Sheila had it right: RTW = ready to wear. So a RTW fast is one where where I buy no clothes for a year. If I need anything, I can sew it or knit it. I'm making an exception for underwear and hosiery but I'm in a pretty good place with those.

Sterling, it's awesome that you're considering learning to sew and buying a sewing machine. A good quality machine doesn't have to be expensive. Many fabulous pieces are made on machines with few bells and whistles. I hope you find a great local teacher who can share her love of sewing with you and help you develop your sewing and fitting skills.

Cheers Sterling! I've been travelling for a lot of the past month, then in hibernation over the holiday period. You haven't missed any posts And I totally recommend learning to sew. It's time consuming but very rewarding. Seconding Alexandra's comment about machines - look for quality and accuracy in the stitching rather than fancy features.

Angie, I hear you on the seasonal shopping fatigue. To tell the truth, I've been feeling it for a while and right now I want to plan the future of my current selection rather than add to it indiscriminately.

Here's support for every one of you doing what you need to do, how you need to do it. Thanks for posting this, Sterling!

I didn't have any holiday-specific shopping obligations (don't hate! ), wasn't particularly drawn to the lovely food at any of the gatherings I attended, and I opted out of traditional cooking and baking this year. (My stash of marzipan will wait, or be replaced.) A lot of energy has been taken up by various aspects of dealing with a dear aunt's estate, including consigning her extensive clothing, accessories, and jewelry collection. (To her credit, all jewelry was catalogued and all clothing was well kept.)
So I'm feeling as much desire to streamline my already relatively small wardrobe and holding zone as I imagine I would had I been shopping and comfort/celebration eating for months.

I've been using The Vivienne Files' getting started section as an aide in forming capsules from my closet, and inspiration for highly functional purchases. While I won't follow her lead in fasting for a year, or even a month, I share the need for respite.

There are specific items I'll keep an eye out to buy, and alterations on my list to have done, and open (always good to buy) categories like white denim.

Yup. I'm in. I feel like I'm coming from a place that is a little bit different than where others are at the moment. My closet is very small--like, I have two pairs of pants (one everyday and one more formal) that somewhat fit. I've been trying to get myself to loosen the purse strings so that I can develop a working wardrobe. Money isn't the issue--giving myself permission has been. I was just beginning to invest more substantially in my wardrobe and skincare regimen. Then, over Christmas, a HUGE property expense reared it's ugly head and I feel the need to pare down severely in every area until we've paid ourselves back for this expenditure. Add to that a mounting concern over the economy in general and a resulting desire to grow our safety net. I'll not be shopping much.

In all likelihood, I will have to make some purchases just to keep afloat, but I can dial back on the "improvements" and I will appreciate (and gain support/solidarity from) an ongoing conversation that's a little more frugal.

ETA: I am always game to be called out--that's totally fair!

Good luck to you all! I like Janice and enjoy reading Vivienne Files. I have used some of her ideas to organize my shopping.
I have restrained my shopping for about 5 years. I actually need to replace some things.
I will be cheering you on.

I have this pair of shoes that i havent pulled the trigger on yet. After that im in. Im planning a couple sewing projects.

I will seek to join in... a little hilarious since a box of work gear arrived today which was, well, large... However, my workwear really needed some replacements both due to wear and also because I thought I would scream if I had to wear black polyester one more time. Anyhow, I will try on the several outfits tonight, be ruthless on only keeping 9s or 10s as I had a really good assortment to choose from start of season. But really, after that I am not sure what I 'need' for quite some time. Thank you for getting us started!

Jenanded -- buying things that you need is perfectly acceptable. I think future purchasing should be judicious, but no one should suffer for the sake of a challenge. Challenges should be instructional AND fun. I hope your workout gear brings you joy and gets you to the gym!!! I know mine does.

Shedev -- I'm so glad you are joining us. You've mentioned those shoes on other posts. I look forward to hearing about your future sewing projects. I AM going to have questions.

Style Fan -- thank you for your encouragement and support.

Emily K -- You and I are very similar with respect to finances. I am not undertaking this challenge because money is an issue, but rather to get control of my sales shopping addiction. It is a kind of reset for me. I am going to post more about how my sales shopping got so out of control. I also share your concern about the economy. It seems to be doing well right now, but .....

Minimalist -- Having dealt with the very messy estates of relatives, I went into a type of shock that compelled me to really pare down (not just clothes, but everything). I still shudder a bit at the experience. Good luck finding white denim. Have you tried Old Navy? I found a pair there that fit me better than a lot of the premium outlets. I was very pleasantly surprised.

Approprio and Alexandra -- I am very seriously considering sewing as a future hobby. It would combine so many of my interests: creativity and fashion. But it would also be a social event for me because I would very much like to network with the sewers in my community to learn from them. Here are the two machine I am considering.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/prod.....mid=AUDALL

https://www.amazon.com/gp/prod.....mid=A2IU1F

Much of this is striking a chord with me. I'm finishing up a purge and have started to create a LookBook for 2017. I'm focused on a few key looks that relay on select pieces. And your statement -- "I will commit to buying at full price if the garment suits my needs." -- is what I intend to do for those key pieces. Thanks for the thinking. Good stuff. And good luck!

The first thing I didn't buy was trouser socks. I was contemplating the ones I'd just worn to bridge the gap between my boots and cuffed skinnies, and I thought that maybe some of the sheer/textured socks would be a little more fab. What do socks cost, anyway, maybe $20? But, a challenge is a challenge and I kept my money in my pocket. That's how my spending goes--normally, if I had this thought, I'd go right to some on-line shopping resource and order something to get that box checked. Since I don't spend to a budget, I'm finding it interesting/motivating to jot down every instance when I didn't buy or when I mindfully chose a less expensive alternative.

Sterling, I just want to say that I love that you started this thread, and I support you and understand how you are feeling 100%

I'm hoping to get through this year with only one or two clothing purchases, so wish me luck too!

Oops! I didn't open up this thread until AFTER I made my first Nordstrom Triple Point purchase of the year prompted by Greenjeans' thread, "The one that got away" and I developed a case of FOMO. Oh, and I have another order that's being delivered today. I feel like the person who binges before going on a diet.

I'm pretty good about returning what doesn't work. After all, I ordered the same dress in three sizes, and DH would probably think the three silver statement necklaces I ordered (of which I need only one!) are all the same so two are going back. But in reflecting on my purchases over the last three years, I've learned that my biggest fail categories have been in footwear (ouch!), jewelry, and scarves. I've also had successes in those areas, but jewelry and scarves aren't amenable to easy rejections due to fit issues!

I bought and spent way too much last year, so I'm up for starting my shopping diet earlier. My exception will be if a Nordstrom Wish List is marked down. And I have Nordstrom Rewards I can spend on that.

Donna F -- It is actually quite common to binge before going on a diet. I know for a fact I do it often. No problem with exceptions either. We all have our own personal goals so you are good either way.

Minimalist Gal -- I wish you the absolute best of luck this year!!!

Emily K -- You are my inspiration!!!! It never occurred to me to keep track of the things I DID NOT BUY. But think about the positive reinforcement that would foster!!!! I would only have to look at those NON-PURCHASES to remind myself to be strong. With that in mind, the two Finds shown below are items I did not buy.

Congratulations on your purge, AM. Constructing a LookBook should be really fun.

I joined two of my friends in shopping fast for January and I'm happy for the support here as well! I did a huge purge of my closet/bags/shoes and upgraded some workhorses, like switching to more high rise jeans and getting dresses and shirts tailored to fit cleanly. Like AM, I've created a lookbook on Pinterest and printed out pictures of outfits to wear this winter. I do have a list of some long term items that if somehow miraculously fall into my lap at a great price I've told myself I'll purchase. But I'm really excited to not shop because I feel like I finally 100% love everything hanging in my closet!

Congratulations on your purge and wardrobe upgrade, lpr200!!! That has to feel wonderful and I admit to a bit of jealousy. I am curious about the tailoring. I have tried to have clothing tailored in the past, but I was never satisfied. I wonder if I didn't find the right tailor. Did you find one you liked with your first attempt?

A great idea. I've never been able to maintain a shopping fast for too long, but the only purchase I plan to make for Jan is a new scarf for our cold weather. I have plenty of sweaters and jeans to get me through the winter months so I'm saving my time and money for when spring clothes arrive in the stores instead of shopping the sales.

I think that is a great idea, Lisa. I fully intend to shop the spring/summer clothing lines because those are my dominant seasons. But when I buy, I want to buy intentionally. I am still working on what "intentionally" means to me. I should have it figured out by March/April.

Happy New Year, Sterling! Your post is a great idea. I will join in by adding Carter's and Alexandra's ideas, SYC first and get back to my knitting to add to my wardrobe.
It sounds exciting that you will be learning to sew. That is one of my plans as well. I can get the machine going but I need to add skills to my sewing so that it becomes useful. I think I will look into Michael's to see if they have classes. Let us know how your progress goes.

Happy New Year, Joyce.

Sterling, I support you and all who are joining the shopping fast. I will join for January too with the exception of allowing myself to buy any perfect HEWIs ( Highly Elusive Wardrobe Items) that may pop up. I always seem to find exactly what I want at a deep discount when on a shopping fast so am probably jinxing myself with this exception.

I'm not doing a shopping fast, as I have items I need. And I want to upgrade my look. But, I have several goals.

1. Shop my closet.

2. Spend time making new outfits.

3. Significantly cut down my time looking at clothing online - usually happens in response to emails.

3. Be more strategic about my shopping. Going to stores where I have success is okay, but going where I think I should have success but don't, is out.

4. Make the effort to find what I need, instead of doing without.

.

Joy -- I hope you do find those HEWIs on deep, deep discount. I always feel so perfectly excited when that happens to me. I finally found opaque white tee shirts at half price at Gap in November. I bought three (probably should have bought more because they are a summer uniform). Anyway I looked all year to find opaque tee shirts and found none. I had literally given up and then there they were!!!!! AND I certainly endorse sales shopping for everyone except me. Sales goggles always cause me to make really poor decisions. And there is no talking sense to me at the time.

Hi Barbara Diane -- Shopping from a needs list is a great idea. That is part of my problem. I never laid out the foundation of a needs list in writing. I always had a mental idea of what I thought I needed. Because that idea was never fully formed, I was easily, oh so easily swayed, by sales. I frequently came home with pieces that I was certain filled a wardrobe hole only to discover in the weeks that followed that I was entirely wrong. Don't do without.

Hi Sterling,

What a great idea! I read Janice's post and I could've written it myself (rolls eyes)

I have FAR TOO MANY clothes, shoes & accessories than what I need. Our winter has been mild yet I shopped quite a bit for it. And I feel foolish. Yes, I can wear a new sweater everyday, but does anyone who lives primarily at home need so many new sweaters? I think not!

As far as I remember, my summer wardrobe was in a good place when I packed it all up. And I did buy a few new tops and dresses since then.....so I'm in a good place to start this SHOPPING FAST with you.

Don't feel silly, Maneera! I DO EXACTLY the same thing. There is something about the casual, cozy, allure of a sweater that just seduces us into buying more. I literally cannot wear sweaters in my climate because the office is overheated and I get so hot. Despite this I browse and touch sweaters everywhere I go. I contemplated a really heavy alpaca sweater at the end of December because it was drop dead beautiful. I forced myself to eventually walk away. Evidently, there is one advantage to not being able to wear fibers like wool and alpaca. We have to walk away.

Welcome to the Purchasing Fast. I hope you have fun with it.

Continuing inspiration to those that are interested.

http://lookforthewoman.com/con.....on-my-way/

I am particular about the "hand" or the feel of the fabric. IF I can't stand the feel of the fabric against my skin I will never wear it. Never. Landfill fodder.

I am pretty good about the silhouette. I learned long ago which silhouettes make me feel good about myself and which ones make me feel sloppy and/or icky. Boxy anything means I will eventually become embarrassed to be seen in it in public. I can't make boxy look modern or intentional. I look sloppy ... like I just rolled out of bed and threw on the first garment I found on the floor. I also learned that at 5'10" I need to shop "talls" whenever possible. I can wear "regular," but "talls" suit me so much better.

Finally, construction. I used to believe I recognized quality construction, but I bought some tee shirts from Old Navy and every single one of them ripped along the seam attaching the sleeves to the body. Every Single One of them. They did not even last two months before they became landfill fodder. I am more careful when I examine construction now.

A short blog that discusses assessing quality can be found at

Good thread! I wish everyone good luck on your shopping fasts.

I may not go as far as an outright ban or fast, but I'm looking to dial it back more this year. I need to look at some numbers to be certain, but I did buy less last year than I did the year before. This year I want to continue that trend, but to a greater degree. Hubs and I are making some changes that affect our income, and I'm taking a hard look at 1) how my wardrobe suits my lifestyle, 2) what other projects I want to have money for (I'm about to start a bathroom reno project), and 3) our desire to have more money for experiences (i.e. travel) than stuff.

Truth be told, I have more than enough clothes -- both at home and at the ranch. Our lives are busy and very casual, and somewhat complicated (living in two different states is not easy). I am starting to wish to uncomplicate and control many things in my life because so much feels out of my control right now. Frankly, I'm struggling with a bit of depression at the moment, and shopping has always been a balm for that. But I'm determined not to fall into that habit and am compiling a list of things to do when I feel the urge to shop.

I do want to do a better job of shopping my closet -- finding ways of styling items to get use out of them, or letting them go if it's really time for that. I'll be following everyone's progress and stories of non-shopping success with interest!

Janet -- I am so sorry to hear you are feeling depressed. Is it the weather? Is it the let down after the massive Holiday blowout?

I do understand how shopping can be a salve for depression. I certainly have used it myself many times in the past.

Your strategy of assessing (1) how your wardrobe suits your lifestyle, (2) what other projects you want to have money for, and (3) your desire to have more money for experiences (i.e. travel) than stuff are all worthy. The money I save during this Purchasing Fast will be put directly into an IRA. I will make monthly deposits until the 2016 Tax window closes. So I am re-directing my money during this time.

Best wishes to you and your Husband for the new year.