On January 15, I joined Well-Heeled in her plan not to buy any clothes for six months. Five months later, I think I've done pretty well!
I slipped a bit at the beginning. (And there's no reasoning with brides about bridesmaid dresses.) I slipped in part because I didn't have solid basics, but also because this was really, really hard for me. I used to buy every fun jacket or pair of shoes I saw online without thinking. I spent a little here, a little there. Oh, and then there were the stupidly expensive clothes too.
Five months of (almost) no clothes buying later, I have decided to stop the project. The combination of scorchingly hot weather and the Neiman Marcus bi-annual sale resulted in a work outfit. Just one. One. And I thought it through and it was quality classics. I am so proud of this. So proud!
The clothes no-buy saved me a ton the last five months, but I think its effects will last longer than that. I now think about my clothes--a lot. I don't just buy it because it's on sale or I think I will fit into it 10 pounds from now.
The clothes no-buy has changed my relationship with my closet. I resisted temptation all these months. I even put in an alert in my calendar for when no-buy was up so I could go binge. Now that I'm off no-buy, and I can't even think of any shoes or bags I want. Just the one outfit. And that is a huge deal for me.
2 comments:
I feel the exact same way about how not buying clothes for a bit changes the way you shop.
I'm now thinking about buying quality flats or shoes instead of the ones that are on sale at Banana Republic. I look at the clothes I buy impulsively and realize how irrational I was when buying those tops. It's amazing what a few months can change!
While that is good that you have gone 5 months without spending senslessly on clothes. Sales are a lot better and their are good clothes at JC penny, Macys etc. I have gotten 300$ worth of clothes for 30$ just by going to the clearence sections and I only shop when I have a need for clothes. You sound like a shopoholic though I have to admit I love shoes but I do not buy everything I see... I wait till they are on sale and only if I need them.
Post a Comment