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?

Morning all!

Relieved to see there are some of us still here!

I got a pair of reduced shoes for ds1 yesterday, and a jumper for ds2 which I'm considering taking back as not certain how many he has in reserve - it's a good 2 years two big for him atm!

So today am going to have a proper sort out of the 'future' clothes we've got, and if he has a plethora of age 4 jumpers it's going back. I think I need a spreadsheet!

The thought of not addingto the amount of stuff already here is keeping me going, plus general lack of funds.

Nowwhat, you sound very classy today. I never wear jewellery but again there is a bit of it hanging about on my dressing table, just never being worn, so hope to find a use for some of the less posh stuff on an everyday basis.

Fleecy how hard it is to think about windows when you know you'll have some money coming in...that's a real trial!

I was doing really well but the Hush sale did get me last week. I now need no knitwear for the rest of my life. Theirs is really gorgeous quality.

Also bought some Boden bits for the dc's from asos.com, but other than that, nothing else which is good going for me and the cc bill is already much lower than usual.

I'm not even looking at online stores so much, so I think this thread is working!

Am on both threads.
I am also using up beauty /skincare items instead of getting fed up and buying new ones.
Did buy a huge pot of Aequeous ream today though for £1.99,great as cleanser and moisturiser.
Am feeling a bit frumpy today though,am wearing
tweed wide leg trousers from about 5 yrs ago
white Marks vest
Moss green Boden v neck top from 3 yrs ago
Brown Autograph flat boots under trousers
Wallis brown circle necklace that DH says looks like an olympic medal!
Had a moss green cord Boden blazer from 3 yrs ago on earlier,plus scarf from Marks in shades of green.

Georgina you sound delightful

Chippy, isn't it lovely when the credit card looks happy again! Real incentive I think.

I've also decided that I'm not going to buy things online if I can avoid it - unless very very cheap or the ony place they are available.

The thing is there is so much available out there on the internet, and it's so hard to set boundaries around what you allow yourself and what's forbidden.

I used to browse just out of boredness, going through all the sale sections and thinking 'what can I buy' but now it's more like 'Oh, I don't have to buy stuff, because there's no spare money!' and it's such a relief.

I felt a kind if duty to purchase before.
(sounds ridiculous I know)

I think it helps to just go in local shops if necessary, and if you see something good value and very useful it's allowed.
There tends to be far less choice that way.

...also ditched ebay in a big way, for clothes at least - you so rarely get wat you think you are getting!! Yes it's possible to get a huge array of 99p bargains due to the hundreds of millions of clothes on there that only one person has even looked at, but it's such a hassle, and half of it turns up and is the wrong size, or smells of smoke, or doesn't suit you...it's just a real timesuck I find.

So one less 'shopping opportunity' to worry about!

I've been here since thread started and still not bought anything (apart from a replacement, very boring, beige t-shirt bra).

Walked right past TKMaxx today without feeling any emotion at all.

I'm still here

Altho I did buy new tights today but that's fine as they were necessary purchase (grey cotton opaques..don't have any in the closet but realised that they would enable me to get several more outfits from what is already in the wardrobe ).

Today I spent a very happy hour or so flicking through the vast collection of clothing catalogues & magazines that I have here. I tore out the photos of every outfit I loved so I now have some "concrete" inspiration, rather than relying on my imagination to style up my clothes!

It was such a worthwhile exercise. I love the whole Toast/vintage tea dresses & boots look and am forever buying knitwear, scarves and other accessories but am pretty rubbish at creating more than a basic "look". I also got loads of ideas for different colour combinations which I wouldn't necessarily have put together myself.

Try it!!

Tulpe - I do that too: I have folders (real ones and computer ones) full of lovely fashion ideas.

And your 'look' sounds a lot like one of my favourites too - a bit 'Landgirl' with pretty things mixed with rugged things.

I really want a grey silk dress, with sleeves and a v neck, to rough up in the way you suggest.

I love the vintage tea dress look too.
I like thirties/forties style clothes,pretty prints,wide leg trousers,cardigans.
Wouldn't have been so fond of rationing though

Janeite - do you find you reference your folders much? Am determined to actually make use of them. I have tried doing files on the computer but I then don't bother looking through the bookmarks etc! I felt that I was more likely to leaf through a file. Also, easier to do so before bed and choose outfit for following morning

Do you want plain grey or patterned? I saw this on the Coast website today which I thought would be great for layering up

Thelunar66 I am at your benchmark of total shopping withdrawal.

TKMaxx is going to close down at this rate...haven't been in there for a while either! Though might still when we are actually in NEED of something, and are good for presents for people.

However have got drawer full of presents so that has to be used up first!

...also pleased to report that sale shoes ordered for Christening (literally no posh shoes at all so had to!) look and feel all wrong, so are going back...I will try charity shops I think, nearer the time. Something will turn up...I remember when I had almost no money at all and whether it was 'Him up there' or some other kind of scenario, I always was provided for in one way or another.

Strange how that happens.

I never think of Coast for day type dresses,tbh.Probably should. or not

Hello! Am on both threads too. I still haven't bought anything and quite enjoying it, although am being tempted by cashmere dresses and Martha jeans. Although TTC so not sure how smart it is to buy anything when shape will hopefully change yet again...

Am still window shopping w enthusiasm but as can't buy anything till April (took a vow and everything) it's pressure free!!

Am too daggy to describe tonight. Although did re varnish the trotters in red!

ooh forgot to share today's outfit......not that it is anything exciting but bunnymother 's reference to Martha jeans reminded me

Martha vintage wash jeans (Top Shop)
Cream long sleeve, scoop neck tee (Top Shop)
Dark oatmeal shawl collared, belted cardigan (Gap - found at bottom of closet during last week's clear out and renovated with a quick flick of the lint shaver )
Stephen Sprouse LV look-a-like wrap in "natural" (Top Shop)
Brown Cavalry Boots (Toast)

Wore it with my brown Boden Biker jacket (first day in ages that its been warm enough to put that one on again).

Your boots sound great.

I quite like the look of that dress actually, so thank you. Haven't looked in Coast for ages (usually it's all far too long for me), so may have a mooch.

Boring clothes here today! Denim mini with grey wooly tights, vest, cardi, scarf, converse. Not very exciting!

Cranreuch, I did indeed resolve not to buy anything in Jan at least and did my last shop on 28th Dec. Ooh, that's three weeks today. Happy-no-shopping-anniversary to me

Top Shop Martha's are my favourite, I have six pairs - honestly, who needs six pairs of the same jeans? I prefer the older style though. They changed them, hmmph. Have recently been wearing Next Jeggings instead though, but I think I might have a Martha's day tommorrow.

I've been eyeing up Blowfish Florentine ankle boots today, but I am NOT going to buy them. I'm not even going to do a link! Honestly, this is the first thing that I've got twitchy about since the thread started.

I still haven't bought anything

I went into Selfridges today for legitimate non-shopping reasons (eyebrows,) and wasn't tempted even to look at clothes

I did buy some Dr Haushka handcream, but that doesn't count because a.) I've run out, b.) it's eco friendly, and c.) it gets rid of my eczema if I use it at the first sign of a flare-up.

Well done, PhaseolusLunatus

DS1 gets awful eczema flare ups. I treat it with essential oils which work beautifully well. If you want any aromatherapy recipes just let me know. I trained in aromatherapy Initial outlay for oils and good bases always seems so expensive but it is much cheaper in the long run.

Today I am wearing (always feel like that Fast Show character making his announcements!!):

Teal jersey empire line dress (H&M)
Brown long sleeve tee (Tesco.....a hundred years old!! but still in good nick)
Brown cotton opaques
Wrap/scarf in shades of brown, burnt orange, with teal and purple threads running through - sounds revolting but looks very Toast (bought from small boutique in France)
Brown cavalry boots (Toast)

tulpe, could I page you to recent thread beginning with "t" to ask your advice?
Thanks!

/sidles out apologetically muttering something about only having 2 pairs of boots and both of those are black but giving big thumbs up to everyone on here/

hello. I have been watching this thread with interest. Am pg but have lots of pg friendly clothes- phew! Dont need anything but a couple of vests & dresses for summer- please tell me maxi dresses will still be hot stuff I will be huge! I've not bought anything and no plans yet. Im loving the Today I am wearing bit... So Today I am wearing a mat white long sleeve tee( got in sale in dec was £16 for 1 I paid £12 for 2) navy tea dress from h&m last yr. Very cute grey alpaca cardie with pink, cream and blue fair isle bit. With brown woolly tights with 2008 boden brown boots

Vesela am heading over there now

Cheeky i know but can i ask for help on my new thread 'post baby outfits'..

Help me! I've been doing really well but I've just seen a lovely LK Bennett coat on sale. I've been wanting a new coat for a while. Tell me not to. Please. I can feel my willpower crumbling....