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?

Too true Hellbelles..she's a total headturner..but a very bright,kind,generous person too..more qualities i lack!

pmsl at Bodsmum's description of herself ... "farty old dwarf" ... "overdone tranny"

MadamOvary, if I may, is 2nd hand cashmere from ebay a good investment/bargain?

Oh bodsmum - I'm sure that's not true. Don't be so hard on yourself!

I did traceybath!. My parents came from overseas for Christmas ten days after ds2 was born. We only see eachother once a year and I didn't want to pass up the all purchases paid for shopping trip! My parents are British expats in a backwater town so tend to go mad when here.

I do look tired and am vague as hell too but ds1 is at school my days are pretty easy.

Oh top tip re long knitted dress - I have a black dress I never wear and have never thought of chucking it over jeans/leggings - would try right now but can't be arsed to get out of warm bed

Well, I'm definitely in the buying less and buying better camp rather than the no purchases till next Christmas camp.

(And no, I haven't ruled out the panto cardy as a possible purchase yet )

Have actually been quite good this last week or so - partly due to the snow.
Have bought a few sale purchases but rather pleased with them so not feeling too guilty.
Only other purchases have been snow purchases - I got my fabulously ugly boots a while ago and they have been a godsend in all this snow but as a result I had to get snow boots for my bubs as just felt too mean making them walk around in cold damp wellies when my own feet were encased in these.
Have also bought DD1 a pair of fleece lined waterproof dungarees and this hat in cream for myself.

On a positive note, have sent back £300 of toast sale stuff and £250 of Outnet - twas shame about the latter as was Vanessa Bruno basics - fine knit vests and t's at silly prices but were all too big .

HellsBells and LTEC - I got my wedding dress at Morgan Davies too! Mine was Allan Hannah (I think ), ivory silk, strapless with three pleats across top of bodice, very plain. I got married June 2003 - would be funny if we were all in and out for fittings at the same time!

As some of others have said - I think I have reached saturation point with winter purchases . Am going to turn attention to spring, but only at planning level, too brrrrr to actually purchase anything yet. More fun to make my definitive wish list

think this school that Marsha's DS attends sounds like A Very Good School..hmm..perhaps should consider when finding schools for DCs..maybe best not to mention to DH that the fact v fit male models hang out there may be a deciding factor..

Feeling out of my depth here as you all hob-nob with slebs. I live in Norfolk! And not the North Norfolk, Gwyneth on the beach in Shakespeare in Love bit either.

my sister is a model/ presenter

I can't tell you how nice it is being told that "you've got the brains"

I can imagine

Ah, parents, bless 'em. My mum once said that when I was a child, she worried I'd always be that plain. Luckily, she never told me that at the time. And even more luckily, I didn't stay that plain!

At least you'll know to be careful about things like that with your own children.

ladies, I too have been inspired by this thread. I have loads of clothes but end up wearing the same old same old. I have bought nothing for a month but I have been going through my wardrobe and found a few skirts languishing at the back.

I am guilty of wearing jeans all the time because its easy, so I have just ordered black tights and other tights in order to get a bit more stylish with the skirt thing and because they look lovely and warm.

I ordered the rather loud grey/blue ones as a lot of my wardrobe is grey/charcoal/black/white. Please tell me I havent made a hideous mistake!

Ooh, I love coloured tights. Cheap and easy wardrobe update!

I've got lots of charcoal in my wardrobe too and I've been wearing it with purple or mustard or raspberry tights. Go for it!

Well fleecy I have got purple and fancy grey/black ones but havent been wearing them cos they are just the 40 denier nylon ones and not very warm.

I thought getting these wool/cotton ones would force me into wearing skirts a bit more.

Liking the sound of raspberry with the grey/charcoal tones tho.

My "Final Major Purchase of The Year" arrived today - the Cavalry Boots from Toast (but not really to be counted as already stated......as they are Birthday Gift )

They are gorgeous. Love them to pieces and can't wait to wear them Which, all being well, will be tomorrow!

Today was my birthday (39 . I went skiing with a friend of mine at an indoor snow dome place and had a ball. It was her first ever lesson and my first time skiing without DH. So for most of the day I was wearing:

magenta ski jacket (North Face)
white ski trousers (North Face)
Magenta merino mid-layer (Ice Breaker)
black merino base layer (Ice Breaker)
White ski boots (Atomic)

DH took me for dinner this evening and surprised me by inviting several friends along which I hadn't been expecting! This evening I wore:

Black skinny fit trousers (H&M)
Grey-blue oversized silk knit jumper (Zara)
Silver pendant (Top Shop)
Black Ankle Boots (Next.....I think.... from 2 years ago)
Silver bracelet watch (Tiffany)
Stack of silver bangles (House of Fraser)

Happy birthday (yesterday) Tulpe....sounds like a lovely time (and I bet you looked gorgeous).

Today I'm very very colourful...quite shockingly so. DH actually did a double take - I think in a good way.

Wool tunic type thingy of many colours (sounds horrid but not bad) - origin unknown. Teal tights, brown boots. And beanie hat (that I do take off indoors of course although it does rather complete the outfit). Colour does make you look younger doesn't it?

But I did manage to ruin a really nice cashmere jumper yesterday - I washed it on 30 but by mistake not the 'delicates' setting...and it's buggered. Totally felted. And of course it's my best one - that makes me look thin and feels soft. Normally I would be checking online for a replacement...but I'm trying very hard not to.

Thanks Hellsbelles

Agree that colour definitely makes a difference. When you find the right colours for your skin tone you immediately look younger and more vibrant. I have discovered my colours through trial and error rather than having them "done".

Your outfit sounds lovely today. Absolutely love teal and brown together.

Sorry to hear about your cashmere jumper I would be gutted too. But hadn't we agreed that genuine "replacement" items were acceptable?

My outfit today is rather bland as am having a "mooching around the house and half-heartedly doing housework" day.

Black cashmere polo neck (Jaeger)
Indigo straight leg jeans (Boden)
Pale pink cashmere socks (Queenwood)
Sheepskin slippers (Toast)

Yes, Happy Birthday for yesterday Tulpe!

hellsbelles, I feel your pain.

It will be no consolation now, but I have rendered jumpers thus afflicted suitable for wearing (under things, in manner of luxurious thermal vest,) by much energetic stretching when damp.

Poor consolation, I know; it is still lost to you as the friend it once was [playing the violin badly emoticon]

I resisted several items on ebay yesterday, including a hot pink Jigasw cardigan that met all the criteria for being virtually free. Hot pink is featuring high on my list of 'wants' at the moment

Happy Birthday Tulpe!

Happy Birthday Tulpe!

Really interesting looking at what everyone is wearing and realising that we must live on another planet up here as I think I could count on 1 hand the number of times I've seen another mum in a skirt on the school run!

Will have to find a replacement for a couple of pairs of jeans which have very worn knees after crawling about on the Christmas break. Really gutted as am wearing a wide leg pair from Next (bought years ago) and they fit perfectly, but no trousers from Next fit very well anymore.

Am going down to Glasgow next week, so will have a look while I'm there. Also noticed when looking through the wardrobe that I don't actually own any other type of trousers other than jeans! Really must work a bit harder to not always buy jeans when looking for new trousers.

Well.. this is getting more challenging now. Delved in recesses of wardrobe this morning in an effort to wear something different for work.

Found... black 3/4 sleeve t-shirt with lovely embroidered neckline. Olive green skirt with flicky hem, frilly bits and random zips (sounds awful, but got loads of positive comments so far), high heeled knee length black leather boots with zips up the back and buckles at ankles (last year's clarks sale).

I feel tall and slim in heels

thanks for the sympathy ladies - it actually helps numb the pain

Casual slobbing about at home day today. I'm wearing black stretch skinnies from Dorothy perkins that are sadly too big for me. I got a 10 and really should have got an 8. Navy and white striped socks. A black jersey scoop neck top from Kew, with a plum coloured short sleeved long line t-shirt from Gap over the top. I complete the look with fluffy stripey slippers from Fat Face.

I have about 12 black long sleeved jersey tops, from Kew, Gap, Topshop and Next. Ridiculous!

Similar outfit here - black stretch skinnies from DP, black vest but purple cardi and hot pink patterned scarf. Am off out to a meeting later - will take raspberry bag with me for a nice clash!

Happy Birthday for yesterday Tulpe

aww, thanks for all your birthday wishes, ladies

Am just snuggled on the sofa with Gok My friend bought me Gok's "Work Your Wardrobe" book yesterday. I will be sure to impart any appropriate wisdom on this thread

Happy Birthday Tulpe

i just borrowed that book from the library..i read another one of his recently and pretty entertaining but no lightbulb moments for me..interested to see how this one goes..no time to start yet since too busy checking out this addicive thread!

think he does need to use the Mn term 'norks'instead of 'bangers' though..

today,shamed by the new mums who pull together so well,i dug deep into my wardrobe and have located a brora purple cashmere vest(charity shop purchase,usually a little too big) over long sleeved white tee(uniqlo..yawn),geometric print skirt(with elasticated waist!..yikes what was i thinking when i bought this from topshop a hundred years ago but Does actually conveniently squeeze under bump)and purple opaques..and do you know what not too bad at all for a v pregnant lady..