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!

Very true. No one wants second hand Primark or Shein or other cheap brands, so giving them to a charity shop is probably going to cost them money in disposing of it. Also if everything good is being put on Vinted then there won’t be much left for the charity shops to sell.
On a more personal note, having read the Patrick Grant book ‘Less’, I would like to do a low buy year. I don’t buy masses of things, but I know I have enough to wear. I’m not doing this for financial reasons but more for the planet. Not over using the planet’s resources and also exploiting cheap overseas labour when I could be supporting jobs in our communities.
I see someone suggested 1 item per month, so I think I will allow myself 1 fashion and 1 beauty purchase a month. If I manage to do less than that, then so much the better.
I’ve ordered a bag on line, so that will be it for January. It’s something I’ve been after for a while, but whether buying something that I have’t seen IRL will turn out to be a mistake? So that’s it. I saw a coat I liked and wanted to order it. I was just browsing idly in the evening on line. It’s been quite a struggle not to buy it. I don’t need it at all, but the thought that I might miss out on it (it’s in the sale) seems to be making me panic. So I guess that means no more browsing as I’m too weak.

@TheOGCCL - yes, the levels of consumption are starting to bug me too.

Kids getting toys they never play with, me buying clothes or makeup I never wear/use, wasted food getting chucked out....endless.

@narniabusiness - ah yes, the FOMO. I am sucker for that even when I know I'm being suckered.

I’ve been unsubscribing from a ton of retailer mailing lists. Sounds obvious, but I stay on dozens of mailing lists simply because I can’t be bothered to unsubscribe, or perhaps because I like the brand and subconsciously want to keep in touch with offers and sales (yes, FOMO!). Well, no more. I’m drowning in unread emails and have been for years.

I've got the Patrick Grant book on my Kindle, and I also picked up 'How to Break Up with Fast Fashion' by Lauren Bravo for 25p in the charity shop. I am as guilty as anyone of a quick dopamine 'I need a treat " hit and as a result have a bulging wardrobe full of clothes, the bulk of which I don't wear. I'm really intent on making this year the one where I really do get sorted and only buy things that are on my list, or at least be more selective in what I do buy.

I volunteer in a charity shop and just seeing the sheer volume of stuff donated, some expensive brands that are either unworn or barely worn plus reading the Lauren Bravo book and more recently Less have really made me question my consumption.

I’m allowing myself up to twelve brand new clothing items this year though ideally am aiming for five. Items bought from the charity shop I volunteer in are allowed. Beauty items will be replacements only.

I'm going to work my way through my wardrobe monthly by category. This month its formal clothes. I only need a formal dress twice a year. Sons speech day and Ascot. I must have 20-15 of them. I actually wore a very cheap dress to Ascot last year and wondered why I don't do that more often. I don't even go to Ascot every year. Son leaves his school in two years as well so it very low use V what it takes up as a % of my wardrobe.

I have a lovely flapper dress I bought and wore once to my friend's 40th. She is 46 and its only been worn that once. I bought it on Vinted so really I should sell it. It's like dress hire.

If I ever go to another prohibition party again, I could buy another. Logically.

Just checking in to say that’s a whole week done without buying any clothes or skincare over here. It doesn’t sound like much but it’s pretty amazing for me. Ive felt the draw a few times and found myself browsing but managed to resist. I did buy some gloves for the children today as I realised we have mainly singles!

A week done here on no buys too. A Vinted purchase from NYE has arrived today (and is fab) so too early to feel deprived.

I've noticed a big reduction in emails from all the unsubscribes. Only 2 Vinted emails (delivery confirmation/feedback request from said order) and an Ocado receipt today.

Yeah I think the emails and texts etc are part of what I like/ am slightly addicted to. I’ve still got some companies to unsubscribe from - going to do that now…

I've made a wishlist for my low-buy year, and it's mainly shoes. I haven't bought new shoes for a few years and I actually need some. I walk a lot so it takes a toll on my shoes.

The main shoes I'd like are birkenstock Boston clogs, some R&B loafers, and a pair of brown boots - I don't think I can afford Grensons, but maybe DMs or Solovairs. Maybe a pair of leather summer sandals, though that was on my list last year and I didn't find anything I liked.

Other than that, I'd like a brown v-neck jumper and a few summer dresses. I decluttered almost all my dresses and find it really hard to find anything in the shape and style I like. I did buy 2 blouses in the sale (but on the side of 2024!) because another thing on my list was a few 'nice" tops for slightly fancier occasions like lunches, pub nights or gallery visits. I tend to live in t-shirts.

The shoes will be expensive so I think that's plenty.

Well done, same for me. I've also been unsubscribing from emails as they arrive.

Ten days of no spend here - whoop! I'm normally a sucker for the sales, but when I sorted my wardrobe I realised most of the things I didn't wear much were sales bargains. I'm slowly uploading to Whering but it will take a while. I have two vouchers to spend at some point, but I don't think they count as they were Christmas gifts 🙂

I’ve done well too and not bought anything. Well since the cardigan I bought on the 1st.

I do need an eye primer and a mascara so I will be buying thise this weekend. I have a Liberty voucher and a Cult Beauty £10 credit so will utilise those.

I am about to buy some packing cubes as I’m going to Australia and New Zealand next month for five weeks. I do have some packing cubes but I want to get some compression ones.

I have also been tempted by a Stackers toiletries bag but I have loads of toiletries bags so I’m going to sort out what I’m taking this weekend and see if I can recreate the organised toiletries/make up situation that tempts me with the Stackers bag.

I have looked at stuff online but haven’t really been tempted by much for long.

I’m going to start sorting out my summer stuff next week to decide what I’m taking away. That will feel a bit like shopping!

My ebay coat is with royal mail after coming overseas and I haven't bought any clothes although I have just bid on a bedspread.

Failing so far, though not miserably.

Not counting- From above, my jeans ripped, so I did buy a replacement pair- you find a pair of jeans that fits, is comfy, feel flattering and are a decent price, you buy them, right? So I did. Next wide leg hourglass for £32 if anyone's interested 😁 not sure if I'm counting them in my numbers!

1- A pair of dark blue cords from the charity shop, fit really well, and I've worn them twice already. The same person had donated exactly the same trousers in a stone colour,which I walked away from, as I'm not sure they'll get as much wear in my wardrobe. However, I've just looked on the brands website (Poetry) and found these trousers were £135 new, and they do fit lovely, so now I'm second guessing whether I should go see if they're still there.

2- Spent a voucher on a cardigan in tk maxx- blue with red hearts on, already worn it yesterday.

3- fail. While buying the above cardigan, a top jumped into my basket that was £2.50 in the sale. The top is a great colour for me (a fairly bright fuschia with blue undertones), but unsure on the cut/ material, and I know I wouldn't have picked it up at £20.

I think both the top in t k Maxx and the cream cords are both fairly illustrative of my big problem- the rush of a 'bargain'.

@Pigtailsandall I've found I wear my Gabor loafers a lot more than R&B and they were half the price. They are a bit wider (I have narrow feet) but not overly so, and come in half sizes so I got a better fit.

I have a Next order to collect today - 4 shirts and a pair of trousers. I'm expecting to send at least 3 items back but a plain shirt for under knitted vests is on my list.

I found Less really interesting. Must look for the other recommendation.

Ooh this is interesting! I have lusted after the R&B loafers for years but if anything, my feet are on the wide side. Which loafers did you get from Gabor?

I'm trying to be really mindful about spending, but I did buy a Uniqlo cashmere jumper. A brown v-neck jumper has been on my wishlist for years and I came across this one in store while looking for trousers for dc. It was the last in my size, and reduced, so I got it. That should be it for winter shopping now.

@Pigtailsandall Good morning! I remember us talking about that brown jumper. i
Isn’t it a great feeling when you tick a strategic item off the list and just stick to the list?

Hello! Yes! It was sold out online and I found the last remaining 2 in store which was exciting. Going to wear it today. DH is going to Japan later this year (where Uniqlo is everywhere and about half price), so if I like this one, I might look at replacing an old cream merino one with a cashmere version 😊 I'm doing strictly one in, one out (or even two out) this year

I’ve just bought my one allowed item (a bag) and I’m finding it helpful to write other things I want on a wish list. If I still want it next month then I could consider buying one of those things then. I do wonder whether the moment will pass, the weather will change, I will see other things and I just won’t want these things at all.

@anon2022anon, I have several pairs of trousers from Poetry and find they fit me well.

And it's the 19th Jan and I haven't bought anything. Well, not shoes/clothes/bags.

I do confess to having ordered a heated airer from Lakeland. Our other clothes airer broke, and after reading a recent Guardian article about them, I couldn't resist trying one. I need to open the box and set it up today.

I get a bit fed up with having washing drying all over the house in the winter and thought it might help since we don't have a tumble drier.

I usually wear the same outfit for the whole week in the winter, partly because there won't be any space to hang more washing, so I don't want to create more.

I haven't bought anything yet! This is really very good for me, even if we are only 19 days in. Clothes (and books. And piano music) are my biggest luxury. Can see the impact on my bank balance already!

I've come to the conclusion that unless you are going to an event or having a night out people notice hair and nails more that what you are wearing. I am aiming for a very low spend on clothes for the rest of the year.

I got some bargains in the sales but ended up spending about £70. I got a
Skirt
Jumper
Jumper from Crew which is good quality and I love
Top from Seasalt

I love clothes and it's always tempting to buy things when they are reduced 🤓

I have been a bit rubbish really. I’m going to Australia in two weeks and for some reason that made me think I needed to buy stuff!

Anyway. I ordered quite a bit from Next. Some sale stuff which hasn’t arrived yet - three pairs of shoes and a kimono top. Some underwear, summer pjs and a pack of two tops in black and white. The underwear is going back for sure and I’m going to decide on the other things today. They are ok but do I really need them? Hoping the sale stuff arrives soon so I can take everything back together.

I also ordered a dress from JD Williams. It arrived yesterday and within 30 mins I had tried it on and repackaged it and arranged the return. Wasn’t nearly as nice in real life.

And I also got ordered a dress from Monsoon. I saw it before Christmas and really liked it and it’s in the sale. Reviews do say it comes up very small so it might be going back. John Lewis do have bigger sizes though……. Although not reduced as much as on the Monsoon website.