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?

Oddly, I have no black trousers whatsoever. I also have no leggings/ jeggings or other variation thereof.

No black trousers here either! No trousers at all. Jeans don't count, though.

I'm with you on the 'use it all up' bit completely. And had really started that already, but can't go with the clothes thing completely.

I love clothes.

I am not going to buy anything that looks remotely like anything I already have, (black cardigans, jeans, t-shirts etc) but nice, key pieces, I will save up for, and 2nd hand shopping is still allowed.

I don't need any more shoes or boots, but will be on the look out for a good pair of 'flip flops' come the spring.

I must go the opposite way to you all.I will follow you on the culling stage but not on the not-buying one.

I have a wardrobe full of rubbish due to 2 pregnancies that must go. I have also not bought myself many items in the last 4 years for various reasons: because of lack of time to shop on my own, because I am more obsessed with buying lovely clothes for DDs and because since the birth of DD1 I am irrationally obsessed with saving for them and a possible world-end situation which makes it really hard for me to splash on something expensive just for me.

So my new year res is to empty my wardrobe and buy buy buy a very few nice items possibly ethically sourced and think about me. (And not buy anything for dds!).

2010 is the year dedicated to ME and my wardrobe!!

Sorry Penthe.

Bonsoir helpful once more, thanks!

Just found this thread, so marking!

Sounds like a brilliant idea, AllQuiet, and overall most in-tune with the ethos of this thread!

Bonsoir,that is me.Too many clothes so never can decide what to wear.
Am great when on holiday with less to choose from.
Have not bought anything to wear since before xmas,have some stuff to return to Boden so will swap.
Not sure whether to get purple long cardigan,now 1/2 price,green biker jacket or a dress.
As has been said,half the fun is in the ordering!

I cannot wait to check out Jigsaw after Penthe mentioned it! Me too, I want to buy some nice items, first lose the bulge. A bit of frugality mixed with a bit of healthy shopping.

What I love to do is fill up my basket at places like net a porter and then not buy any of it (tragic emoticon) Virtual shopping in every way.

I am such a faddy shopper. Right now, I am always drawn to long chunky cardigans in varying shades of grey. Must have at least 6.

McNulty you've said it!

I'm up for this. Have just been clothes shopping this morning and now I officially have "enough".

So I plan not to buy any more this year except for essential maternity items when my bump starts growing.

In fact, this is brilliant because I'll need the extra cash for wipes/creams/bonnets, what have you... (better read some more Mumsnet before the birth, to check)

testing times ahead;

as this is our last year in the UK, dh has, just last night, and without me telling him about this thread or my intentions, dubbed this "The Year of Extravagance". He is determined to end his time in the UK on a large, luxurious note. Plus our mortgage has gone down hugely. And my accountant called me today and said that I am owed money at the end of Jan, so the separate account that I keep for paying tax is now not only pleasantly full, but mine mine mine, not Mr Taxman's ....

and I just endured a 90 minute car journey home (usually takes 15-20) with all 3 dcs in the back, baby crying, the other 2 fighting and saying they needed the loo. Have stress levels that only hardcore drugs or booze - pref both - will fix. But since that would be irresponsible parenting, how else can I unwind......??????

Sounds like you should go with the flow, LTEC, and have fun!

Just make sure you come back and tell me what you buy, so that I can live vicariously through you!

am also trying to use up toiletries and cosmetics before buying any more and just buying what I need (need new foundation, don't know what to to buy, must start a thread...)

Am trying to wear more of what is already in my wardrobe, rather than buying more, and then only buying if I absolutely love something and I really think i look ok in it (rather than previous "it will do" mentality.)

great! thanks Penth. Have just called my 'guy who sorts things out' and ordered a nice fat gram of the good stuff

Thanks for the go ahead!!

JOKING btw

Oh, yes, some white stuff for me too.

Go with it LTEC.

There are some gorgeous Jimmy Choo's on netaporter . . .

seriously though. Have been thinking about this, about the comfort aspect, the fat/ thin aspect etc and for me, it's more to do with addiction. I have a completely addictive personality and need something to be addicted to. It hasn't always been clothes. It was in Sydney, for a long time, among various other things - I worked in fashion, had a 'high-profile' boyfriend (ugh, sounds so wanky) and was very conscious of my own so-called visibility. Then, when I first came to London and got the Heathrow fat injection and couldn't afford anything, it was other stuff. Clubbing, drugs, travelling....etc etc

Wasn't that bothered throughout my first 3 pregnancies - motherhood became my new addiction I think!! - until after ds1 was born. He was a constant feeder, so I was up all night playing Scrabulous on Facebook while bfing. Then that got canned, I lost a shedload of weight and discovered the joy of internet shopping.

So, that's my history. The question is, what should my new addiction be?? I am, truth be told, a bit bored of shopping, of the endless clicking and adding and entering of cc details and the missed deliveries and the returns and P&P dramas.

So what now?

tracey - I still haven't worn the Choos I bought with my HiP grant!!!

I too am compulsive/addictive.

Am trying to get stuff sorted at the moment but dc's get in the way by needing me .

I do pretty much only shop online now though as real shops too much hassle with babies/toddlers.

So are you going back to Australia for good?

Message withdrawn

I think this is a good idea..i love buying clothes but I have so much lovely stuff and I could easily go a year without buying anything new and ..but I fear I am addicted to this shopping lark ... but I am def going to try

Joined late... but just had a thought... We could sell stuff we no longer want on ebay and with the money made buy other clothes with paypal - but we'd have to be strict and only spend what's in the paypal account from the income achieved from selling!