Not buying clothes 2024

[Nonewclothes2024]

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 ?

I bought a pair of running leggings with a drawstring, and a waterproof coat for walking my dog- both on vinted. Essential purchases. That’s my last spend hopefully, I am going to take the app off my phone as well!

Count me in... I just made another impulse Vinted purchase, really don't need anymore knitwear 😫

Joining. Did reasonably well in 2023 from March onwards, only bought 4 pairs socks. But Jan to March were excessive, I went a bit mad in the post Christmas sales, although this year I am enjoying all the nice jumpers I bought! I am going to try for a completely no clothes buy in 2024. DH has got me a dress from the sales for my January birthday, but that's going to be my lot.

Yes, I am planning a v low buy year for clothes and cosmetics.

I am also trying to do seasonal capsule wardrobes a bit like project 333. Eventually I want a wardrobe like the MNetter who did that in pursuit of elegance thread, so I will be buying things, but a lot less frequently and higher quality.

I'm joining.

Definitley no make up, not even sure it makes me look better, but I'll try and use some bits up.

I really don't need anything. There are a couple of sale bits I fancy but I'm not buying unless there's an email 'extra % off sale items' and I don't think that will happen.

I'd like to stop

I'm good at buying things but then clinging on to old things

Today even though I am at home I am wearing new stuff for a change otherwise it rarely gets worn

Also coming over from the 2023 thread.

I need to finish sorting out my wardrobes, so I can make a list things I actually need.

I also need to repair some jumpers and cardigans

For 2023, I decided I could buy 5 items (not including tights/underwear). It was much easier than no clothes, because I could still replace or buy when I absolutely needed something, and it meant I was much more thoughtful about what I did need. I think I'd be more likely to quit if I didn't give myself a break sometimes. Definitely going to try again this year!

I aim for 12 things a year for me exclusively ( doesn't include household stuff, skincare toiletries or under £5 like a newspaper or magazine) but a new phone / camera would count. Presents do not count neither does replacement underwear tights socks, nor would anything that got stolen or damaged beyond repair count as that is a replacement. I managed 13 items last year so very close. Going to do same for 2024, but one of the items is going to be a new laptop / notebook. I have about 6 things on my wish list

I cut down on buying a lot during the pandemic. Although I did go into work, there was very little face to face with people outside the organisation and lots of zoom meetings. It made me realise I had a ton of clothes I viewed as non work clothes that were actually fine to wear to work, especially since looking anything but respectable is not required. Also few, if any, events where dressing up was needed (and in fact, very rare for me where is 'needed' anyway) so I now just recycle round dresses and nicer tops I've had for more years than I can remember.

Really only buy underwear, socks and shoes (mostly trainers) now. Though I can't easily resist the occasional snap purchase of a jacket I absolutely don't need. Best if I avoid shops altogether and use online sites for the underwear and trainers. I wouldn't buy everyday clothes online as I'm petite and sizing / finding what suits is tricky unless I try a load of things on.

But life (mine anyway) has got a whole lot more casual in recent years, hasn't it? People don't bother that much - it's all jeans, joggers and trainers.

I wasn’t good at limiting to ‘one item a month’. This still encouraged me to waste too much time browsing online and lots of returns. It was arguably even worse as the item had too much riding on it.

This year I am going to try:

1. Limiting myself to 4 clothing websites I can browse without necessarily having a purpose
2. A list of nine specific items, some of which I’ve been trying to get for a while or are in anticipation of replacements so not necessarily going to go all in straight away. I would expect all items to come from my four clothing websites, plus one more and the supermarkets
3. A total budget target for the year based on how much I should reasonably expect to spend on my items each
4. In person shopping wherever possible and trusting in serendipity- if they don’t have my size it’s not meant to be
5. Upping my donations to charity, a recurring food bank donation plus three other monthly donations of my choice / what catches my eye during that month, eg friend running a marathon or a TV ad. If I find one of my items under budget, donate the difference to charity too
6. Reading more books, not scrolling the internet
7. Going to see more live events, not scrolling the internet for things I don’t need that end up cumulatively costing just as much as a West End show
8. Shopping my own wardrobe - I do this a lot anyway but to stop me getting bored
9. Keeping up diet and exercise to ensure everything still fits
10. Limiting time on this board which is a massive enabler

Blimey I’m an extreme case. Wish me luck!

I plan to lose weight so I can wear all my clothes and will only buy more when I have exhausted the ones I have.

I plan to do this except for underwear etc, using a one in one out policy and vinted - so not buying ‘new/shop’ clothes

I feel like this is a sustainable solution for me and I enjoy looking for bargains!

That’s my plan too, I think. Although I did the Kibbe questionnaire quite recently and am now giving lots of my clothes the side eye.

Anyone else have a close call with the Hush sale today? I browsed but didn’t buy.

I woke up on Boxing Day and thought "right, that's it, no more spending on clothes".

Within a day I found myself on the Style & Beauty thread, and bought 2 pairs of boots and a dress within 15 minutes. The dress wasn't even in a sale. Hopeless. But I know I will wear them all.

I'm definitely in. I have spent the last few days sorting out my wardrobes and I am truly disappointed in myself. I only wear shirts to work and two days ago discovered I have 37 white shirts for which 7 have labels. Out of the 37, I have thrown away 10 which were turning a bit yellow/off white but still that's 20 shirts that are almost new and 7 I have never worn. I have over 10 pairs of unworn shoes. Enough and the same with bags. I am not buying anything for one year. I am really going to stick to it. I lost weight a few years ago and have gone a bit mad with the buying. But it's going to stop this year. It's not good for the environment either. Enough. Thank you for the thread.

I failed. Bought a belt from netaporter.
<unfollows thread>

Happy New Year, everyone! I've also headed over here from the 2023 thread (hello friends!) and will continue my very low buy, mindful and mostly secondhand shopping goals this year.

I have dramatically reduced my spending and amount of clothes etc. over the last few years, and am pretty happy with what I have.

My Whering app says I have 160 items in total (I have added jewellery, exercise gear - basically everything!) and I'm wearing 86% of my wardrobe, but I know I can do better.

I spent too much on family at Christmas and we don't really need much right now. My lovely DH bought me a new running top that I needed and I'll ask him if he will contribute towards new trainers for my birthday in February. That is all I will actually need - I think! I may need some warm-weather clothes this summer, but might be able to get by with what I have.

@TheOGCCL I really like your list! And everyone's reflections about reducing overall clothing, bags, shoes and beauty product consumption really resonate with me. Easier said than done, sometimes, but worth a try!

Last year I found 'good habit' distraction (Duolingo and audiobooks from the library) really helped to reduce scrolling. And I'm going to be extra busy at work soon, which will hopefully help, too.

Since we have a savings goal for a trip to the U.S. to see family this summer, I'm going to set myself a strict new rule this year, that I have to save the same amount as I am spending on non-essential purchases. If I can't immediately transfer the same amount to savings when I want to buy, then I will have to save up until I can afford it.

Good luck to us all and happy 2024!

Don't give up, @BlackSwan - just get back on it by reminding yourself of your reasons for wanting to do this challenge and keep trying.

GreekGod, you've hit the nail on the head: it's not good for the environment either. That's what has kept me out of the shops, online and high street, for over a decade. Knowing how textile and clothing manufacturing and distribution impacts the environment and the climate, I just can't bring myself to participate in it.

I still overshop second hand, probably buying something I don't really need every month, and so contribute to carbon emissions through postage and transportation. But I am determined to make 2024 the year when the things I buy for DC and me are just the bare necessities. Literally everything is available second hand if I have the patience and plan ahead: bought DC2s summer uniform for £12, a pair of boxed hardly worn Buffaloes for DC1 for £15, a Whistles dress with tags and Russell & Bromley boots for work for £26 in December, and am chuffed I reined myself in before I went too far above £50.

Sorely tempted by the January sales but standing firm. Have booked a weekend away in Paris and Eurostar is so expensive these days that I really cant afford to slip. Deleting all the sales newsletters without opening.

I did this from July last year. I wasn't really aware of how much I enjoyed looking at clothes online and was buying a couple of things every month and usually returning them. I still occasionally go online, put things in to a basket, get to the checkout then just shut down the website and remind myself how it doesn't matter how lovely the dress is, I really don't need it.

Anyway, my children are both struggling a lot in maths and for the first time, I have been able to afford tuition for them, so that is my motivation. Keep not spending so that my children get better and more confident in maths. It feels good.

I had told myself that I was only going to do it until Christmas but now I am just going to stick with it. I am overweight and aiming to lose it this year so there may be the odd thing I need, such as jeans, but it will be very very considered.

😬 start again tomorrow.

Got through the first day 😊