Low buy/no-buy 2025

[Pigtailsandall]

Anyone up for a low-buy challenge for 2025? We had a no-buy/low-buy 2024 challenge and I found it helpful to check jn and read others' updates. I'm going to set some rules but essentially I'm not allowed more than 1 new item a month - so 12 items for the year, including shoes.

I've decluttered tons, and have 3 empty storage boxes in my loft now and I really don't want to fill them up again!

I've bought a jumper from vinted, identical to one I've worn out so a direct replacement for my winter work wardrobe.

2 diffuser refills from a shop in Harrogate because I'll run out and regret not buying. Wore the new jeans as well and got loads of compliments.

And I'm planning a trip to an outlet village next week. It's just a small one so no massive expectations.

I’m in a danger zone of going on a hot holiday for the first time since the pandemic and not having much in the way of clothes for that sort of weather (no dresses or skirts, no lightweight trousers, one pair of shorts). But I am going to keep things to a minimum and make sure things can be worn on a very hot UK day too. Looking at Vinted too but for me it’s more the overall stuff than the cost.

Year on year I do better at buying the right things for me which might sound simple but I have a VERY long history of buying things that caught my eye and which I just don’t get the wear out of. That means I can now pull things out from last year and the year before and not rush off buying new things. It really helps to think ‘so you want to be wearing this in five years’ time do you?’, also the terrible quality of such a lot of the stuff available these days.

For me it’s not about not buying anything, it’s stopping frivolous, impulsive and just unnecessary and wasteful spending on clothes. Being mindful about it and learning from my mistakes.

I've reviewed my five month spend and it's pretty good.

Two white t shirts (landsend and sainsbury)
Two pairs of pj's and a dressing gown for a hospital stay
One red linen dress, already worn

I am having a thing for plants though as I didn't do any gardening last year due to illness.
Another black sack for the charity shop.
I need new jeans after my six stone weight loss but I have no arse and a post operative belly. I'm a 16 now and tall. Any suggestions welcome.

How is everyone doing on this? I’ve been awful, made it to April (exactly the same last year, got to April) and since then have just constantly purchased on Vinted! Must stop no it’s embarrassing constantly driving up to the inpost locker daily. 🤣

Try River Island for jeans. I was very surprised how good they were.

I've bought but I've made no mistakes this year, which is huge. I'm guilty of buying for my fantasy self usually, even though I try not to. I've definitely bought less than last year and I haven't bought anything without knowing what it'll match with (and then ending up having to buy something else to go with it).

I've accepted that I'm mostly needing a bigger size now. So everything new has been in that size and I've got rid of anything smaller except a handful of favourite and timeless things that I know fit me perfectly, for if I ever lose weight.

I've done better at clearing out. Much more ruthless than I've ever been able to be before. I've got rid of some nice things in good condition that just didn't fit right or weren't suitable for my life. Before, I'd have kept them.

My home is looking clearer and I've been able to buy some new bits of furniture/storage upgrades with the money I saved.

I've reread the entire thread this afternoon and really enjoyed it so thank you all.

One thing I missed off in March was a kit to make a bag. I bought one for a friend for her birthday and one for me. I've not started it yet but I have finished and used to the one DH bought me for Christmas. Mine is mustard.

Completely missing the point of the thread, I'm now deciding which one of these bag kits to treat myself too... Were you happy with the end result @Cyclingmummy1 ?

@outofideas I was delighted with it. I am a good hand stitcher and if you aren't, I can see it would be trickier, but the video to follow was excellent.

@outofideas2 think I tagged the wrong person.

Well I have to say I have been pretty rubbish. Bought quite a bit. Clothes and skincare. And shoes.

I was away in Ireland for two weeks and I bought some things there. It was my birthday and I bought myself a pair of red and pink Adidas trainers and Birkenstock clogs. And was in Zara last week and bought a nice white linen shirt.

I have lost a lot of weight and am now a 16 and finding a different style now. I’m older than I was last time I was this size. I have a different lifestyle. Being able to buy things because I like them rather than just because they have it in a size 22 is fantastic. And dangerous!

We went out for my birthday and I felt great in a new pair of wide leg pinstripe jeans I’d bought in Ireland with a white shirt from M&S and my new Adidas trainers and the leopard coat from Eleven Loves I bought a while ago. Met some friends and they all commented that I looked great and very on trend. It was lovely. Especially as DH and DS would never notice or say anything!

I’m gradually going through my wardrobe and figuring out what fits with the new me and what I’m just hanging into because I used to like it. I have a basic range of colours - black, white, navy, olive green, blue and some leopard print. There are a few other bits but that’s the main colours and so everything sort of goes together in various combinations.

So although I definitely haven’t kept to a low buy I feel pretty okay with it all. I am on the hunt for a nice smartish black top to go with a couple of things. And I saw a nice pair of dressy trousers and a matching blouse in olive green that I think would fit in very well and I would get a lot of wear out of so I’m going to go and try them on this week.

Then I’m probably done!

I’ve ordered a mole coloured merino jumper. In my favour it is a colour I don’t have and will go with both jeans and work wear I have. Just not in summer haha. I’ve been stalking it coming back in my size for a few months.

I’m also going to try a second pair of animal print jeans (slightly more subtle than the leopard ones) from Next sale. I’ve had a similar pair in the past but wore them out so they’ll be a good addition if they fit (hit and mix with Next). I’ll update if they get returned. I know I don’t need these but when Next jeans fit well I’ve tended to keep and wear a lot and for years. I’m bringing out some pinstripe jeans from about 10 years ago this summer again thanks to Whistles having similar currently. Not on my list though so more difficult for me to justify the purchase.

I have reviewed my list for the year (approx mid way) and added a couple of items. Namely a cotton maxi dress with sleeves, and naice linen/linen mix trousers. Not sure of the direction for the linen but something quality and not see through. I saw some gorgeous culottes but alas I can’t be dealing with the knicker issue. The animal print jeans might even fill the gap. For the dress I’m swinging between waiting for a particular Kemi Telford to come up second hand, a striped shirt dress from Arket (I think it was anyway but I suspect I’d need to find a petite version from elsewhere) or a boho style buffet dress. Something for summer on those days you have no idea whether it is going to get sunny out or not!

There are also things on my list that I have removed because I haven’t found what I’m looking for in over a year. I’m taking that as win because my list has got shorter.

I fancied a cropped jacket I saw on a TV show but will mull it over some more before it makes the list. I think it would work better in leather or suede to fit in with my wardrobe. I’ll keep my eyes open.

Oh another very small win is a sample of bronzing fluid from Dr Hauschka. I was expecting one of those plastic sachets that go everywhere but it came in the most adorable miniature metal tube. I’m going to use it today. This means I can tick off bronzer.

I confess I failed miserably in the early part of the year and bought quite a lot. That said, several bits were things I needed as replacements, but there were a few impulse sale/charity shop buys. I did buy some new sandals and a couple of dresses from Sainsbury's and Asda to freshen up my summer wardrobe and simply because the style and colours made me happy. They replaced several which have gone in the charity shop bag. Whilst I was in Denmark on a recent cruise I picked up a lovely In-Wear dress at 70% less than I had seen it here, and also two cashmere jumpers for £55 each in black and light grey which are great and the perfect length - so many jumpers I'd seen here were cropped or shorter length. Other purchases have been necessary - new dance leggings and t-shirt for dance class, and I will need new ballet shoes but mum will get those for my birthday.

I'm trying to make more considered purchases rather than just buying for the sake of it which has been my downfall in the past. I was in our local town earlier this week for a nail appointment and had time to look in the shops. There wasn't anything that caught my eye so felt rather good about that!

Jeans going back due to poor fit but merino jumper is perfect.

I have spent some time looking at some brands second hand this morning. I decided I’m going to list some things myself to take my mind off buying. Fingers crossed.

No clothes from the outlet village but a big spend in Molton Brown - 4 hand wash for £44, 4 body wash for £40, 10 x 100ml body lotion for £12. Would have been rude not to 😉

Checking in for the end of the month. Bought a long sleeved Arket shirt dress from eBay. Crosses of the long sleeved dress and the striped shirt I had on my list nicely.

Under my number of items for mid year point.

Still need to sell some clothes.

I’ve still not been brilliant. Bought a nice green skirt in a local boutique on sale this week. But. I ordered some things from Next and I went to pick them up yesterday - tried them on instore and returned them immediately. They were ok but I decided I really didn’t need them. Then I went to Sainsburys and picked up a few things - two pairs of shorts and a top but again decided I didn’t need them so put them back. I’m taking that as a bit of a win.

Checking in for June.

A linen dress, a tee and a sweatshirt this month. Not great but all have been worn a couple of times and are useful additions. I've got rid of a load of stuff (sales and donations) so my wardrobe is looking a lot less cluttered.

My clothing wishlist is down to 4 items so I'm going to try and be a lot more focussed in the second half of the year and stick to just them. Will check in again end July.

I don't think I've bought anything. And I've sold a few things on vinted.

However, I've felt a bit dated this half term in some of my summer clothes. I've put off buying as we finish next Friday so I'd not very a lot of wear from anything new. I'll have a good sort out once we finish and decide what I like and what I don't.

I bought a couple tops and a necklace in the charity shop beginning this month but I think that was it. Going to another clothes swap next weekend so will swap out a few things I have in my 'get rid' pile. I have plenty of summer clothes I realise, it's my favourite season.

I bought two pairs of jeans this month. One a nice pair of lighter weight summer jeans -perfect for now and already been worn a few times. The other faux leather barrel jeans I have no rational excuse for lol.

Oh, and a wool gilet for winter. I’ve been contemplating these for the past two years.

I’ve been tempted quite a bit this month so have reread this thread for a bit of moral support before I unravel!

Just found this thread and reading with interest!

Checking in to report on last 4 weeks.

Still buying and selling bits on eBay and Vinted - sold 2 dresses (made £71.06) and bought 2 linen dresses & 1 sweatshirt (spent £28.90). Also donated a dress and a top to charity. No makeup/toilettries bought.

Happy with this kind of wardrobe tweaking/refining - so this counts as a good month for me.

I managed to pull back from the edge a bit this month. Free people co-ord set and a ruched long sleeved top from eBay. Still on track but new season is very much my most liked colours eek.