Clothes Challenge

Dobie

I'm doing the same thing at the moment. I started at the begining of August when I loooked into my wardrobe - which is full - & couldn't find anything to wear!
I decided then & there that I was just being spoilt & ridiculous & I had loads of things to wear, I just couldn't be bothered thinking about it properly.
I started by organising my wardrobe better so it's easier to see things that go well together & I can pick out an outfit without too much thought when I'm in a rush to get ready for work.
I'm going to get round the 'used to be white' knicks, bras & t shirts problem by buying a cold water dye & turning them all blue!! I'm also reasonably competent with a sewing machine & needle & thread so I should be able to mend & remake things that need a bit of 'oomph'.
I think the majority of us have more clothes than they need & I've always been a sucker for a 'bargain'. Next clearance has been my downfall for suits & trousers & Tesco for t shirts & blouses.
I feel quite ashamed of myself just picking things up whether I need them or not & with no thought about the conditions of the people who made them. I'm really conscious of trying to be as green as I can in other areas but this has been a blind spot. One I'm in the process of addressing though.:D
Anyway, good luck to everyone who has decided to join the challenge.:cool:

kunekune

Ha! After reading this I realised I need to be smart today as we are welcoming the new first years. I emptied out the winter bags and discovered I have a lot more usable clothes than I thought ... The main items on my list for the winter are pjs, a dressing gown, black boots so I can wear thick socks with skirts (I suffer from very cold toes) and some minimiser bras (then I can fit into some of the snugger shirts I found).

Austin_Allegro

Charity shops require a certain amount of discipline, I find.

I have a charity shop 'route' which I regularly visit because the art of charity shopping is to make the best of chance finds. You can't just shop for what you want/need at the time because you won't find it - you have to have an eye for what you'll need in the future.

However, it's tempting to snap up 'bargains' you don't need because things are cheaper than new items - but then the danger is you end up spending a lot of money, your conscience salved by the fact that it goes to charity!

So I think we need to be careful and remember 'nothing's cheap unless you want it'.

rosieben

Penelope_Penguin wrote: »

...
I'm now turning my thoughts to books - only buying second hand. Bought some cookery books from Amazon, and this week made my first purchase from Green Metropolis. I might start seling some of mine, too. Penny. x

same here PP, I've had some real bargains from Amazon; I love second hand bookshops anyway, could spend hours and hours in the big one in town. I've joined our local library and have a couple of craft books on order - not likely to find those secondhand as they're quite new so library is a good option. I'm hoping for a trip to Hay on Wye before too long, I would happily spend a week's holiday there

I'm off to investigate Green Metropolis

Some good ideas on here, never think of packing away seasonal clothes PP, but maybe will start that

Toonie and Kunekune, I have a slight (:D !!) weight problem so a couple of pairs of trousers I bought from ebay were no good to me but I just sold them on to someone else

shetitasatic

SNap!! I've been thinking along the same lines, Fozz. I have far too many clothes, and I too am addicted to charity shop 'bargains', so I'm definitely up for the challenge.
I read an article at the weekend which said the age of really cheap, almost disposable clothes is coming to an end, and that most women have wardrobes that are overflowing - I forget exactly how many tons of clothes it said go to landfill each year!!
It also said that buyers are becoming more green and ethical and thinking about the REAL cost of cheap clothes - sweatshops,pesticides used in cotton production etc.
I cut out a list for a 'no shopping for a year ' challenge and among the permitted items to buy, were basic underwear, used clothes from charity shops and eBay and thread etc for sewing. I'm a fabric-aholic and have loads of material squirrelled away and must get back to making my own clothes again.
my first part of the challenge will be to pack away my summer clothes and get out my winter stuff ( like you P-P!) and then organise my wardrobe properly. Apparently there are people who will do this for you who ONLY charge £65 - 100 AN HOUR!!!

Sallys_Savings

I've stopped visiting the clothes section in charity shops a little while back as ..like you I was buying nearly everyweek.

Now I have a list of items I need...i.e. DD jeans.. myself jumper....hubby work shirts etc and look at car boots every now and then.

moanymoany

Fozz, have you seen this site? It was put onto the living on $12,000 a year thread.

http://www.littlebrowndress.com/brown%20dress%20archive%20home.htm

I found it fascinating. I'm not sure I could do it, but I have to say, I have thought about it.

Quasar

I know the feeling fozz. Several months ago I also decided not to buy any clothes for a year. Twice I slipped... .

Before I went on holiday, while I was deciding what to pack, I realised I might have to buy some clothes, so I had a thorough look in wardrobe, drawers, cupboards etc and was shocked at what I saw. In spite of clearing out a while back and giving lots to the local charity shop, I STILL uncovered several jeans, t-shirts, blouses, a couple of summer skirts, summer jackets, sandals, flip flops, and whatnot.

I bought nothing and had decent holiday outfits anyway. Now for the winter wardrobe I have more than I need, so some of it will be put away for next year.

Having said that, I do go into charity shops for books and find it impossible to resist looking at clothes. Sometimes it is foolish to pass by what we see: for instance, on Saturday I saw a really lovely pink M&S top in perfect condition for £1!!!!!!! Happily far too small for me, but for that price I would have bought it - OS mentality dictates that it was far too much of a bargain!

Bogof_Babe

Lovely thread, it really sums up my own buying habits these days. I spent yesterday morning assembling a hanging canvas wardrobe (that I already had, stored away) to house the overspill as I could no longer shut the doors of my two existing wardrobes .

I'm heading past my favourite Hospice shop in about half an hour, and there's no chance I can pass by without a quick glance at the 50p and £1 rails. I've had some brilliant stuff, and I do have enough now, but I need a bit more therapy before I can give it up .

Quasar

Bogof_Babe wrote: »

Lovely thread, it really sums up my own buying habits these days. I spent yesterday morning assembling a hanging canvas wardrobe (that I already had, stored away) to house the overspill as I could no longer shut the doors of my two existing wardrobes .

I'm heading past my favourite Hospice shop in about half an hour, and there's no chance I can pass by without a quick glance at the 50p and £1 rails. I've had some brilliant stuff, and I do have enough now, but I need a bit more therapy before I can give it up .

Oh this is indeed the place of kindred souls.... :T