficult or easy? Why did you do it? Any comments welcome.

I take my hat off to you! Two years is a loong time. I try and do two shopping-free months () per year but that's about as much as I can manage.

I presume you've already come across Hannah Rochell https://enbrogue.com and Lauren Bravo, who have both written a lot in this area? Hannah Rochell has written some pieces for Stylist about her year of not buying clothes (which ended up being not quite a year, but for interesting reasons).

Lauren Bravo has a book called How to Break Up With Fast Fashion which you might find useful. She also contributed to a big article in the Guardian recently on this very topic (which you might well have already read!).

Sorry I know you were asking for personal experience, which I don't have, but watching this thread with interest.

What about allowing clothes from charity shops? Then if for example you need a new coat you can get one, but no new resources being used and it’s going to a good cause.

I couldn't not buy anything for 2 years, that just sounds totally joyless to me! But I now basically only buy clothes from charity shops or second hand on ebay. Obviously underwear and socks I buy new, and basics like layering t shirts and leggings etc I will buy new. But everything else I now buy second hand, with very few exceptions (ie. If I reeeeeallllly want something).

Its more fun than just going shopping normally and I have got some great stuff for so cheap, and it's much more sustainable. I have had a few ebay misses, but the hits far out weigh them. Coats and shoes are my favourite!

I should have also said OP that I think you're brilliant for doing this! I've been buying so much stuff recently and I know I don't need it. Just emotional online shopping

I generally only buy for myself when I need something, but do my impulse shopping for DD. I have spent a lot less since March. Have only bought essentials online.
The prospect of browsing in shops has no appeal right now.

God two years sounds hard. DH and I had a "no spend September" where we were only allowed to buy food. That was interesting and harder for non clothing related purchases than anything else.

Why 2 years though? Do you plan to go back to normal after that? Why not make more gradual changes? I dunno,I don't mean to challenge you at all but for me it wouldn't be achievable I don't think. I'd have to take a more phased in approach.

I have bought very little this year. 4 jumpers.
But I have lots of clothes...2 wardrobes full and 2 chest of drawers.
I don't buy high fashion and like quality. I culled a lot during lockdown, and really could get rid of another 20-30 pieces.
I mainly buy online as I am tall, and to be honest nothing excites me. I hate the 70s dress look, having worn it first time round.

I’ve done this throughout my life. I read or heard about a concept called ‘Money Diet’ once and it really spoke to something in me. Basically not buying things that were not good for me just because they made me feel good in that moment.

My biggest extravagances/wastes were CDs (remember those), books, cosmetics and skincare. I also repeat-bought clothes in every colour if I found something I liked, although I’d only ever wear one or two favourite colours.

The first money diet cleared my shopping addiction and after that it’s been a savings drive for big life changes like a house move or maternity leave or - as now - a new kitchen.

This year I’ve bought three bras (went up a size in lockdown) and a pair of trousers (elasticated waist but smart enough for school run in case I bumped into a professional contact).

I haven't bought anything for nearly 15 months now. It wasn't intentional and I have plenty of clothes so can't be bothered to look for any more. I'm enjoying using the ones I have just as much and saving money too.

I did it for a whole year and it has MASSIVELY changed my shopping habits

I loved it- I was allowed to replace broken items, and replace underwear if needed (I actually didn't need to)
Now I rarely buy- and when I do , I try to get it from charity shops - it makes me feel frugal, sustainable etc. I occasionally do buy from Primark (currently wearing a long sleeve base layer from there) but I will treat that like an investment, will wear until it wears out (last one lasted 5 years) I am trying to be minimal and sustainable though- I got my sister on board and she loves it too!

@crochetmonkey74

Did it change your shopping habits for good?

The reason I'm doing this is because I have items with tags still hanging in my closet; and I have plenty of clothes for the next 2 years and beyond. I also shop out of boredom, not because I actually need a new dress or another black heel.

I just click when something could be work for some event in the future, it keeps building up in my closet, I literally don't need anything for two years or more. My closet has everything you can think of- gowns, work dresses, tailored suits, jeans, jumpers, plenty of leggings, some some with tags on them.

I mean to write: I just click and buy for a future event that could happen. 'That would be perfect for a wedding' or 'what a great pair of trousers for work' or 'perfect dress for a client meeting' or 'lovely dress or top for date night' or 'cute shoes for night out with the girls'.

It is becoming ridiculous.

I use up all my skincare no matter what so I do splurge on those, because it is always used up.

It's things like dresses, tailored jackets, etc I never wear. I have plenty of them and want to stop being wasteful.

It's become a very strange habit to have a closet full of clothes that are not worn, but needs to be used.

I resolved last April not to buy any new clothes for a year. Then, with Covid, I haven’t got around to restarting. I’m happy to make it a permanent thing (with exceptions for underwear and leggings). It’s made me much more conscious of what I want vs what I need, and think more carefully about longevity of the things I buy second hand and their impact on the environment.

My current plan is to buy things on a replacement-only basis as they wear out (I don't have tonnes of clothes so do find things wear out). We're in Tier 2, so minimal socialising, plus work have introduced uniform where previously I wore office-wear. I'm hoping that the fact I can't justify buying new stuff just to sit at home in will help me develop healthier shopping habits even after lockdown.

Right now I need to replace a chunky jumper (few holes that I've repaired badly), jersey day dress (went saggy after 6-7 years of wear), running leggings (too fat for my old ones and they dig), and ankle boots (coming away at the soles, not in a repairable way). That's still a fair few things to give me the new clothes buzz.

Yes it definitely has changed me for good- but you need to get creative- I keep a running wishlist in my diary- or you can do a spreadsheet/ pinterest page

Half the time I look back at the wishlist and can't remember exactly what I was picturing
I have a fantastically stylish colleague- she owns about 20 items of clothing- she has one dress that she wears to work at least once a week (it's a paisley shirt dress) she has also worn this to a graduation with a polo neck under and long boots, and for a wedding with a big necklace and shawl.

I think it is hard initially to shift your understanding of how to make your wardrobe work- you need to stop buying and breathe for a bit

Another friend was in the same position as you- with clothes still with tags on- she sold them on ebay- kept the money in her pay pal and resolved that the only clothes she could buy was with the clothes sale money she raised - this made her more careful, she waited longer for things, really considered them, or bought them from ebay - all of which made her wait. I really think it is worth doing- especially if you are feeling slightly out of control with your buying

Charity shops
Ebay
Shpock

For clothes, but careful with them the same as other shops - it can still get addictive.

I am having a word with myself right now, because I am always buying/selling on shpcok. Its become a habit, although now if I want something, I can almost always get it off shpock as someone will be selling one nearby

(I'm picking up heated rollers to try, inspired by a thread I read on here, for £4. In the past I would have been buying them new. Just to try them and likely find they're not for me)

There are plenty of ways to shop and still be frugal. Im also a fan of swapping or borrowing clothes. For my brother wedding I borrowed a dress off a mate who is roughly the same size as me. I brought a preloved jacket off ebay and felt brilliant!

Good on you op, for changing up your habits! My mum shops like you, and it makes me sick. She had wardrobes rammed with stuff, most of it hardly worn, she can spent hundreds of pounds in just one shopping trip. I just don't understand it.

My current plan is to buy things on a replacement-only basis as they wear out
This is really the first step, alongside getting rid of anything that feels uncomfortable in any way/ makes you feel rubbish

Not quite the same but I buy second hand probably around 75% of the time and I've also gone back to making my own clothes. I've occasionally wondered about a new year resolution to buy nothing new for 12 months, but I think that psychologically I need that 'get out' even if I don't use it very often. As it is, I'm selective and most of the time I only buy new if I can't find what I want secondhand or can't make it myself or if I want something specialised like a waterproof coat. With a total ban, I think I'd be more likely to obsess over new things, fall off the wagon and then be so disheartened that I'd give up altogether.

Have you seen the closet organising apps like stylebook or smart closet? I spent a great afternoon photographing and listing everything I owned. I don't actually use it to choose outfits but it made me think about whether I needed to buy any more smart dresses when I live in leggings. I also like the concept of 'shopping my wardrobe' where I look for something I have never worn and wear it on a Monday. Most of my things have had a turn outside now!

Yes Floisme I think a get out is good- sometimes you might genuinely love something or need it new- this is why I like the idea of 'banked' money from clothes sales, it's there waiting for you

I've been doing this since January.

So far the only things I've bought have been a couple of hoodies and a pair of harems (lockdown made my normally smart wardrobe useless and I genuinely had very little in between pjs and office wear!)

I've just ordered a raincoat as we've moved to the countryside and similarly I have lots of nice elegant coats, but not much-loved in the waterproof category.

Other than that I haven't bought any. I do sew so I've bought some fabric and made myself a few bits, more as a hobby than anything else. Maybe that's a bit of a cheat but it's a fair distance from fast fashion.

I've not bought a crap of makeup or skincare either - i had absolutely bucketloads. I think I'll need to buy tinted moisturiser and mascara soon but it's not getting much use these days...

I’ve been gradually reducing the clothes/shoes/bags I’ve bought over the past 3 years. It’s been less about spending less for me, and more about building a wardrobe that has lower turnover IYSWIM. Because I’m a nerd, I’ve kept notes on my phone since 2018 listing out everything I’ve bought, when and cost. In 2018, I bought 78 things (which seems shocking to me now, 6-7 things each month!). Last year, I reduced it to 42 and so far this year it’s 26 so far - I expect it to be around 30.

I’ve learned quite a lot. Buying anything in January/February is a complete waste - it isn’t new season and I don’t wear it. I buy a lot in April, June/July sales, and October for the season changes.
I much prefer having fewer things in higher rotation and things I really love. I’ve sold lots on eBay over the summer which feels like a big relief, and I’m starting to see the wood for the trees.
So I feel my relationship with shopping is healthier, and I don’t feel I’m wasting money on things that just won’t earn their keep. But I really love clothes and bags, I also love planning outfits and making sure I’ve got what I want and need (mostly the former if I’m honest...). So not shopping at all isn’t a goal, not spending isn’t a goal, having a wardrobe that works for me is the goal but I know that for me that involves adding things throughout the year.
There’s not a single bone in my body that thinks 2 years no shopping would be doable for me 😊 ( unless in financial crisis of course). Best of luck!