Progress report on my 12in12 challenge.

I am now in the 7th month of my challenge and as there are a number of people around taking the same path I thought I'd fill you in on how it is going.

For some background, here is my initial post
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....esolutions

and the last update
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....cal-buying

I won't speak about the ethical buying side of my challenge right now, just the 12 in 12.

Firstly, I have always looked at the year as a whole, as in 12 items for the year – they don't have to be bought each month.

Here is an update of what I have bought so far and still have on the list (copied from my response to Una's thread of awhile ago
[start quote]
My 12 in 12 runs Jul to Jun so I am half way through
Already bought
1) 3/4 sleeve striped tee
2) black drapy dress
3) thrifted skinny belt ( for $1.50 - am tempted to not include this!)
4)workout top to match my running friend's one for a race.
5) Orthotic friendly shoes
6) coral dress
Plans to buy for year-
white and black turtleneck
black cardigan
jeggings
tracksuit pants/yoga pants
This totals 11. I may buy a layering tee in white with the remaining one.
I gave myself a complete exemption for my brother's wedding and bought a dress, jacket and a bag which I am not including.
I have also been given various handed down items.
[end quote]

I have found this pretty hard.

Angie's thread The Four Implicit Categories in Your Shopping List showed me that my list now really only covers Replenishment items and wardrobe holes. I have bought some “new trends” eg the coral dress and black drapy dress, but I don't have room for any at all for next winter (my year runs Jul- Jun)

Usually I go out in the post Xmas summer sales and buy a few ultra cheap items and jewellery. I get a few new trends without spending much. I have skipped that and do miss it!

I have to be so careful in deciding what trends to adopt!

At this stage I may not be keeping to my 12 in 12. I have a few items not on the list above that would love to upgrade eg a denim skirt and a winter wool coat, but only if the right one comes up.

I have had a lot of other thoughts about this but have written enough for now!

Love to hear your comments or questions!

13 years ago

Thistle

Veteran

I admire your commitment to this, but I also see how some flexibility cold be in order. 12x12 is really tough if you need to replenish any basics!

That said, you have done a terrific job of keeping to it. It sounds like the discipline of it has served you and your wardrobe well even if you don't stick to the 12x12 plan.

Kristin L

It sounds like you've put a lot of thought into what you buy because of 12 x 12. I'm not sure what your black drapey dress looks like, but could that work for winter as well?

anne

The drapy dress in in this thread Kristen http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ibuy-order - scroll down a bit. I am not sure if it would work for winter - might for early autumn. It has been a bit of a disappointment actaully, because it sags somewhat and also creases a lot.

Suz

(website)

I don't know, Anne. May I be perfectly honest? Apart from ethical or financial reasons, I don't really "get" a 12 x 12 challenge. Or rather, I think it makes sense only for a very different kind of person and shopper than you. To me, it would be a good "corrective," if you will, to the impulse shopper who tended to fill her closest aimlessly, who had a very large wardrobe, and who wasn't really aware of what was in there. It would be useful for someone with a shopping addiction. For someone who tended towards extravagance who wanted to tighten the budget. Etc.

But for someone whose wardrobe is very small already and (arguably) is lacking even in some essentials -- well, it seems to me, a better goal for you would be to ethically and responsibly fill those wardrobe holes (e.g - as you have done, buying for your brother's wedding -- you had a summer dressy event wardrobe hole to fill, and you filled it --which was the right thing to do.) To me, it doesn't make sense to focus on 12 items...it makes more sense to think carefully about what your needs are and spend, within your budget, to fill those needs -- just as you were doing before this challenge. Only then would a 12 X12 challenge make sense. But even then, it probably wouldn't be necessary fo you.

Anonymous

Suz took the thoughts right out of my head! Of course she articulated them much better than I would have been able to.

I need to go back the re-read your other threads, but you have always been a very disciplined, careful shopper and I'm not sure that more discipline is what you need, lol! I know it's important to have your wardrobe reflect your values and for your outfits to speak to who you are as a person, but there must be a way to meet your needs ethically within your budget. I'd like to see you "adjust" your challenge to not include "basic needs" items or "shoes and accessories" or some category. If you don't, you aren't really building a wardrobe, you're just barely getting by.

Big hugs Anne. You have a big heart and I'm sure you'd give away everything you have to help someone else.

dizzys

Active Member

Anne,
I just read your other posts on your 12×12 project. Interesting...thanks for sharing your progress and research.

I have been trying to be conscious of where my clothing comes from to try and minimize my footprint. I am not strict about it though but perhaps I should be. I do buy many gifts and clothing items on etsy. I enjoy supporting small business and the US. Many are SAHM's just trying to make a few extra dollars. I have purchased clothing, handbags, jewelry and toys. I also buy vintage bags. I know this does not answer the leather ethical issue but it hits on two of my concerns......I want to recycle as much as possible and buy from the US. It helps to be interested in old style too.

I don't think 12×12 is for me at this point. I am going through a weight loss but reading your threads has reminded me again not to be waste full. Take each purchase into consideration. Does it work with the rest of my clothing? Do I need it? Were did it come from?

Good luck to you!

Thanks so much Suz, Claire and Dctalks a lot for your thoughtful comments. I have just got up, and need to go to work and then straight to the kids swimming lessons, so won't get back to you until your tomorrow. But I will!

Suz (thanks for writing while you are with your Mum, btw) and Claire, you are absolutely right. I have always been a very disciplined shopper ( I think I only bought 16 things last year), though perhaps I was distracted by having a few not so good purchases in my first years at YLF. Am going to do what you both suggest - to concentrate more on contining to buy sensibly and less on the number. Since I'll spend more on the "ethical" purchases and am pretty frugal is it unlikely I'll go very overboard.

Claire I hope I could give away everything I have. I am not by nature generous and need to be determined to try to be so. But I do have a strong conscience

dctalksalot - great questions there! The leather issue isn't one that I have taken up, but I am trying to stick to retailers that have a committment to treating their workers well. I have only bought one item on my list from such retailers so far though!

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