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?

Lovely sounding outfits today

I am also wearing something I am not entirely sure of....am worried tis a bit mutton but DH (who is very conservative style-wise and whom I trust as a Mutton-Ometer) thinks I look fine

Cotton prom dress in a magenta, purple & navy check (Warehouse)
Purple long sleeve tee (Rare)
Magenta cardigan (M&S)
Black leggings (Top Shop)
Black Biker boots (Faith)

Will be covering it all over with my magenta Paul Smith coat when I go out later!! It is good to push yourself sometimes though!

Nearly four weeks since my last shop...

Went out last night and put together a really nice outfit I had never worn before. Felt good! I normally buy something new

Today I am throwing a party for my Granny's 85th birthday so I'm wearing a chiffony mini dress in autumnal colours (reds and browns) with grey wool tights. Not very exciting but nice - and safe.

Must go prepare food.

Fleecy - isn't it fab when you put together a "new" outfit from your wardrobe?

Like you, I would always buy something new for a night out. I have had several nights out in the last few weeks and have loved shopping in my own wardrobe I certainly don't miss the stress of not being able to find anything I truly love and therefore buying something for the sake of it.

Pent - well done you

IKWYM about the sale rails. I have been able to do the same - if I wouldn't pay full price then why buy it. Trouble is, that was why I fell off the wagon last week with the Great Plains dress It was gorgeous and I would have bought it before the sales. And I was desperate to wear it but have had to have the hem taken up by 2 inches so am waiting for it to be finished. Can't wait for next Friday when I can wear it

that outfit sounds lovely , georgina

today I am wearing last years kick flare, but quite slim leg jeans, with the ohter boden pintuck tunic i got, in the dahlia pattern, in mocha brown, gold dangly necklace and a brigh orange cropped cardi

not entirely sure it works, but the orange is such a cheerful colour, so sick of wearing black and grey , which i feel i have been doing for weeks

Thanks Lulu.
I has sort of grown on me over the day!
I think it is the black knitted dress tbh;bought it in the autumn from a local boutique in an 'open evening,10% off' event.
Typical of me.Bought it for the sake of it,and it would have seemed rude not to.However,I rarely wear black,or at least not on top half,so it has stayed in wardrobe.Wore it with heels and black opaques for a dinner party before xmas as the sequins make it quite eveningy,but as I don't truly 'love' it it only been worn twice since then.
Now the 'old' me would have left it in my wardrobe and forgotten about it,maybe got around to ebaying .
Now,however,I feel I should wear it ,instead of constantly searching for the holy grail in clothes,I should wear what I have.
Any new purchases will have to be thoroughly researched and positively adored,before they find their way into my wardrobe!

I am starting to get a kick from putting new things together.

I'm thinking a lot harder about outfits now to make the most of the things I've got - and even if I wear soemthing I don't love, like you Georgina I find it grows on me. Hooray!

I have also cut my housekeeping budget (food, toiletries, pet stuff, cleaning stuff, nappies etc) from £400 to £350 this month and managed to come in within that, despite shelling out for all the party food for today. Don't think that's too bad for a family of four, plus two cats.

Confession time ladies

One Wallis top.. reduced to a tenner down from £25. I neeeeed it, honest. It's for my jive classes. Its silvery and doesn't show the sweat patches

sorry sorry sorry

i think if it has a practical use, lunar, it is ok?

My friend just been round and said i looked very glam, DH said i looked a bit grandma-ish, so not sure.. will wear this again tomorrow and see what my folks think!!

I was thinking of this thread whilst trying on. It stopped me buying a lot more, i can tell you.

Am waering what i wore yesterday, boden pintuck tunic in the dahlia pattern , light brown. with orange cropped cardi and dark blue jeans and brown boots. my mum said it looked retro, after DH said it looked old ladyish. but i lije it!

have to confess, i bought a scarf. £4.99 from TK Maxx, really lovely soft blue pashmina style, which will dress up a white shirt and jeans, and i don't have a plain blue scarf.

help me stay strong !!

www.boden.co.uk/en-GB/Sale/Womens-Tunics/WA246/Womens-Kaleidoscope-Tunic.html this is calling me?!?!?

Lulu i have a similar Boden one from last summer and it is very unforgiving,quite stretchy but very clingy unlike the pintuck ones.
Didn't wear it much,tbh.
Hope that helps

yes,that does help! thank you ]

today am wearing long black sweater dress with slim fit dark blue jeans and long grey waterfall cardi, and Sweetie bracelet. did not have the patience for accesorising this morning.

Lulumama I have to agree with GW - I don't think that tunic looks particularly flattering. Far too long/skinny - it would be better if sleeves were full length but I feel it looks too out of balance with 3/4 sleeves.

Very uninspired outfit this morning - am feeling sorry for myself with a crappy head cold

Hot pink plaid tunic style shirt (Tesco)
White long sleeve tee (Top Shop)
Vintage wash Martha jeans (Top Shop - these are the old style ones with the nice pockets - really don't like what they've done to the back pockets on latest set)
mid-calf black biker boots (Faith)

Popped into TK Maxx this morning - had to look for an extra fleece layer for skiing next week. Didn't find a fleece layer but I did pick up two pairs of Jonathon Aston Bamboo blend tights in a very rich purple and navy. Absolutely gorgeous - £3.99 a pair. I am getting quite obsessed with moving away from black opaques and the difference it makes to my existing clothes. I have a lovely navy silk-georgette dress which will look fab with either the purple or navy with Toast boots and brown wrap cardi . Plus all my other stuff which is all made up of shades of chocolate, magenta, navy, purple So I feel quite justified in my purchase

thanks tulpe

have tried also buying different colour tights, but then always end up going back to plain old black

Love the sound of those tights tulpe.
My trusty grey and purple merino Autograph ones have breathed new life into outfits as well!
Today have really burrowed deep into the wardrobe,am wearing
Teal long sleeved tee from new Look
Warehouse teal,purple and black dress
Black Topshop leggings
Black Limited Collection mid calf biker boots
long purple necklace
my favourite teal,purple and silver Sainsbury's scarf
Boden chunky purple long cardigan from 2003.
Teal Oasis bag.

You all sound so glamourous... I am in my maternity leave uniform, jeans, white Levis t-shirt and grey hooded cardi from Massimo Dutti. No accessories apart from DD2, who is currently having a nibble on my breast I swear I will make more of an effort when I go back to work in March!

I totally agree about the new style Martha's Tulpe. They seem longer in the leg too. I wore some Martha's yesterday, and after living in Jeggings for the previous couple of weeks, they seemed so uncomfortable. I have been spoiled by the elasticated waist!

Back to jeggings today. Brown Brasher Bolivars, black long tee, with this Mistral tunic

Gah, there's new stock at Mistral. A couple of tunics I like. This is where I start to get twitchy.

those little mistral jumpers are lovely.What is the sizing like? TIA

I only have a few Mistral tops, so can't comment on the sizing for skirts and trousers. I found it fairy accurate. I'm a 10 and find White Stuff a little large, and Top Shop a little small, if that helps.

It's good quality, I'm really pleased with the stuff I've got from there.

Thanks I really like those jumpers on the new in bit.I am not buying anything but have an m and s voucher for 50 which i intend to use on food to justify these

As my 20m DS kindly pointed out today, my only jeans (yes really only! Well ok, I have old black ones too so only blue ones) have a hole in the knee Can I really make them last a year?!! I'm a SAHM at the moment so not a big deal. Also, have a big job interview on Friday and have no working wardrobe at all (I was a student pre-DS and haven't worked since). Hoping that some combination in my wardrobe will work! Have a nice grey dress.

Ah well, stylish younger sis arriving on Weds for a few days, hopefully she'll help me see my wardrobe differently!

Morning!

I'm feeling very pleased with myself today - someone on the other thread linked to this and I fell for the outfit with the white t-shirt underneath.

I was sorely tempted to buy the top - but I have put together a very similar outfit from the back of the wardrobe. Almost identical boots (but grey), same colour skinny jeans turned up, white long-sleeve top with black wool tank over, accessorised with grey/black leopard print scarf. When I went out, I wore a short-sleeve leather biker over the top. Loving it! And it didn't cost me anyhting!

Correction - apparently it did cost me the ability to type. Sorry!