Not buy any new clothes or accessories in 2009 unless they're replacing something beyond repair

Well I went on a clothes buying spree on Thursday so I will have to give up on this goal.

Basically I spent the day at a formal event and it reminded me how scruffy I looked/ felt and how limited my wardrobe was. I think this goal is great but perhaps better for people who don’t have very few clothes to begin with.

I am glad I tried this as it reminded me to repair clothes (which I have been doing much more), to value what I have before getting new things and to be mindful of what I buy. I have worn practically every item in my wardrobe since starting this goal (except for a long satin skirt, some hideous cropped trousers, a winter coat and things that are too small). The clothes I bought on Thursday all adhere to my new stricter rules of purchasing and consumption. It is really nice to have a third pair of trousers for work, especially for the summer.

I am not going to return to buying things randomly just because they are cheap, or throwing things out just because a hem has come loose. And in that way this goal has been successful.

...I’ve been doing very good with this goal. I haven’t bought anything I would consider unnecessary. I finally had to break down and buy a new pair of shoes (the soles were practically falling off my work shoes), and I had to buy some new work shirts… but other than that, I haven’t gotten anything else…. and the things I replaced, I replaced. No being a pack rat here.

This goal is testing me at the moment. It is so hot and I always feel I don’t have the appropriate clothes as I want to be wearing light dresses all the time. But in reality I wouldn’t be able to wear those dresses to work and I hate flip-flops so if I went out and bought loads of clothes right now I would still be too hot I’d just have wasted money (and consumed mindlessly). I’ve been looking in my cupboard and a few of the tops I had put aside for nightwear are actually ok to wear during the day. The trouble is that they are a little low cut. But screw it – people can glimpse my cleavage for a few months it won’t kill anyone.

Reminder: I will be hot and uncomfortable whatever I wear.

Well today I bought some socks. Not frivolous ones but good value M&S ones that were even better value by being on special offer. 14 pairs for £15. I also had a credit voucher so I only paid £2.50 cash for them.

I felt that this was within this goal’s spirit as I haven’t bought any new socks for nearly 6 years and the old ones have elastic that’s going and holes or patches where the skin can be seen. I just got fed up with the ones I had and as they’re fairly thin socks I couldn’t darn them so I wouldn’t notice – I hate darned socks unless they’re nice thick chunky winter socks.

I’ll mend anything else, which reminds me I have some mending to do this weekend…

I don’t have many shoes so I tend to wear my favourite pair every day and when they wear out (usually after six months or so) I buy a new pair exactly the same. Well my shoes are getting to that time. The rubber letters on the heels now say K OG on the left and ROCKET DO on the right. The soles are wearing but not fully through and the insoles are worn at the heel. But instead of giving in I bought some removable insoles which mean that they are still comfortable and should be ok for a few more months.

Once the soles completely wear down I am considering buying shoes that are hardier. I think my love for these non-durable shoes doesn’t fit with the ethos of sustainability really. It is a real dilemma because they are one of two clothing items (the second being my work trousers) that I really adore.

I am continuing to find this goal liberating. I can go out shopping and don’t feel the need to look at a clothes sale “just in case” because I am not allowed to buy anything. I spend my money on food and tea and DVDs. But those are issues for other goals.

Instead of spending on clothes or accessories for me I’ve ended up spending on things for our new house. Not quite as I’d hoped but I’m not frittering money away.

I’m doing OK with the clothes, shoes, bags, etc that I already have so think I can continue to do this for the next 8 months.

I’ve got some weddings coming up this year but can wear things I’ve bought for previous events as the people will be different.

I have a desire not a need for new things.

I had bought some clothes at the beginning of the year before I started this challenge. These were things I kind of needed like a second pair of track bottoms so it is easier to exercise more frequently without worrying whether they were clean. Other items bought were a t-shirt from a charity shop, three pairs of knickers and two pairs of tights (it was very cold in February).

Since the goal began I also received a birthday present of a new sports bra from my mum. Again, although my old sports bra was not beyond repair it is less supportive after a while (years) of use so having a second is wonderful. Although due to increased exercise I still use the old one so that I always have a clean one on hand.

So the goal is for the rest of the year from March.

I’ve already been doing this, for the most part. About six months ago I decided that I wouldn’t buy another piece of clothing without discarding a piece… but this is an improvement beyond that because often I would buy something that I simply didn’t need because I just thought it was cool or something. It makes sense to me to only buy something when you actually need it (or have an extreme desire for it… but most of the stuff we buy doesn’t really have a strong impact on us).

I’ve found that even though something has caught my eye I haven’t really needed it – or missed it when it hasn’t been bought.

Just need to keep up the momentum for the next 10 months and hopefully it’ll become a strong habit and I’ll buy less things in the future.