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!

Day 19 and I’ve only bought a reduced denim jacket and three books, but that was using Christmas gift vouchers so, in my book, that doesn’t count!

That's interesting. I don't think I'd ever notice anyone's nails unless they were dirty! I'm not sure I notice hair either, unless it looks particularly different.

I notice what people are wearing, but I like observing and getting ideas from the way other people put outfits and colours together. I think the way people dress is an expression of their personality, and I take an interest.

Well, the power of a thread.
I was just about to press buy now at LookFantastic and... I had a helpful reminder notification about updates on this thread and.... I closed the tab. 😂Feel like the next step is to practise more holding oneself to account!

I've brought too much in January already, in my defence all sale, a cashmere jumpers it was reduced £77 but I kept thinking it's to much i must take it back, when yesterday john lewis had final reductions it had gone down to £55 , so I kept a eye on the website luckily one came back in stock so I reordered and will return the other, but I then bought another colour, two cashmere jumpers for the price of one is a great deal, I didn't buy any jumpers last year so I don't feel to guilty, other things were some leather ankle boots from m&s and some nightwear from next sale. Going to try a no buy February.

Reading your post with interest especially the bit about the cream cords. I can be like this - label driven or because it in theory costs so much. I try to say to myself if it didn't have that label on it would it be so attractive? Do I like it because of the label? It's a tough one isn't it? As you said you don't have anything to wear them with. I've been trying not to buy since 1 Jan too and have also cleared out loads to charity. My wardrobe is fairly mundane as I'm retired so don't need work clothes. I failed when I went into John Lewis and saw two total Barbour bargains - a gilet and a mid length jacket, both in their newer styling. I have on the positive sent a dress back to Monsoon and 4 to hush.

I bought a denim dress from Aligne with a gift voucher I’ve had for months so it was “free”. I feel like this doesn’t count as spending 😅

Other than that I’ve found myself looking at clothes and then closing the window once I’ve finished browsing. It’s still early days but I’m finding it helpful to just tell myself I’m not buying anything, I don’t need anything, full stop.

I’ve been struggling with cold numb feet indoors so I was looking at sheepskin slippers… then I remembered I have some Emu boots in the cupboard that I haven’t worn for years and years. So I dug them out and also found a few things I should put on Vinted.

Proof, as if I needed it, that every time I think there’s a gap in my wardrobe for something, I always have something similar at home already. Bit embarrassing really.

I've got these in brown suede and get lots of compliments.

I will say that I love my R&B boots and think they were worth every penny.

@Jellycats4life that's a good point. I sometimes wear in the house as a dressing gown a long grey wool cardigan from White Stuff which I nearly gave away. Ditto with a couple of brand new long cotton tank top cotton jersey dresses I never wore in public due to my rear end - now wearing them as nightwear. Why not?

Checking in. I've succumbed to a Kindle book that was on my wishlist and reduced to 99p and a pair of Toast socks (sale). I also bought a small housewarming gift for a friend which means total spend of £30.99 on 'stuff' so far in 2025 (exc groceries, cleaning products, essentials). That's ok but I need to be wary about small 'treats' like socks.

Things that are helping:

• adding things to my ipad Notes 'wishlist' when I get the urge to buy. When I review my list every Sunday, most of it comes off.
• decluttering and selling unwanted clothes - the faff is a good deterrent. Also done several charity shop runs and a large drop at the local recycling centre. As I get rid of items, I'm making myself reflect on why I bought in first place.
• I'm shopping the public library and got a 99p for 3 months Kindle Unlimited deal so having fun borrowing instead of shopping.

Early days. Enjoying reading about what is helping you to shop less.

@itsstillmehere yes to the label, but also with those cords- they are really nice quality, I know they fit well, and they would in theory go with an okay amount in my wardrobe. So lots of ticks in boxes which is driving me. BUT the thing I'm trying to remember- I want to look like me. Would I feel like me in cream cords? I live somewhere fairly middle class now, and cream cords, ankle boots and a coloured jumper with a quilted jacket would be something I would see several times on the school run. But do I want to look like that? Is that the image of myself I want to portray? Would I feel stylish in that? Is there a way I can style stone/ cream cords that wouldn't portray that image?

Normally these are things that I would consider after buying them, and then they would languish in the cupboard unworn. I'm trying to actually think of these things before I add another item to my full wardrobe!

I may be in the running for most pointless purchase so far this year - a silver sequinned cape. In my defence, I sing in a chorus and our dress code is 'black and bling' and I looked at it before Christmas when it was £69 so couldn't really not buy at £16.

The trousers from Next too tight so they are going back. I've not tried the shirts yet.

I’ve just ordered the Monsoon dress in a bigger size from JL. So I have two coming soon of the same dress. The reviews say it comes up small. I have a feeling they will both be going back though as although I love the dress I’m not convinced it will suit my apple shape. But at least I can try it and see.

@anon2022anon - I know what you mean about buying something because it’s a good label and a good price and then it not being you and never feeling comfortable in it so you never wear it. Having said that stone or cream cords sounds like a versatile item! I’d wear with black or navy or burgundy. And in fact you have reminded me I have a stone coloured pair of jeans I haven’t worn for years! I might hunt them out.

@Cyclingmummy1 - I love the sound of your cape! And what a bargain!

Its a fail for me too, thanks to the Primark sale!
I kinda went abit crazy in there but I feel I got my moneys worth. TBH Im still finding gaps in my wardrobe (even though I know I do buy too much of some things, like t shirts for example).
I chucked a pair of chunky black brogues in my basket coz I wanted a pair of black shoes and realiesed I didnt have a single pair!).
But I didnt really 'need' some of the other stuff, like a couple of £3 cropped shirts and a beautiful victorian style blouse for £5 that Im really not sure how to style.

ah well, no buy February?

@Cyclingmummy1
i know what you mean , late to this thread but I bought £27 sequinned trousers from next , were £90 , and I know I will wear them but would never pay &90 so 🤷

in
my defence , your ladyships , I have sent a lot of things back that were not quite right . This is my downfall thinking items will do when they are not quite right , and then wearing once or not at all

returnung

itchy jumper m and s £30
too tight cords m ans s £30
uncomfortable summer sandals mint velvet £60
too big shirt mint velvet £40
high heels that are beautiful but won’t stay on ? £33 next

did keep some boots £45 , in the. Clarke’s sale but overall I think I’m doing better than normal ,

will try to do better
and combined with a clear out and shopping my wardrobe , I want to get on top of my clothes

toiletries wise , I was given a lot of my favourites for Christmas so I’m doing a no buy / replacement only

forgit how much I liked my flared dark jeans , white shirt and red shoes combo , so that’s an outfit inspiration from this thread

I've done really poorly. I needed new wellies so used an Amazon voucher for them. Ok no harm done. Then saw some Ganni City Boots ( posh wellies) reduced from £300 to £60 so bought them too. Spent several hundred on Flannels sale buying things to resell on VINTED, as that seemed like a good idea, but nothing has sold and it's size 6 and size 24 so no good for me. Also been reduced further in the sale so I'll have to keep it for years probably till those listings go off the internet.

Then, style and beauty board convinced me I needed Tretinoin £24.99 a month subscription ( managed to cancel) glossier hair £50 for conditioner and more veg £30 a month subscription ( about to cancel) I am lost cause and easily influenced.

Oh dear @Doggymummar. That doesn’t sound good. But at least it’s a lesson. Especially the buying to sell on. Have you tried ebay rather than Vinted?

No, I used to sell on eBay years ago but forgot my password, time passed and all your recommendations drop off. When I came back to it last year with a wardrobe clear out everyone recommended Vinted so I went with that, and now have a nice five star rating. I've just hidden my wardrobe for now and will try again in the Spring. Definitely no buy February

@Doggymummar are the flannels items still within the returns period? If they are I would just send them back now rather than store for a potential long time to sell.

@KrazyboutKillian @Peridot1 😘

If anyone is looking to "find their style' can I recommend The Curated Closet by Anuschka Rees. I found it really useful to identify what I need for the life I have, rather than the life I think I have. But I still got drawn into a discussion with a colleague on Friday on how versatile a Chloe x Barbour cape would be 😆

Seriously, I thought they would be non returnable as they were 75pc off they arrived 2 days ago I'll check

Joining a little late! I tried this last year with a degree of success. I totally failed at no-buy or even the low-buy I'd aimed for, but I did make some big changes.

I divided my clothes purchases into trend pieces and timeless pieces. Tried to buy more of the latter and when I did, I bought better quality things so they'd last. I gave myself permission to do this after keeping track of spending in 2023 and realising how much I'd spent on clothes. I figured there was nothing to lose by buying better quality, I'd just have to buy fewer items to afford it. This suited me because I have so much already now, bringing in fewer items was a bonus!

I've weeded out everything that doesn't fit or that I hate, my wardrobe is looking a lot more like 'current me' now. My weight fluctuates but not by much so apart from the things that I know were 'gold dust' that fitted me perfectly when a little smaller, I'm now going to weed out anything that doesn't fit at my biggest weight, because it's fine if clothes are a fraction loose when I'm smaller and I'll still have those 'gold dust' items that I can store separately. I'm hopeful that having 90% items that fit me no matter what will then stop the feeling of having 'nothing to wear' and help curb my spending.

I've definitely changed. I used to buy whatever I liked. Now I stop and think where will I put it? Also I usually delete half my cart before purchasing. I'm going to limit my colour palette. Lots of things look good on me but it'll help enormously if everything goes with each other so I've chosen a colour palette to stick to for future purchases. I'm also getting rid of anything I find that doesn't go with other things, regardless of how lovely it is. Before, I'd go buy some things to go with it!

I don't think there's much point in me setting a target, I'll only break it. I need to keep focused on the mindset changes, that's what will make the biggest difference for me. So I guess my target is further streamlining my wardrobe to create a more distinct style.

@anon2022anon thank you so much. All packed up to be returned tomorrow 😄

Sounds like a plan @IndianSummer78 I'm gonna try that for the rest of the year.

That’s great @Doggymummar! Good thinking @anon2022anon!

I did some packing up today too. Have all of my Next stuff ready to go back. Just waiting for the clearance stuff to arrive and I’m sure a couple of things will go back so I can take them all.