See this?
…there’s more where that came from. You see, I’m not that girl who shells out hundreds or thousands of dollars on a handful of designer clothing items. I’d much rather have tons and tons of inexpensive clothes from places like H&M, Forever 21, and the like. So, long story short…I just have a lot of clothes.
While I may be living in a city where fashion is a top priority, it’s also a city where a monthly apartment rent could sustain a small country. So in an attempt to a) save money and b) make use of the wardrobe I already have, I’m going to give myself a little challenge.
For the next 6 months, I’m not going to buy any new clothes.
(*Gulp*…did I really just type that?)
With the exception of my Halloween costume, I’m going to do my absolute best to step away from stores and boutiques and into the loving arms of my already-established closet. (Hold me to this…will you?)
One of the things I’m really excited about is experimenting with new outfits that I might not have put together otherwise. Although I don’t really take a huge interest in fashion or what’s “in” right now, I do have fun putting together looks that express my personality on any given day…
…so let’s start with today, shall we?
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blouse: Urban Outfitters
sweater: B&G (which I got from a clothing swap I had with my friends last week…a post about that coming soon!)
leggings: Target
boots: Forever 21
jacket: Forever 21
How often do you go shopping? Want to join this challenge with me?!
I shop way too much! But I’m like you and most of my pieces aren’t expensive. If it’s a trendy piece that will be out of style next season I buy cheap, if it’s a classic piece that will last me I’ll shell out a little more dough.
While I have purchased some new clothes here and there during the past few months, I am priding myself on trying to mix and match my outfits to get more use out of them. It’s both fun and makes everything that you already have seem new!
Beth @Sailing Foodie says
What a great challenge! I am always finding excuses to buy a small piece here or there. I may have to join you in this challenge.
Long live Forever 21
My boyfriend might actually want to challenge to TO shop daily lol. I’m not a big clothes shopper, I just cringe when I have to spend money on clothing because I already spend so much on groceries, bills, and other odds and ends… I know I’m tight lol. I do, however, wish I could win a shopping spree at the mall, I would gladly spend it in a heartbeat
Ahh-very tempted, lol. I don’t go shopping that often but whenever I do I bring it back to my apartment and wonder why in the world I bought one more thing to overstock my closet. I must have fifteen cardigans. Queen of cardigans over here,
Yes!! I NEED to join in this challenge with you!!!! I am a constant shopper and always shop online when I am taking a brain break at work.
Count me in .. let’s do this
Jess @JessCantCook says
My closet is the opposite of yours, I am a horrible shopper! But I also usually buy cheaper clothes (Target is my weakness) so this year I decided I needed to spend money only on better quality clothes that I really love instead of cheap stuff I only sort of like.
I’m in Gracie! As a fellow NYC girl paying way too much for my small place I need a break! I did this challenge with myself in September and my credit card bills thanked me. Now I’m going to try to do this again after spending a little bit at Sephora yesterday…good luck!
Same was as you - I have SO MANY cheap items of clothing. I love your outfit! The boots/socks combo is very trendy. I don’t shop as much as I used to so I will not be joining your challenge - I tend to save most shopping now for special occasions, like a vacation or day trip to the city. I did buy 2 tops at a local Ann Taylor this past weekend, but I had a gift card so they cost me NADA!
I wish I could join you in your challenge. If I don’t shop every week, I have this “fear” that I’ll miss a great piece of clothing and will be completely bummed out…yeah, I shop way too much. Yikes!
debbie says
when I moved into my new apartment I VOWED to not buy any new clothes because I literally have ZERO closet space…but then Crohn’s disease hit. And I lost weight. And I needed to buy clothes.
not that I’m complaining about that or anything 😉
I actually made that my New Year’s Resolution in 2011, 10 months in and still going strong! I did make a few exceptions: new running shoes were allowed, and anything that should probably be replaced more than once a year was allowed, but for the past year I have bought no new pants/skirts/dresses/tops/jackets/sweaters… You get the idea.
Honestly it’s been liberating, and it’s forced me to get really creative with what I already owned. I’m pretty sure I’ve dressed myself better in the last year than in the previous 23 combined (ok well I had some REALLY cute baby clothes, thanks Grandma). It’s a fun challenge. Best of luck on it, can’t wait to hear about how it goes!
Wow, that is AWESOME! Huge props to you. You’re so right about saying how it’s liberating…I’ve noticed that already too! Like, when getting new stuff just isn’t an option, I can spend my time and money on more important things. Not to mention I love the thought of getting as much use out of what I already own as I can.
Thanks for the encouragement!
ughh i totally should but that’s so hard to commit to. Can i throw in a good old “i’ll try”??
I’m totally in for this challenge!
I don’t go shopping that much. I am very frugal with my money in terms of clothes. Though when I do find something I want, I usually get it.
I love all of your outfits! Will you do more posts on your fashion?? Good luck with your challenge!
Yup - I’m planning on it!
That is SUCH a good idea!!!!! 6 months is an extremely impressive goal. Maybe I’ll try for until the end of 2011???
Like you, I’d rather have more inexpensive [yet still fashionable and trendy] clothes than a few expensive pieces! IDK if I could not buy clothes for the next 6 months- I don’t go shopping every week or make it a priority to shop, but new clothes just happen to appear in my closet 😛
P.S. I love the feeling of cleaning out my closet of old clothes and donating them… More room for new clothes?!
This is a great idea!! It’s gunna be tough once christmas rolls around, black friday is a death trap. I am so weak.
Side note: how do you like Target’s leggings? I am on the hunt for a new/cheapish pair of black ones and I want to do my research! I’m not made of money!!
Their leggings are *okay.* I’ve had this pair for over a year and they just got their first little tear. But…good enough!!
Do your Forever 21 clothes shrink or rip easily?
Not specifically shrink or rip, but they’re definitely not the greatest of quality. But for me, living in NYC where I’m always walking around and getting dirty/sweaty (tmi? haha) I’d kind of rather have less-than-stellar quality clothes anyway!
Oh man- I love, love, love shopping! One of my October goals was to not shop for a month- and I made it about half way through and couldn’t do it anymore! I should join you but I just don’t think I could do 6 months!!
I think this is a wonderful challenge- one that I definitely underwent the entire time I was in college, and now that I’m making money and actually able to save, I’ve been meaning to clean my closet out, donate, and get a new wardrobe with more professional, “grown-up,” and fun pieces!
Congrats to the challenge- I think it’s wonderful to clean out once a year, and give yourself a breath of fresh air in creating new things out of old stuff. Good luck!
At least your 6 month span falls during Christmas, so you’ll get a little boost from that!
This is such a good challenge! Kudos!
mad props, homie. i really don’t think i could do this as extremely sad as that sounds! i think it seems less doable right now because i just about haaaate every article of clothing in my closet. you, though, you have the coolest style ever and i’m a smidge jealous. i’m hoping your outfits will serve as inspiration…so be sure to show some!!
Vanessa says
That’s so funny, I set a similar goal to not buy any clothes or shoes for all of 2011 because prior to that I kept shopping just because I was bored or whatever. I’ve been completely successful so far so I have no doubts that you will be as well. Just be creative, good luck!
YOU. ARE. ADORABLE.
What an awesome challenge! Major props to you, girl. I don’t think I could do it. This post has definitely inspired me to get more creative with the clothes I already have though.
Your outfit is adorable!
Carrie C says
I can’t wait for the post on the clothing swap! My sister-in-law recently got me into what we call “Rag Swap” - basically getting a large group together once a month or so to swap any items we no longer want (we swap anything, not specific to just clothes). Of course, there is lots of feasting and wine drinking involved too. 😉 It is so much fun, and I end up with a lot of new clothes, shoes, household items, etc. Such a great idea!
Love this! My friends and I want to have a clothing swap soon! I gave up shopping for the month of Sept. It was hard - not sure if i could do six months!
Andi
I buy less than 2 new pieces of clothing a month. I don’t have a huge wardrobe, but I always feel like I don’t actually need the clothes. A lot of my clothes are still from high school. Yeah…
So while you are trying to shop less, I might try to commit to buying at least 2 new things a month so I can finally replace my 5 year old PacSun jeans and the like.
Amanda says
I have officially joined you!!!! Good luck
heres my post dedicated to no shopping
http://missacmendez.blogspot.com/2011/10/fast-shopping-shopping-fast.html
I bet you have loads of really cute stuff! I have recently moved house and have found loads of clothes that I had completely forgotten about!
did you end up doing this lol
yeah inadvertently…because i became broke lol