Buying less, buying better

[Jadoube]

I’m in the fairly perfect storm of limited budget, small storage space and have recently lost a lot of weight, so am attempting to strictly limit my purchasing for the foreseeable future whilst needing to update my wardrobe. Anyone else want to join me in the attempt?

So far I’ve created a spreadsheet with wardrobe and wishlist inspired by a great thread in Classics, sold a good chunk of clothes on Vinted and discovered a few ‘rules’ for myself (you’re nowhere near as fussed about cashmere jumpers as you think you are, you can’t wear wool knitwear, straight leg suits you, you will never need to purchase another evening dress as long as you live so put it back right now).

I’m currently trying to put my budget aside to get something small for myself for Christmas and hit the sales clutching my list, but did succumb to a gorgeous coat on Vinted…I’m not sure there’s much hope for me but I’ll keep trying!

I’m doing this as well, I’m combining with not buying anymore print.

Mm, I do love print @Whistlesandbell but those I’ve got good wear out of have all been very ‘flexible’ - I’ve got a silk t-shirt dress in red, green gold and cream that works for a summer wedding or Christmas party (and will be prised from my cold, dead hands).

The spreadsheet is a good idea.

I'm recent post-surgery so I'll never wear a cleavage flaunting top again. I've been through and removed everything even slightly low cut. I have a new London job so need a few statement pieces and to replace all the tops. So my rules are:
Straight leg is good
Nothing low cut
Don't like cashmere or synthetic
Need some warm things
I'm 5'8" and a size 10.

What about this? https://img.celticandco.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=2668,q=80,f=auto/original/74441.jpg I have some black boots that would work with it.

I love that skirt @MintJulia - I’d probably be fussy and make sure the buckles are leather, but I can see that being a really useful piece.

I checked 😀 They are leather.

I think I'll go for it. I'll wear with crew neck, long sleeved t-shirts and a jacket. And look for a decent sweater.

Yes! I've been buying quality over quantity for a while. I have much less in my wardrobe but it all gets worn. It actually feels more luxurious to have well selected lovely items than having tons to choose from, half of which I barely wore. Easier to get dressed, everything fits properly. I only have two occasion dresses now which is plenty for a couple of weddings or whatever per year. I had a few more that never got worn taking up space as I always plumped for either of those two that I kept. Off to the charity shop with them and I haven't missed them.

Excellent work @MintJulia 😄 It’s a great length too.

@Zipps “It actually feels more luxurious to have well selected lovely items than having tons to choose from, half of which I barely wore.” - that’s my goal! I’m already finding it very satisfying to work from a smaller colour palette and know everything works together well, but I’ve got some irritating gaps at the moment and am working one jumper a bit too hard in the rotation.

buying quality over quantity
the best idea.
I am trying to do it as well!
many minimalisms talk about this.
there is a book called something "the best 7 pieces"
I haven't read it. It is about you only need 7 pieces of clothes.
not sure how they do it tho.
but it is so good to have a small number of clothes, less trouble.
save time choosing what to wear every day.
and save space.
TBH, there are many clothes I don't wear for many years.
I really want to clutter my wardrobe!!

I've just bought a few items of very thin M&S merino wool knitwear. They feel really nice, although it remains to be seen how they will wash. They 'seem' decent value.

My current list is -
a couple of good black thin jumpers - not cashmere, maybe merino
a black mid-length tube skirt - it doesn't exist, sadly
a black biker style cardigan or jersey jacket, or maybe a tweedy one - it also doesn't exist

If there's one jumper you love btw, that is earning its keep, why not buy the same one in another colour?

Sadly the other colours currently available are navy and light grey (which doesn’t suit me). I rarely wear navy but am considering whether it would get enough wear anyway with some of the rust colours I do…

Sorry, that was to @RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie!

Would www.finerylondon.com/ives-ponte-jersey-black-skirt-s05f005-blk be a bit too straight a skirt @RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie?

Thanks @Jadoube That's nice but a bit too worky. I just want a pull on, casual one - the kind Whistles used to do really well.

Can I just ask why some of you have turned against cashmere? It's my go to and have invested for many years. What am I missing?

This is such a good idea. I really want to have fewer clothes but can't bear to throw stuff out that is too small (who knows, I might lose weight...😂) or that don't really suit me but ARE good quality. I still think about clothes from years ago that I no longer have and want to wear again!! Maybe I'll put stuff in a big box on top of the wardrobe and pretend I've got rid...

Confession: I still have a hideous mono sleeve tshirt that I bought twenty years ago solely because I could wear it while my arm was in plaster. I know I should throw it away but it seems like tempting fate to say " I'll never need you again". 😂

@helenabonhamfarter I find it expensive and high-maintenance for how much pleasure I actually get from wearing it, against how much I always think I will enjoy it. I can bobble a sweater at 20 paces though!

@Swissnotswiss but you must know by sod’s law if you do keep it it’ll be the other arm you break! 😂

I find cashmere is too warm a lot of the time. Can't/won't pay £££ but cheaper stuff (looking at you M&S) is crap.

My new strategy is to ask myself "Would you get it in Toast"?

I'm trying to this too, I have far too many clothes, I'm selling a lot on ebay, I've stopped buying from cheaper shops since they reopen, primark I hardly did from here, newlook, peacocks only the odd thing, I still like the odd item from h&m I shop in m&s, john lewis, mint velvet, hush, and I like next as they sell lots of brands.

Same 😁

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