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?

Can I sign the pledge too?

I have two wardrobes full to bursting. My summer wardrobe was sorted by a big shop in France two years ago and my winter wardrobe has just been replenished by a little (yes, really) shopping in the sales. So now I'm on the clothes shopping wagon.

I started on the using up cosmetics trail last year, when I realised that if I used all the samples and trial sizes that Clarins and co give away, instead of just stockpiling them, I could probably go for a year without buying anything apart from toothpaste and deodorant.

Am looking forward to revamping the tatty and decaying house with the money not spent on clothes.

£360 for a nice dress

Tulpe, I also feel a bit relieved am not buying clothes / shoes as was like a relentless chase after the latest thing with me, too.

Bodsmum gorgeous orange in the Halston. I think pink is timeless, just depends on the shade. However, I loathe Hello Kitty but that's just me. Chanel on the other hand. [swoon]

LTEC am off to check out this Paul Smith of which you speak. I love short dresses, esp as my legs are only bit of my bod still in any reasonable shape.

More links! You are all enabling [Pious I haven't bought anything for days emoticon]

LTEC - am unmoved by the Paul Smith and, as Tulpe says, not worth breaking your vows over.

But Phase, surely we can window shop. In between discussing new finds/ outfits amongst our existing items?

You make it sound so reasonable, bunny I suppose some of us are just more easily persuaded than others...

Hmm don't be fooled Phase, I just looked at a link on a TopShop dress that TraceyBath suggested on another thread and that familiar racing heart started again... . The recommendation of TopShop Marthas almost finished me off. But pulled myself back from the brink. Memory of how yuck my mummy tummy looked in them may have helped. well, have 3 months till buying again to get back in shape.

I'm joining up if that's OK but I have a few requests...

I am allowed to buy something(s) great for my 40th which in March.

I will need sandals for the summer.

Brown boots in the autumn.

I haven't bought a coat in 3 years and might succumb next autumn...

I am going back to work next Monday after a year's mat leave so I have already done a wardrobe update and culled some of the stuff which doesn't befit a nearly -40 year old.

You know the bit about not buying any new tolietries? Do we still have to use up what we have if we bought something in haste and hate the smell? I need a new deo. My current one was only bought as it was on offer and smells bleurghh.

This leads me on to mention the folly of false economies. I sometimes buy a cheaper product to 'save money' but usually end up buying my favourite (the more expensive version) as well having found the replacement is not as effective / nice. Thus I spend even more than I would have done had I not just bought my usual product in the first place! Does anyone else do this or am I just especially stupid?

No MSB, you are not alone. Some of my most wasteful splurges on products have been in the name of economy.

I am determined to use up all said follies, but I think even I would draw the line at a smell I really objected to.

Welcome Pluto and Madbad

Oh God... I've stumbled by the wayside

Visited DD today, who is merchandiser for White Stuff. She took me in her back room

She gave me a summer skirt left over from last year's stock.

In my defence, i've put it straight into my summer clothes storage box, for use in the hotter weather.

Go on... how many Hail Marys?

lunar, it was a gift; gifts don't count! [hopes she is right emoticon]

True, am convinced gifts don't count either. Wonder if I can convince DH to buy me a gift?? Joking!!

Gifts definitely don't count (it is my birthday next month so I have good reason to say this!).
Haven't been to the shops so no shopping for me...except a new electric carving knife to replace the one which gave up the ghost last Sunday.

As I have not been properly out today,I have worn a pair of Boden velvet widelegs in grey from 3 years ago,with white Marks 'Perfect' long sleeved tee,(from pre christmas 2009)
a grey striped New Look tee from 2008 and White Stuff charcoal waterfall cardigan that was an xmas present.
I have not worn this particular combination before and am pleased that I managed it from current supplies!

This thread has made me really aware of how much I fritter. So far I have resisted: the online Space NK sale, buying a bath oil after my christmas present massage in the swanky shop attached to the treatment centre, a very sweet t shirt for my DS reduced to a fiver in local boutique-y place and a very average but useful looking top in La Redoute. I am also sending back all my Toast sale purchases apart from the boots. All I ever buy is tops in the £30 - £50 price range and I simply don't need anymore.

One thing that has become blindingly obvious to me while looking at my wardrobe is that about 90% of the things I don't wear are things I bought because they were reduced.

that bloody Paul Smith dress has sold out in pretty much all but my size and the extra 20% discount code still works, Once upon a time I would have said that this implied a that purchase was 'meant to be'. Now I just think about my poor, lonely Louboutins and how fabulous they would look with that dress. I am not at all Helena-ish or lithe though so probably best not to dwell. BTW love the Halston dress!!

Anyway, hello newbies. And on a prosaic note, my long sleeve black tee has been trashed by the presence of a tissue in the wash. I am presumably allowed to buy a new one?

Also, my Oushka bag arrived today. It looked perfect with the outfit I wore to a party this arvo but I didn't use it so that I could possibly send it back. Which I have 95% decided to do.

Will totally agree that gifts don't count (tis my birthday on Wednesday ).

GeorginaWorsley - I did exactly the same as you today - put on items I hadn't previously worn together (spookily also contained a pair of Boden trousers in the mix ). I had on slate classic cords from Boden, slate long sleeve top (Top Shop) with a teal vest with sparkly beads on it worn layered on top (H&M) which I adore but hardly ever wear because "I have nothing to go with..." and a teal cardi.

Tatty - like you, most of the things i don't wear are things I bought in the sale too. I cannot say no to a bargain. (BTW, Tatty....I was previously MrsJohnSimm.....so glad you loved Parga and thank you so much for your sweet message last year in the middle of all that nasty business ). Which boots did you get from Toast? As you may have seen earlier, DH has told me I should replace my now rather knackered pair to enable me to make most of my wardrobe.

Bunnymother - so glad I'm not the only one to feel relief! It is a strange thing to feel but it makes me appreciate quite how stressed shopping makes me.

You can't like it that much. If you're not excited enough to use it the first day you got it, you're not going to want to use it in six months time. Send it back. Buy something you LOVE if you are going to buy anything.

Actually, I think that is a good rule of thumb, if you don't love something so much you want to wear it straight away, don't get it.

Okay, shall we get a list of tips going for how to make the most of your existing wardrobe?

I'll start:

Try on every item you own. Be honest with yourself.

1. Does it fit? If not, can it be altered?

1. Does it go with at least 2 other items in your wardrobe?

1. Is it all "worn"? If so, bin it.

1. Does the colour/style really suit you? (may need trusted friend for that one )

1. Is it a "classic" item which you would only get to wear twice a year or so? If so, bag it in one of those "suit cover" bags and hang it further back in the wardrobe. (I do this with all my super posh evening wear).

1. Organise your clothes into groups of trousers, skirts, dresses etc. It makes it much easier to see what you have and what will potentially go with what. I have tried hanging stuff into outfits but that just doesn't work for me.

1. Check all shoes: polish, reheel or bin wherever appropriate.

1. Accessories drawer(s): Sort through all scarves/pashminas etc. Anything ultra special, again, wrap in tissue paper and store separately. Keep those you will honestly wear and all others to be charity shopped.

1. Ditto jewellery. Polishing any silver pieces that may have become tarnished after lack of use.

10. Make up bag: bin anything past its use by date (mascaras have a 6 month usage period, iirc, not sure about other items......perhaps someone can enlighten?)

11. Toiletries - ditto. Bin anything that has been open too long or you can't abide the smell of. Organise all your body lotions, foot creams, hand creams, scrubs etc into groups and work your way through what is left.

12. See being groomed, being organised and enjoying your "new" wardrobe as the key to happiness......not flexing your credit card

Hey new people.

Snap! tattycoram! I was in town today, and very very nearly succumbed to a sale dress. But then I realised I would not have bought it at full price because I don't like it enough, and would only buy at sale price because it would seem more affordable/a bargain. So, new rule to apply in the future, once I get through my frugal year is:

try only to buy in the sales; and only buy items that you would have bought at full price, otherwise you don't really like them, and it's a false economy.

And that's an excellent point about wanting to use something right away...

Awesome list of "rules", tulpe: thanks for that!

Am I being too bossy ?

In my cupboard I have also re-organised into the following piles:

long sleeved tees
short sleeved tees
vest tops
pjs
jumpers
cardigans
gymwear
loungewear (ie slobbing around pants )

It looks fab and I love knowing exactly where everything is and exactly what I have now

Oh, I wanted to use it. Yes indeed.