Crazy 2011 clothes challenge

NGlady2

Evening ladies,

And now for a very long post from mee!

Well I havn't posted on here for a good few months. Mainly because I've done absoloutly useless at the challange this year, it started oh so well for the first four months. Then I went on holiday, didn't spend my spending money and classed it as 'exluded from the challange clothes money' and I didn't really keep up with it from there.

I have been a lot more thoughtful in my purchasing this year though I guess, and I can't really think of anything i've brought and not worn. Just far far to much of it.

I am in the process of loosing some weight, so hopefully, by next year I will be able to enjoy my wardrobe again and enjoy reexploring my clothes and putting outfits together.

I can't really pick point one 'big spend' this year - possibly my coat, but that was only £60, other than that everything has been brought in the vip sales, i seem to have a lot of dorothy perkins stuff lol. I have changed my taste this year though, I don't think i've brought anything from New Look in months - is it just me or has it really really changed for the worst of late in there? And ive explored next - i find I have to be really up for a shop to go in my local one, as its not the best layout, but the clothes really do last well.

I need to stop buying just because its seen as a 'bargain' - for example. I had no intention of buying new stuff from tesco, but did, because they was £5/£10 - that was £20 and don't fit, i've lost the receipt, so got to take back and hope the lady feels sympathetic and lets me have a voucher for food or something, also my kurt gieger purchase, cost me £3.60 for the magazine and a further £20 - to purchase some shoes which have come, and although I admit are very lovely, are also far to uncomfortable for me. And my Aldo £14.99 boots - which im still debating, but wondering if i dare go in a shop like that to just return some £14.99 boots lol.

I still don't really own many accessories - although I love nice earrings and necklaces etc, I never really think of buying them, always going straight to the clothes/shoes etc, i seem to get into my head that the jewellery is only a small item but i can have this top/dress/skirt/etc for the same price lol. Hopefully, i'll pick some nice stuff up in the sale this year to accessorize with.

I still in some ways have the mindset I spoke about on here a loooong time ago - where, I wont spend, for example £50 on one amazing item, that I am soo in love with but will happily spend £60 on 3 items that are 'nice' - I have started to try and step away from that some what and hopefully that will be cured this year.

I don't have excel on my computer, but I think rosas idea of a 'spreadsheet' for clothes related purchases are fantastic. Better in someways than a note pad, because i never get round to getting the note pad out/loose it - whatever did happen to my spends diary haha.

So - would I do the challange again next year?

Based on the fact, in the first four months when I took it seriously, it really did help my mindset - and also it has made me a little more 'thoughtful' in my purchases still, I deffinately would if I am allowed. I will have to have the same high target though - so hopefully it wont turn back to the £100 challange next year, otherwise im stuffed lol next time, I promise, I will make more effort.

Love,

NGlady2

kerri_gt

NGlady, even though I've just been a lurker this year, this challenge has made me think a lot more about what I've been purchasing. Do I need it? Do it love it? etc etc. I've also taken advantage of offers etc where I can, used £18 gift card plus a 20% offer on a lovely knitted dress in Topshop, meaning cost to me was down from £44 to £17.20 :j Perhaps next year I'll join you guys proper.

lionheartedgirl

Hi all,

I posted on here under a different username (l i t t l e h - hiding from someone!) and have come back out of hiding inspired by Rosa's post!

I have spent an eye watering amount on clothes this year. But, this challenge has really helped me focus on Do I LOVE It and Will I WEAR It? (and Do I Have A Voucher and Can I Find It Cheaper Elsewhere!)

I have worn approximately 95% of the clothes I have bought. It made me realise just how shockingly depleted my wardrobe was, and how important how I look is to me - I am kind of rebuilding my life at the moment and I realised I am not willing to compromise on clothes right now. I have found plenty of bargains which have been worn to death :j and the things I have bought will last me many years.

I probably need to step away from the leopard print a bit, but hey it never goes out of fashion does it :rotfl:

I've logged EVERYTHING I've bought, down to pants/socks/tights - but adding everything I already own to the spreadsheet is a great idea!

The challenge also helped me realise how much I did have already - and how most of it was beautiful going out type stuff (I found a great term for this which has helped me reorganise how I store stuff too - costume!) I don't go out often enough to wear it all, so will be shipping some of it out. It does mean I can shop from my wardrobe for my work Christmas party FOR SOME YEARS TO COME!!! :eek:

Nothing to say that a few costumey bits won't make it into everyday clothing as well

(and the amount....well over a grand.... with a few pairs of shoes on top of that)

RosaBernicia

:rotfl: ok maybe it is safe to share my oddness with you lot

Worksheet column titles in case anyone is interested:

• Cost
• Item
• Bought from
• Love (numerical score: 4 = Love, 3 = Like lots, 2 = OK but would return if I could, 1 = not happy with it/ cross I bought it)
• Use (numerical score: 4 = Worn lots, 3 = Worn often, 2 = Worn occasionally, 1 = not worn or very rarely worn)
• Need (numerical score: 4 = necessary to have in some form, 3 = needed for work or for something else that needs a particular style, 2 = not really needed, 1 = no excuse other than I like it)
• Score (Love x Use x Need)
• Month bought
• Monthly total
• Notes

I sorted it all by score and was surprised to find I pretty much agree with the results. The top scoring stuff is things that make me smile every time I see them because they're great, they were cheap enough that there is no guilt associated with them, and I get to wear them a lot. Things like my jeans, cute socks, sunglasses, and a fab pair of trousers I've worn loads for work this summer. The middle stuff is work stuff that I wear a lot and is OK but didn't really buy for its own sake (plus a bag that I really didn't need but love and have had lots of compliments on). Lowest scores go to things that I love but have hardly worn and the mistake buys. Top scores are 64 and lowest 1, average about 31. If I decide to carry on with this I might aim to up the average for next year.

Rosa xx

RosaBernicia

lionheartedgirl wrote: »

Hi all,

I posted on here under a different username (l i t t l e h - hiding from someone!) and have come back out of hiding inspired by Rosa's post!

:j


I have spent an eye watering amount on clothes this year. But, this challenge has really helped me focus on Do I LOVE It and Will I WEAR It? (and Do I Have A Voucher and Can I Find It Cheaper Elsewhere!)

I have worn approximately 95% of the clothes I have bought. It made me realise just how shockingly depleted my wardrobe was, and how important how I look is to me - I am kind of rebuilding my life at the moment and I realised I am not willing to compromise on clothes right now. I have found plenty of bargains which have been worn to death :j and the things I have bought will last me many years.

It's great you decided what's important to you. And it sounds like you've picked things that are very much about you and you'll enjoy for ages.


I probably need to step away from the leopard print a bit, but hey it never goes out of fashion does it :rotfl:

:T I wish I could wear animal prints. Other people can do it and look sophisticated, I just look a trollop.


I've logged EVERYTHING I've bought, down to pants/socks/tights - but adding everything I already own to the spreadsheet is a great idea!

:rotfl: another geek, yay! *high five!*


The challenge also helped me realise how much I did have already - and how most of it was beautiful going out type stuff (I found a great term for this which has helped me reorganise how I store stuff too - costume!) I don't go out often enough to wear it all, so will be shipping some of it out. It does mean I can shop from my wardrobe for my work Christmas party FOR SOME YEARS TO COME!!! :eek:

Nothing to say that a few costumey bits won't make it into everyday clothing as well

(and the amount....well over a grand.... with a few pairs of shoes on top of that)

:T love the expression costume - and I should probably do the same!

Rosa xx

kerri_gt

Rosa, your spreadsheet reminds me of an exercsie they did on spendaholics once. The woman was given a notepad and whenever she saw an item of clothing or shoes she wanted, she had to write it in the book, give it a score out of 10 and write what she liked about it.

The next day or a few days later she had to re-read what she'd written and see whether she still felt the same about the item - a lot of the time she didn't and didn't go back to purchase it. It also gave her time to look in her wardrobe and see what she could wear it with and whether she had anything similar already.

i nearly bought some pj bottoms in primark today, 'only' £5 to replace some ankle huggers (why do pj bottoms shrink EVERY time they are washed) but there was another colour i liked just none in my size in stock. When i stopped and asked myself which pair I'd buy if both were in stock, it was the ones that weren't I actually preferred - so I decided to wait as I'm sure they will get more in before xmas.

RosaBernicia

Hi Kerri

True, I think it partly came from a 'necessity score' that was in a book somebody on this board recommended ages ago. I just tweaked things to allow a bit of leeway for the things that aren't worn very often, but make you feel totally fabulous when you do wear them, or that cost a lot but give more wear for the money.

I am terrible for convincing myself that if I don't buy something immediately they will sell out, and that I can always take it back - partly this is because I am so fussy, so sometimes it makes sense, but it does also mean I sometimes impulse buy and regret it. One of the 'mistake buy' dresses was like this - it looks fab, it's from a very small shop who do only get a couple of each size in each colour, the ranges are small brands so can't find elsewhere... but I didn't need it and chances are I will have completely forgotten about it by the time I actually need a 'costume' dress. I would have got much more fun out of a cashmere jumper for the same money. Ah well lesson learned.

Rosa xx

debbiedeejay

Have reported post no.1400 as Spam - am trying to save money not spend it

RosaBernicia

Me too so hopefully it will disappear shortly

debbiedeejay

Just to say I have been very good over past few weekends and discarding my normal "jeans" attire and wearing long lost and unloved jumper dresses & skirts with tights or leggings.

Oh and I have found a pair of hand-me-up leggings from DD1 that have become my new replacement PJ bottoms as the legs don't ride up in bed and twist round etc so I stay toastie warm.