After I wrote my Spring wishlist post, I got to thinking about the tonnes of clothes I’ve got in my cupboard; my old favourites, those things that I only dig out on the odd occasion, and then the few random bits and pieces that I grabbed in a charity shop and haven’t been out of the cupboard since the day I brought them home (you know the sort of stuff I mean – the 99p top that you’re sure is a bargain, or the dress four sizes to big that you have to have because you love the print, and you’ll definitely adjust it to fit you).
My wardrobe is a double one, and as you can see, it’s literally rammed. In fact, it’s so full, that things may possibly have started to creep across into the Husbands wardrobe…
There are clothes hanging up on a rail in the airing cupboard, three coats by the door, four more coats in a drawer under the bed, and an entire drawer dedicated to knitwear.
Yet, when it comes to getting dressed, I still reach for the same things, day in, day out. I’ve got literally tonnes of lovely things that have never even seen the light of day – what an absolute waste (and I do really, really hate waste). I’m always banging on about the environment, and I suddenly realised that even though I’m buying second hand, it’s still adding to my consumption levels, and as you can see – completely unnecessarily.
So, I’ve put myself on a shopping ban – I realise a lot of people do this, but they’re often buying nothing new, where as I’m literally buying nothing. Nil. Nada. Zilcho. When it comes to clothes, for the entire next year, I’m wearing only what I’ve got. Which means no more charity shopping (for clothes anyway, home-y stuff is totally allowed!), no more eBay bargains and no more wishlists – if I don’t own it by now, chances are, I don’t need it. Obviously, undercrackers and tights are allowed, but only when replacing something that’s beyond mending (can you mend pants? I’ve never even considered it….), and shoes are a bit of a grey area, as I actually don’t have many shoes. Possibly as I spend most of my time in slippers or Converse. Ahem.
I started my adventure in clothes by digging out an old favourite knitted vest, popping it over a new dress, and then topping the whole lot off with an aztec cardi from eBay.
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| Really need to work on my smile. |
The dress is from lovely ethical brand Seasalt Cornwall (you can read about their environmental aims here), and it was a birthday present from my parents – I’ve been hunting for a denim shirt dress for absolutely ages, and this one popped up at just the right time. The mustard yellow sleeveless jumper-vest-thingy came from a charity shop a couple of years ago, and it’s one of my most loved knits. The aztex cardi came from eBay and was a bargain £4 including postage – I love it for its softness, but wish it had pockets. I do love a pocket.
So there’s the first of (hopefully) many outfit posts. If nothing else, at least the Husband will see me in something other than pyjamas, or the same jeans-jumper-converse uniform – and all the money I’m saving will be able to go towards something useful. Like craft supplies. Or teapots. Ahem.
This is brilliant! I'm guilty of the same thing and my new years resolution was a minimum of getting rid of ten items per month (either back to the charity shop or on ebay) for a maximum of one new item in per month. I've gotten rid of far more than that so far and really loved discovering so many old favourites that had been hidden away for too long. I can't wait to see the rest of yours! 🙂
Thank you, and ooooh, I love your idea – I might try to sneak a little bit of that in!
Love this post, it made me chuckle. Looking forward to more outfit posts. Good luck with the shopping ban! 🙂 Tanya x
Thank you – I think I'm going to need it!
That outfit is smashing. Also intrigued by all the different fabrics in your wardrobe… Have to say I am the sort of cove who wears nothing but jeans and the same three increasingly bobbly jumpers on rotation. Wasn't always this way and is nice to have a deco at a wardrobe with a bit more pizazz…
Oh, thank you! Sometimes I get things out of my wardrobe, and hang them on the wall, like artwork. Ha!
I'm so glad you are doing some outfit posts. I love seeing what's in peoples wardrobes. Like you I have wardrobes that are groaning under my collection of clothes, but the lure the keep on acquiring is far too strong for me! I'm looking forward to seeing what combinations you come up with. Xx
Oh, thanks! Me too – I always seem to gravitate towards the outfit and clothes posts on other peoples blogs. That and the ones about their homes!
You won't even BELIEVE that I have literally been working on this EXACT SAME POST for the last couple of days!!! Like, down to the very pictures – the SAME! Crazy twinney blog friend! x
I love this! I can't wait to read it – and, and, and, as neither of us are buying anything new, perhaps we could indulge in a few cheeky swaps….! (That would make for some great posts!) x
Brave move, and I hope you succeed. I've tried to cut down but resisting those pieces that make your heart beat a bit faster – especially a one-off charity shop find – is HARD!!! Your clothes rail is such a beautiful riot of colour and pattern, I look forward to seeing what outfits you make from it.
great idea, it's so true I reach for the same, warm, things at the moment and nothing else has a look in. I'll be interested to see how many outfits you can make out of what's there, loads I bet! ps. didn't know seasalt was ethical, so I've learn't something new! Heather x
It's definitely true that most people only wear about 20% of their wardrobe. I hang on to stuff for the odd special occasion when you need something smart. I've also noticed that I really enjoy getting dressed on holiday because of the simplicity of having just a small, capsule wardrobe that you've packed to go away with. There's my answer really… PS You look great!! x
I feel the same. I don't want to commit to not buying anything at all, so i am doing a challenge with a coupon system based on the second world war – and it includes underwear and tights!