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Original poster

How often do you buy new clothes?

68 replies

User17273637373 · 30/12/2021 22:45

I think I have a problem Blush

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! Smile

OP posts:
Mummywantsaweewee · 04/01/2022 20:02

www.timeout.com/london/shopping/best-swap-shops-in-london

PeskyYeti · 04/01/2022 20:06

I have budget to buy one item a month. Normally a dress, as that's what I normally wear every day, and only if I fall in love with one.

Ddot · 04/01/2022 20:36

I went a whole year without buying anything clothes makeup going out food was minimal I ate stews, soups, pasta it was grim very grim but I got my deposit and bought my house. I wouldn't recommend it, taking a little longer and not being so stringent would be easier but covid is stopping a lot of fun, holidays night outs, so get that money saved.

hivemindneeded · 05/01/2022 14:11

@Ddot

I went a whole year without buying anything clothes makeup going out food was minimal I ate stews, soups, pasta it was grim very grim but I got my deposit and bought my house. I wouldn't recommend it, taking a little longer and not being so stringent would be easier but covid is stopping a lot of fun, holidays night outs, so get that money saved.
I admire this, but you can live frugally without missing out on good clothes. I have recently been persuaded by DS1 to look on ebay second hand before heading to the high street. My first ebay win was a beautiful cashmere sweater for £7. I'd have paid £50-100 for it new. I'm going to keep doing this. Less landfill, money going to people who need it.
Ddot · 05/01/2022 14:31

Hivemindneeded
I was desperate to move so needed to get the money as quick as possible. I often buy clothes from ebay and charity shops. Little tip if you ever shrink your jumpers, just soak in clothes conditioner and warm water for a few minutes the stretch it out. Rinse and stretch then spin it a little then stretch again. Good as new x

Suepicano7176 · 11/01/2022 03:05

presumably there are charity shops in other areas!

Frannibananni · 11/01/2022 03:21

Probably 3 times a year, summer, winter and work clothes. Usually only a couple of things to replace what is worn out in my wardrobe. I feel lucky that I have something to wear in my wardrobe for every occasion. I’m not very fashion conscious and try to buy clothes that all go together

MeredithGreyishblue · 11/01/2022 15:35

@Suepicano7176

presumably there are charity shops in other areas!
If that was aimed at me - I work long hours in my own business and have two children and a home. How much time do you want me to waste on a Saturday, before or after the food shop and visiting my gran, travelling to charity shops that may or may not have things in my size or style? I don't have that luxury. They aren't a reliable or consistent source. I donate plenty
DSGR · 11/01/2022 15:47

I buy every month but I set a spending limit of £250 which I can afford. I adore clothes. But if you’re renting you’re wasting SO much money on that. Set yourself a spending limit for clothes and a set amount that must be saved.
And try to find other hobbies.. reading, box sets, anything!

CrimbleCrumble1 · 11/01/2022 18:17

I buy absolutely loads every September and also around March time. This Autumn I bought 5 midi dresses, trousers, a couple of tops, maxi pleated skirt, 2 jackets, 2 pairs of leather converse boots. Last Spring I spent £800 on Hush stuff and then added some T shirts and bits from the high street so I had absolutely loads of outfits.
I also buy a few outfits in November for Christmas and New year. I buy about one item per month and a few outfits for each holiday.

kennycat · 15/01/2022 22:34

Almost never! Or to be exact I buy clothes probably once every quarter or so but end up taking it all back because it is poorly fitting/horrible/a silly decision or just won’t really get worn. I wear the same two outfits on work days (part time) and. Different three outfits on rotation in bin work days. I’m so tragic!

NeedWineNow · 15/01/2022 23:49

When I was in the office full time I was buying something nearly every week. Our office is in London, surrounded by shops, and the H&M across the road was very tempting - there was always something I 'needed' or was a bargain on their sale rail. We also have Cos, Mango, Massimo Dutti nearby and, to all our excitment, a Zara has also opened across the road.

However, like a lot of people the last two years has changed my priorities considerably. I bought a bit of stuff during the lockdowns, but on the basis that the chances of me being back in the office full time are looking remote I won't need a work wardrobe so that takes out the office dresses, bags etc. That doesn't mean to say I won't buy, but just that the type of clothing will change and the pressing need for something new to wear won't be there. I'm looking to really utilise what I've got, look at different combinations and certainly wear things more than once.

MidnightMeltdown · 16/01/2022 00:36

I used to buy a lot of clothes pre pandemic, but working from home seems to have cured this to some extent. Now I tend to buy comfy lounge wear Grin.

I could do with revamping my wardrobe a bit, but I seem to struggle to find much that I like these days. I try to only buy things that I either really love, or than I need, and I don't find many things that fall into those categories these days.

LondonQueen · 16/01/2022 01:20

I found removing my credit card from safari has greatly reduced my spending. I would buy something most evenings and it just got to the point where I had too much. I spent nearly £1k one monthConfused

Lineofconcepcion · 16/01/2022 01:47

I have a one in, one out policy. It works really well. I did have a one in two out policy for 6 months and that curbed my buying even better 😇

piney07 · 16/01/2022 02:06

@User17273637373 are you getting into selling things? I’ve recently started making money selling my clothes on eBay and depop and it’s bloody great! If you’re clever about what you buy you can buy something, wear it and then sell it again for similar to what you paid - that way you can have new fashion things without detailing your savings too much.

beguilingeyes · 16/01/2022 08:30

@piney07 that is a genius idea!

Pattygonia · 16/01/2022 11:35

Haven’t read the whole thread so apologies if this has already been discussed but I found the Stylebook app really helpful in encouraging me to be more mindful about what I buy.

Uploading all my clothes did take a while but it’s realky useful to see at a glance how much of each category I already have. And I love all the stats it provides about most/least worn items and cost per wear. And it sounds as if you might enjoy playing around with the outfit creator function,

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