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?

FeelingOptimistic - I flirted with purchasing, but have stayed true to my vows! Have not strayed into actual shopping, but will continue to window shop. I enjoy it so!

Today I am wearing
Sonia Rykiel wool pencil skirt with ruffles and bow at top. This season, but Christmas present from kind maman.
Light egg yolk yellow wool v-neck
Wolford ribbed tights
Cashmere beret
See by Chloe coat / big cream scarf for outdoors snowy school run

Channelling my 1/4 French heritage - the ahem Left Bank, St. Germain look...

PLUS managed to avoid Brora sale, makes it difficult on here sometimes as lots of links etc

Oooh Marsha,Marsha,Marsha your outfit sounds heavenly!! Assume you don't have a baby who has been known to vomit on you? Or perhaps you are just v good at dodging it...

THUD

TDF Ms Brady!

Jealous! Puts my Peacocks stuff to shame!

Thanks everyone!

I do have a 4 week old, asleep in my arms as I type! Not much sick yet though. Unfortunately had to wear coat when I saw anyone so pretty much covered up. This thread is great as is making me wear stuff in my wardrobe.

THUD

you have a 4 week old baby

do you always dress so beautifully?

and if so tell us your secret!

bunny it's so funny, I would know you were Australian even if I didn't know, if you get me!

Noo I just look normal you know.

My tactic is.. It's pretty bad really.. is to not buy anywhere other than Liberty. Two years ago I got really cross with my high street clothes falling apart and vowed to spend more on each piece but less often. It's usually French labels I love.

Also lucky enough the school ds goes to the women look incredible, like my friend who will wear a Dries Van Noten tweed dress, or a racoon fur hat (well real fur is a bit contentious, but people don't hold back. Plus there are a couple of models - male/female who look madly fantastic). So finally it doesn't feel out of place.

Having said all that the actual clothes are rather understated- so I look kind of normal!

MarshaBrady only ever shops at Liberty

Marsha I think I have a teeny girl-crush on you

Ooh must investigate Barbouroutlet dexter - thanks! Have not yet clicked on 'buy'

What are the discounts like, and do they tend to have most styles / ranges?

I will say to anyone hesitating about Brora wristwarmers - get them - absolute necessity in this weather and gorgeous to boot. (Plus in sale atm.)

Thank you to whoever posted that link to the yellow coat

It has reminded me that I have my VERY OWN yellow coat hiding in a case on top of the wardrobe!!

I'm loving this thread...not because of the thrifty aspirations (though that's great too) but because of all the descriptions of what people are wearing. I feel really inspired to mix things from my wardrobe more inventively.
KEEP THIS THREAD GOING, GIRLS

Today I wore
Rose cord skirt (Gap 2008)
Black long-sleeve t-shirt (Tu)
Charcoal vest with red pattern (Principles 2007)
Black opaque tights
Knee-high black boots (Hush Puppies - xmas gift)
Tweed coat (Next)
Black wooly hat (H+M)

Spent all day tramping round a snowy site, and looked funky and professional at the same time...and was still warm! So pleased

is marsha a troll?!!

im in a long black knitted dress over jeans today which is very warm and looks fitted - i was bored of it and found it in the loft so that is a proper bargainous find!!

er no.

Gosh that's a first!...

I am channelling Marsha's advice,sort of....no more cheapy 'ok' purchases for the sake of it.
I will buy only if I need and Love an item
Agree with Tracey re wardrobes too,I have rediscovered and worn loads since we had new wardrobes!
Today am wearing...
monsoon tweed wideleg trousers,at least 2 yrs old
Marks white 'perfect' long sleeve tee which is lovely and soft and tobe recommended
White Stuff charcoal open cardigan from winter 2009 sale
long grey/black necklace from per una via ebay
black Limited Collection biker boots bought last October.Don't love them tbh and wish I had not impulse bought!
When out wore black Boden velvet coat from 2007 and animal print scarf from Peacocks.

Love this thread.
I am wearing Gap low rise jeans bought five years ago, White stuff top bought in charity shop, Boden chunky cashmere jumper bought in their sales for £30, ancient 10 yr old Emus hat I bought new in a charity shop ten years ago for £6, and Toast merino legwarmers from ebay which are indestructable despite being worn to death every year.

Havent bought new but bought three cashmere jumpers second hand from eBay today. Cashmere is my weakness. They were a fraction of the cost of Brora tho

Also bought sheepskin insoles cheap from ebay to keep said boots ultra warm.

Ok it's been a great few weeks...bank balance is back in the black, I have not bought anything...I did keep the coat I got though, which is super and am wearing it every day. So that's alright because I love it so much and will continue to get loads of wear from it as opposed to hating it like the other sale coats I have bought in the last few years and failed to wear.

This week I have been wearing:

Wool dark taupe coat

Grandmother's fake fur brown hat (feel stupid but so many compliments!) from the attic

levi jeans from last summer, they are great

various cardigans from last year

brown horseriding boots (as v waterproof)

I've got to go to a christening later in the year and am thrilled that I might get to use one of my 8 'posh' dresses!! I shan't be buying anything new for it. Though the only pair of posh shoes I own is about 12 years old...

Think this thread is great.

lovely lovely outfits (note to self to try harder). And Marsha - you sound picture perfect. I don't think I even remembered to put on new pants when my DC's were 4 weeks old

can i jump on the bandwagon and say i totally Marsha too..you sound so adorable you.

the bit about quality over quantity is definitely something i came to late in life(i didnt get married till 35)

I can clearly remember going shopping with a girlfriend who was born with that idea ingrained and her telling me(as we perused a Very expensive Dublin store)that she only bought stuff she Absolutely Loved..i also remember thinking she was insane as i loaded up on high street goodies,none of which have stood the test of time whereas she has a beautiful classic wardrobe that will last a lifetime.

Liberty is fab but i used to find i spent so long browsing the ground floor i spent all my dough before i even set foot in the clothing areas(may have changed format since i was last there...many,many moons ago)

Am intrigued to hear that the models at DS's school help you up your game..i have a good friend who is a 'supermodel' and every time we go out to dinner i feel like a fat old warty dwarf to her fragrant snow white(and if i do make a really big effort i only end up feeling like a overdone tranny next to her natural zing )

The Barbour outlet is at Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth. I have this parka which was £45 and I wear it lots as it is warm and waterproof. Also have an Amelia flyweight wax jacket which was half price, about £80 I think.
The International jacket was my Christmas present from dh and I just asked him how much it was. Apparently it was full price and not from the outlet! Think he was a bit miffed that I thought he had bought me a cheap present!

Bodsmum - supermodel friend is pretty hard to take I imagine. They are often like a different species!

It's a bit embarrasing my heart goes aflutter when I see the male one. He is superfriendly which cancels any intimidation.

He brought a model friend from the states and oh my goodness I had never seen such a beautiful man. There was a little frisson amongst the women at the start and my friend came to school one day and swooned.
It's all calmed down now

Blimey Marsha - you sound very together to have such a teeny tiny baby. I'm sure I read on here that you were shopping in libertys a couple of weeks ago.

Its interesting the effects other people have on our wardrobes. I do dress up more when meeting some friends than others.

Looks like I'm snowed in again tomorrow which means the parcels I'm waiting for (sale purchases before I stopped spending) still haven't arrived.

One good thing - was meant to go to bicester today but got snowed off.