Anyone interested in a "use it all up", "don't buy any new clothes this year" thread?

[Penthesileia]

This may come across as a rather anti-Style and Beauty thread...

For all kinds of reasons - we're a bit stretched financially this year; environmental & ethical; intellectual, etc - I've been thinking that this year, I ought to try to:

a) use up all the beauty products I've accumulated before buying new ones

b) try not to buy any new clothes (except necessities, such as tights, should I ladder them, etc.), as I own lots of nice clothes and, frankly, although I really adore shopping for new clothes and having nice new things to wear, I simply don't need them; plus, I've come to feel that I ought not to buy clothes that are not ethically sourced, if I can manage it, and this is quite difficult - so what's more environmentally friendly or ethical than not buying anything at all?

Anyway. I realise that this is rather self-indulgent, and it's a luxury of a kind to choose not to buy more stuff (I say this because I know that there are many on MN who don't have much to spend on themselves). However, I was hoping to find some like-minded souls who might like to support me in giving up my shopping addictions.

I know this is entirely vacuous and frivolous , but we could (occasionally) post what we're wearing, how we're accessorizing or innovating to make our old wardrobe feel new, etc. Obviously, this thread might appeal to people who are already thrifty (kudos!) and who might be able to give tips, etc.

So, is there anyone out there who wants to join my challenge?

[Roopoo]

I haven't bought a thing for ages... Im finding it easy....
Im still fat fat fat after having DD and am determined to get back into my slim lady clothes again....proving hard work

[Lulumama]

nice to see people coming back to this !! my resolve is staying strong !! since my tiny slip up the other week, i have not bought anything. am being much more inventive in what outfits and accesories i am putting together

although today i am v v boring

dark denim wiede leg jeans, black primarni sweater, heavy greyish cardi from asda, with brown faux leather fastening

[RamblingRosa]

Best tip is to avoid shops and to avoid womens' mags at all costs!

I'm afraid I have a confession to make. I ventured into H&M today and bought a cardi and a top. In my defence it came to £13.99 total. Still, I shouldn't have done it.

[Roopoo]

Ooooh can I join????
Just gone back to work after maternity so no money to be splurging on clothes.......

Tips would be fab!!!!

[Pluto]

Posted on here way back - just popping in to say I still haven't succumbed to the temptations of any wardrobe updating, and we must be 7 weeks in to 2010 now? But, as I said when I joined this thread I am going to allow myself an outfit for my 40th and some sandals for the summer...going to Sweden in May so perhaps I'll pick up some Hasbeens - but that's another thread...

[RamblingRosa]

They do all sound lovely. I was in H&M yesterday (not buying anything honestly....just being a masochist and taunting myself with all the things I can't buy!) and saw some of the things you described. I think I saw the pale green silk top but in a pale nude/beige/pink colour. I was v tempted but luckily they didn't have my size.

I'm still doing well but really itching to buy something. I keep on trying things on and feel like I've earned a treat but weirdly I'm not finding anything I desperately want to buy. Consciously not shopping for a few weeks has definitely made me pickier. I feel like I want to buy something but it will have to be something really special to make me fall off the wagon IYSWIM.

[Lulumama]

They all sound lovely, and i like your justification..! but let us hop back on the no new clothes wagon right now !

[tulpe]

BTW, the items I bought were:

pale green silk sleeveless top - front of which is all draped/folded in 30's-esque "Bloomsbury set" manner .

pale green cardigan

(both of which looked fab with the wide leg slouchy grey wool trousers & converse I was wearing).

cap-sleeved, a-line tunic dress in patterned silk - cream, pale grey & peachy-pink

Cotton belted cardigan in "natural" - gorgeous textured knit.

[tulpe]

Was wondering what happened to this thread! We got back from skiing a week ago but picked up new pup the following day......life has been rather hectic for casual MNing.....pet-related "what to do with sodding dog" type threads only, I'm afraid

I was doing brilliantly until last Sunday. I am afraid I caved big time.......in my defence I spent £85 on 4 items from H&M.....all of which go together and will work with my spring/summer clothes too . They also something of a mini update as they are all nude shades (and all items look v Toast/Anthropologie for fraction of price) Plus, after a week of wiping up doggy doo-doo and sleepless nights, I felt I deserved a treat

Not trying to justify myself too much, am I?

[Lulumama]

well, we can resurrect it, i'm ready to go on the wagon.. although i have been dropping hints to everyone that i want boden vouchers for my birthday which is not til june !!

if we keep posting, we can lure back everyone else

[RamblingRosa]

I'm still here! Just.

I was wondering if this thread had died. Does this mean everyone's caved and gone on mad shopping sprees?

I'm still hanging in there. Except for a bra but it was a practical one rather than a fancy one.

[Lulumama]

yooo hooooooo ! where have you all gone???

i have sinned , forgiveth me

i bought 3 times recently (eeeeeeeeeeek!)

however they were v v cheap and will pull together my spring wardrobe

I got a fab bright orange cropped cardi in matalan ages ago for £2 in teh sale an dit has been brilliant.. well, they had the hot pink and emerald green also reduced and a fab floral tasselled scarf too which will go brilliantly with all 3 cardis and the tunics and trousers i wear them with

i need you all to keep me strong!

come back..........

[thelunar66]

Good point... where did the OP go?

[purplepeony]

Look, Iknow I am incrediblylate withthis andmaybe it's been said- but Lisa Armstrong did this in the Times recently...is the OP she?

[Fleecy]

I made it right through January but have bought a bit of stuff on eBay over the last couple of days - both bits came in at less than £15 for the two including p&p so not too bad.

Better than the £150 I'd probably have spent otherwise over the month. So I'm going to stick around on this thread as well as the other one - this one suits my budget better and encourages me to make the most of the things I already have

[nowwhatdoido]

Oh, the only thing I bought in January was a pair of black jeggings to replace some that were too big for me.

[nowwhatdoido]

Hi everyone, we'll be needing a new thread soon.

I am totally stuck in a jeggings/boots/tunic rut at the moment, but they are just so damn comfortable and practical for January/February.

[thelunar66]

Right ladies... here we are in Feb already, so well done to all who are still keeping their purses in their handbags!

I am determined to stick it out till Easter, but saw some lovely Spring stuff in the papers yesterday.

[Lulumama]

that sounds like a plan tulpe...

today i am wearing dark navy merino tunic from last years', (Boden) over an Asda white ribbed top as the v neck is v low on teh tunic, narrow boot flare jeans, and a long denim blue scarf (gap) and my crocs !

[Fleecy]

Enjoy your hols tulpe - I've never been skiing and always wanted to try

We will miss you. But we'll try our best not to buy stuff in yoiur absence!

[tulpe]

LastTrain - outfit sounds lovely

And yes, tis the spirit of the thread to try not to spend but also to only buy things which will enhance what you already have.

We are off on our hols today Skiing in France. Can't wait so am trying to work a comfortable, stylish but not stupidly out of place for a ski resort chic!

Dove grey & white breton-style tee (M&S)
Indigo cardigown (Hush)
Straight leg indigo jeans (Boden)
Bailey Button Uggs
White scarf (H&M)

[LastTrainToGeneva]

I just received my first purchase of the year. I know it's not in the spirit of this thread, but I needed some long-sleeve tees to complete some looks I had in mind. But this thread did prompt me to have a good look at my wordrobe first and I only ordered tees in colours that I know will be used. Plus I'll get more mileage out of my existing clothes now. Result!

Today is a day out to a restaurant with dd and dh (regular Saturday jaunt) so am wearing
Teal long sleeve tee (brand new )
Turquoise tunic (White Stuff circa 2007)
Indigo jeggings (Next)
Teal scarf (M&S)
Thick grey cardigan with blue and pink flowers on chest (H+M)
Black shoe boots

Looking quite smart though I say so myself

[alexw]

Am wearing white linen trousers at mo (but they're maternity ones and the only comfy trousers I have 6 months preg - hate all my under bump trousers). I quite like the look with navy cardi etc.

[tulpe]

I wouldn't wear my linen trousers now. I assumed we were prepping in anticipation of spring/summer

[thelunar66]

I have some lovely white linen trousers, but have felt they are too summer. Can I really dig them out now? If yes, what kind of tops?