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 really want to do this, I certainly don’t need anything new. It’s also a good incentive to watch the lockdown weight so that the vast quantity of stuff I already own still fits. I spent less this year than normal but did spend rather a lot on lounge wear. Haha, ironically I had to stop mid post to answer the door as my Sweaty Betty order has arrived - it’s still 2020!

Right, thanks for the encouragement, I'm going in! Just Jan-March to start with. Not sure what I'll do with all the free time

I really like the idea of this. Just a couple of things I've seen in the Jigsaw sale then I'm in

Going to have a big clear out and sell that on as well

Great idea. My only slight tweak would be to delay it for me for a month or so. Abkut to have a big sort out/recycle/donate pile session and I fear I’m not going to be left with very much at all if I do it properly. Can I be allowed a quick restock of basics period first ?

I've done Low Spend / No Spend .
My downfall is jumpers but over the last couple of years I've found them hard to find . Often too boxy and short .
I don't like buying shoes , but I have some new ones that I need to start wearing.

I never buy with the intention of sending back .
If I see something I'll wait 24 hours . If it's instore , I'll wait and go back , or order online . Often I've gone off it .

I don't buy clothes to cheer myself up because I'd be reminded of how shit my life was each time I wear it .

I'm in! I have absolutely no self control unless I impose a complete ban. I've spent so much on clothes that probably won't get worn half as much as they should and considering my income has almost halved due to Covid this is incredibly stupid. I'm imposing a complete ban for at least six months. I need this accountability to keep me strong

I bought v little in 2020 but what I did buy was more expensive than I might normally go for. I think I'll stick with that for 2021.
Less but nicer quality & reusing a lot of what I already have.
I splurged on jewellery though...and that has become a bit addictive but oh so enjoyable. And wearing it, even in lockdown, has given me enormous pleasure !

Count me in! The combination of working from home and putting on weight means most of my work clothes and going out clothes don’t fit. I was really good last year and didn’t buy much at all apart from more leggings, socks and pjs which were desperately needed. I’m going to commit to no buying from January - March. Hopefully I’ll have lost enough weight to fit back into everything and then I won’t need to buy anything anyway.

I would love to do this, I have brought less this year as others have done, and will try to buy less this year, buy more better quality , its the sales, I can't resist, I am waiting for delivery of, leather jacket, boden knee high boots, the animal print ones, not sure if they are a bit out there for me, john lewis order of jeans, a hush skirt and two cashmere cardigans, and a couple of things from marks.

@ BettyAndVeronica what a good idea.

I'm in for the first quarter of 2021 at least!

I tend to end up doing this every other year - sadly stuff wears out and needs replacing. Works really well.
I also see how long I can go w/o using my debit card - 2020 was a good year for it until everyone went 'card only' for the virus. If your nearest cash point machine is a queue in the PO it does make you think about spenind!

I started doing this last year, and got to the end of April. But with lockdown, two things thwarted me - I was very stressed at work and I wanted to treat myself, and secondly I found I did actually need a couple of things because my lifestyle had changed. Based on my experience I can offer two tips :

• Unsubscribe/unfollow brands you are most tempted by
• Instead of aiming for zero purchases, aim more realistically for, say, one purchase per quarter

Thanks @BreakfastOfWaffles - you reminded me about unsubscribing from temptation!! Just unsubscribed from Boden, Hush, MV and others I know will lure me back into buying things I don't really need!

I've got a coat, some toiletries and a few WS cardigans coming (very reduced in sale) and that will be it until Spring at the earliest..... definitely

I did it in 2019. I hardly ever buy new, l have a look on ebay and buy good quality second hand stuff now. I can sew so that helps.

I broke it to buy socks..kinda essential!

I think it’s a good idea. I won’t be joining you in the challenge though - I absolutely love clothes and have grown to accept that I just won’t stop buying them...

I'm in, for January at least, though I'm another who has indulged in needless online retail therapy to offset work stress last year.

I'm in, I've already decided to not buy any clothes for myself this winter and bought nothing in December! I already got enough, nice clothing is seldom needed during this pandemic and I'm sick of my compulsive shopping habit.

There is a good Instagram hashtag 30wears whereby you don't buy unless you will wear at least 30 times. It's about sustainable fashion/ against the fast fashion mindset. Great tips from some accounts.

I like the idea of this but I think I would struggle to go a whole year. Maybe I could limit to one purchase a month or something (that doesn't sound that stretching really does it, but trying to be realistic!) Or I could maybe allow myself purchases in certain categories but not others. I definitely do not need any more dresses, but actually don't seem to have many shoes at all.

30 wears? My favourite tops are some bright coloured rugby shirts, 4 in different colours (the then boyfriend couldn't decide which colour so bought all 4 for Christmas). Just worked out they are over 30 years old!

Amazing quality - Debenhams best. I live in them all winter (bit thick for summer)

I am going to join in. Have heaps of clothes and shoes. There is a thread like this every year but it tends to fizzle out 🤣. Just so hard to beat the marketing. Let’s make a resolve to keep going and support each other.
I know if I allow myself say one thing a quarter I will crack because I will see another thing of more beauty just after I had bought that one thing!

@caperplips where have you been buying your jewellery? I've a landmark birthday coming up and everyone is asking for presents ideas do could do with some inspiration!

There is a thread like this every year but it tends to fizzle out 🤣. Just so hard to beat the marketing. Let’s make a resolve to keep going and support each other.

Yes, let's use this thread to support and inspire each other!
Two things are important to think about.
One, why I am doing this - what would be the benefits?
And two, what could be a hindrance?

When it comes to marketing I notice that I expose myself to a lot of it voluntarily. I have browsed a lot of shopping sites for fun, read beauty blogs and so on. So those need to be blocked!
Another thing is shopping as a way to feel better. That is a tricky one and "retail therapy" is something we are encouraged to do by marketing and pop culture!

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 .