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No/low buy 2025 shop from wardrobe

881 replies

Netcam · 04/01/2025 19:10

A new thread to share 'shopping from our wardrobes' so we realise we already have nice things to wear and don't need to buy anything else.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
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Netcam · 05/04/2025 19:53

Well, I've packed.

It should be enough for our 8 night hiking trip to the Peak District with mixed weather. It's pretty much all merino, hiking trousers are a 50% merino/50% cotton mix canvas, I have 2 pairs the same.

I packed some PJs/merino loungewear to keep me warm in the evening too. I also have goretex trousers, several pairs of walking shoes/boots, gloves and a wool hat. Who knows what the weather will be like.

No/low buy 2025 shop from wardrobe
No/low buy 2025 shop from wardrobe
No/low buy 2025 shop from wardrobe
No/low buy 2025 shop from wardrobe
OP posts:
Cantonet · 06/04/2025 12:12

Fantastic colour coordinated hiking wardrobe there @Netcam. You are definitely going to be the best dressed hiker on the mountains.

It's barrel jeans plus a pretty blouse week for me this week - as pictured.

No/low buy 2025 shop from wardrobe
No/low buy 2025 shop from wardrobe
No/low buy 2025 shop from wardrobe
Cantonet · 13/04/2025 13:05

How are you all?
Are you all still managing to shop from your wardrobe?
Or have you succumbed to new buys?
I think it's hard at this time of year.
Especially when the weather warms up.

I've had a long lecture from my 20 year old DD about ordering online. Telling me that most of the returns are toosed away. The problem is sizing is so variable these days. So you end up ordering more than one size. Plus there are virtually no shops left in our town. And the petite sizes are never in stock.
Dd lives in London & mainly shops at vintage/thrift shop.
But at a size 6/8 it's easy for her to do that.

I bought a pretty cotton scarf this week for £10 as attached.
I didn't realise it was part of the kids range but the print is so pretty & I love the colours. The blues & greens go with the faded denim & old green colours I like to wear & have a lot of from previous years.
It may only be big enough for my handbag but that's fine.

No/low buy 2025 shop from wardrobe
tonybennscat · 13/04/2025 16:02

Love that scarf @Cantonet and the deep blue shirt. My sort of colours too. Where are they from?

I agree it’s hard this time of the year and my biggest problem as always is shoes deciding my outfit. I bought a couple of denim skirts last year and they’ve been great with boots and will be good with sandals when it’s warmer but in between I’m finding it tricky. I’m not keen on trainers with them although I don’t mind trainers with dresses usually. So I’m back in jeans mostly with trainers.

I tried on all my T shirts from last year and decided most of them need to be binned. I’ve lost weight and now all the round necks are just baggy on me.
I ordered some scoop neck and v neck T shirts from Seasalt and they were really nice. I cocked up and put the order through twice but I think I’ll keep the duplicates too. Also got a really nice blue and white Breton from there and some jeans from M&S and a pair of Fitflop sandals but they were a birthday present to myself.

anon2022anon · 13/04/2025 17:17

Lovely colour palette @Cantonet

Oh I'm completely failing at the low buy shop from wardrobe. What I am succeeding in is having things that I will wear, wearing new/ different outfits, and embracing my body shape a bit more- it's quite nice to see that something makes my hips look large, and then think oh well, I like the colour/ shape/ it's comfy and wear it regardless

Cantonet · 14/04/2025 10:26

I'm the same @anon2022anon. I won't wear anything that's uncomfortable these days. Even if it looks good.
I keep the tags on for up to 4 weeks now. If I haven't worn it back it goes.I have a much better idea now of what I'm wearing easily ... if that makes sense. With some help from the Whering App

Cantonet · 14/04/2025 10:31

@tonybennscat your buys sound like good useful basics. Jeans and T shirts are the basis of my wardrobe too. It's so difficult to source the best shapes & fabrics that make you feel good.
The blouse came from my local Tk Maxx & the scarf is a Georgia Beaumont Collab. from H&M.

anon2022anon · 14/04/2025 10:34

Would anyone like to join me in a little thread mini challenge?
I want to pick something out of my wardrobe that I DONT currently wear, and wear it for 3 different occasions. I'd love it if anyone else wants to join 😊

The item I'm doing this week are these red river island trousers. You can't see from the picture but they have a white stripe down each side too. They're a good material for this weather, they fit me well, I love the colour, and but Im not wearing them- maybe twice since I bought them last year? I need to either commit to wearing them, or put them on Vinted while this colour is selling well!

I want to wear them:
Smart/ casual office wear
Casual out with young DD day
A third option- I have book club this week, which I go to with a fashiony friend, so thinking that might be a good chance to wear something different? Or I'm off to a daytime clubbing event on Saturday, maybe I dress them up for going dancing? Maybe all 4!

No/low buy 2025 shop from wardrobe
Hillsaremyhappyplace · 14/04/2025 14:30

Can I join? Too much of my time is spent shopping, returning and managing my bulging wardrobe. And still nothing to wear! I need to do better. The thought of getting all my summer clothes down from the attic is stressful.

tonybennscat · 14/04/2025 14:53

I have very similar trousers in navy with a green and white stripe @anon2022anon. I have never worn them. I might try this week now you’ve thrown down the gauntlet.

@Hillsaremyhappyplace tell me about the returning! I must do better. I have already been on the TKMaxx site looking for @Cantonet’s blue blouse. I DO NOT NEED IT!

TheLongRider · 14/04/2025 14:55

@anon2022anon

It depends on what fabric the trousers are made from, if they are shiny polyester they'll be harder to style than a cotton fabric.

For the office I would wear them with a polo shirt in navy or cream possibly with a stripe. Think classic Ralph Lauren styling, maybe with a blazer with the sleeves rolled up. Neat earrings in gold or silver.

For a casual day out, band t-shirt or plain t-shirt. Either a bomber jacket or a quilted denim jacket in navy or cream. I'd wear a small neck scarf or a bright red lipstick to complement the red trousers.

Dancing - strappy top fun jewellery and comfy shoes!

Cantonet · 14/04/2025 15:06

Office wear - white or off-white silk pussy bow blouse & white kitten heels
Or- silk camel t shirt with a camel blazer & white with red stripe Adidas flatforms.

Book club - vest top under an off the shoulder sweatshirt/jumper, trench & Adidas flatforms.

Shopping - leather/suede jacket over a cotton/linen jumper with a red patterned neckerchief & Adidas.

Cantonet · 14/04/2025 15:07

The office wear is inspired by Me & Em styling.

anon2022anon · 14/04/2025 17:10

Thanks for all the ideas! I like the polo shirt idea, but I don't have one. Note to self, DO NOT SHOP! 😁
The trousers are soft and flowy, but not silky. They probably work a bit better smart casual than fully casual.
I've remembered that one of the reasons I don't wear them is the have 2 belt loops at the front, but none on the elasticated back, so belts ride up at the back all the damn time.

I should have said, my smart casual office is very casual- only 4 of us in the team, and 2 came in jeans and a vest! Unfortunately if I turned up in a pussy bow shirt and heels, someone would pass out in shock 😁
OFFICE
I've worn today:
Red trousers
Black fine knit short sleeve jumper
A mini gold chain stack and black and gold belt
Black fisherman sandals
Black cotton quilted style jacket
Leopard shopper bag

Both Indyx and real life pictures included, excuse the toilet selfies.

I hope some of you do have a little dig in your wardrobe and join me with something you find hard to wear!

No/low buy 2025 shop from wardrobe
No/low buy 2025 shop from wardrobe
No/low buy 2025 shop from wardrobe
outofideas2 · 15/04/2025 09:40

That's a great idea @anon2022anon ! Going to look through my wardrobe tonight for something that tends to get pushed to the back.

anon2022anon · 15/04/2025 15:58

Outfit number 2 today, casual day out with 5 year old- went for

anon2022anon · 15/04/2025 17:33

Okay please ignore my post I started, forgot, and accidentally posted and now can't edit😂

anon2022anon · 15/04/2025 17:37

Outfit number 2 today, casual day out with 5 year old- went for a band t-shirt as suggested up thread, a denim shirt for warmth and trainers. It was raining here, so added a raincoat too, which wasn't great but needs must!

On paper, I was okay with this outfit, in reality, I wouldn't wear it again. I think it was the smarter trousers dressed down, didn't work for me personally, or maybe the colours felt off and it would have been better with a grey/ black denim shirt. Comfy and practical enough though. Still not sure how I feel about the trousers.

No/low buy 2025 shop from wardrobe
No/low buy 2025 shop from wardrobe
No/low buy 2025 shop from wardrobe
anon2022anon · 18/04/2025 19:53

Outfit number 3 with the red trousers for book club last night, no proper photos but I wore this and a black bomber jacket.
Felt meh in them, but got complimented on them so maybe it's just my feelings towards the trousers. Still haven't decided on whether to keep them or not.

No/low buy 2025 shop from wardrobe
tonybennscat · 18/04/2025 19:59

The trousers look great @anon2022anon, they go really well with leopard print.
Mine are still in the wardrobe. Since I bought my new sandals it has turned wet and cold so the whole week has been jeans and jumpers. I may give them a whirl tomorrow.

tonybennscat · 20/04/2025 14:02

In the spirit of the thread I’ve broken out my trousers with a stripe. They are navy with a green and white side stripe (M&S about 2 years ago.) With a navy v neck Tshirt and gold fake Birkenstocks. I’m not going anywhere exciting - visiting my mum in hospital. They are amazingly comfortable and feel nice to wear.

anon2022anon · 21/04/2025 08:12

@tonybennscat they sound nice, and like a classic outfit choice.

Cantonet · 23/04/2025 15:35

@tonybennscat I like those striped trousers too. I have a pair in Khaki with black stripes which I wear a lot & a geranium pink colour which I'm about to ebay.

@anon2022anon I love your red trousers with the black jumper. You appear to suit a dramatic contrast.
Do you know what style personality you are?

I recently ordered a fringed Suedette jacket in blonde as attached which I love, but I think I'm going to send it back. My 20 year old ds has just said it's a bit extra for around here & he doesn't think I will wear it. I think he's probably right and there's nothing worse than things sitting in the wardrobe unused. I guess practicality plays a huge part in my wardrobe these days 🥲

Wearing the cropped Uniqlo J Anderson blue shirt with black barrel jeans & the M&S top belt which I love today.

I hope you've all had a great Easter & @Netcamhow was your hiking holiday?

No/low buy 2025 shop from wardrobe
No/low buy 2025 shop from wardrobe
tonybennscat · 23/04/2025 15:47

I like that jacket @Cantonet but I’m very much in the practicality camp too these days.

I’m wearing them again today (striped trousers) out to lunch supposedly with navy v neck, denim jacket and silver trainers. Unfortunately the restaurant closed early due to water problems so I went shopping in Sainsbury's instead, Just come home though and put a grey woolly cardi on as it’s freezing.

I have a funeral tomorrow of my dear friend’s husband so I’m going to sort out something to wear now so I don’t have a panic in the morning. Opaques and boots or not is the main question.

Netcam · 23/04/2025 19:20

@Cantonet, thanks for asking, been back a couple of days but straight back to work and loads of laundry to do, haven't had much time to think. But DH makes dinner on Wednesdays so here I am!

Nice to see you're all wearing practical stuff too. I pretty much lived in my 2 pairs of Icebreaker merino/cotton canvas hiking trousers, walking shoes or boots and my Goretex jacket with various layers of merino underneath depending on the weather. The new Hoka Kaha 2 walking boots were great as was my new Goretex jacket, replacing an ancient one that had pretty much lost its waterproofing.

I think the other most useful item I brought with me was my merino bodysuit with built in balaclava for wearing at night. We have a micro caravan and although it has heating, we don't keep in on at night. The temperature when we wake up in the morning is usually about 2 degrees higher than outside. One morning we looked and it was 4 degrees inside. But with my merino bodysuit, alpaca bedsocks, a silk/merino long sleeved top underneath and our warm silk filled duvet with wool blankets on top as well as a wool mattress topper with a fluffy merino fleece blanket under the top sheet, the bed was lovely and warm inside. And I coped with night-time toilet visits in the cold, probably because the washroom is only about a metre from our bed.

We also managed 7 days hiking out of 8, with only one snuggled up in the caravan with the heating on playing Scrabble, reading, drinking tea and watching Netflix while the rain poured and the wind blew outside.

No/low buy 2025 shop from wardrobe
No/low buy 2025 shop from wardrobe
No/low buy 2025 shop from wardrobe
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