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?

Great thread. I can't promise not to buy anything but will try very hard not to buy anything more until I have lost my ttc and fed up/ baby/ lots of cake weight which I will do this year.

I'm another one who can't go a day without buying something, even if it is more food for an already full freezer. Really do need to break that habit.

Have reviewed my wardrobe though and I have a lot that is still useful - 5 black suits etc but also loads of dresses to wear to other people's weddings. I really really don't need these so please help me clear out!

I usually buy things in the sale as I couldn't afford to buy them at full price so that rule doesn't really work for me!

Dexter, so do I, it's when I buy something because it is reduced and not because I really want it that it doesn't work

LETC wasn't it a pressie from your DH? Keep it if you like it!

Tulpe, fantastic list and I totally agree about enjoying what you have.

Oops! I have to confess I fell off the not-buying-stuff wagon today .

I went on an emergency mission to buy more thermals from Uniqlo for me and DP (I think thermals are necessities so I didn't feel guilty about that) and found myself buying a £10 pair of sale jeans. On the plus side, they're very nice . On the down side, that means I couldn't even manage a week without buying stuff.

In fact, I've bought tonnes this week but (apart from today's jeans and the Boden dress I bought before I started doing this consumerism cold turkey) it's all been things for DD and mostly things she actually needed.

I'm not giving up though. I'm back on the wagon. Nothing else for me for ....er, not sure, haven't really thought how long I can keep this up for.

Oh, and I forgot to mention that I then went into John Lewis and bought a Freya bra in sale for £9. I'm v pleased with it but also quite ashamed as I really can't justify buying any more underwear and I didn't need it at all.

[cowers in shame]

I keep checking online something for little sweet ds2 in the sales. Scrummy, half price, totally extravagant baby stuff.

But I shouldn't really...

LTEC - you should keep the bag if it was a present and you like it. It is a great bag and a lovely colour.
I am glad that all the shops/websites are getting the spring clothes in as everything looks far too flimsy to even consider buying. I can't imagine going out without at least 4 layers on at the moment!

dexter - sorry if I wasn't clear! I meant only buy in the sales, but only buy items (in the sales) that you would've been prepared to buy at full price (IYSWIM) because that would suggest you really like it.

I get what you mean! Only buy it in the sales if you would have bought it at full price if you had the money! This is why I am waiting for Brora sale - I have saved Christmas money to get a jumper in the sales and it is only enough if the jumper is reduced.

Tulpe,you and I often seem to appear on these threads.....
I love Mumsnet Style and Beauty!
You have also given me an idea re tomorrow's outfit....

cake tumble dry your black tissue infested garment. No need to buy a new one!

lunar, I don't have a tumble dryer. How does that work? it's honestly covered in white specks, looks awful.

Re; the Phoenix, it was a present from my dh in a way (he bought me the wrong bag for Xmas, this is the exchange) BUT I don't need a new bag, not really. I have a Bayswater that I've not touched for over a year, should I not resurrect that instead?

The colour is a bit disappointing, a very dark plum, so much so that it's almost chocolate brown - I wanted more purply, a bit more zing. Also, very annoying shoulder strap - looks like it could be lengthened as is in a belt-buckle style but is fixed by two studs (which look like press studs until you try and yank them open) at one end. So that's put me off. Resist Jajas, resist!!!

RamblingRosa - 20 Hail Guccis and we'll forgive you

What if you only buy used clothes?

My strategy is:
go through wardrobe and only keep things I really really like and wear. If I wouldn't take it if I were to emigrate, then there has to be a very good reason to keep it
charity shop/ ebay remaining things (this will be loads

look at what I need to make what's left work. For example, I have a few really pretty tops that I never wear because I have no trousers (that I can fit into)that aren't jeans, so a pair of well chosen slim leg trousers will open up a whole new bit of my wardrobe

stop frittering money on crap just because it's cheap and buy the best I can when I actually need something

I know this is spouted by every women's magazine, but I have never really got it before

iI have had a little think about excactly what's getting under utilised in my wardrobe..i think i'm actually v good at picking up bargains that are gorgeous and utterly love..i have almost worn to death 4 pairs of ralph lauren trousers that i picked up in the states for a total of $40,yes $!but if i spend a bit more e.g a nice top or dress,i hoard it even though it might be totally suitable for daytime use..weird,huh?what i'm waiting for i really don't know..

i have a vera wang AND a paul smith in my wardrobe...both with labels still attached..am actually debating whether to dive in and enjoy or ebay.

also any seasoned sellers w tips on decluttering wardrobe through ebay..whether best to put reserves on items and do you get v much more for still tagged items or should i maybe at least wear items couple of times then sell on.

I never used to get the whole buy little but high quality 'in my yoof' which is why i now also have a mass of 'one week wonder' purchases that are best off in a charity shop.

re-halston dress..of course i checked 1st thing and only my size isn't sold-out..cruel fate why do you taunt me?!but will stay strong..am starting to getting addicted to the NOT spending..

Right, these are my must wear pieces before end of year and the ones bugging me most.

Beautiful clothes bought because they are beautiful:

Vivienne Westwood dress - not worn
Sonia Rykiel purple and red dress - not yet worn
Marc Jacobs grey dress - worn twice
2 x Vanessa Bruno dresses

and loads of other stuff really, but those are top of list.

Plus will invest in a belt so I can rewear 2 SRykiel dresses bought for pregnancy.

I just need a place to wear them that isn't a birthday party for a 0 to 5 year old.

(having said that some of my friends really do dress up for them, thankfully!).

The quality thing is SO true. Back in the 90's when life was good I spent quite a bit on clothes. All very good stuff. So in the last decade I have just kept on wearing it. All classics that don't go out of style. I was laughing with dh that I am wearing mostly "vintage" these days - but it's my own stuff The only issue with that is weight control!

Still one does occasionally want to add a piece or two hence my comment about used items. I found a wonderful pair of Ann Taylor silk pants on ebay a few months ago.

I was intending to do this, realising I only wear a 1/4 of my wardrobe...but due to the terrible snow and cold I have HAD to buy
1: 1 padded jacket (charity shop find)
2: 1 pair waterproof and boots (£30. Wellies were far too cold even with loads of socks)
3: A jumper dress (Fat face sale)

But hopefully well set up for rest of winter and spring. Summer will be hard as I have put on a stone since last summer
But perhaps we can do the swap thing on here at start of each new season?

Joined thread yesterday and I still haven't bought anything. :O

The time between days seems ages now, doing this, doesn't it? So well done Pluto.

Hello everyone,

Just found this thread and will attempt to join in .. although not sure about my staying power. Have already failed once this year and bought a gorgeous coat in the White Stuff sale, but that was before I found this thread.

I think buying eBay or charity shop purchases isn't too bad if it's something you need. It's certainly environmentally friendly, and it is ethical in the sense that the garment has already been bought new by someone else so you're not contributing to that company's profits.

My problem is at the moment that I'm just surfacing from the first manic 8 months with my first baby and starting to think about nice clothes and smartening myself up a bit again. Ho hum. Guess I could wait a bit for nice stuff. What I really do need to do is have a good clear out as I have so much stuff I no longer fit in to, but have kept 'just in case'. How long should you keep stuff for 'just in case', do you think?