Uh oh, the shopping needs 'to come to a halt'

Today I casually mentioned to the BF that I will be receiving a jacket in the mail from LA (yeah, it's been here a week but you gotta time these things!) The response was - it's time to stop shopping. I replied with now that we have the disposable income is the time to get one good thing a month.
So . . . it looks like I am altering my bi-weekly shopping plan for next year to Queen Mum's one a month plan. I had a list mocked up, and actually, subtracting non necessary items down to 12 was pretty easy. I know in my heart of hearts I will still grab the occasional $10 layering shirt, etc, but overall I can see doing the 12 core items a year happily. Let's face it, I have enough, with about a dozen of every clothing category - dresses, jackets, pants, etc. What I'm crossing off my list is a blue small crossbody bag, metal cuff sandals and the like - all extras that might be fun, but that I don't need to make my wardrobe work for me.
This is my official declaration of 'one a month' from here on out. The satin blazer is already picked out for November, and I might get skinny jeans for December (I have 2 pair, one too big and one too tight lol). The rest is planned as follows:

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13 years ago

TraceyLiz65

(website)

Veteran

Wow, you are so organized. I am totally impressed... I wish you luck in sticking to your commitment. I don't think I could make such a commitment. Since I am on a weight loss journey I am hitting the thrift stores weekly, but worry that once I hit my goal weight and create a fantastic wardrobe, that I will not know when to slow down and stop. I think I will try your way and do the once a month thing. Thank you for the idea.

Right now I am going to enjoy the ride and the 100% support of my husband to create a wardrobe I love once I get to goal...

Jjsloane

You are so organized I am in awe. If I had half your resolve I would be happy. Men rarely get that our clothing does not all fit the same and goes in and out of style more regularly than men's.

MNsara

I am nodding my head in agreement about 'you gotta time these things'

You ARE so organized, and you've shown you're also adaptable if additional funds come your way, or there's a change in address(!), or whatever the year brings.

Nice to have a plan to look forward to!

cciele

There's some great organization there Mo! Your plan sounds very reasonable and doable.

Thanks! I was hoping for the 2 a month plan, but hey, I can be adaptable lol. I tried to get the items in line with the weather as best I could. And the DVF dress around the birthday in May is no accident, either
I figure even if money gets tight, it's hard to argue with one piece a month and less than $1000 for the whole year. (It also helps that I've averaged one piece a WEEK this year, yikes, so I am pretty well set.)
Now to exercise those willpower muscles!

Sylvie

Mo, that's a great plan. One of the nice benefits of a 1 item/month plan is that everything you buy is so special and well thought out, it ends up being a key piece of your wardrobe.

Anonymous

I love your plan. I also love the way you worked it out.

lyn67

Love this, Mo, wish you luck! (I'm affraid I'll have to do the same for next year:-))

ramya

Mo people would pay you to organize their shopping for them

Deborah

Mo this is inspiring! I love how you have clearly given this a lot of thought and planning. No wonder you have such a workable wardrobe. Clearly you have the whole "delayed gratification" thing down pat. You have inspired me to try and make a plan for my wardrobe purchases for the coming year.

cheryl

You can do it! Thats a great list and you already have a great wardrobe!

rae

Love the plan! Budgets are much kinder than full SYC. Rooting for you!

biscuitsmom

That's a great list! Love how you did the type, without being too specific

Janet

I so admire your restraint and organization! Good luck!

I've fallen off the wagon big time last week due to my brief adventure in Nordstrom and a sidetracked search for hightop sneakers, but I'm gonna try to be good through to the new year.

rute

Great plan! Good luck!

N-Marie

I'm taking notes on your shopping style- I feel like I go for a long while without shopping (years in some cases) and then get frustrated and go nuts. Usually In most other things I'm super organized though, so your technique is very appealing!

catgirl

Mo, that's a good plan and a lovely spreadsheet - perhaps you could make a side job out of helping people input this kind of information!

rachylou

Mo! This spreadsheet is a thing of beauty! I tell you, it would make a beautiful piece of modern art. Elegant, efficient, I quite like it.

The thing about it is, it says you have a style and are owning it. You're not all over the place, lost in the "racks wilderness."

Kiwichik

I want to be like you when I grow up.

CocoLion

I love the one-item-a-month concept. I am so impressed that you can plan in advance with such specificity. I know a month in advance what my perceived holes are -- right now I want a pair of high-top wedge sneakers and some brogues or slipper flats. I have a long standing quest to find a leather jacket as well but I am willing to wait. But I have no idea what I will want in the Spring.

ButterflyLady

Good luck, Malina - you're so organised, I'm sure you will do it. Is that profile picture your cat? Gorgeous!

Ah, thanks everyone. Don't get me wrong, if I had my druthers, I'd be buying 2 things a month! (as evidenced in my original mock up below) But I don't live in a vacuum and I do have a SO to consider
I like viewing it as a challenge to rise up to, rather than a constraint. Besides, I've done plenty of shopping this year to help soften the blow. Moreover, I wonder if it's possible to have a reasonably current wardrobe with this rate of replacement over several years. I'm thinking not. But it sure will help me with my number one issue - sheer volume. And my number two issue - quality over quantity.
It will be interesting!

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