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’m pretty sure that due to distance selling regulations, anything bought online must be returnable.

I’m really glad you’re sending it all back 😊

Unless perishable personalized made to measure or not a product (like a download) anything bought online is returnable for 14 days. However if seller is not in UK and doesn't have A uk website this doesn't apply.

It says underwear is not returnable and there is a half slip and a bodysuit so not sure they will refund them. Parcel is being collected this morning so I guess I will know in a day or two.

Checking in on Blue Monday...

I've been veering all over the place, my mind is such a ridiculous place! One minute I decide I must have some skinny jeans, then a brown t-shirt, then a coat. None of which are exactly urgent purchases. After half a day the obsession dies down, all I need to do is ride it out. I think it's a good tip about taking 24 hours to think about it. Retailers push urgency on you with sales and discounts.

I've bought two things, a basic t shirt and some leggings, which suits my current lifestyle which is mainly WFH with some socialising (meals, cake out etc). I think part of my problem is I have lots of nice things that feel a bit overkill for just being at home.

I made a list of 12 items for the year and these are sort of on there but I think I've done some retrospective fudging. The budget remains the same as last year, but last year I bought 60+ items. I am using most of those but I just don't need to be buying 60+ items a year. It's overconsumption (apparently 60ish is about average). I think the list will be good for me to keep checking, is this something you said you needed? It's easy to find that item online and then start browsing for other things.

New learnings for people like me, compulsive over shoppers (clothes, shoes and accessories) that I've picked up from YouTube and books whilst trying to distract myself:

1. Think 4,3,2,1. Will I be wearing this in 4 years time (that's a big one for me) can I wear this 3 ways/with 3 outfits, take 2 deep breaths, sleep on it overnight
2. Remember you have a washing machine
3. Given the damage the fashion industry is doing to our planet, buying clothes etc should be an occasional treat, a luxury, not something done all the time just because we can
4. Ordering, receiving, returning and getting refunds is time consuming so even though I might feel virtuous returning stuff, it was a waste of time and not really the way I want to spend my time

This is great advice @TheOGCCL

I find it helps to be aware of my own very dangerous tendency to use shopping as a source of dopamine (I’m ND and dopamine seeking rules my life in many ways!)

@Cyclingmummy1 - thanks for the recommendation for The Curated Closet. I’ve ordered a second hand copy. Knowing my style is a big problem for me. I was a size 22 for years and a lot of things I bought were primarily because they came in my size rather than because I really liked them. I’m now a 16 and trying to find my style. And I have a very different life now too. And I’m a lot older. I’m now 60, have embraced the grey and have short hair. It’s a struggle to not look boring. I want to look a bit funky rather than like I’ve given up on life!

Very good list @TheOGCCL I suppose my put it on a list is a similar way of slowing down the impulse to purchase until I have time to reflect. Any other key lightbulb moment was realising that part of the purchasing was driven by the ageing process and thinking the right clothes and makeup would make me happy with my appearance again. When it’s only an internal acceptance of myself that can do that.
I am also going to try to avoid on line ordering and returns. There’s the environmental impact of all the deliveries of course but also the awful realisation that a lot of stuff we return is junked due to the costs of processing the returns. So we are sold cheaper shoddier clothes at higher prices to compensate.

I like your 4-3-2-1 list @TheOGCCL I’ve never done the 4 before but I did find a list from a few years back and I’ve been reflecting on how long I keep clothes for.

I’ve been very good with returns so far this year but realise we’re not past Jan yet.

I tried a top on yesterday in H and M thinking it will be nice for spring but didn't buy. Go me ! I'm thinking about getting it though in white and it's " only" 19.99. I would get a lot of wear out of it.

Well done. I got a 25% discount from H&M today as it's my birthday (55th). I didn't even look on there. It's the only mailing list I've kept as I get DS clothes from there as he likes them.

Happy birthday @Netcam 👏🏼🎂🎊

It's certainly good to have this thread echoing in your mind. It's a difficult and tempting time now though - all the new stuff coming in. However the weather is so crap so I continue to wear my warm sweaters!

My copy of The Curated Closet arrived yesterday and I’m about to start reading it.

In the meantime I went a bit mad on the Monsoon dress I liked. Ordered it from Monsoon in a size 16 where it was reduced to £60. Then read reviews which said it came up small. Ordered it from John Lewis in a 20 for £80 which I picked up on Tuesday. Was a bit big and the hoop to fasten the button on the sleeve was torn so took that back. In the meantime time spotted the dress on EBay in an 18 for £45 so ordered that! It’s just arrived and it fits! Well it’s a little tight. But wearable and I’m really pleased with it. A bit of a saga but can’t believe I got it for £45 in the end. I posted the original one back to Monsoon this morning having not even opened the package.

My Next order all arrived and I am keeping a pair of olive green Celtic and Co clogs which were £45 in the Next clearance section and are still full price on the Celtic and Co website. Also ordered a pair of gold Birkenstock dupes to replace a pair in the order that were a bit big but that I really liked. They were Jouoes and reduced to £26. So most of that big order is going back and I will pick up the gold sandals in the smaller size.

That is me done now for a while I think!

Ives def failed miserably this month, a couple of trips to Primark and 2 new dresses in the Joanie sale section.
But I did get a gorgeous chocolate distressed faux leather jacket for £10 which Im already getting alot of wear out of....and 2 people at the dentists today complemented my cheap chunky Primark brogues! So as long as Im wearing stuff and not buying multiples of things I dont feel too bad.

Im trying to be more mindful of wardrobe space though so I will need to send 2 dresses and a coat to the charity shop. Luckily I have a few dresses that I bought mid weight loss that are now too big.
Also I have a coat I bought in the sales last year Ive never worn, which is really bad! Again I blame weight loss....I was trying to find my style and thought I needed a camel coloured classic wool(ish) coat, because thats what everybody needs in their wardrobe right?.
Ive since realiesed Im not a classic/quiet luxury/capsule wardrobe person. Im more of a slightly chaotic retro/boho/vintage/goth kinda person!😎

@henlake7 I like your attitude " as long as I'm not buying multiples" 😂 🙌

@henlake7 I think that's amistake a lot of people make that a capsule wardrobe needs classic basics in black navy white cream and maybe camel
a capsule wardrobe can be bright colourful and boho it doesn't need to contain blazers dark jeans or a white shirt unless that's your vibe

I feel quite proud - one thing on my wish list this year was a light-weight summer dress. I found what I thought was the perfect one - light cotton, great colour and neckline, but it was just too baggy. I debated ages but finally sent it back today. Normally I would have forgiven it its faults and thought, "I'll wear it enough" and then probably proceeded not to. It has to be perfect for me to buy it/keep it!

That's a good thing @Pigtailsandall . I caved and ordered things and sent them back looking at them with a more critical eye.

Okay updating for accountability. I’ve done pretty well for me but still badly iykwim. Total of four purchases. One super excellent one but 3 other things which I don’t need. Contemplating sending them back but they fit well and I’m a difficult fit. Arghh sounds so easy but a whole month is a long time. What I will say though is that buying stuff and clothes in particular took up much less of my mental energy this month. I hardly looked or thought about shopping/buying stuff at all and my one over purchase came on the back of a very specific emotional trigger - interesting! Let’s see what February brings! Ooh and really enjoying Patrick Grants book

Feeling pleased with myself. Managed a whole 1/12 of no buy 2025.

Im ashamed to say I have been counting down the days until February so that I’m allowed to buy my next thing (restricting myself to one item a month). I’ve got a shopping trip planned for next week but if I don’t get anything there then I have something else in mind.
On beauty I got my Liberty beauty box subscription and I bought a mascara so I’m over my limit of one item there. Must try harder.
Well done everyone who has achieved their no-buy or low-buy goals.

This is the first time I’ve gone a whole month without shopping for or buying clothing in a very long time (probably several years?)

I’m fortunate to already have some nice quality clothes in my wardrobe (natural fibres, etc) so every time I was tempted to buy in January, I asked myself the question: will this new thing be nicer and last better than the similar items already in my wardrobe? This winter I bought jumpers from Sezane, Other Stories, and Jigsaw which had a synthetic component, and I overlooked this at the time as they were great styles and colours for me. But they all look tired and worn more quickly than they should, which is inevitable when there are synthetics in the mix. I keep reminding myself that anything with synthetic fibres will ultimately disappoint and that’s been a good way to curb my shopping: envisaging the future disappointment!

I’ve seen a couple of skirts I like the look of but I’m going to see if I can keep up another month of no shopping through February.

Checking in after Jan. Total amount of 'stuff' bought: 1 pair of socks (on sale), a 99p Kindle Book, a Xmas decoration (on sale) and a replacement yoga mat strap. No toiletries/beauty products. Total spend £37. Not bad at all for me. I'm also thinking much less about buying stuff/shopping which is quite liberating.

Decluttering is also going well - I made £501 selling unwanted clothes in Jan and have another pile ready to sell.

@Valkirie - musing on 'future disappointment' is a good tactic. Getting rid of clothes has been hammering the message home for me.

I failed absolutely miserably in January, which is a disappointment. BUT the things I failed with have been worn multiple times already, so I'm trying to see the positives.
Positives for the month:

Everything has been worn at least once, but most multiple.

I have only bought one item as an impulse Vinted purchase, a red long coat, and from reviewing the wear your wardrobe thread, I've been able to see that red is probably the one colour that will get consistently worn in my wardrobe, and should be a good thing to have.

I only bought one item 'because it's a bargain '. This is my biggest habit when shopping. Some of the other things I bought were on sale, but I bought them because I liked them and would have considered them at a higher price, or had a previously pinpointed gap in my wardrobe. I have worn the bargain top, and got two compliments on looking good- the reason I went for it and kept it was the colour isn't easy to find and I know it suits me.

I have so far resisted the appeal of H&Ms 15% off weekend, and the delights that are on the Tu website.

I have bought a total of 12 items in January.
1 was replacement split jeans, 2 were scarves after my daughter claimed hers back, so 3 more necessary than not.
1 will definitely be returned next week, so down to 11.
1 is a sequin jacket for my hen party later this year - but I need to try it on with potential outfits to check I feel good in it.
1 - a beaded bag- is under consideration. I wanted one before Christmas, and I will happily use beaded/ sequin all year round, I like it's shape, but I don't go out often.
1 is the coat that hasn't arrived yet, and will happily sell back on if not right.
I have sold 31 items from the room of doom, so definitely more out than in.

So taking a few things from the failure at least, and trying to not just shop for the sake of it. Really feeling it at the moment as also trying to diet and my usual sources of dopamine are sugar and a shopping basket 😂