What an interesting challenge,Laura.Is there a blog/post where we can follow your monthly updates?I have recently added quite a few items as per Angie's recommendations and feel that I have all that I need for winter this year.My sister has also gifted me lots of casual clothes.I was thinking of shopping in my closet this winter.I would love to join the challenge too.But there is one glitch.I have to goto India in Nov and attend a few traditional ceremonies.My mom has already bought me a few pairs of sarees and salwar suits,but I have to exchange a pair of gold bangles for new ones.Since I am going to India after three years,this really has to be done.I will try and post my outfits.Maybe this will enable me to post regularly.

Laura, what if a YLFer wanted to pass along an item to you that you didn't anticipate and didn't solicit? Would you be allowed to accept it during the five months?

(BTW, I don't have any secret information about someone sending you a hand-me-down -- it's just that it seems to be happening with some frequency around here.)

Ahh yes, the fun factor!! .Angie is so right...as usual. The certain thrill of buying something new, the rush of the new purchase!!!

Looks like I will be redecorating the house:) Just kidding!

I really want to do this with you Laura, and others. I will def. be adding my feelings on my weak days to any thread that might pop up.")

There is that great line in Forest Gump

"A person only needs so much, the rest is for showing off"

I love that line...I can wait a few short months for more stuff:)

That's a great line Taylor. I wish that I didn't enjoy shopping so much as a way to relax. Laura, I will also try my best to join you in this challenge. DH may get lots of new things in the next few months.

Heehee, just thinking about not shopping for five months made me run right out and go shopping today!

Also, I needed skirts.

OK - I am in. I just deleted a couple of shopping carts that I had. Though I start Monday ; )

( I am going to get a dress/tunic at Loft...that's it until Jan. 1 )

Here's a question: can we get things we already own altered? I was thinking that some closet orphans might look pretty good with an alteration or two. . .

How funny this was posted, as I was just thinking about taking a shopping break. Mine will probably just be the months of August and September. I could stand to save a little money, and more than that I need to lose a little weight for medical reasons. I find it hard to convince myself to lose when I have new clothes that fit nicely at the moment.

Hm. I think I could do it during a "normal" time but in this postnatal stage, I don't think I can. I'll be interested to hear how it goes for those of you taking on the challenge. Good luck!

I think I could do it (and like some others, have done it several times in my life) but I was going to make the point that Kristen and multiple others have made that this (since you have already done much of your autumn shopping) is more about giving up the habit of shopping etc.

I think though, that if I forbade myself shopping, reverse psychology would kick in and I would be more tempted than usual to DO it.

So I won't be joining you. I have set myself a shopping diet of effectively $10 a week ( but calculated annually on the Aus financial year) ad that is enough restraint for now. I have already broken a ban on shopping for more winter clothes. I only want a few things for summer but don't get many chances to shop in the city etc, so don't want to miss them if they come up in the next 5 months.

Laura, I am also interested in your policy on clothing gifts. And also whether you are stocked up on bras and undies and hosiery!?

I think I could do it (and like some others, have done it several times in my life) but I was going to make the point that Kristen and multiple others have made that this (since you have already done much of your autumn shopping) is more about giving up the habit of shopping etc.

I think though, that if I forbade myself shopping, reverse psychology would kick in and I would be more tempted than usual to DO it.

So I won't be joining you. I have set myself a shopping diet of effectively $10 a week ( but calculated annually on the Aus financial year) ad that is enough restraint for now. I have already broken a ban on shopping for more winter clothes. I only want a few things for summer but don't get many chances to shop in the city etc, so don't want to miss them if they come up in the next 5 months.

Laura, I am also interested in your policy on clothing gifts. And also whether you are stocked up on bras and undies and hosiery!?

Fantastic! I think this experience will be a tough one but will really help you see/ understand where the biggest gaps lie in your wardrobe. I suspect you will find countless combinations that never even considered, and realise that there are some items you own that not even a long shopping ban can make you feel good wearing. You'll never look at your closet the same way again.

And also, in these tough economic times when so many people simply cannot go shopping, any hints or insights that you give about how to look good without buying new "stuff" will be doing a real service for many.

I'd join you, but much of my 30s involved me not paying much attention to my looks so now that I'm 40, I'm making a real effort to start building a closet of attractive clothing. Oh, and with Autumn being my dominant season, there's no way I can step away from buying things in the next couple of months.

GO, Laura! Can't wait to read all about this.

What an awesome idea! I admire you and anyone else doing this Laura!

I have been thinking about joining, but decided against it. I totally could do it, but I don't really want to. Shopping/clothes is a fun hobby for me as well. I was contemplating joining and allowing myself a few exceptions for stuff that is already on my wish list/or I need for upcoming occasions; and once that number reached 7 I realized there is no chance for me to actually do it:D

I have read this thread with great interest and did think about it for couple of days. I will be a cheerleader. At some point I would like to try this for a month and really identify where the holes are in my wardrobe.
I can't wait to see how everyone does!

OK, as I said in the other thread, I'm in. This will be tough, but I think I need to do it. I actually don't know that I am truly prepared and feel I do have holes in my wardrobe, but I think I also probably have more than I think. I believe this will be a great self and style discovery project! Also, since sewing is allowed, it might get me to do some more projects!

My three stipulations:
- I have been losing some weight and hope to continue to do so. This might seriously impact this. I will get things altered as much as possible, but, if I really stick to my plan I might have to bow out. OR, find replacements for the items I have that no longer fit. What do you guys think? Is it toooo much of a stipulation?
- I'm going to Italy in September and have been planning on replacing my black leather handbag I recently sold. I really need this new basic.
- undergarments may be a necessity, especially if sizes change.

I'm actually excited to shop my closet!

Rosie, I also have a ton of stipulations, and think it's totally fine. Some of us are at stages where we cannot commit fully to buying absolutely nothing for five months, but that doesn't mean we can't commit to being more disciplined about how we shop when we truly need to buy new clothes or accessories that fill gaps, fit, etc. Though I'll be filling wardrobe gaps in the coming months, I'll use this challenge to keep my purchases focused and on task, relying on the list I have of items I truly need to make my wardrobe functional.

Rosie, your stipulations sound completely rational. Who can go to Italy without buying a handbag? That would be criminal. Would it be criminal for me to hint that you could buy me one too and give it to me on Jan. 1, 2011? Totally illegal, I must be thrown in SYC jail for the night!

I've been on YLF for two years ... even a year ago I would have found this difficult ... so kudos even to the newer veterans who are willing to give it a go.

Anyone else have any Italy shopping requests for Rosie?

Well, since Rosie is single, and I am not- I want her to do something for me in Italy, rather than buy me something. Take a whirl around a piazza (any piazza will do!) on the back of a cute boy's vespa for me, will ya Rosie?!?

Rosie-- I agree.. those are completely realistic stipulations. You definitely need to make sure you have basics that fit, so yes, replace those that you shrink out of. (but only the basics, and only with the one-in/one-out rule) no replacing jeans with a whole outfit
And the handbag from Italy is a souvenir, so that's different.

Yay! Thanks, ladies, for the support and thinking these are reasonable.

Taking Italy orders!

Khris, LOVE your idea. I may just have to do that!

Jeans don't = full outfit? darn.

One of the most interesting lines in that NY Times article I posted (Shoppers on a 'Diet' Tame the Urge to Buy of 7/29/10 ) appeared in the last paragraph:

“It’s taken about 10 to 20 years to build up the idea that nothing is good unless it is new”.

Wow, that really spoke to me, how strategic the campaign for consumerism has been. I remember when it wasn't like this. I love the availability of goods, (and info) via the internet now, it's nothing short of amazing. But at the same time I've recognized a need to learn some balance with all that is available at the click of a button.

Plus I've also been appreciating lately how clothes look...and feel...broken in, like an old leather chair! If I am always buying new things, I'm not wearing the great things I already have enough to break them in.

Thinking about over consumption, it reminds me of that old Ellen DeGeneres joke about "All You Can Eat" buffets, where she says: "When are we EVER supposed to eat ALL we can eat?"

Love Ellen! That is SO true. I think this is a recent phenomena, valuing the new and always wanting new and it seems some of it comes from clothing becoming less and less expensive. Clothes used to cost a lot, and the sizes were limited, and people would make instead of buy them because of it. Same thing with food - there were no prepared foods in grocery stores. I am starting to think it's all linked. And honestly, I am starting to think it's not been a good trend.

Such a wonderful thread, Laura. I'll be following your posts with great interest.

This is a great idea, I'll look forward to watching the challenge. I won't be joining, as this is my first fall with YLF and I'm planning to make a few additions. I'm still building from a small base. I love the idea though and I'll enjoy seeing what everyone comes up with from their closets!

Rosie - ACK! Who could resist shopping in Italy? We will look the other way when you buy that nice Italian handbag...and shoes...and dress..... ; )

My first reaction is, "Sure, I could do that." I don't think I really have that shopping urge that seems to be an obstacle for a lot of people. I like looking through stores to see what's out there, but I never have that "Oh, I have to buy something" itch.

My second reaction is the same as Rosie's. I've lost a lot of weight this year, and every time I pull out clothes I haven't worn for a couple of months, I am surprised at what no longer fits. So right now I have no idea if I actually have a Fall and Winter wardrobe.

But I think my real underlying question is this. Is this exercise about trying to break a shopping addiction, or about confirming that you have a well-rounded wardrobe (or learning that you don't)?

Katja - I tried to answer your very good question over at my blog today - http://www.writing4dummies.blogspot.com.

Would love to hear how everyone else would answer too!