Making 2022 the year of enjoying the clothes I already own (and not constantly buying something new)

[nordica]

The thought occurred to me the other day to reframe "a no-buy" year and make 2022 a year of enjoying my clothes. I've done the not buying anything challenge once successfully (for about 8 months) and once unsuccessfully. This feels more positive as the focus isn't on not doing something but doing something good (psychologically easier and more effective).

Recently I've been feeling a little sad about all the lovely clothes I have that don't get worn as much simply because I own too many, and there's only 7 days a week to wear them.

So this is what I'm going to do. The first step is ignoring all those Boxing day sale emails in my inbox and doing some tidying up to plan outfits out of what I have already.

Anyone planning something similar?

@ShangPie

One thing that doesn’t seem popular here (or maybe I am yet to find it) are clothing swaps. I lived overseas for years and there weren’t charity shops but instead lots of swap-shops - a bit like a clothes-specific car boot sale, but where everything is free. Usually a community-driven event held in a cafe or similar, occasionally a small charge per-item-swapped that was then donated to charity. I often dropped off under-used items and came home with something new-to-me. Would love to know if these happen here!

I was thinking something similar earlier! I've just been sorting out my wardrobe and having a massive clear out. Everything will go to charity shops but something like a clothes swap would be brilliant.

I have streamlined my clothes a lot today and organised by colour. Found a couple of things I had forgotten about which was pleasing. I also had a slight slip in the John Lewis sale and bought a couple of Hush sweatshirts but they will fill a gap and now I'm going to try to focus on what I have already. I had no idea I had so many pairs of jeans.

I've been to a couple community clothes swaps and hosted one myself but I can't see them happening during covid times.

I could do with exploring this ethos. I made a small start though by finding two ways to wear a nice string of pearls that seemed too small and short for my age

1. used a gold bar brooch I had (pinned between the loop and fastener) to extend the length and add interest
2. added a large silver pendant I had for a baroque look

I think they both work - husband less sure - but I'm enjoying the change. Would love to hear more ideas for redesigning jewellery.

My other successful idea - if you are blessed of nork and have scoop necked clothes that seem too low - try a few stitches to gather about 10cm of the front of the scoop into a little ruche. Can make the whole garment fit more elegantly.

I'll join you! I have lots of nice clothes but fall into the 'I really like my green dress, let me buy another 2 green dresses' trap.

The only things I can think of that I currently need are tights and pyjamas. I def don't need any more green dresses!

@madamceladon

I've been to a couple community clothes swaps and hosted one myself but I can't see them happening during covid times.

I'd love to hear more about how this went and how your organised it, agree with covid its probably not the best time but I think it would be a great thing to do in my community if things improve over summer.

@LivingDeadGirlUK
The one I organised was just inviting about six friends round with their bin bags and trying on. We had fizz and I played that eighties song "you don't have to take your clothes off to have a good time" 😁 I donated all the leftovers. It was so nice, good memories

The proper ones were organised by charities or community events and I found them on Facebook, I'm in east London and I think there's a lot of interest in these issues around here xxx

[quote madamceladon]**@LivingDeadGirlUK
The one I organised was just inviting about six friends round with their bin bags and trying on. We had fizz and I played that eighties song "you don't have to take your clothes off to have a good time" 😁 I donated all the leftovers. It was so nice, good memories

The proper ones were organised by charities or community events and I found them on Facebook, I'm in east London and I think there's a lot of interest in these issues around here xxx [/quote]
@LivingDeadGirlUK - the kind of smaller-scale event like madamceladon’s are fun to do at home. My friend had a bimonthly one called Tight Club

For a bigger one, you really only need a few hours in a clean space where you can gather and pile up clothes by type or by size, with a few quiet areas with mirrors to try stuff on. I’ve been to them at people’s homes and at local cafes after-hours - both work well, although it’s good to support a local business and it can also be a great way to extend the swap beyond your friendship network.

If you decide to host a swap, be prepared for the mountain of stuff left over! I hosted one for kids stuff, and more than 75% of items ended up donated - attendees helped me bag it all up at the end.

[quote SocksAndTheCity]I'm hoping to clear some space too, although I did a couple of good getting-rid sessions last year and even sold some on eBay and then bought more clothes. I have been shopping for the life I want rather than the life I have (as I read on another thread), so now I am going to dress for the life I want too! 😀

As an aside, for anybody whose charity shop isn't taking donations, I sent a mountain of stuff to Shelter via their free postal donation service if it's any help england.shelter.org.uk/support_us/shops/donate_to_a_shelter_shop/sort_and_send[/quote]
@socksinthecity Late to this but thank you for sharing! I didn't know this was a thing - so helpful.

Thanks @ShangPie my friends and I are not the same size so that wouldn't work well but I will have a think about how I could set up a community event later in the year.

One week into Jan and I have unsubscribed from any emails about clothes. I am using an app to log my clothes and shoes (aiming to wear all 234 items over the year!). However, my sale purchases from December arrived and some of them don't fit well so I feel like replacing them. Determined to resist and just send them back!

Thank you all for the interesting posts so far - sorry I've been an OP who posted and disappeared.

I ordered one final thing on the 31st that I had been considering for a while but it's been really freeing not waiting for deliveries and having new things arrive. Usually this time of year I would be buying something from the sales just because I like the look of the items and they're reduced. Not this year!

I also spent some time tidying and organising my tops so I can see what I have and nothing goes unworn just because it's tucked away. Lots more tidying still to do - I really have way too many clothes for the storage space I have available.

Nothing bought here yet, which is quite a record for me 😳.

I've decided to do this too. I bought so many clothes in early 2020 in preparation for all of my 50th birthday events which all then got cancelled. I then spent loads more money on casual and comfortable stuff to reflect my new lockdown living style.

Not buying new will be slightly tricky as I've lost two stone since last May and a lot of my clothes look a bit baggy but I did replace a few things with smaller sizes last summer and have dug a few of my old smaller size outfits out of the loft so should have enough to get by.

This is the first year I've not bought one thing in the January sales.

@petitebleu

Nothing bought here yet, which is quite a record for me 😳.

I wish I could say the same but I caved and bought a couple of gym vests and a big hoodie on eBay - I've joined a new gym and I had so little to wear I was having to wash everything as soon as I got back every time so I didn't run out of clean stuff.

That plus one scarf and one pair of pyjamas in the sales at the very start of the month should definitely be it, though