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Original poster

No buy or low buy 2022

271 replies

GranolaHolmes · 31/12/2021 15:57

Ive just made my final purchase of 2021.
I want to have a "no buy" year with regards to clothes.
But I'm wondering if I should make it a "low buy" so I don't feel too restricted and then rebel against myself.
I could give myself a limit to the number of purchases for 2022 say 12 items maximum for the year?

Anybody done this and have tips for avoiding failure on the challenge.

OP posts:
lindyloo57 · 12/02/2022 18:38

@GranolaHolmes I like longer cardigens like midi and maxi styles now too, I used to wear the short ones at work over fitted dresses, I do feel frumpy in them now, I'm going to sell them on ebay.

Pigtailsandall · 16/02/2022 12:50

I fell off the wagon a bit. Bought 3 cropped jumpers because all my trousers are now high-waisted and I don't like baggy jumpers with them. One was full price, another heavily discounted and third second hand on eBay.
I also got new black joggers because I finally found a good pair, and old ones are going to textile recycling. So I feel that was somewhat justified as I'm replacing an old pair.
But then I also picked up a new hoodie (which I didn't need) and heavily-discounted linen shorts for summer which also I didn't really need.
Going to removed few items from my wardrobe now and see if I can sell them.

Feel a bit bad. But I can see everything I bought being used.

Peridot1 · 16/02/2022 13:26

All sound like useful purchases @Pigtailsandall.

I edited my Cult Beauty basket a bit and ended up buying 3 out of the original 6 items I had in it. A new foundation, a dry shampoo and a tinted lip balm. Love the foundation and it replaces one that I had to throw away as it went off due to not wearing much makeup during the pandemic.

That’s me for February. Don’t need anything else.

IcyWinterWonderland · 16/02/2022 18:58

I am doing a low spend for 2022. I am selling lots of old clothes that I no longer wear and I will save the money and spend it on any new clothes. I am only buying clothes or shoes that I desperately need instead of just buying things for the thrill of the purchase.

RubyRedRoses · 19/02/2022 10:04

Hello. How is this all going for everyone?

I'm also doing a low spend 2022. I am saving and also want to lower carbon footprint and have less shit in my house.

But also, I'm 'in the pursuit of elegance', so trying to balance low spend with that.

I said I was allowed to buy 5 items of clothing this year (excluding underwear)...I've already bought 3 of those, which isn't great. BUT, they are pieces which will fit in with my new wardrobe 'ethos' if that isn't too twatty a word (it definitely is 😂).

I've bought a blush pink, wraparound cardigan, a denim dress and some Tevas as I need sandals for the summer. Think the only things I might buy later in the year will be another sweater (I only have one) for winter and possibly a coat. But saving those purchases for autumn.

JaneJeffer · 19/02/2022 13:10

I did great in January and didn't buy anything except food. Then February happened 🙈

RubyRedRoses · 19/02/2022 14:18

Yes same really. All three of my purchases were in February. I don't think they're bad purchases and I haven't technically broken my promise not to buy more than 5 items of clothing. But 3/5 before the end of February doesn't sound great, does it? Will koko. I am actually really pleased with my wardrobe now, on the plus side, as I've been decluttering and not buying anything mad

BestIsWest · 19/02/2022 14:38

Not bought any clothes so far this year! Well, not strictly true. I ordered and sent back a jumper and two dresses. But not kept anything.
I do have a few things I need, a dress for an event in April, some longline vest tops and a lightweight raincoat.

Original poster
GranolaHolmes · 19/02/2022 18:57

Had the opportunity to mooch around the shops today.

Didn't buy any clothes and wasn't actually tempted by anything.

Did try on a couple of things that I'd been interested in online but didn't like them on so easy decision.

I think this is largely because I have a wish list of items that pretty much would be my full 12 items if I got them all. So anything else I buy has to push one of those items off the list. I didn't see anything worthy of that.

OP posts:
Peridot1 · 20/02/2022 08:09

Didn’t think I would need to buy anything else this month but I need to buy facial spf. Had two in my stash but they both make my eyes sting like anything. I think that counts as a necessity though!

OldLadyInPolyester · 20/02/2022 09:28

Just wondering what people's motivations are for doing this? For me it's about the environmental impact of buying new clothes unnecessarily so I'm allowing myself to buy second hand without guilt. Need to cut my Amazon Prime habit though. It's so convenient but probably terrible getting lots of packages delivered separately.

Peridot1 · 20/02/2022 09:32

For me it’s partly the environmental impact and partly (mainly!) because I have far too much stuff. Leading to constant clutter. Which stresses me out. And makes me feel guilty.

RubyRedRoses · 20/02/2022 09:58

For me it's (in order of priority):

  1. to save money/stop overspending
  2. the planet
  3. to declutter my house
RubyRedRoses · 20/02/2022 09:59

I'm not buying secondhand either as it wouldn't help with 1 and 2

RubyRedRoses · 20/02/2022 10:01

Won't help with 1 and 3 I mean!

Original poster
GranolaHolmes · 20/02/2022 10:27

Financial and clutter and mental health.

These are all connected for me.

I think there's a lot of impulse emotional spending in between the intentional well thought through purchases. So minimising those while still enjoying clothes.

OP posts:
Coldgreenman · 20/02/2022 11:39

Over the years, I must have bought everything I will ever need, for any occasion. Some, I have thrown out because they're unfashionable, then re bought because they're fashionable again.
I have boots and sandals of all heel heights.
Jackets and coats for any occasion.
Dresses and dresses and dresses.
Trousers of many widths and lengths.

The only reason for me to buy more clothes, is novelty. I have no spare money each month now, so I need to stick to reminding myself of what I already own.

Original poster
GranolaHolmes · 20/02/2022 13:00

@Coldgreenman I found myself looking at a jacket yesterday thinking how nice it was having owned an identical one for years. I only wore it once before finally selling it on. I wish I still had it sometimes but if I re bought it I expect the same thing would happen all over again.

OP posts:
RubyRedRoses · 21/02/2022 14:53

Feeling quite virtuous as I returned one of my items (denim dress). It was nice, but I tried it on again and thought "I'm not going to wear this". It was a bit too long or heavy, or both. My 7yo said I looked like a nun in it, so that's probably not the look I was going for. Back it goes and I have only bought two items then, instead of three Halo

Original poster
GranolaHolmes · 21/02/2022 18:09

Brutal 7yo critique is all it takes sometimes.

OP posts:
applesandpears33 · 21/02/2022 20:09

I'm trying to do low buy because I have too many clothes (most of which don't fit) and clutter in our house. So far, I've bought one item of clothing. It was bought from ebay and I'm keeping my fingers crossed it'll fit when it arrives. Skincare is another matter though and despite trying to be low buy with that I've bought eye cream, toner, and cleanser. They will all get used, but I didn't really need them now and bought them because they were on offer.

LiveFromNewYork · 21/02/2022 20:46

My main motivation is environmental but also the fact that there are only seven days in a week so there is a limit to how much clothing you need. So it's just novelty and that's just so bad for the planet.

Things I think help me:

  • thinking about all the clothes I have taken to the charity shop over the years - what if the thing I buy today is just another thing in tomorrow's charity bag. It's not really a good thing to keep having a clear out and boasting about how you've got rid of six bags of stuff
  • trying to understand my style better. It's probably better to spend money on colour and style analysis so you don't keep buying mistakes. Same applies to haircuts and things like teeth whitening, so spending money on things that aren't things
  • the fact the shops are full of terrible cheap clothes, I'd be devastated if I lost my current wardrobe as would not be able to replicate with new stuff, although I might look a bit more on trend!
  • I personally am finding it easier to set the rule as no online shopping. I live in London so have plenty of places to go for clothes. I don't go shopping a lot but it feels more intentional than browsing what feels like the entire internet for clothes and then all the returns. If I don't see it I can't buy it

Also trying to reduce my spend on skincare/make up but that's hard going. I think it's about realising what you already have is enough.

Nomorefuckstogive · 21/02/2022 23:23

I’m trying to limit myself to spending a portion of Christmas and birthday money only on gifts for myself (I always have money from my family, as they understand I like to choose.) So, I’m trying to economise, but equally I’m thinking about the environment, as well as avoiding clutter. I love clothes, so that’s very hard, but I’m managing to use all my beauty samples instead of buying new supplies, so that’s positive.

OinkyO · 22/02/2022 08:45

I'm only buying to replace what I use up its so hard. I found a YouTuber called Charlotte holdcroft who does a series on no you don't need that. And its great for talking me out buying the fancy chanel eyeshadow etc I keep getting drawn too. I need to low buy it can't go on as it was I had far too much and it was mostly all the same.

OldLadyInPolyester · 22/02/2022 09:05

@OinkyO that series sounds interesting. Will give it a watch. I keep following people on Instagram who wear gorgeous bright, happy clothes. It makes me want to buy which I suppose is the point 😬. I don't know where these instagrammers put all their stuff. They must have wardrobes bursting at the seams.