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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
DyslexicPoster · 29/08/2024 16:36

I really wanted a blue print on a white dress, spent ages thinking about it and looking around ( online, i never just go to the shops on a whim now). So after about three months I have the dress.

I'm starting see my clothes wear out now rather than just having an occasional sort out and donating things. But I still have way, way too much

YYURYYUCICYYUR4ME · 29/08/2024 16:53

Not stopping here, but I decided at the beginning of the year to only buy what I wanted. I found I spent more compromising on items and less if I bought the one I really wanted in the first place. Made me think twice about purchases and how an item will fit in with other items in the wardrobe. The item might cost more, but I am spending far less overall and happier with purchases I have made.

IndianSummer78 · 30/08/2024 00:18

I'm still doing well. More going out than what comes in. Fewer purchases of budget items that aren't good quality and won't last because it's not a bargain if it doesn't last the season. More quality purchases instead. Managing to avoid buying duplicates of things I'd forgotten I had already. All the autumn collections are starting to drop and so far I've bought nothing because I don't need anything else. That wouldn't have stopped me in the past.

Ginger that's amazing, you've totally changed your life. I should do the same and throw myself into hobbies instead of shopping.

Raveonette · 30/08/2024 01:06

I used to be really bad for impulse buying clothes, but it was becoming more aware of the environmental impact that pushed me to change my habits.

Twice a year, September and April, I go through my wardrobe and swap my winter and summer stuff over (I only have one smallish wardrobe so I can't keep everything out). I try everything on, experiment with different combinations/accessories, sell/charity/bin anything I'm not likely to wear again.

Then I make a list of gaps/wants/needs for the coming season. I look on Vinted and eBay and in charity shops, and only then do I buy new anything left on the list.

I'm also a regular customer of my local tailor - I get things repaired and also shapes updated or altered to better suit or fit me.

This summer's list was:

a smarter day dress - Oliver Bonas
a crisp white cotton shirt - Vinted
3x silk sleeveless tops - Vinted
loose cotton trousers - Fat Face
black everyday sandals - local shop
coloured wedge sandals - Vinted
underwear - M&S

I didn't like the puffy sleeves on the dress so I had them turned into cap sleeves. I also had a hem and a small hole repaired on an old favourite jumpsuit.

So I'm still shopping but much more consciously.

Pigtailsandall · 30/08/2024 08:20

I've done really well this summer, and apart from a bag purchase in June, I haven't bought anything else. I sold a few things on Vinted so it's actually been a net negasummer. I really wanted a few flowy, light summer dresses, but didn't see much I really liked so that was that. It was also helped by the fairly crap summer weather.

I do have a short shopping list for the autumn. I mainly need new brown boots, but wouldn't object to a few long-sleeve tops that are not jumpers and not t-shirts either, but I always struggle to find stuff I like.

Nonewclothes2024 · 30/08/2024 10:39

Fell off the wagon in June / July. Back on it now.

OP posts:
TheOGCCL · 30/08/2024 10:54

Pros:

Not exceeded annual budget yet (but I will)
Mindfulness - really trying to work out what works for me
More cohesive wardrobe
More in person buying, fewer packages/returns/mistakes
Worked out budget is about 1.2% of income - not entirely the point but sometimes it feels like I’m spending a fortune. But maybe it’s a con too because the idea is not to buy cheap
More spending on hobbies and experiences

Cons:

Always trying to scratch an itch
Change of season worst time
Cold weather dressing harder for me and you just need more clothes
A few impulse buys
I have bought four bags (well one was a gift but I chose it) which I think is because they are somehow easier to justify
Still regularly putting stuff in charity bag
My Vinted/eBay purchases are usually disasters so secondhand not working well (as we arrive at Second Hand September)

Cyclingmummy1 · 31/08/2024 08:13

Patrick Grant's book, Less, has made me think more about the provenance of clothes (as well as the decline in quality).

I bought 2 pairs of sandals at the beginning of the summer holiday and 2 pairs of trousers at the end as well as a cardigan from Vinted, identical to one I'd worn out.

I've spent most of the summer in free promo t shirts - why is the quality so good?

Netcam · 31/08/2024 09:30

Looking back at my posts, from March 2023 and March 2024, I bought two pairs of socks and one pair of trousers. I was doing well!

Between this March and now, I have rather fallen off the wagon, particularly in the summer sales this year.

I am going back on the wagon now after a bit of an online ordering blitz, with too many returns to think about.

I have lost some weight and decided to get some new clothes that flatter my figure, rather than wearing things that try and cover it up! I particularly needed trousers/shorts as many of my old ones were just too big.

I got a new full time job after being self employed for 20 years and decided to spend some of my proper salary on myself.

We do a lot of hiking, my ancient hiking daypack is falling apart and my old Goretex jacket has lost it waterproofing and Nikwax doesn't seem to fix it.

I don't want to think what I spent and I haven't counted, but I want to confess here what I've ended up with (all from the sales).

They are all things I really like in natural materials which I am sure will get lots of wear.

And then if I dare to think about ordering anything else I will look here and remind myself that I do not need any more clothes!

3 pairs cotton trousers from Poetry
2 pairs cotton/linen trousers from Poetry
1 pair linen trousers from Brora
1 cotton dress from Brora
1 linen dress from Celtic and Co
1 pair cotton shorts from Celtic and Co
1 Alpaca/Wool Cardigan from Celtic and Co
1 silk summer dress from LK Bennett
1 wool overshirt from Icebreaker
1 merino long sleeved top from Icebreaker
1 merino winter dress from Icebreaker
1 pair merino/cotton hiking trousers from Icebreaker
2 light cotton shirts from Seasalt
2 pairs merino socks from Moggins
1 pair Hoka trainers
2 pairs Finn Comfort lace up leather ankle boots
1 pair Arche suede ankle boots
1 Rab Goretex jacket
1 Haglofs paclite Goretex jacket
1 small Mamut hiking backpack
1 large Mamut hiking backpack

I'm also waiting for a Brora linen jacket from the sale to try that I loved the look of but wouldn't have considered buying at full price. That will arrive and I will keep it or send it back.

Now I am pledging not to buy any more clothes, shoes or bags until the start of 2026. My one concession is that DH can get me one item for Christmas and one item for my birthday.

I did it for a year before, I can do it again!

Netcam · 31/08/2024 10:36

Just unsubscribed from all marketing emails I could find!

HelenHywater · 31/08/2024 13:51

Nonewclothes2024 · 30/08/2024 10:39

Fell off the wagon in June / July. Back on it now.

me too - I fell off in July and August for holiday shopping mostly. Made a huge me & em order yesterday (most will go back) and need to rein myself back in.

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 31/08/2024 14:13

For me, places I’ve subscribed to and then shops locally I like, I tend to avoid as 9/10 I’ll be tempted to buy something there.

EBay is my nemesis right now but I’ve gone up a dress size and do need bigger jeans.

It also makes me realise why certain local shops have closed down or do and what I like or liked from them, eg their brands.

CeejayT01 · 02/09/2024 10:50

Agreed with above ☝️ Some good advice to avoid sale items, unless it was something you were initially looking for (result!) otherwise I have noticed the clothes I do not wear/throw after 6 months are in fact- the sale items. Better to spend more on less, better quality, what you will make use of for years and actually WANT… rather than lots of naff sale items because it seemed like a bargain.

Happy shopping/no shopping ladies!

Cantonet · 02/09/2024 12:10

I've spent nearly £300 on winter basics, Sweatshirts & Cashmere, eBay handbags in leopard & burgundy etc. My Autumn wardrobe is now complete. To counterbalance this I've made £140 on eBay & need to keep on selling. Now I need to stop buying! I have Coat cravings/addiction & definitely don't need any more coats.

Pigtailsandall · 02/09/2024 12:59

I took DC shoe shopping this morning, and while they were (suspiciously) good-tempered, I had a little look around a few concessions. I very nearly bought a nice top - it was £20 and nice soft cotton - but last minute put it back. I very much liked it but I had to remind myself that what I was on the market for was long-sleeved smart tops - no more short sleeves. I felt quite proud of myself!

redfacebigdisgrace · 02/09/2024 13:29

How much more time I have now I’m not collecting parcels/returning parcels. Tripping over clothes/sorting out clothes. Just need to keep it up….

CharlotteRumpling · 02/09/2024 14:25

I am in another country, so bought some tops in lovely local fabrics for very little. I have persuaded myself that it doesn't count because it's not in the UK!

Other than that, I am still on course for less than 12 items this year. Aiming for six.

Netcam · 03/09/2024 06:52

CeejayT01 · 02/09/2024 10:50

Agreed with above ☝️ Some good advice to avoid sale items, unless it was something you were initially looking for (result!) otherwise I have noticed the clothes I do not wear/throw after 6 months are in fact- the sale items. Better to spend more on less, better quality, what you will make use of for years and actually WANT… rather than lots of naff sale items because it seemed like a bargain.

Happy shopping/no shopping ladies!

Agree about buying quality over naff sale items.

I think my wardrobe is 95% sale items. Mainly because I only really wear wool, linen, silk and occasionally cotton, so the clothes I like are expensive. Most have been bought at end of summer/winter sales over the years when I have looked specifically for clothes in the natural fabrics I like.

But I do think you have a point that it is essential that you really like it too. I have bought a few things that were a bargain in natural fabrics I'm not so keen on, or aren't quite what I wanted, that I don't wear.

But I also have plenty that I love and do wear, like lovely cashmere or wool jumpers and various wool and linen dresses that were bargains and I love. I tend to look at seasonal items and see if there's anything I like and then wait, usually it goes on offer and if I don't get it, it doesn't really matter.

This summer I was looking for some non synthetic hiking trousers for my holiday. I saw some merino/cotton ones I liked the look of before my holiday but they were £175, so I didn't buy them. When I got back from holiday they were half price, so I got them. They were the kind of thing I'd wanted for ages but wouldn't have paid £175 for them.

CeejayT01 · 03/09/2024 07:06

Netcam · 03/09/2024 06:52

Agree about buying quality over naff sale items.

I think my wardrobe is 95% sale items. Mainly because I only really wear wool, linen, silk and occasionally cotton, so the clothes I like are expensive. Most have been bought at end of summer/winter sales over the years when I have looked specifically for clothes in the natural fabrics I like.

But I do think you have a point that it is essential that you really like it too. I have bought a few things that were a bargain in natural fabrics I'm not so keen on, or aren't quite what I wanted, that I don't wear.

But I also have plenty that I love and do wear, like lovely cashmere or wool jumpers and various wool and linen dresses that were bargains and I love. I tend to look at seasonal items and see if there's anything I like and then wait, usually it goes on offer and if I don't get it, it doesn't really matter.

This summer I was looking for some non synthetic hiking trousers for my holiday. I saw some merino/cotton ones I liked the look of before my holiday but they were £175, so I didn't buy them. When I got back from holiday they were half price, so I got them. They were the kind of thing I'd wanted for ages but wouldn't have paid £175 for them.

Early kids back at school start for us?!

Quality items at a bargain price couldn’t be a better feeling! You have a very good taste by the sounds of it (to your bank accounts detriment hehe). I was speaking more teenager high street shops like New Look because that’s currently the level I still am at 30+ 😭

My last monthly sale buy (5 items for £20) I actually disliked it all and got rid- I NEED A CHANGE! I have no idea where/what the quality clothes are, any advice on decent places to buy from please let me know! I am more comfort over style, quite sporty.

Netcam · 07/09/2024 10:11

@CeejayT01, you are a lot younger than me, I'm 54 with a full-time job and almost grown-up kids.

I guess I'm quite picky about what I buy. I won't get anything that needs dry cleaning. I don't iron apart from the rare special occasion, the last of which was my wedding nearly 2 years ago. I don't mind hand washing a very nice wool jumper, but most of my hand wash items go on the hand wash cycle of the washing machine. And I only really wear wool along with a little cashmere, silk, linen, and cotton. I have some foot issues, and there are only a few brands of shoes I would ever buy. I am also quite petite, so a lot of clothing styles drown me. And I tend to want to buy things that are comfortable and I think will last well.

That narrows down my choices quite a lot, so there are only a few shops I really look at the sales in to start with.

I don't have any cotton basics other than knickers as I don't like wearing them, I find Merino more comfortable. Most of my basics like t-shirts, tanks, long sleeved tops, bras, socks, leggings, hoodies, sweatshirts, joggers, basic summer tank dresses and skirts are merino and I have built up a fairly big collection from end of season sales over the years. They are mainly from Icebreaker, Smartwool, and Dilling. They machine wash really well and last for years, but they are expensive, so I always wait for sales.

The problem is I've found it hard to resist more than I need in the sales so have several really useful boxes under the bed of unworn versions of the above ready to replace the others when they're past their best. I've had to stop myself buying more and look under the bed instead! I've been better at that lately.

But over the past couple of years, I decided I don't always want the very sporty look those clothes give me if my whole outfit is merino, especially as I'm getting older and now have a job where I sometimes go to the office.

So I wanted to find some other things to pair with my merino basics. I seem to go through a phase a couple of times a year of scouring the end of season sales for items that might work and have found success in the sales in a few places that I would go back to. But these might be more suitable for a 50+ woman than a 30+ woman! It has been hard to find styles that are comfortable, suit my body shape but are also age appropriate to at least some extent.

I've got some really nice wool jumpers from Celtic and Co.
I've found Poetry good for trousers, but that's mainly because their shorter lengths seem to fit me well at 5'3. Often, I find petite trousers a bit short but full length too long. They also have nice cotton/linen fabrics and colours. But I was less keen on their tops when I tried them.
I've found a few nice items from Brora, trousers, a couple of dresses and a lovely linen utility jacket.
I'm not that keen on Boden overall, but I have a couple of washable silk shirts, cashmere boxy cardigans, a long merino skirt, and a linen dress from there that I like. And at least they do petite sizes, which I find good for dresses, otherwise a midi is like a maxi on me.
I have a nice cashmere jumper and wool tank from Me&Em that I like, but other stuff I've tried from there didn't really fit me well or suit me.

But those are probably the places I would look at again if I wanted to shop. Although I probably shouldn't!

Now I've stopped shopping for the end of summer sales and have some nice clothes ready for next spring/summer. And I can think about wearing my nice wool or cashmere jumpers soon that I bought in the end of winter sales over the past couple of years.

Pigtailsandall · 09/09/2024 16:21

Pigtailsandall · 02/09/2024 12:59

I took DC shoe shopping this morning, and while they were (suspiciously) good-tempered, I had a little look around a few concessions. I very nearly bought a nice top - it was £20 and nice soft cotton - but last minute put it back. I very much liked it but I had to remind myself that what I was on the market for was long-sleeved smart tops - no more short sleeves. I felt quite proud of myself!

So LITERALLY the next day I bought a dress on Vinted. I was feeling a bit trigger-happy, but I also found a dress that fit my specs perfectly - long, cotton, lightweight, v-neck etc. It has a pattern that I'm not usually big on, but I was feeling adventurous. I like Vinted for trying out new styles that you're not quite sure how they'll fit, and if you end up wearing them. I had credit so I didn't have to pay for anything, plus I've since sold 2 items so I'm on a net negative (Or so I justify it to myself)

I also bought 2 new trainer socks and 2 new pairs of pants from Rapanui as DH was ordering t-shirts. Those are two categories where I've really decluttered a lot over the last 2 years so new items were very much needed.

verdantverdure · 26/09/2024 14:32

I've gone way over my target of 5 items max but I'm hoping that this is a reset after an attitude shift and lifestyle change and that it will stand me in good stead for next year that I bought so many shoes and socks this year 😆 Grin

I've bought one stupid thing all year and sold it on.

It's mostly been lifestyle shift. You know, if you give up wearing scruffy trainers on the commute + office heels at work you then need decent looking shoes and boots that are fit for both commute and office.

Plus some things just needed replacing. I literally waited until my nightdresses had holes in and my socks were bobbly and stiff before I bought more.

I still don't have enough bras but my body's in a bit of a menopausal flux so I'm trying to hold off on buying those for a bit.
Ditto for jeans.

I have less overall now. And have more fun mixing and matching.

Apart from if I see some great cotton corduroy trousers in brown or burgundy with a little elastic in the waist I'm done for the year now. (Hopefully)

My waterproof jacket needs replacing but am trying to put that off too.

IndianSummer78 · 26/09/2024 16:16

That sounds so organized and sensible verdant. I wonder if heels will end up completely obsolete one day and years from now they'll be in a museum with a label of "this is what humans used to do to the females feet". I do like mine from the perspective of how they complement the overall look, but I can see they make no logical sense from a practical perspective.

I'm going through a lifestyle shift too. Mostly weeding out all the mistake purchases over the years, figuring out what design features don't work for my body and settling on what I want to wear for my new phase of life. I'm going to end up with a much more streamlined wardrobe and already I sometimes see things I love but that I know won't fit in with the chosen style, so I don't buy it. This is a huge shift from buying whatever I want and strangely I'm enjoying it. I sort of can't believe I'm enjoying shopping less now instead of feeling frustrated by it. Think I needed to go through the experimental stage to get to where I am now even if it did mean some wasteful purchases.

I'm also trying to make do and use what I've got instead of replacing things when they wear out. That's been quite successful.

Pigtailsandall · 27/09/2024 12:05

I went through my notes (I've been very good at keeping records of what I have spent my money on - but I think I have also been a bit delusional. I thought I had bought about 10 items but it's far more)

So far this year, I have bought 20 items, plus 2 bras, 2 pants and 2 pairs of socks. I'm not counting those as they were completely out of necessity; I was down to one decent bra, for example. But as I am looking at my autumn wishlist, I'm trying to reflect on what else I bought this year...

I bought 17 clothing items and 3 bags (a new backpack - needed and budgeted; cross-body bag - ditto; and a Uniqlo rattan bag, not planned).

Out of the 17 items, 2 were bought on Vinted and 3 in charity shops; 2 items were not a good fit, so I sold them on straight away, making the total 15.

Out of the remaining ones, 7 pairs were bottoms. I lost a bit of weight so I bought an array of trousers and shorts, ranging from woollen trousers to lightweight linen shorts. I got rid of an equal number of bottoms.

2 were dresses. I decluttered almost all my dressed in 2023 because since having DC, my weight had shifted, and I also no longer needed work-y dresses. I had almost none, so got these as replacements.

I bought one fleece in January sales, and I have just ordered a winter coat. These are both replacements too. I am selling a coat which is old but still in great condition.

The tops is where it gets tricky, as none of them were actually a need. I bought two sweatshirts, a Uniqlo bra top (which is fairly close to a need, I suppose, as I wear it under gaping dresses) and a broderie top and a vest top. All the ones apart from the Uniqlo top were impulse purchases when I was getting something else. So definitely an area where I can do better - and I probably would have been able to stick to my goals better if I hadn't bought those!

However, apart from the 2 items I sold on straight away (a top and a hoodie) I've worn everything else loads and I love them, so I've definitely minimised mistake purchases. I also returned a few things which were "good enough" but not stuff I loved. So very happy to have been strong on that side.

Onwards and upwards.

Thighdentitycrisis · 27/09/2024 13:39

I’ve done a no shop year before and am planning to try again in 2025 .