am i up to the challenge?

Feb 14, 2008 at 8:00 AM
32 comments

so, bit o' a.m.-bus-riding brainstorming lead me to an idea: could i actually go for an entire year without buying any new (or used) clothing for myself? could i commit to that? could i simply borrow dresses (if needed) from friends for special occasions? just repair any older clothing that needs some love? alter existing clothes that perhaps need a face lift?

entirely possible. i need to noodle on this a bit more to decide if i want to commit. hmmm...

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have you been watching Tim Gunn's Guide To Style? He impressed upon me that I don't need as much junk, and that I really needed to take a few things to get fixed. it was like having new clothes.

Also, I think I read in Self that you should turn all your hangers to face the "wrong" way, and then when you wear something, turn it back around. Then see how much of your stuff you really are wearing. I found that I wear jeans and like 4 tops. wtf.

Just curious, but is there a goal in mind? Being that I've always known you to be an urban hipster, I'm wondering if there's a motivation for your challenge? Responsibility, saving money, love of child labor in 3rd world countries, what?

good question. i think the motivation is mostly saving money. i'm a big shopper. i easily blow a few hundred dollars a month on clothing. it used to be much worse. i spent a depressed month in europe in january, 2000 wandering around blowing loads of cash on silly articles of clothing. i think i spent upwards of about 20k in a month and a half... oh amazon! you were so good to me! anyhoo, i just wonder if i *could* keep myself from shopping for clothing for an entire year.

I bought maybe 3 pieces of clothing and a couple of pairs of shoes in 2007. I can't afford to buy myself any clothes because all of my $$ goes on my daughter's wardrobe LOL! I wear my clothes/shoes until they tear up. That's a signal I need to buy something. Having kids changes EVERYTHING!

I know a group of girls who have a fashion exchange party about once a year.

They all get together, and bring the things that they are no longer excited about. Everyone sifts through the clothes and picks out what they want that does not belong to them. Whatever is not picked is then donated to charity.

If you had enough girlfriends, you could probably get 2 groups together and do something like this, and not have to buy any clothes this year.

But like others, I question the point of the exercise to begin with.

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www.thesockboutique.com Shipping free! (No "real" shopping).

A--

The government is working sooo hard to boost the economy and giving out tax rebate. Don't you want to part of the boost? j/k...

Is this really a challenge? I'm still wearing sweaters I bought in 1989.

hope you get far, not buying clothes= saving $. always a plus. haha

Do it...but stock up on underwear and socks first! :)

i think if your goal is to save money, just being conscious of how much you buy will reduce your spending in the coming year. Do I think that you can give up buying clothes entirely? Probably not. but I think you could cut it by, probably 75% without feeling too much pain. Just rotate your current stock and repair what should be repaired and see where that gets you.

i don't question your motivation. If you've got a habit of any kind, it's natural to test yourself and see if you can beat it.

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YOU can do anything to which you set your mind! I know. I've seen it. (Although, put to the test, I could not name a specific). On what kind of clothing, in the name of all that is revered, did you spend 20k in Europe in a month???!! I know I sound like an old person when I say, Thats what we paid for our 1st house!!! But, guess what? I am! At least its not a 4 hours of your life dress----my principal just spent 12K (not including shoes, veil, underwear, and airfare all over the country, finally settling for an SFO designer) on her daughter's wedding dress! THAT is repulsive!

The Little Brown Dress

This woman actually did it as a project to reduce waste.

20k one year huh? You must have some job!

I've thought about this kind of thing too. Theoretically I have all the clothes anyone should need to survive an entire year... so why not? I say go for it!

Hi! Just saw this post highlighted on the vox home page. I say go for it. I think if you pick a date and try to not buy clothes, you might find out there are completely different meanings behind buying clothes than "needing something to wear." I know I have partaken of retail therapy on a number of occasions. Tell you what: pick a date, and I'll join you. Start a vox group, and we'll count down the days. I have my own reasons to not buy any new clothes - save money, better for the environment, etc. - plus I'm just up for a challenge.

seriously, no new shoes or cute tops to cure my moments of depression? um that's crazy! shopping is one of my major stress reliefs and while i don't do it daily, i do it often enough to know that i'd miss it. my advice? reduce it, but don't stop doing it. what if your socks or undies need replacing? are you gonna wear the same bras for a year? think about pantyhose!

I've probably done it a few times, but I'm a guy :)

You also might want to make an exemption for underwear and socks.

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If you do take this challenge, which i think is a great idea, let me know how it goes. I am curious to see how much money you can save (or anticipate saving) if you went a year without shopping.

Being a die hard shopper myself, i know i spend a good amount on clothes. But, i save money in that area, if i can by going to discounters and outlets.

I am interested in knowing how this challenge turns out!

i read the book "Year without Shopping" or something like that. Woman didn't buy any unnecessary items for a year....

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I'm coming to the end of a 2 month shopping embargo. The idea was to only buy necessities & food for 2 months, and I've slipped up a little, but it was a good experience, and I'd recommend giving it a try, especially if you're an emotional/boredom shopper. The thing that most surprised me is that I don't miss what I didn't buy (while I'm definitely enjoying the smaller credit card bills). I spend a lot less time in stores, and when I do go shopping, I have a list, and buy only what I came for. It's a big timesaver. And browsing less makes me want less, so its gotten easier as time has gone on. I don't expect to go back to shopping the way I was when my embargo is over. :)

If you really believe your present wardrobe can sustain you for a year (borrowing from people really isn't a good idea, though going to a dress hire shop would be OK) then go for it! Good luck, babe. x

One of my aunt, whom I lived with for three years, I could not recall she brought stuff for herself like clothes, expect for her husband and me when I was younger. Clothes do cost lots of money. Did you think about forgoing shoes too? Good luck at your adventure!

yeah--I've definitely thought about doing the clothes exchange party. i need to make that happen for sure.

Jennifer replied to margotinto’s comment:
Feb 18, 2008
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margo--you're on! this crazy outpouring of commentary/feedback/support from folks has really got me fired up! seriously--i had no idea so many people would have an opinion on this one. so... i present to you STOP SHOPPING: a group i just created on vox where i intent to chronicle my (mis)adventures in avoiding retail therapy starting 3/1/2008.

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I think you can do it. ^_^
I'm not a clothes buyer at all - In fact, I dislike clothes shopping altogether.
Here's my basic clothes strategy so I can avoid looking for clothes as much as I possibly can - I make sure to buy good-quality, classic, timeless clothes in plain colors. Make sure the cut isn't something that'll look dated in five years, or, if you like patterns, choose patterns that are going to be around for a while, like simple plaids, etc.
But here's my favorite clothes-saving-renewal-prolonging tip.
A lot of people toss clothes when they get faded, especially black clothes. I wear a lot of black, personally, and I'm not going to throw out a beloved turtleneck sweater just because it's 80% gray. I get some RIT dye and re-dye my clothes. I do this every other year or thereabouts, and it's like I'm getting brand new clothes that I know will fit and already love! ^_^ It's also a great way to salvage stained clothes. RIT dye, to the rescue.
I think that if I can do it, you can do it, too. I haven't bought clothes for myself in... well over a year, I think. Let me just say, I can't recall the last time I bought clothes.
Good Luck!

margotinto replied to Jennifer’s comment:
Feb 19, 2008
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I'm in. I'M TOTALLY IN!! I'll join the group and mark it on my calendar. Let's see where this takes us!

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I have stopped buying new clothes for almost a year now. That was because I was frustrated when I could not find anything in my size. (I wear a size 00 and I live in southern Mississippi. Yeah...) But no matter. Good quality, classic clothes last awhile and I have a few of those. (The last time I bought a pair of shoes was in winter 2006.)

It is do-able. All you need is the right attitude. Very massive good luck! :)

Holy crap...life without shopping for a year. How would I reduce stress?? I don't think I could do it, personally. Not that I don't see the value in revamping things I already own...just that I'd so miss the fix I get from a really great find!

You don't get the urge to shop for clothes when you weigh 240 lbs - pants aren't so bad (size 18 CAN) but when you are as top heavy as I am (40HH) shopping for pleasure is not an option.

So for now I am holding out on one purchase - a sports bra. Trouble is, they don't make sports bras to fit me. Which really defeats the purpose, you know?

Anyway, best of luck!