Toying with the idea of not buying any new clothes/shoes/accessories in 2021

[TableNiner]

I spend a lot of my time looking for new clothes, ordering clothes and returning clothes. I have more than enough to last a year and wonder if I should challenge myself, just feels very daunting. I would save a lot of time, money and environmental impact. Has anyone done this or do you think you could?

I've failed this month. I was upset by mothers day and bought myself a couple of things. I used the BoB bra measuring system and came out at a totally different size to what I was wearing so I bought myself a new bra to try out the new size. I don't think this is my year to do this, I've been homeschooling 3 DCs off/on for a year, we can't go anywhere and not buying clothes just feels like another challenge right now. I'll continue to cut down and follow this thread for inspiration.

Well done to everyone who is still going with this, or is just being a little bit more mindful. My target was three months so almost there, although I have bought a few things second hand on eBay - that’s partly a hobby as I have been using them to upcycle/practice alterations.

I was watching Trinny earlier showing off some new clothes but she was being very vague about her position on various brands including her beloved Zara. Zara is ‘not good enough’ according to the Good On You app. I guess new clothes are her business but this sort of thing just encourages more consumption and seems increasingly irresponsible.
Planning to attend this event next week on just this topic.

I might buy one or two bits for the changing season then try another three months. It’s hard when you are interested in fashion and your skinny jeans start feeling a bit passé or your style evolves.

I made it to March just about but since then have bought some pants, a plain T-shirt, a hoodie and some pyjamas. Ordered a couple of other things but sent them back as not 100% right. Trying to be more mindful. However I am so looking forward to a good mooch round John Lewis!

TableNiner you've done really well. I've been an epic fail. But, I've reached the point I have to change something because I have literally run out of room. Unless I start piling things up floor to ceiling like a proper hoarder, which I obviously don't want to do.

The stuff I've bought over the past few months has been of a totally different style to what I had before. I made a conscious decision only to buy things that were different to what I already had, so I'm hoping being able to switch between totally different looks will help me not to shop more.

I've let go of some items which were worn out, not totally like ripped or something, which has always been my 'get rid' marker in the past, but anything that made me feel less than fabulous. I harnessed the power of equality for that. I read it somewhere the guide for recycling is in terms of quality would you buy it yourself? If not then you recycle instead of donating. It made me think, if I wouldn't buy it or donate it in its current state then it's ok to not be wearing it either, given that everyone is equal including me. Also got rid of some things that didn't fit. I tried to alter them first, if possible, in most cases unsuccessfully. However this means my donated and recycled things have been guilt free because I know I did all I could to attempt to make them wearable first.

I know what you mean about style evolving. I try to use fashion magazines to think of new ways to wear favourite things so they don't look dated and still reflect how I feel. There are sometimes occasions where being the height of fashion isn't necessary eg skinny jeans to wear with Wellington boots for a winter's walk. If you sell unwanted things on I think that's ok too, because it doesn't matter who is wearing something just that someone is. With donation, recycling or of course binning, you never know if the clothes actually end up being worn by someone or if they go to landfill. I find I'm really motivated about avoiding things going to landfill unnecessarily.

@TableNiner I’m really into using the Good on You app too at the moment and when I do buy going for the better rated shops. This month I am quite pleased with myself...I bought two work skirts (teacher back in the classroom but stepped down from a senior post and as such my wardrobe looks a bit too swish for being back in the classroom) to make use of a lot of tops I have. One NWT from eBay and one from M&S as I feel happy with their ethical stance. I did also however get an unexpected voucher so a treat from glossier came my way too this month 😊 Feeling like now I’ve only bought 5 things since January that I’m in a good place with this and much more conscious and ethical with my choices - it was harder to start with though!

@AmberItsACertainty I’ve been trying not to buy the same old things too (eBay) and have ended up with a leopard print sleeveless shirt which really works but would never have bought new. I very much have a uniform, so that tends to take up less space but I am definitely at capacity. I only have an IKEA child’s wardrobe. I really don’t know why I still get such urges to buy new things when I already have lots of lovely bits. It really does have to be about shopping your own wardrobe.

@SarBear1980 Well done. I am incredibly fussy and have a difficult figure to dress so am wondering how I’d get on only shopping ethically. For example I only wear low rise jeans as I hate my stomach being compressed in any way (also rules out tights) and they are hard enough to find without adding new criteria. But I think the effect will be I buy very little, which is fine. Interesting to discover M&S are rated good, I was starting to wonder if any high street chain was acceptable

Oh hello!

Signing up, very late! Planning to do three months to begin with, as suggested at the beginning of the thread. Would like to do a full year.

I have been doing 'low buy' and a capsule wardrobe for a while now. I feel as if my wardrobe is complete now, (not perfect, as there is the odd thing I will upgrade at some point, when they wear out). I do not need time add anything more to it.

I've definitely cut down. I had initially splurged on the first lockdown but have slowed down since. It was so nice going to actual shops on Saturday. I bought a dress in one of my favourite local independent shops and then a couple of t -shirts and a top in a local Next outlet, the difference being I immediately came home and reassessed things I had and put some stuff aside for the charity shop. DH said it was a one in three out basis.

It was also good to go through what I had, trying on a chunky belt with a summer dress for instance, to create new looks.

I could do with some new black jeans and some flat shoes but I'll wait for a shopping trip. DH is talking about an Ashford outlet trip in a few weeks so I'll look to get those things then.

I did this over five years ago and apart from a couple of bras have bought nothing new since ... I do buy the occasional item from a charity shop and I really ought to buy some new walking shoes or trainers but I see no reason to 'update' my wardrobe - it is very liberating not to buy more and more 'stuff'.

Love that @Ragwort.

Welcome to the thread! I’m still yet to buy any new clothing in 2021. This is highly unusual for me as I’m very interested in style/what people wear. It’s helped by the fact that

A) I bought quite a bit in 2020 as had time to sort out/evaluate and there’s also been more of colours that suit me around (browns, oranges)
B) Still not really going anywhere and certainly not work every day where I used to struggle to be happy with outfits and always think the answer was something new
C) Watching fast fashion docs, eg The True Cost. I think it’s quite easy for us to shut our minds to how our clothes are made and reach us and also to feel better if we donate clothes to charity. Unfortunately these days a lot of those clothes aren’t suitable for resale and end up in massive landfill sites in places like Ghana.
D) I’m not overly impressed with the new in lines, either more of the same or cheap looking and my existing clothes seem better. It’s all increasingly underwhelming.
E) I have allowed myself some eBay second hand stuff to feed the addiction
F) The season/weather doesn’t feel like it’s changed much. In any case my summer stuff doesn’t get much wear so always feels quite fresh

People say they can’t afford to spend £40 on a T-shirt then spend the same amount on poor quality stuff which doesn’t necessarily last. I was interested in the thread where people were bemoaning the fact sometimes cost and quality seem totally unrelated which I agree with. Places like Jigsaw selling cheap, poorly made stuff at high prices is worse to me than Primark doing it. I just hope as time goes on we do get some reliable, affordable (if we accept we should buy less), stylish, ethical brands into the mainstream. This whole phenomenon is twenty years old now and I can’t see how we can go another twenty with such abusive and environmentally damaging practices.

Thanks for welcome op and the tips as well .

I have spent the first months of 2021 falling back into bad patterns of buying clothes as entertainment (online obviously) after a really good wardrobe declutter and focus on style and quality in 2020. Waiting for 2 orders I did at the weekend and feeling guilty before they arrive.

I need to get back into good habits. Might need to go through pants and socks first before I start to check I don't need them but then I would like to join this thread to help keep me on track. I don't need any new clothes!

I had planned to only buy second hand clothes, for sustainability and ethical reasons. I was doing so well, but sadly I cracked yeserday and bought a 'Little House on the Prairie' dress from M&S. I comfort myself that M&S are one of the better retailers in relation to labour practices and global supply chains, however it is a new item of clothing that did not have to be created. I am sure I would have found similar in a charity shop if I could have waited - which I should have.

I have just got my last item by delivery before hopefully a year of no buy; ordered at the weekend.

I'm thinking I won't go near eBay for a while, (except to sell), as I tend to impulse buy on there. Ditto charity shops. After three months, I will maybe have a look there though.

I've just taken a bag of clothes to the charity shop and also posted some dresses and trousers, which I've sold on ebay. It is good to have more going out and hopefully none coming in, in terms of stuff and also money...or the opposite with money, I think I mean 🤔.

I've definitely cut down on spending, well covid has helped, only 4 new items so far, and some second hand off ebay, but I don't count them, but today I was returning two cushions to john lewis I brought online, and on the way out, spotted a black cashmere jumper in the sale for £35. And a hush top sale price £25. I couldn't resist, I thought, well it's the first time I have been shopping in a store since last year.

@lindyloo57, your post has just made me think that I'm starting at exactly the wrong time . just when the real life shops open! Oh well.

After doing so well up to now I’ve have not had as good a month! The actual shops were very disappointing though so that has helped stay mostly on track! It’s been going back to work that has done it for me- this time last year I was online teaching so had no need for spring/summer work items. This year I felt I’ve needed some bits to utilise the rest of my wardrobe...I have only bought new trousers though as I struggle with them and a specific style/shape from M&S always work and the rest has been eBay - two blazers and some black heels- all new with tags so new to me though 😊 I also bought the zebra print shirt from Baukjen...I love it!!

Hello!

Just checking in really. I've got rid of a lot of stuff lately, so my wardrobe is looking very sparse at the moment! I keep finding things I haven't worn in ages and putting them on ebay etc. It's weirdly addictive, getting rid of things!

Anyway, I do think I'll end up getting a few bits secondhand. But, in my defence, this would be to replace the many things I've sold or donated recently.

Polly sounds like you're doing well.

I'm still buying, but I'm putting things in my basket then putting half of them back, because they're too similar to what I have or I can't imagine anything in my vast wardrobe to wear it with. I'm only buying things I love, liking it isn't enough. It's an improvement.

@PollyThePony I got rid of some of my shoes. There were pairs that I just never reached for, and I’m sure I won’t miss them. I am selling some on eBay but also took some to an upmarket charity shop. It’s much better having less than the illusion of having lots, when in reality most of it was never worn.

@AmberItsACertainty Sounds like you’re being pretty mindful.

I still look at stuff online and in all the catalogues I get sent and on here but have yet to see anything that actually tempts me.

I fell off the wagon, I bought three skirts (wrap around to hide my lockdown tummy) from etsy. Spent about 60 quid so I dont feel really terrible. On the other hand I wore out a pair of trousers, actually wore them to rags. Never done that before. Didnt want to buy more trousers, so bought the skirts instead. I'm not a skirt kinda gal, so it's a new thing for me.
I'm wearing a different t shirt every day , I will either wear them out or make them feel more comfortable. That's not going so well, probably weight gain but dammit I will not buy anymore t shirts. I have hundreds yet wore the same 5 all last year.

God, no. I already spend a lot and will no doubt spend even more.

I've also cracked (already) bought some things secondhand from ebay . I was trying to avoid that, but then I got a bit trigger happy with my decluttering and got rid of A LOT. I had 6 items in my wardrobe yesterday, plus what I was wearing, which is probably a bit too small even for me.

Anyway, I've pulled two pairs of jeans out of my to go pile and a couple of long sleeve tshirts. I've ordered a few extra bits from ebay to replace what I've got rid of in styles, fabrics and colours which are a bit more 'me'. I'm also making a wishlist of things I'm 'allowed' to buy if they come up secondhand on ebay or vinted or wherever, so that I hopefully don't impulse buy.

@SpeckledyHen

I am doing this ‘sort of’ and am extending it to skincare, make-up, perfume and accessories .

The only expenditure I am allowing myself is money from last year being brought forward :

£59 in PayPal account from stuff I sold.
£50 JL voucher
£40 cash in my purse

I have unsubscribed from all tempting emails .

How’s everyone doing ? Another month over . I’m quite pleased I must say .

I have spent £132 from my budget .

2 bras that were essential for medical reasons.

I sold a top and bought another one to replace it .

In the Holland and Barrett advent calendar there were 3 items I loved and I have replaced them from eBay purchases . I have enough to last me the year . 2 of the items would normally be supermarket items so I don’t really count them .

There is nothing I need for the summer , but the real test will come with the shops now open again.....