No buying clothes for a year?

[laterbloomer]

Could you do it? I couldn't before because my weight kept changing. But I've lost weight and now it's my mission to stay this weight. So I'm thinking of doing the no buying clothes for a year challenge. In the interests of full disclosure I'm not saying no new clothes because I am now a good size for hand me downs from a few family and friends. And I might make myself a couple of things from material I already have.
Has anyone else done this? Not bought clothes for a year?

[countrygirl2]

I haven't, have bought way way less for myself the last 2 years, but still bought clothes. If I get to my goal weight plan to make some.

[Tiny]

I did something like that  - back in the early 2000's.    I got through  2 years without buying much of anything.  I have two wardrobes - spring/summer and then fall/winter.    

I'm pretty sure I did do some "resale store" shopping (I went with a friend) because I did need  a couple of new to me tops for work (to get me thru the last season of "no buying" )   but that was pretty much it.   

I started by going thru one of the wardrobes - I pulled out EVERYTHING and tried everything on - anything that didn't fit got donated.  anything stained or torn or damaged got trashed. 
Of the mountain of clothes that remained  I asked a friend to help me make "outfits"  I wrote them down in a notebook (before cell phone cameras).      

This left me with some "orphans" that didn't go with anything I already had.  The orphans got donated.      

I found that I had some pieces of clothing that were "uncomfortable" to wear for whatever reason OR were difficult to wash/clean.  Or that I just didn't like.   Once I identified an "uncomfortable" or "difficult"  or "I don't like this" piece - I did my best to wear it a second or a third time in quick succession - and then I donated or trashed it.  I got better at knowing what kind of 'discomfort" I wasn't prepared to go a second round with - and got rid of some things as soon I could peel them off my body!        

I have to admit - that "notebook" of outfits made a huge difference - it was so much easier to get dressed in the morning (I didn't have to pick out an outfit - I had go to outfits ).   This also helped to keep me from wearing my 5 or 6 favorite things over and over.   The "outfit book" got me to wear different things. 

It was an  eye opening experience. And I'm glad I did it.  It saved me tons of money and anxiety and stress going forward.   I made peace with my "clothing" . 
 
  

[Tiny]

If you think you will "feel deprived" because you won't be shopping for clothes and accessories and shoes -   think about/come up with other goals or reasons for wearing the clothes you have -  it could be a financial goal, or a "it's better for the environment/world to consume less." or  maybe as a creative challenge - how many different outfits can you make?  or something else that is important or motivates you.   If shopping for new clothes was a "hobby" you may have to get creative to replace or re-work that "hobby".          It's good to have a goal - to reach towards.   

[busymom]

Well, this is a timely thread.  I've been buying a lot of clothes recently, due to my weight loss.  My challenge to myself during Lent was to see if I could go the entire time without buying myself anything new.  Now you've got me tempted to see if I could do it for a year.  My clothes might last that long, but I'm likely to need new shoes or boots.  

[laterbloomer]

countrygirl2 what is your goal weight? How far off are you?

Tiny that sounds like an awesome process.

busymom I'm in! I haven't bought any clothes this month (I'm not going to count a pant exchange I did since that was no new money, and let's just ignore that bathing suit I bought yesterday from Costco  )

[Tiny]

I am once again surprised by how long some types of clothing lasts... 
At the beginning of winter (October 2021)  I had 4 white long sleeved Coft and Barrow cotton-y t-shirts that I had worn pre pandemic under sweaters as part of my "work uniform".  The Ts were OK - a little dinge-y and  the underarms discolored but otherwise OK.   I don't use bleach - but I decided to give it a try and I did successfully make the Ts look better.   I then decided I would "wear them out" - I was working from home and wearing something long sleeved under a sweatshirt - so these were perfect.   I've worn /washed them every week since Oct 2021... and they are just now starting to look a little stretched out and worn.     I didn't think they'd make it this long.   I'm going to finish out the "winter" - so thru the end of April with them - and then I think they will become part of a cat bed - and then when they are full of fur they will go to the trash. 

I didn't think they'd last as long as they did.   If I wasn't wearing them under a sweater or hoodie - and needed them to look good without anything over them -  I probably would have retired them at the end of January. 

[countrygirl2]

I have a lot of clothing bought before I came up here, in fact most was bought in Texas. I can wear some, going to have to try tops on, most are large and Xlarge. Now I can wear small and medium from Lands End and 10's and 12's in pants right now. I came up in 2012 and was bought before that. So a lot of it is 10 years or older but I take very good care of our clothing so lasts forever.

My doc said I needed to lose more, originally I thought 150 would be enough, but now I'm planning between 140 to 145, no lower. So, don't know what size that will be. At age 21 I was 5'9 1/2" and weighed between 120 and 125. But I have shrunk to 5'7 1/2", degenerative disk disease and osteo arthritis in an area of my lower spine.  I agree, weight off my feet will only help them, also my heart and just skeleton overall, will be better.

This morning back to 158, lost that 2 pounds I picked up last week. 

I will have to sort through and find a few items to wear to visit son end of the month but I think there will be some I can. But looks like a big closet trimming exercise again.  I will wait to buy much of any thing.
 

[haapai]

I have probably done this.  I can't tell you when, but I probably did it once.  It helps to wear a uniform at work and to have a house that needs a ton of work, including plenty of painting, and ten pairs of work pants and ten work shirts.  Then anytime that you have two pairs of decent jeans, ample undies, two good pairs of work boots, and a decent winter coat, you can probably pull it off. 

I probably could not pull this off now.  I have no decent jeans and my winter coat definitely needs replacing. 

[countrygirl2]

Lands End may still have an outerwear sale. I bought DD and I new $333 coats from them for $89 each!! They are VERY warm, almost too warm. But they are beautiful coats. I like them a bit longer like those so they keep  your rear and thighs warm.

I watch for those 70% sales for DD, MIL, and I, and there always seem to be some, somewhere.

[busymom]

I'm a big Lands End fan too, countrygirl2.  I often shop their Black Friday sale.  That just might be my kryptonite, making it a full year without buying anything from them.  

[countrygirl2]

Yes, not buying from Lands End would be a tough one. I also buy some clothes for DIL from there too at times. She likes them and coats and items for grandson, they look so nice on him.

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

I've never ever gone a full year. 
However, I've not purchased any clothes for myself since December 2021. That has been a conscious decision. 
I really do have more than enough clothes. We're moving this spring/summer, so I don't need to buy more stuff that just has to be moved. 


I do tend to buy higher quality clothes, and they last a long time. For example I have an Eddie Bauer pair of merino wool slacks that are 15 years old. 

[irishpad]

I've gone many years without buying clothes (except for socks and underwear).  Of course it helps that I wear a uniform for work and that I have maintained a consistent weight so the uniform fits.  lol  Sucks that the "uniform" shirt is so expensive, it's a racket.  At least $55 for a simple short sleeve shirt.  

[ken a.k.a OMK]

Maybe it's a guy thing, but I never buy clothes. I wear the same few outfits until my wife complains. Everyone buys me clothes for gifts and some never get worn and still have the tags on them. 

[haapai]

It is not just a guy thing.  I try to dress up when I visit my mom but she still takes me shopping every single time. 

[Lizard Queen]

For myself---yes, I could. I have way,  way too many clothes in all sorts of sizes. For my kids,of course not. 

[laterbloomer]

So that last a week...2 pairs of wide leg jeans today. Sigh. Starting from now!

[kadee79]

I've done this many times over the years.  I buy what I need for an entire year in 2 or 3 mos...when they are having winter clearances & summer early sales.  
The only thing I've bought recently was some long sleeved t's for house winter wear.  I got them on sale at onehanesplace.com.  So it will likely be at least a yr. before I need anything new.  Also got a new pair of SAS loafers last year, won't be needing any new shoes at all this year...have several pairs of sandals in various colors already.
If I were to happen to find a nice pair of slacks in brown...that I would buy!