Do you think it's possible...

[adlove]

to go the rest of the year without shopping for clothes?

I'm essentially in a perpetual summer season here, the clothing shops aren't spectacular, I think I have enough to work with, and we don't plan to go back to the states until early next year for a trip..... Do you think I can do it???

What's the longest you've gone without buying any new clothing?

[joanis018]

It's definitely possible. The thing that makes it difficult for me is it's something to do on the weekends, with friends etc. Like a hobby

[adlove]

Yea I should rephrase that, I know it's possible haha I just don't have the greatest willpower. And being unemployed it's definitely somewhat of a hobby for me.

I think I'll give it a go. We're saving for a downpayment for when we return home, so that will be my motivation.

[bimbi284]

Perhaps you could take up sewing? LOL...I think that's the only way I would manage, because I get bored with my clothes easily.

It would require a lot of time in front of a mirror putting together outfits I wouldn't have thought of before with the stuff I already have also.

[msamyfarrahfowler]

Yes, you can do it! Just don't frequent fashion blogs, or this forum for that matter. They do nothing but tempt you.

[adlove]

Haha yes, I'm still on the hunt for a sewing machine!

Doing the 31x31 remix thing makes me think I can do it. Maybe I'll try to do a few more of those. I'm getting kinda bored with it, but I see all these other pieces in my wardrobe that I haven't worn in months and I think I could find new ways to wear them.

[NachoProblem]

After we got married, I had like a 6 month streak of not buying anything. But I don't think I could do that now I'm too tempted by the amazing sales I've been seeing.

[bethaboo]

Good luck! I think I can go a month or two without purchasing anything, but, when I am not working, I have such a hard time not shopping.

[NitaX]

Jul 18, 2012 9:20:47 GMT -5 adlove said:

Haha yes, I'm still on the hunt for a sewing machine!

Doing the 31x31 remix thing makes me think I can do it. Maybe I'll try to do a few more of those. I'm getting kinda bored with it, but I see all these other pieces in my wardrobe that I haven't worn in months and I think I could find new ways to wear them.

:Y:

You can do it! I need to cut back on my shopping anyway, and the remix is helping me out with that. I bought items for my concert, but I honestly haven't been shopping since I started it.

[ivs112]

The longest I've gone is a month, maybe 6 weeks. Don't think I could go much longer than that. I cannot avoid a sale.

[winterbride1220]

and unsubscribe from all emails of sales and flash sites, etc. best of luck!!

[futurepivko]

No. No reason, but no.

[mrssavy42112]

Yes, you definitely can. I've never tried, but probably should. We have a lot of expenses coming up, so I haven't spent more than $30 on apparel in the last 3 months. That's a huge deal for me! When I was engaged, I had some serious willpower because I had a goal to pay the wedding with cash, in-full. When your goal is strong enough, it'll give you the willpower to do it.

I agree with others regarding unsubscribing from emails & not frequenting blogs/forums as much.

[adlove]

Yea but see, where I live I can't just order something online with free shipping haha. It costs tons to ship and takes forever, so most of the shopping I've done while abroad was on trips back to the states. If I wasn't here, I wouldn't last 2 weeks!

[amarima]

I did it, but when I was pregnant and had my baby. And maybe not for a year, but for 8-9 months. After I bought my pregnancy clothes (I was 4-5 months pregnant) I didn't buy anything after I went back to my previous weight (4 months after delivery).

[kkloth]

Its definitely possible but I'm with Joanis - it's a hobby or social thing I do on my day off. When I'm super stressed or upset shopping helps me 'center' myself. It's actually very sad now that I read that. Haha

Since I do it so often I try only shop thrift or consignment stores. And I never, ever pay full price for anything. Unless its at f21 which still annoys me but it's inexpensive enough for small purchases.

[juangela]

For me, right now, no. I am down 4 dress sizes since January and I am slowly but surely replacing my wardrobe but trying to stick with things that are easy to have altered should I go down any further.

Once I am steadily in a size and have enough clothes to rotate through for work and weekends I am going to try a shopping hiatus. I have done it before (budgeting, wedding planning, baby prep), so I know it is possible .

[mrssavy42112]

Jul 18, 2012 10:06:42 GMT -5 kkloth said:

Its definitely possible but I'm with Joanis - it's a hobby or social thing I do on my day off. When I'm super stressed or upset shopping helps me 'center' myself. It's actually very sad now that I read that. Haha

Since I do it so often I try only shop thrift or consignment stores. And I never, ever pay full price for anything. Unless its at f21 which still annoys me but it's inexpensive enough for small purchases.

That is me too! Whenever I have a really bad day at work or DH and I get into an argument, I stop by the Anthropologie on my way home. I try to limit myself to a cute cup or bowl, but I often end up getting a dress or two. I warned him that making me angry will cost him money!

[hz80408]

I'm sure not how I missed/never realized you're in the Caribbean (based on your location); what do you/H do there?

I think it's possible, but like Joan said, it's just a habit you'd have to break. Sometimes I surprise myself when I think back the past couple weeks and realized I haven't bought anything (although I wish this happened more often). I agree with avoiding blogs, and even magazines to hold down the urge

[adlove]

Good idea on the unsubbing emails- those are tempting! Sometimes I want to order things and just ship it to my parents/sister and have it waiting for me when I return haha but that is a dangerous mindset...

hz- my husband works for an oil company down here, I'm basically along for the ride:)

[hz80408]

Jul 18, 2012 11:16:11 GMT -5 adlove said:

Good idea on the unsubbing emails- those are tempting! Sometimes I want to order things and just ship it to my parents/sister and have it waiting for me when I return haha but that is a dangerous mindset...

hz- my husband works for an oil company down here, I'm basically along for the ride:)

Niiice!

[karebear304]

Personally not possible. Not cold turkey. I mean of course I could if we were in financial distress, but in my regular life, no.

I like to buy a few things here or there rather than a ton at once. It's more entertaining to me that way. I could definitely cut way back on the amount I buy, but I don't think I'd do well with a chunk of time that I wasn't allowing myself to buy something.

If I did I'd definitely have to leave the board and delete all the emails to my inbox!

[slarce]

If I did the combination of unsubscribing to all emails and if I was unemployed, as in your case, I could do it for a few months. Since I'm off for the summer, shopping isn't as fun. I hate to buy something that I can't "show off" asap! The rest of the year is a long time, though!

[adlove]

Yea, I don't want to quit the board! I agree kare, I'd probably be setting myself up for failure if I say "absolutely no new purchases!" but I'll probably just be more mindful when I go out window shopping. If something really speaks to me, I'll go for it, but that doesn't happen often in shops here.

Btw- I think I could make a full time job out of unsubscribing to these emails - there are so many!

[photon]

i think it is doable :Y:

[amarima]

Jul 18, 2012 12:11:11 GMT -5 @akuzreve said:

The one good thing about being in Canada and being on these boards is I don't have access to a lot of these stores. If I did, it would be definitely undoable. Not being able to access Target, J Crew, Zara saves my life.

You can buy JCrew on line in Canada, shipping is only 7 or 9$ and you don't have to pay customs

[Deleted]

Definitely. I only buy non-replacement items about twice a year. I could totally go from now through New Year's w/o buying anything but shampoo and conditioner.

[315bride]

I definitely could do it.