Not buying clothes at all - 2020

[raincoast]

Another month of no clothing purchases for me. It's not too hard to avoid buying clothes right now. The clothing stores here are all shut down, and I've never liked shopping for clothes online. And when I'm working from home, I only need to be presentable for the occasional video call.

Clothing stores here might reopen soon, though, so the temptation may come back. Most weren't actually ordered to close, and the government is going to announce reopening guidelines next week.

[kittykat]

Also did not buy any clothing etc. this month. I have to say I have been tempted to buy a set of nice stylish pajamas I've seen people sporting on the gram, but so far I have managed to resist and added it to my style inspirations for maybe next year.

[Bearblastbeats]

I already broke this rule by buying a new pair of Vans since I destroyed my year old pair from working in them.

[Serendip]

Purchased no new clothing this month although I found myself browsing websites a few times. 

It's easy for me to fall into the line of thinking of 'new season, new clothes!' but I've been wearing the same things at home so will be able to switch it up by just opening my closet door or putting on some lip colour :)

I've also been sewing myself a robe for all this at home time..hand-stitching some beautiful fabric that I dyed myself.
 A way to commemorate this strange time.

[Dr Kidstache]

I had to buy new running shoes and bras. My old ones are totally worn out & I can't make those. Otherwise, still no clothing purchases in 2020.

[okisok]

Caught myself browsing FB Marketplace for clothing items. For no reason! I was on there to sell stuff, and somehow ended up looking at clothes! I did sell stuff, but didn't by any clothes. I will consider dropping out of this challenge if I have to replace something that I need to wear (safety work shoes, for example), but I'm curious to see how far I can go without *needing* to purchase anything.
It really helps to have a clear goal. "Nope, not looking because I'm not buying." Simple!

[Sanne]

No clothes bought here. As a lot of you are also saying, it's easier because of the pandemic. Clothing shops are not closed here and a few second hand places are also open but because I'm working from home and wearing more lounge clothing than ever and more repeating clothing (I do try to dress up a bit but it has to be comfortable first) there is no need for new clothing at all.And there was no need to begin with so.. 

It's not that I have a lot of uncomfortable clothes btw (I have to be able to cycle in all of it and you know, who wants to wear uncomfortable clothes anyway) but working from home and from the office does need a different kind of comfort I've found. And it's colder here at my home "office" (just a desk in a smaller part of the living room) so I need warm cardigans.

It got me thinking that I should opt for even more comfortable clothes and that I want more clothes in the future that are multi-functional. The things I wear the most are multi-functional clothes. For example a pair of trousers that are comfortable and can be dressed up and down. Would I wear it to the office ánd for just being at home ánd to a concert/festival ánd travelling? It's a win. And I know what items in my closet do that. I won't discard the rest but will think about that more when I will buy/need to buy additions (not this year obviously).

I also cleared out my closet even further and will be trying to sell online, things I know I won't wear anymore. That will go towards my budget to buy clothes when I will need to do that again. I don't know if people will buy second hand clothing right now though but it's worth trying.

[Serendip]

Out of this challenge..I bought a raincoat.
We are supposed to be going on a weeklong hike in June (if the parks open in time) and it's highly likely it will rain a lot. This was from a company I support and also on sale.

[Missy B]

Just noticed this thread for the first time. I'm already well in without really trying - my clothing purchases have declined over the years as I got what I needed and didn't have any major weight change. And now I've been at home for 2 months on CERB and stores are closed.
I used part of the time off work to do some mending and mask-sewing but didn't get to some of the alterations I had been putting off for lack of time. It was funny, looking at some of the things i was planning to discard and being glad I had them because I still liked the fabric and thought I could make something else with that, if I didn't have the money to get something new and different.
Thrift stores here in Vancouver have been getting steadily more expensive without any increase in the quality of the shopping experience, and I've given up on the ones in Vancouver proper. I do better in Victoria - the market there doesn't seem to support high prices -- although when I was last there things were moving up too.
It's been a long time since I went to a Naked Lady party. I miss them :(

[kittykat]

This month I had to replace 3 plain white t-shirts that I have been wearing almost daily during quarantine and wore out. So that was so far my only purchase in 2020 which I'm ok with. I think I will have to replace these a couple more times this year if I keep wearing mostly white tshirts, which given how cheap and versatile the white tshirt is I'm ok with.

I really do want to replace my pajamas though, ughhh, so I am trying to decide if I will take the plunge.
Other than that I have not had any urge to purchase clothing, and if you compare to this time last year where I would have already spent thousands I feel ok with my minimal purchases so far. I just worry if I buy one or two things it will open the floodgates, so I have to really watch myself.

[SotI]

Nothing bought again (clothes-wise), last month.
I have had to discard a few things, though: a couple of panties and socks, 2 dresses with holes not worth mending.
Still, nothing yet to be replaced as I still got plenty of either.

[Fish Sweet]

Checking in to say that I've done pretty well so far in not buying clothes.  I did break my No Buying rule in May to scoop up some underwear, two pairs of comfy pants (since we're all spending so much more time at home now), and a t-shirt with profits designated for charity.  Other than that... it's been pretty smooth sailing.  I do feel like what with spending more time with my wardrobe wearing/re-wearing what I already own, I'm starting to get a better sense of what kind of clothing/style/colors I instinctively gravitate towards rather than what I talk myself into buying while shopping or placing orders with friends.

[MonkeyJenga]

Haven't bought any clothes so far! I've gotten some free stuff from Buy Nothing, but not even much of that.

[SunnyDays]

I forgot about this thread, but sadly have to report that I’ve bought a few things.  Specifically, 2 packages of socks, a 3/4 sleeve top and 2 pairs of shoes.  The top wasn’t needed, but I liked it; the socks and shoes I did need and don’t regret buying.  The only thing I can anticipate needing for the rest of the year is a new winter coat, as the one I’ve been wearing for at least 7 years is pretty well shot.  Otherwise, I don’t normally go into clothing stores, but get sucked into looking at the clothes at Costco.  Now though, I have no plans to even go there until fall, so I think I can restrain myself from further purchases.

[okisok]

This thread kept me from making some unnecessary purchases lately, so thanks to all who are posting. I go back to regular full-time work in dressy clothes tomorrow--I may have to drop out. It's been over a year since I've needed 5 days worth of dress clothes, but my company has reorganized due to the virus and subsequent business changes. Off to my closet to see how long I can go without having to buy anything!

[Trifle]

I hadn't been posting, but figured I might as well jump in.  In 2018 I successfully completed the "no clothes" thread with nothing bought.  I FIREd in January of 2019, and in the remainder of last year I bought (1) some underwear and (2) a pair of nice women's overalls for outdoor work.   

So far for 2020, nothing bought.     

[okisok]

Tried on all my work clothes and managed to get 13 outfits. That was without recycling outfits with different accessories, just combining pieces. I think I can make it a while without buying anything new! In the past, I would've gone shopping. Even though I don't enjoy shopping and don't want to spend any money on clothes. But going back to work in this particular workplace would've triggered a "but that's what you do!" response. New(ish) job=new clothes. I'm retraining my brain!

Once I lose the weight gained during quarantine, that will add another handful of items and I'll be even farther from needing new clothes.

[aliene]

Also posting here to hold myself accountable. I haven't bought clothes since October. I didn't intend to not buy clothes, but as I'm this far already I would like to see if I could do this for 4 more months.

[NotJen]

I still have not bought any clothes in 2020.  Still limping along with the sports socks I started the year with.

I did have a hiking boot "failure" recently - the fabric portion on the back has ripped on both my boots.  I contacted the company I purchased from and the manufacturer of the boot - they said I could send them in (on my dime) and maybe get a store credit if they deemed the failure was not my fault.  Even in the best case scenario, that would net me about $99 to spend on a pair of $220 boots, with a company whose quality I don't totally trust.  My other option was to use an REI gift card towards a different brand.  But I thought about this thread, and I bought "shoe goo" and will try to fix them myself.

I am about to purchase some face masks and buffs to use while taking a hiking vacation next month (hopefully).  I have made myself several masks to use at home, but I am bad at them and don't have a ton of materials, and for prolonged use I want something that's better constructed and more comfortable.  I'm counting these as personal care purchases, rather than clothing purchases.

[okisok]

Found an old maxi skirt and fixed it up. Wore it today. I'd forgotten how comfortable maxi skirts are! It's not dressy enough to wear to work, but it's appropriate for a lot of other situations. One more item away from buying anything new!

[kittykat]

I finally purchased new pajamas which I love and am happy about, as well as 2 new bras. I didn't purchase anything else and didn't feel the urge to keep buying, so I feel pretty good about that. This thread has forced me to be super picky and careful about what I do purchase, so I'm thankful for that. I do not intend on purchasing any additional items for at least the next few months, but hopefully I'll make it to the end of the year.

[okisok]

Job location changed again due to virus cases. So glad I didn't buy new clothes for the last position! Today I'm working from home in a t-shirt and my mended maxi skirt.
If I think about buying something, I tell myself to wait until next month. "Let's just make it through May and see if you need it in June", etc. I'd love to have a black cardigan to stretch some outfits, but I have a gray one and I don't often need a cardigan in summer here. Baby steps.

[SotI]

Still no new clothes, so first half of the year success.
WFH due to Corona has made it quite easy so far, really no temptation.

[Trifle]

Checking in.  Halfway through the year, nothing bought. 

[okisok]

Went to the consignment store today to sell some items(crossposted in Decluttering Thread). They took 2 of 3. Normally, I would've picked out several things while I was waiting and spent more than I earned. l didn't find anything to justify spending money or breaking my six month streak. I walked out of the store $10 ahead! I think I'm farther along than baby steps now.

I also had to run other errands at stores where they offer clothing and accessories (Target, Dollar Tree, Aldi, hardware store). Not one temptation, although the hardware store may not count :)

[akzidenz]

Is it okay if I join late?

At the beginning of this year I was buying a few things secondhand (eBay mostly). I have enough now—more than enough. I'm entering a more frugal period of life and my goal is to not buy any clothes for the rest of 2020.

Someone complimented me recently (or rather: months ago, just before COVID-19 pushed everyone inside) on my black jeans. I realized that I've been wearing them regularly for 3 years and they now have the perfect cool-girl fades on them. Things like this make me feel good about continuing to wear my perfectly presentable (and maybe even stylish!) clothes.

[okisok]

This thread kept me from making some unnecessary purchases lately, so thanks to all who are posting. I go back to regular full-time work in dressy clothes tomorrow--I may have to drop out. It's been over a year since I've needed 5 days worth of dress clothes, but my company has reorganized due to the virus and subsequent business changes. Off to my closet to see how long I can go without having to buy anything!

It's been over a month and I haven't needed to buy anything! I've lost some more quarantine weight and can fit into two more items that greatly expanded my wardrobe. Then I cleaned out the lost & found at work and found a navy cardigan in great shape that no one is claiming. Brought it home and washed it. That's two more sleeveless dresses turned into business casual outfits.
My mending pile is growing, too.

[aliene]

Checking in.. still haven't bought anything since October. At least 2 more months to go!

How are you all doing?

[MonkeyJenga]

Haven't bought any clothing all year. I have appropriated a lot of boyfriend pajamas instead.

[SotI]

Still nothing bought, so full on track.

[okisok]

Still holding strong. I *am* looking for a pair of hiking sandals. I'm trying to find a used pair.

[Trifle]

On track -- nothing bought this year.

[kittykat]

Nothing purchased in July, woot woot

[okisok]

I'm out. Found a great consignment shop and stocked up on clearance winter items. Still spent less than I had budgeted for 7 months of clothes, so I feel good about it.

[chaskavitch]

I'm out.  I haven't lost any weight this year because I'm not focusing on it, but that means most of my pre-pregnancy pants don't fit quite right, so I bought some new pants from REI.  They're super comfy, and I feel better about myself when I wear them and they're not stupid tight, so no regrets! 

I would have gone to a thrift store, but...Covid-19, and my small children are home ALL THE TIME now, so I can't bring them with me. 

[Juslookin]

I know I’m very late to the party. Can I join?  Working at home means I truly need nothing. Pandemic six pounds means if I don’t get my butt moving, literally, I won’t fit my pants. No new clothes challenge for the rest of the year should encourage me to lose the weight and save some $$ too.

Even my underwear is getting tight.  Time to pull it together.

[okisok]

Job location changed again due to virus cases. So glad I didn't buy new clothes for the last position! Today I'm working from home in a t-shirt and my mended maxi skirt.
If I think about buying something, I tell myself to wait until next month. "Let's just make it through May and see if you need it in June", etc. I'd love to have a black cardigan to stretch some outfits, but I have a gray one and I don't often need a cardigan in summer here. Baby steps.

I'm out of the challenge due to some purchases I listed upthread, but I was reminded of this post because I got a new job. My SO said, "You're probably going to have to get some new work clothes!" I'm not even sure of the dress code yet! The other staff I saw at my interview were wearing business casual (I may have even seen some nice jeans).

Once I get clarification on that point, I'll do a closet check like I did before when my current job restructured instead of running out and buying a bunch of new stuff I may not need. Plus, these people have only seen my interview outfit--they don't know what's new or not! I'm going to set a goal of waiting the first two weeks to buy anything at all and make do with what I have currently. Then a stretch goal of making it through the first month. If we can do jeans at all, even on Fridays, that will help a lot.

Thanks to everyone who posted in this thread. It's really helped me retrain my thinking!

[Sanne]

Checking in, still nothing bought. Almost 8 months!

Thanks to everyone checking in and posting. It's really good to read your stories/struggles/thoughts. And I love reading that for some of you this thread kept you from making some unnecessary purchases. Yeah!

For anyone who wants to join, of course that's ok! It's good to have some accountability. 

To anyone 'failing' I wanted to say you're still doing good by training your mindset. And that's also kind of the point right (at least for me it is). If you bought something I'm sure it was well thought about.

I thought I lost my light raincoat but I found it again. I do have a thicker one but I really like the lighter one for layering and it's so easy to bring with me as a layer and wind and waterproof. The thicker one is not something I can bring with me in my bag in case I will need it and is to hot if it's not that cold yet. I'm so glad I found it again. Would've coped without but it got me thinking what pieces I would miss instantly and what pieces are easily replaceable with other things already in my closet.

I think I will make a list of things I would like to buy next year and try to be very critical about it. I know I will need some more lighter pants for spring/summer as that is what I am really missing this year.

I have to say that I also kinda want to keep it going to see where that takes me though. As I feel I only really 'need' the lighter pants and those are not for the beginning of the year I guess I will be able to a bit longer. And to keep the new additions to a minimum.

[MonkeyJenga]

I'm going to keep it going next year! I've been reorganizing and going through all my stuff, and my goal should really be getting rid of things, not just don't buy more.

Some extras were more necessary last year. I was more active, and I didn't do laundry as frequently. Pandemic life means I can at least move a bunch of stuff into storage.

[MyAlterEgoIsTaller]

Almost two thirds through this year and I haven't bought any clothes.  The challenges are different than I thought they'd be when the year started of course, because of working from home. There's nobody to see most of me most of the time, so that lessens the need for a large professional wardrobe, but because my comfortable weekend clothes have become my everyday clothes, they wear out faster and some of them are disintegrating.  So far this year a couple t-shirts, a pair of jeans, and a favorite pair of socks all wore out beyond being able to call them clothes anymore. 

I'm making a new pair of socks.  I don't know how to knit, but I have one of those sock knitting gadgets with pegs and a hook.  I get quite good results with that, but usually give the socks away as Christmas gifts.  This time I'm making socks for me, from the mismatched leftover yarn scraps from past gift socks.  Nobody can see them on Zoom anyway.

I got a lot of white paint on one of my brown shoes, but... same thing: nobody to see them right now, so no real need to replace them for that. They still function as shoes.

I said at the beginning of the year that if I met my weight loss goal this year I'd need to get new clothes.  I'm still moving in the downward direction, slowly, but not all the way there yet.  Maybe I won't rush to shop when I do get there, because again it doesn't matter that much with no audience.

My office hasn't made any moves to try to get us all back in person - and if they eventually do I'm not sure whether I'll go, or resign and try to find a permanent remote job.  If I'm staying home forever then maybe next year's clothes budget can just be enough to cover a few new t-shirts and some thrift store jeans.

[SotI]

So far nothing bought here, either.

I'm going to keep it going next year! I've been reorganizing and going through all my stuff, and my goal should really be getting rid of things, not just don't buy more.

Same here. However, two pair of (office) shoes have now disintegrated. If I cannot fix them, I may need to replace them at some stage. I will try to postpone this to 2021, though.

[Rusted Rose]

I'm new here but will jump onto this bandwagon for 2021 now as the start of September looms -- it's been my "new year" since childhood because fall is my fave season, so why not.

I hadn't really meant to, but I did buy a few things this year to fill in what some call "wardrobe holes" that should stand me in very good stead for a while. I also found that I wanted to round out my walking capsule because my pandemic walks are way up and are invaluable for listening to inspirational podcasts! I will not feel guilty for adding a few very discounted pairs of leggings, a couple of new sun visors and 2 pairs of brand-name walking shoes (one was free, one was $24. I didn't care about the names :P), plus about a hundred thousand (j/k) low-cut socks (last purchase: 6 pairs for $2 at Dollar Tree) for that project. This sets me up well going forward.

I did all this, though, before the universe brought me up real short very recently, commanding me to claw my way back to financial consciousness. I love what I've added, but I totally can live without going past it for quite a while. I've worn the same size for what ... at least the last 7 years? And don't plan to change that. But being a small petite with small feet has its challenges: things can sell out quickly, can be found online only, or are just not available a lot of places whether new or used. It creates a "shoot ... better buy while it's available" thing, but everything I do buy is normally on Very Deep Discount, so hey, it could have been a lot worse! Anyway, I'll stop rambling now and silently repeat the mantra, "I will shop my closet ... I will shop my closet ..."

[SunnyDays]

@Rusted Rose, have you tried looking at teen clothing?  They might be your size (although maybe not your style), and where I live, are sometimes tax-free.

[Rusted Rose]

@Rusted Rose, have you tried looking at teen clothing?  They might be your size (although maybe not your style), and where I live, are sometimes tax-free.

Thanks @SunnyDays, and oh yes. :) You don't even want to know how long I've been shopping "juniors" departments! (What a weird term that is.) They may be better than they used to be in terms of trends. They used to just be flat-out strange. I admit to a certain amount of trendiness but I blend it with my own indie/creative/gothish/apocalyptic/whatever.

I'm well set for togs though. I was just recognizing one of the psychological reasons behind just buying what I like when I see it in my size -- it usually sells out pretty fast. Going to break that habit for a bit. :)

[kittykat]

I purchased nothing in August, with the exception at the very end for my birthday I bought a couple of dresses. I just wanted to spruce myself up as I was feeling super frumpy from wearing only white t-shirt or tank and jeans for the past few months. I have to say, I felt super guilty doing so even though I made the conscious decision to buy a gift for myself. I guess I'm still paranoid that a little shopping will open the floodgates. So I'm hoping that is not the case and I can maintain my conscious shopping limits going forward - it helps to say that out loud here.

[Trifle]

Still here.  Nothing bought this year.   

[MonkeyJenga]

So far nothing bought here, either.

I'm going to keep it going next year! I've been reorganizing and going through all my stuff, and my goal should really be getting rid of things, not just don't buy more.

Same here. However, two pair of (office) shoes have now disintegrated. If I cannot fix them, I may need to replace them at some stage. I will try to postpone this to 2021, though.

Oh shoot, I forgot about shoes. I need new sneakers. Mentally I'm counting this as medical expenses, since I've been having some pain and may need orthopedics.

Everything else on my body can be secondhand garbage, but I gotta protect the feet!

[aliene]

Still going strong here. Only 19 more days to go. I will have to buy some basics then, but other than that I'm planning to make it untill the end of the year.

[SotI]

Another month, no clothes purchased for myself (DH picked up a couple of items from an op shop and some regular work gloves).

I manage to get my failing shoes fixed, but in one case I had to have it done by a proper shoemaker, so it did cost me. They should now last at least abother season.
But no new shoes

[Trifle]

Still here, nothing bought this year.