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Not buying clothes 2024

605 replies

Nonewclothes2024 · 14/12/2023 18:16

I need to stop buying clothes.
I have far too many.
I feel overwhelmed deciding what to wear every day.
I wear a uniform to work.
I have deleted all shopping apps.
I am unsubscribing from shop e mails.

Anyone else ?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
serendipities · 16/01/2024 07:35

Maybe everyone who has bought something should adopt a “one in, one out” policy. I was feeling really bad about my boots purchase so I got rid of another pair. Guilt (sort of) alleviated 🫣

Perhapsanorhertimewouldbebetter · 16/01/2024 08:24

VimtoVimto · 15/01/2024 08:56

I tend to treat charity shop purchases as ‘renting’ an item. I feel no hesitation in donating them back if I’m not happy with them, or will wear them for a season and then redonate.

I frequently do clothing culls, and donate back or repurpose into cloths etc, but I do get a lot of my clothing second hand. It's partly because of where we live - very few/virtually no high street stores and everything else is online only, so charity shops often have a better range of physical items to look at. The prices are ok, quite good compared to some areas, and we also get a decent amount of nice stuff/quality brands (partly folk missing dates/cannot be bothered to send online purchases back). It would be easy to buy things 'because it's cheap', which is why, even for charity shops, I have a list of 'what I could be doing with' and list of 'leave that alone' in my head! I think whatever works for the individual if fine - I have also returned the odd item, as some of the shops don't have a changing room, but I am also quite good at knowing my size in certain ranges.

Perhapsanorhertimewouldbebetter · 16/01/2024 08:25

serendipities · 16/01/2024 07:35

Maybe everyone who has bought something should adopt a “one in, one out” policy. I was feeling really bad about my boots purchase so I got rid of another pair. Guilt (sort of) alleviated 🫣

That, or frequent realistic 'culls' - selling, donating or repurposing items you don't use/need/wear.

DyslexicPoster · 16/01/2024 09:23

One in, one out really helps to focus your mind on if you really need something.

For me, I need more than this to reduce the amount I have. Not buying anything focuses your mind even more. I have always loved looking in charity shops but right now I'm not even looking

CharlotteRumpling · 16/01/2024 09:30

I have a birthday coming up and am really lusting after Solovair burgundy boots, which I saw on S and B. But do I need them? No. Because I spend most of my life in trainers. May ask for an experience instead.

lindyloo57 · 16/01/2024 11:06

I was doing ok, hadn't bought a thing this month, I did buy a some sale things in December and Christmas money paid for them, so I'm just looking at the sales, and i just brought a black cashmere jumper from John lewis sale half price, now I don't really need it as I already ready had two others, but this one is a tunic style polo neck with side splits to wear with leggings, I've been looking for this style for a year, so it's a keeper, and a light grey gilet from same shop mango brand.again half price.

Perhapsanorhertimewouldbebetter · 16/01/2024 11:23

DyslexicPoster · 16/01/2024 09:23

One in, one out really helps to focus your mind on if you really need something.

For me, I need more than this to reduce the amount I have. Not buying anything focuses your mind even more. I have always loved looking in charity shops but right now I'm not even looking

I think 'one in one out' and/or 'culls' can work. After my quick post-Christmas look I'm not planning to enter any more charity shops until probably Feb or March, and even then will stick to my list.
Good luck all.

D20 · 16/01/2024 21:13

CharlotteRumpling · 15/01/2024 08:54

Still not buying. I did a big cull of my clothes this weekend. I definitely do not need more, and have no space. I am now hoping to buy for the pretty casual life I have, and not for the life I used to have!

Not that I am not tempted. Some of my favourite brands are having huge sales, but I have marked the items and will buy next year, since they have the same stuff every year. I am hoping to not buy anything until summer, except possibly socks and underwear.

I think I can easily do 5 items a year.

I think ‘they have the same stuff every year’ is going to be my mantra! The shops aren’t going to run out of jeans and if they do I can go on eBay and buy them when I need them!

TheOGCCL · 16/01/2024 22:03

In November I saw a great belt in And Other Stories. Right colour, depth and nice buckle. Only they didn't have my size and it was not available online. I went to several branches on the hunt but no luck. Today I got an alert that the item was back in stock, and reduced. This has happened before but I was too slow. This time I saw the alert come in and quickly ordered. I don't know how to feel about this. It's a dark brown belt I've wanted to add to my wardrobe for years but I've broken in the first two weeks. I think I can just about justify it that a) I wasn't looking and b) I would have had this last year if they'd had it in stock.

Otherwise my Monzo app tells me I've spent 47% less than last month and I'm enjoying not rushing out to buy things including toiletries. I feel a genuine change in mindset this year, regardless of the belt 🙈.

Andnowshesatoddler · 18/01/2024 18:56

Keep the belt it's been wanted and thought of for ages you didn't just see and go oooh.

I on the other hand....

£30 spend in a handbag from & other stories it's a lovely yellow colour I am buying more over body bags now.

Didn't need it but I have definitely spent a lot less in the sales this year.

Darklane · 18/01/2024 19:52

So far, so good. Not bought anything since Christmas.
I’m feeding my interest in new things by digging out my knitting needles & have started two new jumpers from wool I already had in my ( too big) stash.
Cancelled all email subscriptions except for a couple of seed catalogues which helps cut down on temptation.

GreekGod · 20/01/2024 17:32

Going good, have bought no clothes at all and have started wearing the clothes in my wardrobe with labels on which is great. People are asking me if they are new and I smile. Have bought perfume though as I needed some. I have cancelled email subscriptions also. Feels great.

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 20/01/2024 17:42

Just bought thermal socks and thermal long sleeved top from Sainsbury’s. Both needed. Click and collect as not in store.

BaconAndAvocado · 20/01/2024 19:09

Planning on a clothes swapping evening with friends. We’re all roughly the same size.

I still haven’t bought a thing!

caramond · 20/01/2024 19:16

Nearly bought a hat this week because it's been so cold and I couldn't find my favourite hat at home and didn't like my other ones. Decided I could definitely do without and just wear the not so nice ones I have especially as it will be much warmer again next week.

So still haven't bought anything for 20 days.

HelenHywater · 26/01/2024 08:24

I searched out a thread on this as I'm not intending to buy any clothes in 2024. (Have way too many). How is this going for everyone else?

I did have to buy a woolly hat as I left my only one in a restaurant (with a pair of gloves which I've not yet replaced). But have managed not to buy any new clothes since just before Christmas, including the sales.

Perhapsanorhertimewouldbebetter · 26/01/2024 08:36

Another £4.50 spent in charity shops yesterday, £2.50 M and S lovely top and £2.00 H and M tunic - both are on my 'could do with' list, and the tunic is very 'me'. Overall that's £14 spent in charity shop in January, and while I had hoped to stop at the £9 total from the other week, I am glad I popped in and saw these two items. I did have a sort through of my jeans the other day, to see if any could be donated, and found a few pairs which are on the 'yellow card' (if not worn in the next few months they'll go to 'red card' - which means donate to charity!). I feel happy enough with how things have gone, I am definitely popping in less, and also not tempted so much. The items I have are colours and shapes which work on me, are well made and are also preloved. :) Good luck all.

BaconAndAvocado · 26/01/2024 08:45

Still not bought a thread!!

That said, have just booked a holiday so may have to cave....

CharlotteRumpling · 26/01/2024 09:45

Spent 0 so far.

LivingDeadGirlUK · 26/01/2024 09:59

I've fallen off the wagon, 3 pairs of leggings from Snag, but I think I will throw out the tatty joggers I was keeping 'just in case' so that will even out. I also had a little splurge on a facebook selling group and got a shirt, dress, and jumper, all lovely things but I didn't NEED them :/

verdantverdure · 26/01/2024 14:38

I still catch myself scrolling ALL the time but haven’t bought anything else yet.

I did have a tiny flash of panic the other day thinking that since I’ve already bought a shirt and I know I need a proper sun hat that only leaves three more things FOR A WHOLE YEAR!!!!

But I got over it.

I’ve had a wardrobe tidy so the only things in there are the things I want to wear and I’m quite enjoying making outfits out of what I’ve got. I wore a chunky cardigan I would usually consider firmly “casual” over a silk shirt and wide leg trousers to work the other day and got compliments.

I’ve also had a huge accessories clear out and given stuff to my nieces. I’m a minimalist. I’m never wearing that Sex and the City flower brooch again. 😀

verdantverdure · 26/01/2024 14:39

CharlotteRumpling · 26/01/2024 09:45

Spent 0 so far.

Very well done!

verdantverdure · 26/01/2024 14:42

TheOGCCL · 16/01/2024 22:03

In November I saw a great belt in And Other Stories. Right colour, depth and nice buckle. Only they didn't have my size and it was not available online. I went to several branches on the hunt but no luck. Today I got an alert that the item was back in stock, and reduced. This has happened before but I was too slow. This time I saw the alert come in and quickly ordered. I don't know how to feel about this. It's a dark brown belt I've wanted to add to my wardrobe for years but I've broken in the first two weeks. I think I can just about justify it that a) I wasn't looking and b) I would have had this last year if they'd had it in stock.

Otherwise my Monzo app tells me I've spent 47% less than last month and I'm enjoying not rushing out to buy things including toiletries. I feel a genuine change in mindset this year, regardless of the belt 🙈.

I also bought a thing that I have been after for a while very early on in this challenge so as long as the belt is everything you hoped it would be I am pronouncing it a legitimate purchase. >gavel< 😀

verdantverdure · 26/01/2024 14:49

On the topic of clear outs I haven’t got rid of anything that always comes round again and/or would be a considered purchase if I had to replace it, such as big coats, ball gowns/skirts and interview suits etc.

My nieces want some of my ancient 90s jackets that are a bit too small for me now and I’ve decided they can have them. My body is a bit bigger than it used to be but I’m not unhappy about it, and can’t imagine striving to be tiny again. I’m more into being fit and strong these days and that comes with larger upper arms. >flexes bicep< 😁

IndianSummer78 · 26/01/2024 15:33

As predicted I failed.

A few well considered purchases and some I decided to leave in the shop. A couple of unnecessary splurges, but even then I removed 25% of the cart before I clicked "buy". Some replacements for outgrown items ordered and the outgrown ones donated, not kept "just in case".

I've been decluttering too and getting more ruthless with what stays/goes. Overall more has gone out than what has come in. One purchase was expensive so it hasn't been a cheap month but not horrendous either. I'm happy with my start for this year. I'm in a much better place than I was with the mindset of buying, decluttering what isn't needed and in terms of what I've spent.