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new clothes resolutions

anne

Veteran

Some recent threads of La Francaise and Queen Mum have made me decide to change my shopping habits and see how I go at concentrating on "less is more"
I am going to aim to buy only 12 new garments this financial year (jul-jun). I have 5 on order from Ezibuy from before I made this decision, so if I keep them all that will leave 7 for the year.

The other big change is that (apart from that order) as much as possible I will buy from shops that are accredited as ethical brands. This will mean much more expenditure than I am used to, having been quite a cheap purchaser (as in $10 dresses, $6 tees)

I have only just started to look into what brands to buy, and their prices, and incidentally couldn't find any that sold what I consider normal shoes (but I might not need any shoes this year anyway)
So I am not sure how much to allocate, but am aiming initially at $800 for the year

This would also cover items not included in the 12 such as hosiery, underwear and nightwear, although I seldom spend much on those items anyway.

The yearly plan currently is to replace some basics in my temporary keep category
-black and white turtleneck jumpers (I live in turtlenecks in my unheated house in theAustralian winter)
- denim skirt
-black cardigan
-belt
BUT only if I can find good quality replacements

That leaves me 2 other garments to decide on in the year (or more if I return some of the Ezibuy ones)

Any comments welcome!!

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19 replies

Latest reply was from Lisa

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

Anne, I admire your dedication and how well you have thought out your plan!

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

Anne, I am totally on board with this concept too. I am not going to set specific limits initially but try to only shop when I have identified a specific gap in my wardrobe, e.g., dark skirt or shirt to wear with suit.

I am going to emphasize quality but try not to let myself use cost as the primary guiding factor to determine value. We've had a few excellent threads on YLF with tips on determining the quality of workmanship and I will use that as a guide. I will also slowly weed out the items already in the closet to keep only those that see the light of day and that I want to wear.

Now we have goals to work towards. Thanks Anne.

Queen Mum

Veteran

Great plan Anne,and I'm humbled to have inspired you a bit. I also love that you're looking to make more ethical purchases. I do struggle with wondering what my clothing purchases are supporting at times. While you will most likely put out more money initially, you will probably find that your clothes start lasting longer.
Good luck!

anne

Veteran

Thanks Dianthus and QM.
Kim - I had that struggle too, and was justifying my cheap purchases because I was generally a frugal person. Whether I'll even be able to buy some of the things I want from the ethical brands I don't even know. I hope it does work out that the quality is better so they last longer.
I forgot to mention that if my brother, who got engaged recently but hasn't set a date yet, has his wedding, I am going to give myself an exception to the 12 garment thing, and probably the budget too!

Queen Mum

Veteran

oh definitely- a family wedding calls for a new dress and shoes guilt free!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Anne, you are a very frugal person and have always been careful with your purchases, but this new resolve with call for new resources! (Of all kinds, I suspect). I, too, would prefer to be more ethical with my shopping. Buying vintage is one solution that helps with the cost. But of course it's not always possible to do that.

I have found that the Canadian made things I buy do last longer, on average, than the less expensive things made elsewhere. But it's a test to ensure that you will not tire of an item in the time you will own it.

Anonymous

Yes! I have decided that this year, my project is to eliminate everything from my closet that I do not love. I want to buy fewer better things, and enjoy wearing my clothes and not feel like I am fighting them all the time.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I am so close to joining this 12 a year team! I admit it's fear holding me back. Good for you for deciding to do it, and having a plan of action already in place! Do let us know how it goes!

Gaylene

Veteran

Anne, your post exactly represents what I was thinking at the beginning of this year. After seven months of limiting my shopping, I feel much better about my fashion purchases. And oddly, putting restrictions on my buying is what made me aware that I do have very definite style. I enjoy wearing unique, well-designed pieces that have a story and that fit my body. These pieces are my "basics". And most of them are not high ticket items. My items have come from young designers who are just starting out, smaller boutiques where the owners care about where their items are manufactured, museum shops (fabulous jewelry!) and flea markets.

As I mentioned in a previous thread, changing my shopping habits was a philosophical and ethical decision as opposed to a financial necessity. That is why I chose not to put a dollar limit on my purchases, but, even so, I am spending far less this year than in previous years. My wardrobe is smaller, but it seems more interesting these days.

When I was thinking about changing my shopping habits earlier this year, my role model was actually Angie. As a stylist, maintaining an up-to-date style image was obviously a major part of her work, yet she always seemed extraordinarily disciplined when it came to choosing what went into HER closet. She seemed quite willing to mix high and low items, but everything had to meet her quality and style requirements before she was willing to buy it. Even her basics had a unique twist and she quite freely mixed items that had been in her closet for several years. It occurred to me after reading her posts for a couple of years that she probably spent less than many others on the forum, yet had a wardrobe that inspired all of us.

Isabel

Veteran

I LOVE this plan !!! Good Luck !

Sylvie

Veteran

Anne, I think you have a very worthy plan/goal. I am not yet at the stage where I could do what you're doing but I would like to eventually be in a position where I'm buying 24 ethically produced items of clothing per year.

Good luck with your plan and please do post your purchases as you find them.

Isis

Veteran

Good luck on your plan!

I don't know if you thrift, but thrifting is ethical purchasing in my book. Keeps something out of the landfill, and usually at least some of the money goes to charity.

Even a for-profit consignment or thrift store without charity score ecology points!

Meredith1953

Veteran

When I have filled a few more holes in my wardrobe I would love to try this 12 item challenge also! It's great that you have really thought about what you really want to do with your wardrobe.

Freckles

Veteran

Your plan sounds great Anne and the items you've on your list sound really versatile. Good luck finding the items that you want/need. The guilt free wedding is a given, you are representing the family afterall and of course want to look sensational.

anne

Veteran

Thanks for all the encouragement (Gaylene, I didn't mention you above but you were also an inspiration)

I really don't know if I can do it; in fact even a few days ago I think I wrote something similar on Kim's thread ! Like "I'd like to be in a place where I can do this"

I am not a bulk shopper, my wardrobe isn't huge and I don't even enjoy shopping all that much, so I am not your usual candidate for these kinds of resolutions.

Isis - thanks for adding the point about thrifting. I think it is an important one to make on this sort of thread. I am a minimal thifter myself only because
1. It requires so much time
2. The standard in my local shops, and range in my size are not good
3. I am a very planned specific sort of shopper, and thrifing doesn't really help with that model. When I do thift it tends to be for things that I consider a sort of adjunct to my wardrobe,. Eg this last year I bought a denim blazer trimmed with fur. At only $4 it was a bargain, but it only goes with pants (and I don't do denim on denim). Since I rarely wear trousers, it might get worn 4 times a year. I don't mind a few of these items, but not too many as I like the look of an unclutter wardrobe
4. I get given hand me downs

Vix

Veteran

Hi Anne --

You always strike me as a very thoughtful, minimalist shopper who has a high rate of success/wear with her pieces, so this sounds like an evolution of your process. I'll be interested in any takeaways you get from it!

Gaylene

Veteran

Anne, you can do it for as long as you choose--and, if you decide to buy a couple of extra items, who cares. To my mind, it's about making more deliberate choices, and whether you buy 12 or 15 or 24 items doesn't matter as much as not getting swept up in the marketing hype that tries to convince us happiness is found by accumulating more stuff. That's the real reason behind the challenge. I found that, as long as I realized my goal was to make better choices, it was kind of fun to be so picky. And I felt so much better about actually wearing the stuff that I did have instead of just seeing it gather dust in my closet.

Go for it!

Deborah

Veteran

Anne, I am inspired by the road you are taking. I am pondering all of this myself but yet to make any decisions. I really like the wisdom and intention here.

Lisa

Veteran

Great plan! I may adopt a similar strategy starting next year since my wardrobe is pretty much overhauled after these past few years.