How often do you buy new clothes?

[User17273637373]

I think I have a problem

I am constantly looking at clothes/buying clothes. I work in the fashion industry so doesn’t help that my job is literally staring at clothes all day online.

I barely have any savings - I am trying my best to save towards a deposit to buy a flat but it’s not going well! I don’t live beyond my means but I should probably have more to show for myself at this point.

I am late 20s living in London, for context.

I do tend to look after my clothes really well and don’t buy things to throw away. Not into cheap, fast fashion although I’m aware any over consumption is bad for the environment so I feel very guilty.

So, how often does everyone else shop? And has anyone been able to STOP buying clothes as often as they did?

Clothes/making outfits are my ‘thing’ so I don’t think it’s realistic to give it up completely, but any tips on how to stop the impulse would be great!

I only really buy things for an event or if I bin a work jumper I replace it. Workout clothes however is another story, I have an embarrassing amount of leggings and trainers…

I have bought too many clothes in 2021 but am going cold turkey in 2022. I've found some beautiful and unique pieces in charity shops in the past year so they will be my first call if I need anything.

I need to 'audit' my clothes to remind me what I have as I seem to wear the same reliable things over and over. I've also made a conscious decision to steer clear of buying any polyester etc as much as possible.

One tip is I've unfollowed a lot of the fashion people I was following in Instagram and that has really helped!

OP you are not alone and as for me I keep telling myself every time I buy clothes to be the last one but I always finding myself buying more and I bought so many in 20/21 especially when Debenhams was closing.

I definitely have a clothes problem. What I tend to do now is put things in the basket (if shopping online) and I don’t check out until the next day.
I also have to look through my wardrobe frequently because I genuinely can’t remember half of the stuff I have. For example..I love white shirts, I have over 40 of them so whenever I see one, I check in my wardrobe that I do actually have something similar(ish).

I buy a lot second hand, mainly Depop, but I do buy too much. I am mainly still WFH which is a lot of jeans/jumpers at the moment, and I seem to have an unhealthy knitwear obsession.

In November I bought don’t blank cords from Whistles, and a black cardigan from Arket.

In December I bought a pink jumper from Cos, a grey jumper from Depop (&otherstories), and some new socks. I did have Christmas money though!

I’m hovering over a gorgeous dress, online sale, that I really want...
Thing is, I have loads of gorgeous dresses. I’ve always loved clothes, but online shopping is new to me (since the pandemic).
The act of shopping as a leisure activity is somewhat spoiled now. But when I was your age, and living in London, I could shop all day long...
I still enjoy clothes, but I have so many, that it makes more sense to shop my own wardrobe these days.
Good to hear that you but good stuff, though. I still have a lot of my 90s / 00s pieces. So well made.

It's tough OP. I managed six months on 2021. I have more than enough clothes but somehow there always seems to be something missing. That can't actually be true so it's clearly a psychological issue. Things I think help:

• unfollowing fashion influencers
• unsubscribing from retailer emails
• not buying in the sale
• identifying specific items you need, eg a green top, not browsing websites randomly - being really clear what your actual gaps are
• thinking about the environmental impact of what you're doing. The fashion industry is one of the world's most polluting and lots of child labour. Online also has the downside of some returned clothing just being burned
• not reading fashion magazines
• steering clear of clothing threads in S&B
• finding new ways to wear existing clothes
• buying small items that can transform other items eg a detachable collar or a polo neck for under a dress
• not subscribing to the idea a brand new outfit is required for each new occasion. We need to have more pride in re-wearing the same thing, Kate Middleton does it
• not being tempted to buy duplicates/ same thing in multiple colours
• spending your time/energy/money on alterations to get items that fit perfectly

I got two pairs of shoes and a scarf as Christmas presents.

On top of that I've bought a wool coat, a cardigan, a pair of jeans, two pairs casual trousers, two shirts, some undies and three t shirts, plus some gym wear (first gym wear bought in 5+ years).

I have bought some second hand items as well, but I think that's about it for the new stuff.

I have bought very few new items over the last 3/4 years or so - this year I bought a lot more new things than I have in the past, but that has included replacing items which needed replacing such as pants, bras and t shirts (not bought new for 6 years). I also buy one new pair of trainers every 18 months for example and wear them to bits, and only have two pairs of jeans (and one jeggings).

I don't know if that's considered a lot or not, but it's certainly loads less than I used to buy! I see stuff I want, but I have trained myself to understand it's a want, not a need. I struggle with the environmental impact of fashion and understand it's about the dopamine hit it gives me. And that I can look good in my existing clothes. Ultimately that's become more important to me than having that new item.

I started off by trying to do a year of no new clothes. Didn't go into shops - it's amazing when you see new season clothes how shit it can make you feel about your own perfectly good outfit! Deleted myself off email lists. That sounds harder for you though. Good luck.

I bought a dress in the sales recently, before that I bought a leather jacket, a top and some jeans on the day the shops opened after lockdown this year back in April. Before that I bought two jumpers and a winter coat in October 2020, and before that I used to mindlessly buy clothes fairly regularly.

I'm also saving for a house deposit atm, I set myself the target of not buying any new clothes in 2021 to help me save, but didn't fully stick to it as above, but have saved a fair bit.

It probably helps that I have to wear a uniform at work and there haven't been many events like weddings this year. Plus the fact that I mindlessly bought clothes before means that I do have a decent selection: I went through my wardrobe earlier and found a dress that I bought on a shopping trip in London pre covid, still with the tags on .

Same age as you .

You need to budget at the start of the month , save at the start of the month in a way that can't be touched .

I shop a lot but also save a lot, I'm only shopping within my allocated budget pot for the month .

I think this kind of planning helps with the self control aspect

"I barely have any savings - I am trying my best to save towards a deposit to buy a flat but it’s not going well! I don’t live beyond my means but I should probably have more to show for myself at this point."

I think you need to change your mindset to accept that you are living beyond your means. You are spending more than you can afford and it's leaving you unable set yourself up for the future.

Charity / thrift shopping - online too - might help reduce the cost impact. I find online bit better in some ways as I tend to search for something I particularly want/need, rather than general browsing.
If you love clothes & fashion then I don't see why you shouldn't set yourself a realistic monthly budget, like another person might spend on books, craft supplies or another hobby.
I got a pair of lightly used Clarks tan leather chelsea boots on Vinted yesterday for £5, for example. I've been looking at getting some for a while as all my boots are black but couldn't warrant spending £50+ on a new pair when I don't need them.

I’m a bit like this but last year couldn’t or didn’t buy apart from Christmas. Trying to find things I love and investment pieces.

Also trying to work out now I mostly WFH what I wear for that. Colours are another issue. Bought a lovely watermelon red slogan jumper the other day and preferred it to brighter red (which I still love) and got a compliment on it yesterday.

@LiveFromNewYork

It's tough OP. I managed six months on 2021. I have more than enough clothes but somehow there always seems to be something missing. That can't actually be true so it's clearly a psychological issue. Things I think help:

• unfollowing fashion influencers
• unsubscribing from retailer emails
• not buying in the sale
• identifying specific items you need, eg a green top, not browsing websites randomly - being really clear what your actual gaps are
• thinking about the environmental impact of what you're doing. The fashion industry is one of the world's most polluting and lots of child labour. Online also has the downside of some returned clothing just being burned
• not reading fashion magazines
• steering clear of clothing threads in S&B
• finding new ways to wear existing clothes
• buying small items that can transform other items eg a detachable collar or a polo neck for under a dress
• not subscribing to the idea a brand new outfit is required for each new occasion. We need to have more pride in re-wearing the same thing, Kate Middleton does it
• not being tempted to buy duplicates/ same thing in multiple colours
• spending your time/energy/money on alterations to get items that fit perfectly

@LiveFromNewYork - agree with all you say. I went through Instagram, Facebook and emails subscribed to which helped me a lot!

My SIL who can’t shop much due to job abc young child and dislikes it, gets some of her clothes in sample sales, as gifts, or the other day bought a lovely jumper which I was tempted to buy too.

For me now it helps a lot not going into shops. Christmas I did go into Primark but spent far less than I used to as hardly saw anything I liked/needed.

@MoltonSilver

"I barely have any savings - I am trying my best to save towards a deposit to buy a flat but it’s not going well! I don’t live beyond my means but I should probably have more to show for myself at this point."

I think you need to change your mindset to accept that you are living beyond your means. You are spending more than you can afford and it's leaving you unable set yourself up for the future.

^^ This sums it up completely - if you are trying to save for a flat deposit but not doing so at the expense of clothes shopping then you are living beyond your means.

Set up a standing order that goes out of your bank account the day after you get paid for a set amount each month into your flat deposit saving account. The money you have left is your income for the month and if there's enough left at the end of the month for clothes then you can spend it guilt free.

I found myself splurging on clothes more than I should have in the last few months (I'm trying to save for some home improvements I want to do) and quickly realised it was because my email inbox was constantly full of discounts and offers from my favourite retailers.

I ruthless unsubscribed from them all and it has pretty much stopped my clothes spending in its tracks. If I find myself itching to browse clothes shops online I go onto my Pinterest account where I have boards for the home improvements I want to do and spend the time browsing for interior looks I like instead.

Try and think about what your triggers are for clothes shopping and think what you can do about them and things to do instead.

I’m not buying anything in January unless I need it. I have enough stuff

Since August I have bought:

• Three pairs of jeans (long time since I had bought any previously and they had all fallen apart)
• Two pairs of boots
• Nightie
• Three jumpers

So on average I guess two new items a month. Sounds about right.

I dont spend a lot but I am constantly looking at stuff, eBay and charity shops. I like a project too, fixing something, changing the buttons. I often have to shorten tops as I have I'm quite petite and they are always too long. I've currently got a scarf being hemmed as the tassels didn't match and made it look messy so I cut them off.
Also a pair of Birkenstocks I'm currently redying as they were gold leather but will be teal when I've finished them. A blouse with ruffles, I'm just reducing the ruffles and it'll be perfect.
Gym wear also, I'm a runner and like to look good and have a look I like to keep too. Though I might have reached peak running stuff. It's nice to browse....

I sell quite a bit on eBay too and that feeds my habit. Could you do that, then I don't see it as bad!
I love a good charity shop in a nice area and it's my thing and I love it!

I do sell on vestaire/vinted but may also start having a look at items to buy there as they are cheaper.

Also doesn’t help I get a hefty discount on clothing where I work.

I have a savings account that I pay into monthly - I just keep dipping into it. Maybe I’m using the wrong type and need to look into one I can lock!?

I try to only buy what I need, partly as an environmental concern, partly because it’s nice to have less stuff. last year I bought a pair of jeans, a jumper and a couple of thermal tops. I tend to shop 3/4 times a year. I used to just hit the sales but am a little better off than I was and so will occasionally buy in season full price.

I found it great when I was pregnant and had a capsule wardrobe, so easy to make decisions on what to wear. After my last baby I did the Marie Kondo thing and threw out lots and lots of clothes. I try to keep my wardrobe to a minimum because having a few clothes I love to choose from is so much nicer than having lots to pick through.

I lost three stone in 2021 so I've had to buy a lot of new clothes. I buy almost everything except underwear and shoes on ebay now. I have saved searches for brands and even specific items i want.
Haven't bought anything new in an actual shop for ages...although I got a Massimo Dutti sheepskin jacket in TKMaxx for peanuts recently.

Last did so in November 2019. Everything is looking dowdy now so I am going to have to hit the shops. Dreading it!

I buy every month.

Pay yourself first. Set up a direct debit on payday to go into a savings account. Then set yourself a monthly clothes budget you can spend guilt free. I always look to see what l can find second hand first. Where are the gaps in my wardrobe etc.

Set yourself a budget OP. When you get paid put some money straight into a separate savings account and allocate some money into a ´clothes fund’. You can only spend the clothing fund, not the savings. So if one month you see something lovely that you want but there’s not enough money in the clothing fund, you can’t buy it and you either leave it or buy it in a month or two when you’ve saved up.