I started my "Clothes Buying Freeze" in November 2021, and just finished it up at the end of April-Six months of not spending a penny on clothes, shoes, or accessories!
Shirt from a thrift store $.50, Skirt from same thrift store $2.50.
I will admit it-I love buying clothes!
I have quite the collection of clothes, shoes and accessories (if you follow my Instagram you already know this). But of course being the frugal gal that I am, almost every single article of clothing/shoes/accessories I own, are from garage sales, thrift stores, hand me downs, and bought while out of the country for super cheap!
So I do actually spend very little on clothes.
I have quite the collection of clothes, shoes and accessories (if you follow my Instagram you already know this). But of course being the frugal gal that I am, almost every single article of clothing/shoes/accessories I own, are from garage sales, thrift stores, hand me downs, and bought while out of the country for super cheap!
So I do actually spend very little on clothes.
Dress was $1.00 from a garage sale. Earrings were $.50 from a garage sale. Purse was $1.00 from a garage sale.
So, if I really don't spend that much money on clothes, why then, did I give up buying clothes for an entire six months? Well I'll tell you why (and how, so you can do it too!)!
Shirt was from a garage sale for $2.00. Skirt from a garage sale for $.50, and shoes were also from a garage sale for $2.00.
First let me say, I have no intentions of doing this for longer than six months. If I do end up deciding to do it longer than that, then that's fine, but for now it is just a six month freeze.
Shirt was a hand me down, so cost nothing, earrings were given to me, and the pants were from Vietnam and only cost about $3.00 American.
The why I am taking a clothes buying hiatus:
The first reason, I had just bought a house!
As this was the most expensive purchase I have ever made, and the fact that I did it alone; saved up all the expenses myself, and paid for it myself, means I am buckling down, and putting my already frugal to the max lifestyle, under a frugal microscope! Since I already spend very little money, there is not a lot to choose from to cut (I have no car payment, my car insurance is only $55 a month, I have a Civic so I spend very little on gas, I pack my lunch every day etc etc.), so I decided to cut from my clothing budget.
The second reason, is that just having moved, as it usually does, it reminded me that I have way too much stuff.
Since moving, I am still in the process of going through absolutely everything I own and getting rid of everything that doesn't add value to my life, doesn't make me feel happy or look good, and reminds me too much of my past life. I have gotten rid of so much stuff, and it feels so good! So I did not want to start bringing in more things to clutter up my beautiful house that I have been working so hard on.
The first reason, I had just bought a house!
As this was the most expensive purchase I have ever made, and the fact that I did it alone; saved up all the expenses myself, and paid for it myself, means I am buckling down, and putting my already frugal to the max lifestyle, under a frugal microscope! Since I already spend very little money, there is not a lot to choose from to cut (I have no car payment, my car insurance is only $55 a month, I have a Civic so I spend very little on gas, I pack my lunch every day etc etc.), so I decided to cut from my clothing budget.
The second reason, is that just having moved, as it usually does, it reminded me that I have way too much stuff.
Since moving, I am still in the process of going through absolutely everything I own and getting rid of everything that doesn't add value to my life, doesn't make me feel happy or look good, and reminds me too much of my past life. I have gotten rid of so much stuff, and it feels so good! So I did not want to start bringing in more things to clutter up my beautiful house that I have been working so hard on.
This dress was bought at a thrift store for only $.50, and the necklace was bought at a garage sale for $.50 as well.
The third reason was that I have some other very big financial plans and goals for my life, and that has given me even more incentive to trim all the fat off my spending!
Shirt, robe, and skirt were all $0-hand me downs, leggings were $1.00 at the thrift store, and the shoes were given to me.
The fourth reason; I have a decent amount of clothes.
That's the nice thing about getting all free/super duper cheap clothing, is that you can have lots more of them!
So I took these six months to really appreciate, and wear the clothes I already have! Focused on making fun, new outfits from existing pieces.
I also have this giant tote full of clothes that I've been meaning to upcycle, and make fun new clothes out of! So I want to spend time doing that, making new clothes for myself!
That's the nice thing about getting all free/super duper cheap clothing, is that you can have lots more of them!
So I took these six months to really appreciate, and wear the clothes I already have! Focused on making fun, new outfits from existing pieces.
I also have this giant tote full of clothes that I've been meaning to upcycle, and make fun new clothes out of! So I want to spend time doing that, making new clothes for myself!
This shirt was a hand me down. Shorts from a garage sale $2.00. Leggings hand me down. Purse is a fake from China about $11.00.
So how on earth did I accomplish this crazy plan?
So glad you asked!
So glad you asked!
Bandana- $1.00 5 Below. Shirt- $1.00 thrift store. Shorts- $3.00 thrift store. Boots- given to me by my dad about 20 years ago.
The absolute best way to succeed at a Clothes Buying Freeze, is to remove temptation. Think about when you are most likely to buy clothes (when you're bored, stressed, on the weekends, etc.). Just knowing your triggers can help stop your clothes buying in its tracks! Next time you're bored, read a book instead, on the weekends find something fun that does not involve clothes shopping, etc.
Where do you like to buy clothes (a certain online shop, the mall, thrift stores [thrift stores are my weakness])? Unsubscribe from that stores' email list, avoid the mall like the plague, just stay away from the places you are most likely to buy clothes.
Where do you like to buy clothes (a certain online shop, the mall, thrift stores [thrift stores are my weakness])? Unsubscribe from that stores' email list, avoid the mall like the plague, just stay away from the places you are most likely to buy clothes.
Shirt $3 Goodwill, Shorts $3 Rue 21, Shoes Free.
Fill your mind and time with other things.
For some people, shopping is a real habit, and something not easy to stop. That is not the case for me (although a couple weeks ago when my mother told the ladies at my favorite thrift store I was doing this challenge they were like, "Oh, so that's why we haven't seen her lately!" Hehe.). I did occasionally get that shopping itch, but it was pretty easy to ignore, because since buying my house I have been quite busy.
Even if you have not just purchased a home, I am sure you still have plenty of things to fill your time-So when you begin this challenge, why don't you start a list of things you would like to accomplish during these next six months (or 3, or 1, or 12!).
Add all those small things you've been meaning to get to and just haven't, those bigger goals and aspirations that have never been accomplished, and anything inbetween. During my 6 months of no clothes buying, I began a 100 Day Challenge, and it was a great way to make sure I was focused on the more important things in my life.
For some people, shopping is a real habit, and something not easy to stop. That is not the case for me (although a couple weeks ago when my mother told the ladies at my favorite thrift store I was doing this challenge they were like, "Oh, so that's why we haven't seen her lately!" Hehe.). I did occasionally get that shopping itch, but it was pretty easy to ignore, because since buying my house I have been quite busy.
Even if you have not just purchased a home, I am sure you still have plenty of things to fill your time-So when you begin this challenge, why don't you start a list of things you would like to accomplish during these next six months (or 3, or 1, or 12!).
Add all those small things you've been meaning to get to and just haven't, those bigger goals and aspirations that have never been accomplished, and anything inbetween. During my 6 months of no clothes buying, I began a 100 Day Challenge, and it was a great way to make sure I was focused on the more important things in my life.
Read more of my Fashion Posts
This dress and headband were both given to me for free. The shoes I have had for decades, and got from a thrift store.
This dress is available on my Poshmark.
Give yourself a reward.
When you set your goal of not buying clothes for a certain amount of time, promise yourself a reward at the end of it.
I am personally on the hunt for a pair of leopard print creepers to reward myself for six months of not buying any clothes! Yay!
When you set your goal of not buying clothes for a certain amount of time, promise yourself a reward at the end of it.
I am personally on the hunt for a pair of leopard print creepers to reward myself for six months of not buying any clothes! Yay!
Peace Love and Clothes
Jess <3
Jess <3
