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?

tulpe - not joking, need to know good places for kids' ski gear!! It's not a spending thing, I promise.

Phaseolus!
Agree,anything around £5 mark a steal,esp from Autograph.
Trouble is,I used to do 3 or 4 'steals',which when you add postage,weren't quite the bargain I thought.

Would that be in a week, GW..?

Love hearing your outfits Tulpe!
Today am wearing
White Stuff brown/navy/purple tunic 2009
Brown Indigo Collection Marks leggings2009
Autograph brown biker boots 2008
Marks cream lace trim cami from 2005
Navy tassel necklace...ebay
Boden blue velvet coat from a few years ago.
Accessorize blue/brown/cream scarf.
Like you Tulpe I planned this yesterday and was dressed quickly!

Phase,unfortunately sometimes yes.

LTEC: For my DCs we go to combination of:

Muddy Puddles (very generous sizes and excellent quality - my boys get 2 seasons' worth of wear from their salopettes and coats) all their ski wear is definitely performance-wear, iyswim.
Ellis Brigham sales can be good (try the Columbia brand) but otherwise a bit pricey, IMO.
TK Maxx now has ski wear online so no raking through a million racks to discover they don't actually have anything you like in your size
Trespass (not sure if they are online but probably are)

Nice outfit GW Love navy, purple and brown - they are definitely "my" colours, along with magenta and slate grey (has to be warm slate - can't wear anything remotely grey marl-ish/school uniform grey!)

I haven't read thread for a while (will do so) but am very happy to say I haven't bought anything yet .

Have decided I want new tights rather than needing them. I have got a rip in my wellies though - not all the way through (the waterproof part is ripped but the inner part isn't?) so if it snows or rains much more I may have to get some more.

Today I am wearing:

Purple long sleeved top (Primark)
Black dress with flary short sleeves worn over it (Dorothy Perkins)
Tights
Fluffy socks
Wellies when I go out
Black scarf (Tesco)

I tell you Tulpe,you and me were separated at birth!
I love greys and purple too.also green especially in summer.
I love talking clothes,can't you tell

Oh I love purple, Noah; I am was always tempted by it

Me too, GW

Today I am wearing.

Black fine rib Topshop rollneck. One of the best buys from two years ago.
Black wool skirt
Wolford fine rib black stockings
The Ralph Lauren cape with buckles at neck thingo.

Feeling good! Did first day of school run since having ds2 and someone said it was ridiculous I was slim already, so happy about that!

something within me has a problem with the idea of buying a bra on ebay. Can anyone advise?

New or used LTEC?

New I wouldn't have a problem with. Used I would (and I am happy with buying most things used).

Does the buying clothes include children's clothes? DS needs more trousers. But if I go and buy some I will (a) fail as there are precise requirements and (b) end up with a load of other things. In fact I would end up with the other things and not the trousers.

I have read whole thread now

BNWT fine by me. Quite often they are small (real) shops offloading excess stock. I don't mind buying one in a shop that other people may have tried on, so I can't really see the difference. I do wash before wearing, though

I wouldn't buy a second hand bra either but I would buy a new one.

oooh, marsha you sound tres chic, am loiving the sound of the cape..

today I am wearing long black cowl neck neck sweater from 2 years ago, jeans from last summer, dark blue with a seam down the front of the legs, grey waterfall cardi i got for a song in matalan the other week and my crocs wellies

have decided instead of brwosing hte shops which is just too much temptation, i'm going to go to the library or cook something for the freezer...

and feel all virtous. whichwilllast5minutes

Thanks Lulumama! And you sound pretty hot yerself. Well done on the non-spending!

I am still avoiding a new thing on sale for ds2, It's been nearly a week.

Everyone is sounding very gorgeous.

I'm on a DC free day (I'm at work) so safe from various spews and dribbles.

So I have on a grey cashmere sweater dress (sale bargain)
Black tights - I think autograph but don't want to disrobe in the office to check
black boots - sale again....

I wish I had some nice accessories to make it all sound more delicious...but the dress is very nice!

Inspired by you all I will endeavour to be more colourful t/m.

I've bought bras on ebay but only BNWT. Usually they're seconds or previous season's styles. It's a good place to get things like Freya bras. Especially if you're an odd size. Get fitted at Bravissimo or wherever and then get a good bra for half the price on ebay

I definitely wouldn't buy a used bra. Although I have sold used bras on there before and I'm always amazed that people buy them . I wonder if it's just women who don't care that it's been used (I was always honest about the fact that it wasn't new) or if it's creepy blokes who get off on collecting women's used underwear....maybe best not to dwell on it too much

Lulumama... I've been doing baking instead! First day back to school for the kids yesterday and instead of coming home and having a little browse online while having coffee, I made some blueberry muffins & did some extra tidying in the kitchen! Today I made some peanut butter choc chip cookies. Sadly, if I keep it up, I'll put on weight and need to shop again!

Just stopped off at sainsbo's on way back from nursery run to buy green curry paste. Usually this would result in a £70 or so spree of things I'd 'forgotten' I needed. So hid handbag in boot and took a tenner in my pocket. Spent £8.

Thanks for advice re eBay bras, will check later. The ones in my Sweaty Betty basket were £39 a pop, so less would be great.

I am with you on this no more clothes buying for a while thing. My wardrobe is groaning and there is nothing in it that I want to part ways with.

Today I wore:
Deep blue denim skinny jeans (Asda)
Navy vest (Primark)
White crew neck long sleeved tee (Boden)
Heavy knit diesal blue long cardi (Firetrap)
Funky long necklace (including massive brooch looking flower on it) (Topshop).
Apres ski boots (North face) - Due to snow!

It is great not to be lusting after clothes I must say. But, instead I will admit that I have thought rather too long today about one f the new season Mulberry bags....

oh FFS.
my-wardrobe apparently know exactly what I have been adding to my never-to-be-purchased basket and have emailed me saying that I can have it all, not only at discounted prices, but with free shipping to boot.

re; The de-linting of my top suggestion, thanks but non. That is a thrifty step too far in my book. A long-sleeve, thinnish black tee is such a staple piece or wardrobe essential if you will, that it has to be in good nick. So the ruined one is now on dinner and bath duty and the new one will be for out'n'about.