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?

Well done comrades!! Keep up the good work.

Todays outfit: Black wool gap skirt with kick pleats (knee length), purple scoop neck cashmere sweater with short chiffon sleeves and a chiffon belt, purple opaque tights and black suede high heels.

Tulpe - your outfit last night sounds fantastic! Esp love all the bangles, and vintage tea dress

LTEC - Brora dress is divine, but how much wear would you have got out of it in Sydney anyway? Think of all the gorgeous dresses you can wear with your wonderful metallic Jimmy Choos...

Marsha - am so in awe of you and LTEC with v young babies, yet wearing all this stylish non-maternity outfits!

Great outfits, ladies! Am wearing black/grey stripe trousers again, only this time w yellow patent belt (would be better in red only don't have - wardrobe gap!) and w black high neck sleeveless top and black cashmere cardi. trusty black patent ballet flats about to be worn.

Am off to Westfield - may the force be with me!

BTW all this Brora talk has driven me to ebay where I am watching a red Brora cardi for DD. She is 7 months' old and cardi is for 3-4 year old . Still, compiling her wardrobe in advance is the way to do it, right? In my [delusional?] mind am still on the wagon regardless of whether I purchase it...

I also forgot.. I don't own any jeans. I don't know how this has happened exactly, not on purpose, but I'm not buying any at the moment.
So dresses/skirts it is for me.

LTEC - I'm so proud of you! Shows real strength

ANother day of gorgeous outfits (on all but me)...

LTEC, your resolve has strengthened mine

Gorgeous outfits!

Today I am wearing a chunky cream Joseph alpaca poloneck with a bright pink and red pattern, ancient topshop long-sleeved white tee, and the charity shop James jeans (miraculously arse-shrinking).

I am having lustful thoughts about your wristwatmers again, LTEC - a pair would be perfect with this sweater - but resisting is starting to feel very good

thanks loads ladies - your encouraging comments about my willpower are making me feel even better than the fact that you all liked the dress

everyone sounds very lovely and stylish today.

I should mention that, in the spirit of this thread, the top I am wearing has not been worn in about 2 years. Have just tried bfing in it though and it was awkward. May need to change before going out.

How fabulous that you are all resisting and returning purchases Keep strong - you know it will be worth it in the end!

Today, I am wearing:

magenta merino tunic (Boden)
navy long sleeve tee (Top Shop)
navy leggings (Top Shop)
magenta & purple silk scarf (can't remember where from and label has been cut off.....shall I pretend it's Hermes? )
brown knee high flat boots (Toast, of course )

hana - I think it's the apron that makes the outfit

Gah - ventured to look on this thread and ended up buying the absolute last of those Princess Tam Tam dresses which was not the intent.

I am going to have a no-buy February, right???

You can have a no buy second half of January no problem, florence

Just exactly how many of us own that Princesse Tam Tam dress?? show of hands please!!

Well done LTEC on phoning Brora. I nearly bought the dress too as they had my size in midnight but resisted as just don't think a cashmere dress would wear well.

But I did buy some cedar balls and a cashmere comb to look after existing cashmere - thats allowed isn't it.

And to reiterate I'm not doing a buy nothing year - just a buy more carefully - do we need a separate thread for that?

Well I am going to find it easy not to buy anything this month and next - have no money! SIL is getting married abroad later this year (BIL-to-be is from that country) and we have paid for our flights and villa.

DH and I have gone over our money and, as we've just shelled out £4k for holiday and it's tax return time, we will be doing some serious belt-tightening to replenish our savings in case work is slow!

My best friend (who will be joining us with her DH for week two of villa heaven - yay) lives in Jersey and I only see her a few times a year - but she's coming over next weekend. So that's a meal and cocktails then. Plus various other nights out coming up - so no money left for clothes.

Can I still stay and drool over your links please?

Today I drew up a wish-list of the things I'd like to buy with the money I don't spend on clothes (although at the rate I'm going with socialising, there won't be any!) and I have saved the list to tick bits off one by one. So I have some sartorial excitement to look forward to if I'm a good girl

traceybath - I have ordered these bags to keep my cashmere jumpers safe from the moths.

OhTulpe I have a Boden merino tunic in pinky/purple,usually wear in summer with linen trousers but you have given me the idea to wear with leggings!
I do however have a gap in my wardrobe for navy leggings.....
This thread is the shop from your wardrobe thread.

i bought the purple princess tam tam dress in the sale but sent it back as it didn't suit my shape

Problem is that "shopping from my wardrobe" for many of us means "shopping from my-wardrobe

forgot to say - tracey - i am also trying to shop less and wear more things i already have in my wardrobe

I'm not very imaginative about putting outfits together, so i end up wearing the same or similar outfits most of the time. then i get bored with my look and want to go shopping. I suspect I need more imagination/inspiration and fewer new clothes.

I am toying with the idea of taking photos of some things I hardly ever wear and posting them on my profile so I can get some styling ideas from all you experts. Or take them to the charity shop if they are a lost cause

Do photos. I think we should all do photos, or links. I did a thread on this tonight. Feel free to add your comments! (How would you wear this" thread)

I have also bought one of those comb things from Brora ! it's pretty good...