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?

I feel your pain LTEC...just found a lush halston frock(ridiculous price)that would lift me after a full on toddler tantrum that seemed to last all day..but i'm going to eat some chocolate instead!

MrsSeanBean - I have some similar snow grabbers and they are brilliant. I can walk around on the icy pavements here and have no worries about slipping. I am the envy of my friends!

bodsmum - I'm going to need to see a link!!!

bunny A massive pat on the back for thinking of this thread whilst out!

Its so snowy here I've been nowhere. I did buy a basic nude coloured bra from Bravissimo on line to replace one that just died.

I am finding this thread absolutely fascinating.
Sadly, I also one of those people who can't go out without buying something.
I have always been interested in fashion, but in recent years buying things if definitely about a lot more - I buy stuff to fill a void and to give myself a lift. The only reason why I am still financially solvent is that, like others have said, often the things I buy are not expensive. So one day it might be a dress for £200, but another day it might be a £5 bargain top form the local charity shop, or some yummy groceries from Waitrose, or some small things for DD. I am ok on the days I work, but otherwise I don't think I ever come home empty handed !

I need to find new ways to give myself a lift. My life is not bad, but it's always just work or looking after DD, and I guess that is the problem.

Do you think it's poss for us to window shop and share links while we are abstaining, so as to keep the fun at max poss level but the spend at the min poss level? I would love to see the Halston dress!! Will make me smile but won't cost a thing!

Enabler!

no links FFS!!! i'd crumble at this time of a friday night, with a bottle of Pinot down me causing weakened will

LTEC - did you buy your diary?

Have only briefly skim-read this thread but have decided that I must join you all.

My wardrobe is crammed to the gills with stuff I rarely, if ever, wear. I have my favourites which I wear time and time again too.

In the last 2 years I have definitely figured out what colours and shapes suit me and most of what I have falls in to those categories. However, there is so much that I don't think I could possibly wear it all even if I tried!

The only thing I could possibly envisage needing for the rest of the year would be to replace basics - such as long sleeve tees, camis and tights/leggings.

I will 'fess up to buying 3 things from Boden this week (in their sale: a total of approx £70 for 2 pairs of trousers and a shirt) and DH has bought me the cardigown from Hush for my birthday next week.

Inspired by you ladies, I have already ceased the procrastination process and pulled 2 things out of my wardrobe this evening and made necessary "adjustments" to them in order to make sure I wear them (surely I am not the only person who buys stuff thinking "oh if I do xyz to it then it will be perfect....." or maybe I am ). I am now looking forward to wearing a dress tomorrow that I bought 10 months ago and still has labels attached....

I am also going to spend tomorrow afternoon going through my wardrobe and trying on different combinations of stuff - including accessories etc and making a note. That should also reduce my "aarrrgghhh!! what shall I wear??" madness most mornings

I did this yesterday - dragged a load of stuff out of the wardrobe and had a long trying-on session. Put together a fair few new outfits that will make me feel like I'm not wearing the same old thing - but didn't cost a penny. Yay!

Welcome Tulpe

Jajas - I had a 'scales falling from eyes' moment about Boden last year. While reading some nonsense/ interview with Johnnie on Boden site he was raving about his cottage in Dorset, and it occurred to me that if I saved half as much as I sent his way annually, it would go some way towards starting my own Dorset fund.

The stuff has never held quite the same allure since. Sure, some of it is nice enough - but they've built up this huge, compelling, very clever concept around it all, persuading us that we will all look like Boden models living perfect sunny carefree lifestyles full of --picnics and well behaved DCs be generally better if we buy Boden items. Utter 'bolleaux'.

nowt fits me anymore - so i culled my wardrobe and i own fuck all.

so i intend to build it up via ebay.

not yet fleecy - got sidetracked by 24 and a bottle of Prosecco. Now bfing so would be perfect opp, but wallet is not within reach.

custardo - you've just lost loads of weight, haven't you? congrats .. and feel free to pass on any tips!!

hello tulpe. Am glad to see you here Misery loves company LOL.

Do you have an ebay strategy, Custy..? [Vicarious living emoticon]

Thanks for the welcome

I told DH this morning that I had signed up for this. He was but also very relieved! He was very honest with me and said that he believed I had a shopping addiction - constantly pursuing that "one more thing which will make my wardrobe perfect". Spending far too much time searching and obsessing over stuff. He was at pains to point out that it wasn't a financial issue - he doesn't think I spend too much - just that I buy too much

He did suggest, however, that I should replace my brown leather boots (which I have had for 7 years now and are beyond knackered) which means I will make more use of some of my skirts and dresses. So they will be my final purchase for a long, long time.

The daft thing is, I kind of feel relieved!

I put on an outfit this morning that I would never have put together - am feeling decidedly "Anthropologie" and yet it was already in my wardrobe and just meant putting together pieces I had never worn together before.

Am looking forward to actually enjoying my clothes

Me too Tulpe.
Have 2 double wardrobes full of stuff,plus summer things in another.
I need to re evaluate and outfit build.
Trouble is,atm am wearing leggings with boots,tunic and cardigan nearly every day,due to snow.
Would love to wear a pair of woollen wideleg trousers,for a change,but t hey will get wet

I have failed.

I bought a silk dress in the sale in Warehouse. Having said that, it was only 15 squid, was 'my' shape and is something that I will wear alone in summer and in winter with a long sleeved top underneath, a cardigan and boots. I have a couple already and I do wear them a lot.

So now I will do without new jeans, having originally agreed that all I would buy for the next several weeks would be jeans. They don't suit me anyway, so the dress is much better!

LTEC - I like your strategy. Pinned to the sofa bfing with wallet out of reach.

But it doesn't work if you know your card details off by heart

'Tis boring for the wardrobe, all this snow. I agree. I've been wearing jeans and Uggs for ages. Switched to flat OTK boots with Celia Birtwell print dress to go to lunch yesterday but was too slippy so I had to grip DH's arm very hard and must have looked daft!

Have got some lace up ankle boots, sort of Victorian skater style but with a slightly more sporty sole so they grip quite well but they're heels so if I do go, it's bad news for my ankles.

Ah well, can't last forever. Just think, in Spring we will all be able to dig out little-worn lovely shoes from last year.

Message withdrawn

I had to close up the laptop yesterday(onto my fingers so i could no longer use them to fish out my credit card)as once i saw the 'in my dreams'/have you seen the price/let alone when i'm supposed to be cutting back halston dress(left eye twitching now)i ended up trying to distract myself trying to find coat for DD..though somehow ended up looking at marc jacobs for kids(bad lady!bad lady!)..in the end my virtue has been preserved on both accounts.

here is the halston link(hopefully..not done this before)for you ladies who want to laugh at my weaknesses..
www.theoutnet.com/product/39818
i just really like shirt dresses and they seem to like me..

by the way i just couldn't make up my mind at first about the paul smith dress LTEC but then i realised we must be totally different shapes...i can't do without a waist normally(preg. at mo)and my legs are not perfect enough but if i was Helena C..lithe limbed allover..it would rock.also enjoyed your diary thread..my brother is a journo too,and a socialist so am thinking of getting him to read it!

I also keep wondering when grown ladies need to step away from the pink..i picked up a hello kitty wedding album(unused) from a charity shop for my DD as a future 'heirloom'(last year i hasten to add)..think she would probably prefer i'd invested in a chanel handbag when she hits 21!

Also..naughty lady who mentioned liberty..hadn't clocked they have a website till now..firmly snaps computer closed..

ooh and whoever mentioned cost per wear of existing items in wardrobe..am going to use this as incentive to making sure i get the most out of items languishing in the depths..once it's stopped being treacherously icy and/or baby born(so can actually fit into said items again)

Now I love that orange Halston dress.

(That's not helping is it.)

Probably me that mentioned Liberty, I always do. I love it- it is my Breakfast at Tiffany's shop. So always have to go in rather than go online.