Stopping buying clothes

[AsLongAsIHaveMyTea]

I have so many clothes. So many. I have set myself a 6 months target of not buying any clothes. I have enough for autumn, winter and spring - and beyond to be honest but 6 months feels realistic right now.
I don’t wear a uniform as such to work but I do have my “work clothes” (I work full time) so that’s not an issue, and as casual clothes come, I have lots. I have an addictive personality, and I recognise unhealthy behaviour when it comes to clothes and buying them.
Has any done this or is thinking about it? I need all the tips I can get!

Please can I join you! I desperately need this!!!

I justify my purchases as I get all my clothes from charity shops for £1-3 each, but it is still an addiction and I have way too many clothes.

I'm going to try to save the money I would have spent on clothing towards a holiday for next year. I spent about £4 a week, £16 a month, £160 over 10 months

Hi toolazyto of course! That’s exactly why I’m not saying I can buy second hand, I know that I’ll fall into the same bad habits but with second hand instead. I tried to just buy from ethical fashion companies but Ive realised that they market to you nearly as aggressively, and my compulsive shopping habits still exist even with lovely ethic “slow” fashion!

This is so hard when you love clothes and like wearing new things. I started a similar thread at Christmas. I managed six months but that was with second hand allowed. I’ve fallen off the wagon a bit since (and already regret two things I’ve bought) and am annoyed with myself so want to get back on it. It can be equally fun to challenge yourself to work with what you already have. I’ve tried dying, staining and altering clothes. As they say the most ‘green’ item is one you already own.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/4120785-Toying-with-the-idea-of-not-buying-any-new-clothes-shoes-accessories-in-2021

I think some of it is boredom so maybe a (new) hobby? Also thinking of new things as potentially next year’s charity stuff. I think for me it’s realising there are only 7 days in a week, and even then some days I don’t even leave the house, so there is a limit to how many clothes you can even wear.

Unfortunately I get tempted on here quite a bit so I’d avoid all the ‘what have you bought for autumn?’ threads. As I say its difficult when you are interested in style and fashion.

Yes; like any addiction it's fully conquerable once you want to. I think in the last two years all I've bought clothes-wise is new knickers (needed lol). I'm never short of anything to wear, I even still look at stuff online but I just never buy. I even put stuff in baskets and then step away, look at it again and step away, eventually I don't want it any more!
I do need to get rid of a lot of the stuff I've got. That's hard. But at least I'm no longer adding to it.

May I add to what @TableNinerTable said? Yes it is good to think of the environment and saving money also:
Think of the TIME that we spend on buying clothes.
My DH has an idea of what he wants before he goes out, if he finds one in the right colour and size in the first shop he goes into, he buys it there and then. He doesn't then go around 4 other shops looking for an alternative but go back and buy the one he sae 2 hrs earlier!
As suggested develop at real hobby.
I have started reading some history.

I have stopped buying most things due to an unexpected large family expense that has made me really appreciate how much I was spending on stuff I didn't need.

For clothes I am doing Project 333, which has made me think about which of my clothes I really love. Really liking it so far and it's great just opening the wardrobe and grabbing my raincoat, rather than choosing between several. Related: why do I even have 4 raincoats?!

This is relatively easy for me as I'm not even really into clothes, I can imagine it being harder if clothes are your thing. I won't be buying any clothes for a long time, and those I do will be extremely thoroughly vetted. I think if you truly want to LOVE all your clothes you need a small wardrobe. Nobody can love every single one of hundreds of items at the same time, can they? I have come to the realisation that I do have a wardrobe I love, but it was hiding in amongst mountains of clothes I don't care about.

Agree with previous posters about redirecting energy into a hobby. My shopping got a bit out of control during lockdown and I can see now that there was a large boredom component.

Also unsubscribe from all marketing emails/and unfollow anyone on Instagram etc that makes you want to buy stuff.

I think for me it’s realising there are only 7 days in a week, and even then some days I don’t even leave the house, so there is a limit to how many clothes you can even wear.

This. I have some really lovely clothes but WFH I never really get to wear them as they just don’t suit my lifestyle. I have basically stopped buying clothes as it was just getting too depressing that nothing was getting worn. I have an account for clothes and beauty that I put money into each month and I am wondering whether I just put it into general savings instead and do something else with it. Normally it would get spent each month.

But, I really love clothes so maybe I’ll just go no buy for a bit longer then splurg. There’s nothing I want though. I have everything three times over.

It’s such a good point that I totally agree with, I have so much stUff that I can’t really appreciate what I do have. Also the fact that there are just 7 days in a week and for 5 of those I wear my work clothes! I do have nice bits I wear to work and that part of my wardrobe is smaller.
I tended to buy for occasions I would plan for in my head almost “that dress would be lovely if I go for dinner in October” etc. When actually I have a perfectly lovely dress that would be perfect for any occasion if it actually happens!

I'm exhausted. I get into bed. I start browsing shoes on eBay

Honestly, when I'm this tired I just don't know what to do Please suggest what I can do instead.

Read a book. If you're that tired you won't finish a chapter. Phone screens do something to your brain and keep you awake or stop you sleeping properly, something like that.

I hear you OP. I have so many coats they're spilling out of my storage area. I was looking at some more today and I thought no, I need a coat ban until I've worn some to scruffiness.

Toolazy oh I really feel your pain. Plug your phone in downstairs and read a book in bed as Fluffy suggested. It’s awful. Have you read “How to break up with Fast Fashion”? That’s a good starting point x

I need help with this too and seeing a therapist (new) so going to ask her about shopping addiction too.

I’ve just brought over half my wardrobe over past weekend to charity shops.

However I’m getting much better at what I actually like/suits me etc.

It’s way too easy to buy stuff including clothes online

@WeRateSquirrels

I have stopped buying most things due to an unexpected large family expense that has made me really appreciate how much I was spending on stuff I didn't need.

For clothes I am doing Project 333, which has made me think about which of my clothes I really love. Really liking it so far and it's great just opening the wardrobe and grabbing my raincoat, rather than choosing between several. Related: why do I even have 4 raincoats?!

This is relatively easy for me as I'm not even really into clothes, I can imagine it being harder if clothes are your thing. I won't be buying any clothes for a long time, and those I do will be extremely thoroughly vetted. I think if you truly want to LOVE all your clothes you need a small wardrobe. Nobody can love every single one of hundreds of items at the same time, can they? I have come to the realisation that I do have a wardrobe I love, but it was hiding in amongst mountains of clothes I don't care about.

Agree with previous posters about redirecting energy into a hobby. My shopping got a bit out of control during lockdown and I can see now that there was a large boredom component.

Agreed with finding a hobby and lockdown spending getting out of control!

I’ve ordered (last year!) a slogan sewing cross-stitch kit that I’m going to start tomorrow evening.

@WeRateSquirrels

Also unsubscribe from all marketing emails/and unfollow anyone on Instagram etc that makes you want to buy stuff.

Done ✅ and done ✔️ re unsubscribing.

I need to sell stuff on eBay but after that’s gone think will close that account as too tempting.

I did a year without buying new clothes unless it was to replace something that got worn out, so I think in the first year I bought a pair of leggings. I saved a small fortune. After a while I didn't miss shopping at all and it created a healthy habit and I still buy very few things. When I felt like shopping I looked online and added things to my basket I would spend ages shopping and adding things then just close the tab, I got the fun of shopping but never purchased a thing. I not only saved money but also helps environmentally.

I did this for a year except for a few special requirements (winter coat that needed replacing and a wedding outfit). I also binned anything I didn't wear by first putting it in a bag and if I hadn't missed it for season or for 6 months it was charitied.

It was enormously liberating and ill do it again once I've lost some weight. It was fantastic to be able to look at my clothes and only have a handful of choices rather than a sea of stuff that didn't fit or I didn't really like.

I really need to stop buying clothes too….it’s easier said than done though as fashion is constantly changing - Sticking to plain colours and classic styles that’ll last makes sense.

I was following a fab thread a while ago called “shopping my wardrobe” where the posters only wore outfits that they already owned. Then they only went and started buying new clothes 😆😂

I think we’re all as bad as each other on the Style boards 🙄

I'm trying to stop too, I've no room left.
I've unsubscribed from all emails as on-line shopping was a killer for me. I find it much easier to avoid going into stores than I do to stop shopping online. Its easier without having all the emails popping up with sales offers.

Project 333 is fab

I am trying to do this, too, for financial, space and "moral" reasons. I WFH every day and I have too many clothes already, and not enough opportunities to wear them. So far I've managed a month and a half without buying anything anything new - I had allowed myself charity shops but I can see now that may be cheating .

It helps that I see very few clothes I truly love these days. I don't know if fashion and trends are stuck, if the people I follow on Instagram are boring, if the pandemic has given me a new perspective... But I kind of feel like I've "got to the end" of clothes. Nothing really inspires me, and if I see anything I like even a little, I always seem to have something in my wardrobe already that looks like it enough that I feel I can't justify a new purchase.

Could we make this a challenge? Is there an existing thread for it? I'm well up for it!

Another thing that has helped me is using the Stylebook app. This probably works for me as I'm a massive nerd and love a statistic. It's interesting seeing what my most worn items are. Also, when you see all your jeans in thumbnail form, you kind of realise that they're (broadly speaking) pretty similar, and perhaps you don't need yet another pair.

A thought I loved from the Project 333 book: 'Admire, don't acquire'. You can appreciate something you like, without having to buy it.

Good idea re unsubscribing from emails. Will do that.

Will also look at Project 333.

Hate to say it but S&B board talked me into a few purchases like long flowery summery dresses and white trainers 😂

I have actually found myself spending but liking Tu at Sainsbury’s which is easier on my conscience as I’m actually wearing and liking what I buy from there. Ditto some but not all F&F at Tesco. And I’ve loved all Hush buys I’ve bought this year and worn a lot.

I did a 'no clothes buying' year a couple of years ago and when I got to the end of it it was the most amazing feeling ever - really felt like i'd accomplished something. Agree with people that boredom is a big factor. I don't think it's a coincidence that the year i managed to do it was the same year i did an OU course - so my spare time was too full to spend hours trawling through clothing sites for stuff i wouldn't even like that much a week after buying.
Saved a fortune.

I have stopped buying clothes too, bar a pair of work trousers. I bought so much over lockdown. It was ridiculous. I never go anywhere!