No buy or low buy 2023

[TheOGCCL]

Starting a new thread for the new year. I really must do better. Pretty sure I am in need of nothing after my 2022 spending spree.

Ironically I think this board sets me off a bit.

I’m better with a blanket no spend but how dull. Still thinking about my ‘rules’, eg set a budget or an item limit.

I need to avoid the sales as many mistakes happen there.

All welcome who want to cut down for environmental or ethical or financial reasons, or simply the satisfaction of buying second hand, or the ease of getting dressed when you have less stuff.

I can recommend Lauren Bravo’s book How To Break Up With Fast Fashion.

Its a bit like eating meat, if we all collectively did it a bit less, the world would be a better place.

I didn't buy any clothes or beauty in October or November. In fact, I didn't buy anything apart from 5 books but books don't count. I made just over £100 on Vinted on those months too so actually made money.

I have a few things on my wishlist - one is a very light-weight cotton set of shorts and short-sleeve shirt, like a lounge outfit for warmer months. I'd also love a chunkier boot to go between with my chelsea boot and hiking boots. But neither of these are musts and more wants than needs. However, it's something I'll keep an eye out for in the sales.

My 2023 has gone quite well, purely because I'm too fat for much at the moment I'm desperately in need of some new clothes!
I've probably spent £800? This year on hair and fashion and everything I've brought I've worn so im quite pleased I have lost track though to be honest.
I have been upgraded to the H and M premium so I get unlimited free delivery on any spend, unfortunately this has resulted in a lot of spends on my child.
2024 strategy - I think I might end doing a quarterly challenge and I definitely need to focus on my spending on my child.
Anybody for a low spend child challenge?

Wow well done @Netcam!

Apart from a skincare splurge where I bought four or five items at once (6!) it's all been pretty calm this year.

I'm on the look out for thermals, new jeans, a new tidy jumper wouldn't hurt, and I love a bit of fairisle but only if I see something ideal at a great price. There's no urgency for any of it and I'm not doing much active looking.

Next year I'll need new pants and to decide whether I want to continue with underwired bras or give In to comfort. (I don't know if it's because of the pandemic, or if I've changed shape, but the underwire just seems to cut in these days.)

Thanks for being here

I've been eyeing up hush's silver skirt for ages and finally succumbed last weekend. It didn't arrive in time for Friday's party but I'm keeping it anyway. It's lush. Aside from that, I've not bought much at all, had a JL voucher for the skirt and have cashed in 60 quid from vinted today.

I've failed, miserably. No excuses, just failed.

Hey ho, there's always next year. Must. Be. Stronger.

Hello, people of this thread! I have dipped in and out of reading it, and I remember someone posting a link to a youtube video (i don't think it was Poulsen) and I can't find it anymore! It was a woman summarising her insights from a no-buy year but (unlike with many YouTubers) they were pretty strong. I remember vividly she was talking how she realised buying clothes gave her a sense of prosperity (false) and also how at the bottom of this is that advertisement makes you hate yourself and then sells you how to correct this - with a new purchase. I thought it was a very interesting analysis and I would like to rewatch, but I can't find it. Thank you

I do feel a little bit as though I’ve taken the red pill and it has ruined something I used to get a lot of enjoyment out of. Any fashion article I read now that talks about what’s in and out, just annoys me.

Well done to everyone! I'd like to continue into next year if there's another thread.

I haven't done too badly. I mean I bought some necessary things, but mostly bought from Vinted.

I do feel a little bit as though I’ve taken the red pill and it has ruined something I used to get a lot of enjoyment out of. Any fashion article I read now that talks about what’s in and out, just annoys me
Same here and it's been my main take away.
My low buy year hasn't been as successful as I'd have liked, but I think I had unrealistic expectations. It's definitely been more intentional overall and I've chalked up some unsuccessful thrifting choices to experience.

Hannah Louise Poston ?
She has a series about her No Buy Year on YouTube.

Post Christmas sale confession! So, this is really the first time I have looked online at clothes, other than my purchase of 4 pairs of socks, since March. I had a quick browse of the John Lewis sale on boxing day and found this Brora dress, so DH ordered it for me, as a present for my upcoming birthday in January. I just tried it on, we both agree that it quite suits me. I have a liking for wool dresses and don't have anything like this. So that's my shopping done (by DH)! Now going to try a full no clothes buy year for 2024. Here's the dress:
www.johnlewis.com/brora-merino-wave-knit-dress/p110772571?s_share=jlappdroid

I thought I had done really well this year, as I only bought a handful of brand-new items - a wool sweater, a pair of wide leg cream jeans, some socks, a few bits for DS - but then I got my Year in eBay email 😱

Apparently I bought 89 things on eBay this year. Some of them are household bits, some were faulty and returned, but that number shocked me. Especially since I have also bought some things from Vinted and my local charity shops too.

I’ve definitely balanced things out by selling a lot of stuff on Vinted, but it’s still eye-opening.

I've just added up this month's expenditure. A Dkny faux fur coat, some black heeled boots & two cotton new Hush t shirts off eBay. So about £165 - quite a lot for me. I did debate returning the coat but my very cool Architecture student DD said it was really good quality & suited me.
Rare praise from her 😆
I think my buying has been roughly equivalent to my eBay sales this year. Plus I have absolutely no urge to shop in the sales at all. I appear to have all that I need.
Resolutions this year are to carry on re-selling & attempting a cost neutral wardrobe. And aim to wear all the clothes I have more often & in new combinations. According to my Whering App I'm at 96% of clothes usage. Which is pretty good, but some of these items I've barely worn more than once.
Secondly I need to stop eating Xmas food or I will need a whole new wardrobe ...

I like that Brora dress @Netcam Though had to come away quickly as I found myself scrolling through other Brora clearance! Far too tempting.

The Whering app sounds intriguing.

I wasn't going to bother with resolutions for next year but I'm going to organise my clothes today and have a really good sort out. Vinted, charity shop, then lists of what is needed and no deviation from that.

Thanks everyone for joining me in 2023! I did quite badly overall but better than 2022 (and I definitely can't say I have nothing to wear!) so am heading over to the 2024 thread to redouble my efforts. I started off well, it's sustaining it through the seasons and occasions and whatever else makes me itch.

It's been good to know others also struggle with this first world problem.

2024 I'm in.

I have bought myself new bras .
I have loads of pants
I have enough coats and jackets

The only thing I'm putting on my list is another pair of M&S suedette leggings .

I have enough eveningwear for holidays but if I need mre then eBay is my searching ground .

Then it;s toiletries only ,

I bought carefully, though maybe not as frugally as I thought. The Curated Closet helped.

I took up a new hobby so needed clothes for that (1 set), I still need shoes.

I had a couple of boxes from stitch fix which paid for themselves from credit and resales and the items I kept did refresh my wardrobe.

I bought a pair of R&B boots in the sale and a pair of loafers - not in the sale and maybe not my best buy.

I replaced half a dozen basic items.

And I bought a silver skirt from Hush. I need a dark slouchy jumper to go with it.

Off to join the 2024 thread...

Is there a 2024 thread? Could someone link? I've looked through and can't find it

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/style_and_beauty/4963230-not-buying-clothes-2024