If one has an abundance of clothing, this would be a good challenge. For those of us who don't have a lot of clothing, it would be experiencing lack. I would be afraid that I would attract more of the same into my life. Are you sure you want to do this, Jackthetiger?
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Posted 9 months ago #
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Like djk, I'll be cheering you on from the sidelines: I've dropped two clothing sizes in the last 16 months and I need to replace my bras and trousers.
Posted 9 months ago # -
@ninakk: have you tried some stuff of hunkemoeller? i think they are in northern europe, too. they have a lot of these sizes that you re looking for, even a special E+ collection. i am very confident, especially as their bras are not very expensive and they have a 30-50-70% sale every few month, sothat you can have bras for about 10-20 euro.
i have to buy too many clothes for my job at an office so i am a bit sad not to join this club, but you made me want to count / list my clothes :)
Posted 9 months ago # -
Or Bravissimo for Ninakk - I buy there. They do clothes intended for curvier women too, that come in several different fittings.
Posted 9 months ago # -
@claycat - I agree. Those who have their wardrobes down to a manageable comfortable size don't need to join in. Those of us who (a) already have sufficient/too many clothes and/or - like me - buy clothing impulsively may feel it might help. I'm currently doing the "turn your hangers" for my summer clothing to see what I reallly wear,then I'll weed out the rest. No need for replacement anything at this point. I did buy 2 pair of pantyhose yesterday as I had none, and I know I have at least one wedding coming up when I'll need them. :)
Posted 9 months ago # -
Oh dear, I never expected everyone to take this so seriously! I'm hoping it's going to be fun and not torturous. As for rules, I'm not making any for anyone else, just myself :-) If my generous sister (who loves to give gifts) wants to give me a scarf or accessory (even after I tell her about the challenge) I will accept it graciously.
*My* personal challenge is to keep out of op shops/thrift/Goodwill, because for *me* it is a time-waster. I'm at that point where I certainly have enough clothes, and am looking forward to combining them creatively (or not!) without thinking I have to have an item to make a 'perfect' outfit. Before having children (11 yrs ago now) I used to love shopping for clothes and spent a good deal of my pay check, weekends and headspace thinking about it, and judging others for what labels they were or were not wearing. Horrible! I've come a long way since then and for me, this is the final stage.
Jackthetiger, I totally agree: Naked at work is not a good look (made me laugh).
Having said that: good luck everyone! As for day 1, I'm already layering 2 tshirts I've never combined before.
Posted 9 months ago # -
Oh lazycow, not too seriously! :) As I said, I have way too many clothes, and too many I don't wear, mostly because they don't fit well, and I'm overly optimistic that losing some pounds will help (down 12.5 now, and no help so far). The plan is to make what I have last until really it's mostly too big then to shop more carefully. A year is what I figure it will take - but even though I don't go to work, out in public naked is not an option. LOL
Posted 9 months ago # -
I do not feel too much like it is denial. I have a few really nice clothes and I believe I have enough for a week at work in winter, trans season and I will have enough for summer when I make three new dresses with fabric I have purchased already.
My friend did this and it has helped her to really crystalise in her mind what works for her and what does not. When you have fewer choices, and you still do not choose that top that has been rarely worn, it is telling you something about the shape, colour etc. I would like a bit of that insight because I have a few things that, whilst others might like them on me, I do not feel quite right.
I see it as an aspiration to not purchase any clothes. If I am not able to get through the year, especially at the start of next winter, I will not punish myself!
I am not sure how common it is for a woman to think they have enough clothing when their husband thinks they don't!
PS Thanks for the link Gypsie. I am in Australia and I buy my runners at a shop between home and work. I have to spend time trying them because i have had so much surgery on my ankles, feet and achilles tendons. They are really touchy to fit well.
Posted 9 months ago # -
Oh my gosh, confession time: Day 2 of the challenge, and I almost ordered something. I actually convinced myself that I would start AFTER this purchase. HA!!! Clearly my clothes shopping problem is even worse than I thought. I managed to hit the DELETE button after putting the two items in the online shopping cart, though. This is going to be harder than I expected, a clear sign that the challenge is coming at just the right time for me to make a positive change.
Posted 9 months ago # -
This thread, even though I'm not part of the challenge, is having a BAD effect on me -- making me think about clothes! Sunday I went to SteinMart (big sale going on) and I bought 1 bra (needed -- lost weight and got rid of 4 old ones), 2 blouses, 1 lightweight sleeveless sweater and a pair of slacks (which I am going to return-- they will be too big too soon.) Then Monday, after Pilates, stopped at Bealls and got a very pretty silk sleeveless blouse, two silk tanks tops and a ribbed knit tank to wear under the new blouse. EEK! Make me stop! I think everything is flexible enough that it will see me through the rest of the weight loss, though.
Posted 9 months ago # -
Looked through my closet yesterday with a cool head, and I was not impressed. Last fall, I did a big purge and was left with maybe half of my clothes. I haven't been buying much, and I've been regularly purging a few items at a time. The result? I have a lot fewer clothes to wear, which means they get worn a lot more often, which means most of them are worn out a lot faster. Most of my work clothes are looking like a cheap, rundown imitation of themselves. My camisoles are all stretched out, and some of them stained (kept because "I can still wear them under a vest/sweater that covers that part."). A lot of my bras aren't all that enthusiastic about their job any more (putting off replacing them because I detest shopping for bras). In fact, the only clothes that are still in fantastic condition are the ones I rarely wear, and my workout clothes (goes to show what's really made to last! 2 years in, and still in perfect shape despite being the most abused of all my clothes? Lululemon's prices are now fully justified in my mind).
I've also been putting off a wardrobe overhaul because I'm still getting out of tax debt - which is now within reach! So. My goal for this month will be to fully revamp my collection of work clothes and formal wear (got a couple of weddings coming up). Casual clothes can wait until September, along with jackets and accessories.
Posted 9 months ago # -
OK Susan: STOP ;-) Hey, don't feel bad, you said you weren't doing the challenge!
Anita, I'm going to use this challenge to assess the type of clothes I actually wear, and see what lasts and what doesn't. I like your comment about enthusiastic bras. I feel mine are definitely going to get very depressed by the end of this.
Now that I've started this challenge I've realised that I'm going to have to really look after my stuff. In the past, if a pair of jeans were too long, I'd just take them to the op shop and get another pair. Now I will actually have to get off my lazy arse and get them professionally hemmed. I have a beautiful jacket that is missing its one button, and another pair of pants has a loose button too. So my sewing skills will be getting a workout, sigh.
Posted 9 months ago # -
This thread makes me want to go shopping, too, but I have to wait until I'm employed. I'll have to get more clothes because my wardrobe is sparse. I have almost no summer office attire, and my winter clothes are getting worn.
Posted 9 months ago # -
I managed to walk past the clothing racks when I dropped off some stuff at the op shop today. Which was a big thing for me, as I was feeling down, and a good clothing bargain always perked me up in the past. Now I'm going to have to find another way!
I've actually just decided to get rid of 2 items of clothing: one is a beautiful, lined midnight blue velvet fitted jacket. It is very snug and makes me perspire whenever I wear it. But the material is gorgeous, sob.
The other is a floral wrap jersey dress. The material is too think and slippery and makes me look like I have lumps where I don't, and I refuse to wear foundation garments with it. Someone else will look lovely in it.Posted 9 months ago # -
I'm committing to doing this a month at a time, like Netleigh. I'm actually going to return a cocktail dress to the store (unworn) because I just found out my high school reunion is casual this time. Sigh - I look so great in that dress, but won't have anyplace to wear it. It was expensive. I started the new year with a committment to buy only good quality clothing that really looks good on me, and that piece fit the bill. At least I kept that committment. Like some of you, I was addicted to buying lots of items of inexpensive clothing, especially on ebay. I justified it because it was a "bargain," but it's not a bargain if it doesn't fit quite right and doesn't last very long. Now I'm purging my closet and trying to be ruthless. It's taking me a long time because I have to do several separate purges - I keep a few "iffy" items and next time I go through, if I haven't worn them, out they go!
My main problem is that I have some lovely, good quality suits and dresses, but few people wear suits anymore, even at the office. My office is casual 5 days/wk, even though I still wear suits and dresses occasionally (because I have them). Even this reunion - in the past it was semi-formal and this year it's casual - I find this to be a trend in fashion in general. Rarely does an occasion call for a cocktail dress, let alone a formal gown. Personally, I think it's rather sad.
Posted 9 months ago # -
After four glorious winter days in the mid 20sC, I have been on a laundry frenzy. I have been able to wash and dry all our bedding (doona and woolen underlay) as well as all our jumpers and washable jackets. Now I feel happy that all of my clothes are as fresh as they were in at the start of winter. It feels great to know that EVERYTHING is clean and fresh and I can see that I have enough to keep going for next winter as well. It sounds a bit odd to be extolling the joys of washing, but it makes me happy to watch the clothes flapping on the line in a warm breeze! We are back to normal winter weather (16C) tomorrow :(
Anita @ LOL unenthusiastic bras!
Happy Monkey @ Saved by the delete button!
Susan @ You did not commit to the challenge so don't feel bad. We can enjoy your shopping vicariously!
Posted 9 months ago # -
mskris, I too love a chance to get formally dressed up, and have introduced a fancy dinner once a quarter (roughly) with friends, so I can really dress up. Not all of them dress up, but I like feeling I can! And I even wear the same dress to get good cost per wear, but also cause it's the favourite at the moment, and I don't want it to go unused! I even bought a matching clutch in JFK airport (on my way back to Australia) - makes me look forward to our dinner even more thinking about it!
Posted 9 months ago # -
my first major test was yesterday.
i am in bali....got here three days ago.
yesterday i went to my favourite shop anywhere....duta silk house in denpasar.
for the first time in living memory, i walked out of there empty handed, but i had some fun helping choose fabrics for the guys.
sure, i know...i am all tough right now.
it might be a different tale next year.
but at least i made a start and broke a very established pattern (16 years).
now i don't have to hurry to my tailor either.
the pressure is off.
it feels kinda good.Posted 9 months ago # -
Congrats to everyone who's starting their no-new-clothes journey in earnest!
Had another long hard look at my closet, and most of my work clothes have to go. But for once, they will be replaced methodically and thoughtfully rather than haphazardly and with whatever I find cute. So, for the first time in my life, I made a shopping list for clothes! It is scarily long and diverse, so I may have to break it down and make several trips to avoid being completely overwhelmed.
Funny thing: I used to love clothes shopping, trying on clothes, seeing what's new and so on. Once I decided to limit my clothes-shopping, going into stores became a bore because there was nothing I was really interested in, and I no longer shopped for fun. Now that I have a purpose (and a list!), I'm actually getting really excited about the prospect of shopping again.
Posted 9 months ago # -
A woman at work was selling some amazing hand made, casual handbags at work yesterday. She had made them to raise money for a charity in Malawi where her son works. They were really lovely, but I did not buy one. It was quite freeing to make a donation and walk away with nothing. I did not need a bag and the challenge has given me a reason to leave it.
Posted 9 months ago #
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