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?

The thing that has really inspired me about this thread is the idea of enjoying the clothes that I have. So far I have worn something each day that I haven't worn for ages, sort of like borrowing from the past and adding a bit of familiarity to my newer stuff.

Am slightly worried about this thread - sounds like some of you are not going to slow down on the shopping front and I was really counting on some solidarity! Esp as DH thinks I can't last 3 months with no new clothes, shoes or beauty products and I will do it.

Think my way of coping will be to plan what I buy in 3 months' time. Despite monster sized wardrobe(s), I actually don't have any slim leg black pants and they look so elegant and lovely with a nice top for the evening. Maybe I can spend 3 months looking for them?

Thing is, though, am currently TTC and had DD 6 months' ago, so can't quite fit into all my pre-pregnancy clothes yet, but, with any luck, will be pregnant again soon and back into my maternity clothes a few months later. Shudder - I hate maternity clothes.

Ah, don't we sound similar!! DH who works a lot, internet shopping w the basket which is then left for a few days. Am I writing this entire thread??

LTEC - am a Sydney girl, too, and a teeny but that you are heading back to the sunshine... Although am happy here for now, I do miss wearing summer dresses and strolling in the warmth.

I'm not buying anything, bunnymother.

bunnymother I'm attempting to not buy anything at all until Easter.

This thread has taken a turn for the worst with all these 'enablers' posting about what they will be buying.

I will be trying not to buy anything either, Easter is a good target thelunar - far enough away that some restraint is needed, but not the black hole this is a year without new clothes.

Ah, that's the way nowwhat and lunar - my fellow abstainers! Could feel my heart beginning to race reading posts about what to buy, and now it is suitably deadened subdued.

Yes, dairy - Easter is a great target. Will be long enough to wean me off the constant shopping I indulge in, but not so long to be too depressing to achieve.

I'm still abstaining! Yes, aiming for Easter is a good one...

I am fascinated by this thread..what a brill idea Penthe..only discovered it last night and DH got really grumpy when i was glued to it for most of the evening..only just finished reading all the postings..i'm not a seasoned MNer and had been looking for a money section here as read an article at the weekend in the guardian about a girl who lived a year without spending anything..she was squatting,using skips etc and realised i am totally addicted to shopping..i can't seem to leave the house without spending something..i just think i didnt really notice until now,when i'm pregnant again with DC2 and realise i really wont be working again for a while so i'm not going to just earn it back quickly.if i carry on like this..it's not just the S and B stuff for me but a pound shop splurges,'small' things for the kids,overspending in the supermarket and like a lot of you have said it doesn't really get me high for long anymore..i'm actually starting to feel guilty and deflated though i v rarely return stuff.
The clothing thing is horrendous..i don't know if i'm settling in to being 40 but my wardrobe is all over the place..my clothes can take my look from being crack coccaine barbie whore to last night at the proms..in the last year i've tried to stick to classic pieces but then i see something that calls to my inner 18 year old.
i've sold a couple items on bigwardrobe but think i should definitely try ebaying but this all means i have to clear out and organise.
LTEC...your comment about wanting to talk fashion with friends struck a chord as i came back superhappy from a playdate with a really old friend of mine and DH noticed i was on a high..i explained we just talked outfits and nothing about poo,preschool and prams!same friend has just had 3rd child..DD after 2 DS..much longed for as she wanted an excuse to splurge on a chanel handbag and now could justify as she would pass it down!by the way your wedding dress is AMAAZING!
does anyone else buy stuff with a getoutclause that DD will use it one day..i can tell mine is going to be much taller so only handbags could work but i'm more of a shoe person.
So anyway i'm going to give this project a bash but probably easier for me than most as bump getting in the way of serious purchasing..hope i'm not back in a week confessing all!

Welcome bodsmum

I'm still in ladies.

Paid off and cut up a credit card this morning.

Am wearing a jumper I bought 17 years ago. Admittedly it was $$$ but has lasted!!

New addiction, I think, will be Davina workouts. Hence summer wardrobe (already purchased pre unexpected pregnancy with now 3mo) will look fab

Thank you for the warm welcome..must fess up that have just been perusing 'the outnet'..no basket filling going on but actions probably as wise as an alchoholic ordering a lovely big g and t and fondling at the bar while trying not to drink it..all this could be a lot harder than i first suspected..

Hey Bodsmum.

Yes, that's what I said about a Chloe bag I bought last year! [guilt]

I'm going to try a bit of Ebaying too if I can find the time to list it all - for some reason I find it terribly time-consuming and stressful; but I think it would do me good - plus, as I said earlier, if I raise some money from the sale of clothes I can feel entitled to spend it again on clothes!

I find I am impervious to the charms of theoutnet, which is lucky as they send me emails every week.

My weak spots are Liberty (of course!), netaporter and Little Fashion Gallery.

I also can't get into the ebay thing, find I wear my stuff to the end anyway then dump in rags or charity. But I imagine it is a good way to get back some ££.

Gosh, some of posts here are really resonating with me
am feeling reaaly guilty and a little concerned, if truth be told, about the many items with tags on in my wArdrobe. Also the array is same items in different colours.
It's good to hear that I'm not totally alone in addictive habits either, though have to admit the excesses cause me to feel sad and concerned lately rather than happy and well dressed.

I think I'm more interested in the "use it all up" nature of the challenge, and in particular finding new ways of wearing clothes that I am either bored of or have never really found ways of using.

An example: I have a charcoal fitted blazer that I bought in NY last winter and have never really worn, bar maybe once (the evening that I bought it I think). I have short cropped hair and am a slim athletic build and so I'm aware that I could just end up looking like an overgrown schoolboy if I wear it with jeans and a t-shirt. I'd love to get some use out of it though as it's just gathering dust in the back of the wardrobe. Blazer-wearers - how should I style it up for maximum usage?!

Yes, dairymoo, me too. I don't really buy that much but want to use what I do have first anyway. It's more an anti-consumerist thing (though also a saving money thing) than a wanton-buying problem for me.

A genuine 'Good for you' to all you 'addictive' shoppers though, every day you go by without buying something - well done! Def try and see the positive and enjoy finding the things at the back of the wardrobe. Swaps parties?!!!

Re blazer - think it's all about rolled up sleeves at the mo, 80s style..!

I'm still here.

I bought a nightdress . It was very reduced, and matches my dressing gown. I'm not sure if it counts as clothes, but I'm a bit uncomfortable about the instinctive applying of complex justifications part of it.

I did fill up a basket online (not saying where, as I don't want to 'enable' ), and then I closed the window. Without this thread I would have bought the lot, because they were bargains, so it is working (of sorts).

Not going even to look today [stern resolution emoticon]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who is a sucker for a bargain

I'm one of those annoying/weird people who knows how much everything costs and whenever someone complements me on something I'm wearing I'm always proud to tell them what a big discount/reduction I got. Not a very attactive personality trait!

I'm sticking with this thread. I bought a Boden dress on Monday or Tuesday. Yesterday I bought some stuff for DD but that doesn't count. I'm a bit worried I'll just channel all my shopping energy into buying stuff for DD/DP/the house (whereas it was mainly all spent on me before).

Someone mentioned that they couldn't leave the house without buying something and I completely relate to that. Even if it's just something small like a cheap lip balm. The more I read this thread and think about my own behaviour, the more I realise it's very unhealthy compulsive behavious.

God, if I could really stick at it I would have so much more money to spend on things that really make you happy like eating out with friends or going on holiday. I'd also have more time since I spend a ridiculous amount of my time shopping online or going to real shops.

If I am honest, my spending/shopping is also a problem. I buy something every single day, even if its just groceries. Which I am sure I spend too much on. Yesterday I didn't buy a thing, and I am on track to do the same.

In keeping with the "mend and make do" approach I have adopted re clothes, am also going to try and use everything in the cupboard and freezer (which I can barely close). Hoarder, me?

And ideally I will curb all of this so that I make only thoughtful (ie not so emotional) purchases.

To that end, off to try and work out what on earth the difference is between the Lindam and Baby Dan playpens - they look identical to me, but there must be some difference...

I've been reading this thread since the beginning and thinking about it a lot.

I am a very careful shopper. I NEVER buy anything on inpulse. If something is online I will put it in my shopping basket, and recheck it and think about it for weeks before committing myself. Similarly in RL, I will go back and try on 2 or 3 times and only buy if I'm sure I really LOVE the item.

The reason I do this is not because I'm virtuous and restrained, but because my budget is limited and I want to get the most for every penny I spend. If I really want something I search on ebay, and wait if necessary, until I can get it for less.

I really fell in love with an All Saints dress before Christmas, it was 223Euro, I had to wait a while but I got it on ebay for 60E. I don't get the instant gratification, but I get the lovely dress. I have a wardrobe of really good quality designer clothes, and accessories, most from ebay costing a fraction of the original price.

Zero tolerance to shopping is tough, so maybe a more realistic option for some people is to set yourself a budget every month and try not to go over it. Deprivation is hard, and it's not much fun, and I think it's important to have fun in your life, especially at this time of the year

Like your thinking verity, will have to apply lots more restraint to my whims as I have recently given up work. I really need to focus on what I have as wardrobes full of items for every occasion. ..
But never seems to be enough!

Read a v interesting article once about women and shopping. Went along the lines of we shop to fill, not a void in our wardrobes, but somewhere else. And that women are largely taught that they must be "good", but that its OK to be "naughty" with their spending.

Not saying any of that applies to any of us, but it did get me thinking.

VB Well done on the bargain All Saints dress btw! Bet it feels even better to wear it for that price!
Think I remember you are also in Dublin, hope you not frozen in at present!

Just made dd a nightie out of an old (pretty) sheet! She is chuffed with her 'new' nightie, and I am v proud. Dh declined my offer to make him a shirt though (bit beyond me, am still learning to sew a straight line )