Very interesting challenge and I can't wait to follow along! I don't think I have enough in my closet to do this. I probably *could* but have no desire to attempt it. Good luck!

I am game to do it depending on what 'it' is. I can wear only "old" pieces for the next 5 months. However, I would like to buy things that I see that are killer pieces. I am ok not wearing them till the time is over. Is that allowed?

I could do this as i often only shop in my holidays. I work full-time as a teacher and have a small child so only get a chance to go to the shops every few months. But I have a very boring wardrobe....rely on neutral basics ....pretty much why I am interested in this site...I need to use more accessories etc. When I shop, I buy heaps though.

Laura - I am so excited for you - what a challenge!! You have a marvelous closet full of gorgeous things (I'm sure) and will be able (or forced) to focus on enjoying them

I am pumped about this and probably will start, albeit a little late (maybe mid-August) as I have a seriously injured husband and have already lost the last half of July. As soon as I can get regrouped with my NAS selections, I should be ready to begin.

During this summer I had many days when I was SO pleased with the selections in my closet that I would have loved to be able to give Angie a great big 'thank you' hug!!

I jumped on the YLF bandwagon sometime last fall, so I spent a lot of time updating my fall/winter selections and what a great way to see how I really did!!!

So, if I can get a start-up grace period, count me in. . .

Go for it Laura! If my Fall wardrobe was in the same state as my Summer wardrobe I'd give it a go. I'd look for a couple of new necklaces/bangles/scarves first.

You've posted so many fab items and fab outfits that I think you're going to look great.

I am going to join Angie in the cheer squad for this one!!

Realistically, I *could* absolutely do it - I'd barely bought new clothes for years pre-YLF, so did it for long enough.

But I have written my list of *needs* (wants?!?) for my coming spring/summer, and intend on filling those gaps (and wearing straight away LOL).

This is a great challenge though and I'd like to think after 2 yrs here I'd be able to do it with you!

I cannot wait to read your article though and can't imagine you looking anything other than magnificent the whole way through.

I'll be cheering really loudly for all of you!!!!

Wow that's a challenge and a half!!! I could totally do this and I really should! In fact I'll have a go with you my credit card will thank you, though it will have to exclude next saturday as I'm at the YLF London meetup x

Edit- Laura could you get hubby to buy you the dress you want, technically it's not cheating as YOU aren't buying it

What an interesting challenge Laura, I'll be fascinated whether you find this easy, or whether you find it difficult!

Currently, I don't think I could commit to such a challenge, given I'm only now returning to pre-pregnancy shape and size. (Shhhhhh, don't tell anyone that my ''baby' is now 3 1/2...... )

However, I think give me a full year of sorting through my wardrobe and picking up essential basics, I reckon I could give this a shot. How about you ask the same question this time next year?

Will the article be available for us to read online by any chance?

My gosh, you are really doing it, aren't you? You are a stronger woman than I am, Gunga Din!

Luckily, you have a great closet and a fantastic selection of clothes. I don't think the issue is going to be not having anything to wear, it's going to be the habit of shopping and having all the most current trends as they come out. You of all my friends are very big on staying current, but I actually think that this is going to force you into being more creative with what you DO have to still stay trendy. I am betting you start looking more at the *shape* and the *tone/attitude* of a style instead of concentrating on getting the exact item. I also bet that you will nail it anyway.

Good luck, and you know you can vicariously shop through me anytime! LOL!

What a fun challenge, Laura- I bet you'll be surprised at how easy this ends up being for you. You have such a great wardrobe already, and once you embrace it, I bet you'll actually find it liberating not to shop. Five months is really not all that long, and there will still be trends-a-plenty in 2011! Are you allowed to treat yourself to makeup and beauty treats in lieu of clothing? If it was me, I'd be hitting Bobbi Brown regularly!

I could do this, no problem. The last two years have not been big shopping ones for me. Being unemployed for a spell, then slowly drumming up my freelance business meant that I spent many months "shopping my closet", and only bought major purchases (jeans, new shoes) every few months. By nature I'm a saver and I really like the feeling of *not* spending money.

Er, not that I'm going to join you! I've got a trip home to Canada and the US planned in September, and I'm definitely not giving up the chance to ransack my fave North American shops. Plus I'm looking forward to getting some new specs for my birthday in September

P.S. I have many accessories -- scarves and necklaces especially, maybe even a clutch in a pinch -- that I would be happy to lend you when you are in need of anything!

Kristen, I am completely coming to steal from your closet. First, I am getting theivery tips from Maya, and then you won't be able to stop me!

Kristen is absolutely right - it's the habit of constantly hunting for items that's going to be hard to break, not so much the "I have nothing to wear" part of it. Logically speaking, I have a full closet with plenty of outfits to last a season. It will definitely mean wearing the same things over and over, much more than I do now, but that *might* not kill me

I do love trends, and get excited to try new things, and clothing is a big outlet for my creativity ... I have a feeling that Taylor and many of you are a lot like me.

But I do have a novel (or two) to work on, and after two years of living here, there are a few house projects calling my name, although I have vowed not to replace shopping for clothes with shopping for home decor! Or for clothes for my boys! I'm hoping this challenge frees me to put creative energy into new areas.

Also, for the newer members, I would say this is more of a veterans' challenge. You are building a fully functioning wardrobe and that needs to be a priority. Don't feel badly about that!

Maybe Angie would allow us to post a weekly thread, where we can write about our struggles and triumphs, and we can each post a couple of outfits. What do you think?

Laura I would absolutely love to read a weekly "check in" so to speak from you and anyone else doing this! I think it would be fascinating and I have no doubt would give me lots of food for thought in relation to building that perfect wardrobe...

Laura, so astute! I agree, it's probably a veteran's challenge, or for someone who is not undergoing big changes to their bodies like weight loss or pregnancy, etc. Even for veterans, five months is a VERY long time to go without shopping!

I love that you have already recognized that you don't want to replace shopping for one thing with shopping for another, and that oh YES, fashion and shopping are big creative outlets. Channel that creativity into writing!

I am looking forward to frequent updates on this, and I am ESPECIALLY curious to see how Taylor does on this one! Working in retail and not being able to buy anything is a certain kind of torture I wouldn't wish on an enemy, let alone someone as awesome as you. Hang in there, Taylor!

I definitely could shop my wardrobe for five months starting from August to the end of December as it includes a month in summer, two transitional autumn months of September and October, and two months in winter. I know I could do it but I also want to keep up with trends and be able to continue the natural evolution of my style.

Are you allowed to replace torn hosiery and leggings? Maybe I'm abnormally unlucky with my tights but I couldn't make five months without buying new tights.

count me in...what a fab challenge.

If I were shopping your closet then yes I could do this challenge, but as I do not own any knitwear for this winter and the climate is very cold it's just not possible for me.

With regards to the potentially fab dress that will tempt you, will it be breaking the rules to purchase and have a trusted friend hold onto it until after the fast. I know I would be such a cheat.

I really admire you for taking on this challenge Laura, five months of toture will be distilled into how many words?

okay, I'm in with one teensy weensy adaption. I'm ordering some black boots and I will stick $100 in my wallet to purchase a couple long sleeve layering tops and a cardigan if I happen to find them as these constantly allude me and I can't see letting my little arms freeze just for the sake of the challenge.
I will wait until after the challenge to treat myself to a moto jacket.
I also need to buy new running shoes, but I'm going to declare that gear doesn't count.

Interesting challenge! Recently I've been tackling a bunch of stuff, at work and some health things, and I just haven't had the energy to shop. Since I actually haven't bought anything for a while, so maybe I could consider myself an early starter on the challenge?

laura - I completely agree that this would be self-defeating for someone who hasn't been working on their wardrobe for all of their seasons. Five months cover a lot of territory!

And I can see that for those of us who shop and stylize as a hobby (I think Khris put it that way recently), we'll need to replace it with something satisfying. . . I better think hard about that part. . .

I love the idea of a thread of commiseration. And, who knows, it might even be helpful for your writing.

Laura. how heroic and I cannot wait to see how you do this! I could but do not want to, at least not until after my trip to the UK. So often trends do not tempt me but color always does since the right ones for me are is not always available. The trick is not to shop! Shopping is definitely a creative outlet that many times would be better spent painting or reading. You are an inspiration.

Laura (and others), feel free to share your journey on this forum as often as you like. Also, think back to the items which give you a fast refreshed style boost. I wrote a post about that and you commented. For me it's handbags and scarves. It might be something else for you.

Taylor, I have faith in your ability - even if it's just for a month :0)

Jean hit the nail on the head. Adding the right additional item to a more or less fully functioning closet is FUN - especially if you like to wear trends as Laura, Jean,Taylor and I do. The shopping ban is just as much about taking fun out of your life as it is about being kind to your bank account. Leaving out the fun will be the hardest part!

ACK! 5 months?! ACK!!

You are very brave and have tons of self-control. I probably could do this but there are so many tempting little yummies out there!!

I look forward to your weekly updates. At the end of the 5 months I'll shall proclaim you YLF Superhero of the year!! (With Angie's approval, of course) ; )

With the exception of needing to replace my heeled black boots, I could easily do this. In fact, not only can I do this, I *have* done it. For much longer than a few months:)

I enjoy the trends, but I'm a classic girl at heart. That makes it muuch easier.

Not a chance! I'd wear out my clothes before then, for certain. After some life changes and a drastic wardrobe over-haul, I have a very small selection. I'm building at a steady, measured pace but I really do need more clothing if I want what I currently have to last!

My initial reaction was " Of Course ". I have everything I need for a New England Fall/WInter ( I should be able to go through Spring ). Then I started having this overwhelming feeling that I HAVE to run out TODAY to buy another Brahmin bag, a mechanical watch, and a dress at Loft, AND a necklace at JCrew........and now I need Valium....so I have to run out and get that too !!!

What is soooo scary about committing to not shopping for 5 months when I have, not only everything I need, but all sorts of extras in spades ?? And I am not a trend person so that should make it even easier.

Angie - you are kind enough to call on other fashion stylists...could you also offer up some therapists, at least ones that prescribe ????

I have to think about this.....

Medusa - I like your thinking.....can it be retroactive...like 20 years to when I was a college student with no money ?

Laura, what a cool challenge! I am still reading through this thread, so I don't know if this has been covered. Do gifts to you count? That is, someone gives you a gift of clothing or an accessory . . .

I am still rebuilding my wardrobe after tons of body changes, so this would be an extremely tough challenge for me, but I could probably do it. Like Maya I wouldn't want to though. And I wouldn't be all that stylish doing it. If being able to tailor items that don't currently fit is allowed in the challenge, then I'd have a better chance at success since I'm still weeding out my closet.

What an interesting experiment. The three months sound doable but for you to add the additional two months is heroic, I agree. Good for you, Laura.

I'm a veteran at my closet too and love adding the little things I see here and there. But I'm already on a hundred day shopping ban, staring a week ago, since my husband is on his break from Microsoft (contractors have to take off 100 days for every 365 that they work).

I wonder if it will be a different kind of fun to see what creative things we come up with instead of the fun of buying something new. I tend to wear the same things over and over and maybe it will make me use some of those things I don't give much attention to.

I do this frequently with food...let some food items I think I can't live without run out, only to discover interesting alternatives and new combinations. (and I can clean the fridge easier). Constraint can be very creative!

You probably all saw the Six Items or Less article in the NYTimes. it's a different kind of experiment that went in several directions, but ultimately got people to think about their clothes and closets, and even laundry, in a new way.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07.....IXERS.html

You are my hero, Laura!! And what a fantastic project!! Is there any chance we'll be able to read your monthly stories on this?

I've been on a very strict budget lately and haven't bought anything new, but I have to admit it doesn't feel like much fun, so Angie and others definitely have a point about the "fun factor". So I think it certainly is do-able, but at the same time I'm also thinking about the huge gaps in my winter wardrobe, so I'll pass;-)

Good luck and looking forward to your updates!

I'll join, with caveats for wardrobe holes that I really need to fill:

A hooded trench coat (hopefully the NAS one I ordered will work)
Flat ankle boots
2 or 3 fall/winter dresses or tunics
A long sleeved cardigan in a color
Scarves and/or necklaces in flattering colors

Does that still count?