It is around this time of year that we start to make resolutions about how we want to change the way we live. It’s common to think about living healthier, eating better, exercising more… but there’s more and more people who want to make their wardrobes better too.

Social Media has made the “No buy” or “No Buying New” challenges more popular than ever. The challenges are self-explanatory – not buying any clothes or any, at least, any brand new clothes (i.e. shopping exclusively secondhand – you can build in your own exceptions e.g. underwear!).

Who are these challenges for?

Not buying new clothes is a great way for anyone to break bad spending habits. If you are someone who, like I was, would indulge in the ‘pay-day treat(s)’ from *insert any high street fast fashion brand here*, then this is a great way to curb spending and save money. It also allows you use the clothing you have already and decide if you actually like it. Often in the pursuit of that shopping dopamine hit, we don’t think too much about what we are buying. Where will you wear it? What will you wear it with? Do you already have something similar? These questions don’t matter at the time but as our wardrobe become full to bursting and we have the guilt of items we don’t wear or that have tags on – eek! – perhaps we need to give ourselves the head-space to ask them.

It’s also for those people who want to find alternatives to to the high street big corporations. Now, more than ever, we know the impact that continual overproduction for the likes or Zara, Shein, Temu, H&M are having on our Planet. Breaking the relationship (sorry, honey but they don’t love you back), helps you to see what else is out there!

Clothes mean nothing until someone lives in them.

—Marc Jacobs

Reflections from my own “No Buying New” experience

I wanted to do this challenge for both of the reasons above. I wanted to curb my spending, use what I had, hone down to the items that brought me joy and to eventually start buying in a more conscious and sustainable way.

Starting 1 November 2018, I only allowed myself to buy secondhand if I needed to and I built in some exceptions (new underwear was my not-negotiable!!).  There weren’t many as I’m happy to give things a good wash so that potential element of secondhand or vintage shopping doesn’t bother me!

I also set myself a limit on items that I could buy – there’s no point switching from spending my money in the high street to charity shops when I’m trying not the spend! Plus finding those bargains can be addictive so there’s a real danger I could end up with yet more clothes that I don’t wear!

Once I had made the decision not to buy anything new for a year, I found it relatively easy. I unsubscribed to e-mail list from clothing brands, deleted shopping apps and found alternative pursuits to walking around the shops to remove the temptation.

I found the experience, sounds dramatic but, life-changing. I realised that I didn’t need a continuous stream of new things to make me feel stylish. I could give my money to charity shops and resellers for the things I needed. After a good wardrobe edit, I had a wardrobe of items that I really enjoyed wearing and serviced a purpose in my life. I also started creating capsule wardrobes for each season which I loved as it reduced decision fatigue dramatically!

Since this challenge, the way I see my clothes has totally changed – I am far more likely to care for them and mend them rather than throwing them away and replacing them. When shopping, I used to think “that will do” but now it’s “does this item fit with my wardrobe, can I wear it at least 3 ways or to at least 3 occasions?”

“Fashion is what you’re offered four times a year by designers. And style is what you choose.”

—Lauren Hutton

Tips for anyone starting their own ‘No Buy’ challenge

• Write down your intentions- What you want to achieve? Why are you doing it? Put this somewhere you can see it to remind you.
• You can do hard things! Challenges are difficult so don’t berate yourself too much. Keep in mind your why to get back on track
• Set you boundaries – for example some people won’t buy secondhand shoes of vintage but I find there’s nothing much that you can’t clean sufficiently!
• Indulge in a proper wardrobe edit, clean it out and put only what you like and need back in, neatly. A beautiful space can help you with motivation.
• If a year feels too long – commit to 3 months and see how you feel…
• Tell your friends and family so they can support you (you don’t want them suggesting a shopping trip!

Best luck and let me know how you get on!