Hi Fab Ladies,
My month of no shopping is over and it has been a very productive
time and I have learnt quite a few things and believe I have managed to break
an old habit and hopefully foster a new one.
Firstly it was easier than I expected. I think my mindset helped. I decided I was going to try to not shop and I wasn’t going to beat myself up if I failed.
Somehow giving my self the freedom to break the fast actually provided
what I needed to maintain it.
So how did I do?
During September I purchased a black slip for under my dresses. I also purchased a pair of slouchy black pants to replace an older tired pair, which you all kindly gave me permission to do as that was viewed as replacing a key item in my wardrobe.
The slip was $25.00 (Target), the pants were on sale at Portmans for $39.00 and I did buy one more thing, another replacement item. I picked up a pair of skinny while jeans (Suzanne Grae) on deep sale for $10.00 to replace two other pairs that just are not working for me.
So while I didn’t absolutely not shop, I feel happyvand satisfied with how I went, the difference being I made very intentional decisions and did not feel controlled by my shopping.
I did browse on line and I did look in store and even tried some things on but happily walked away keen to fulfil my goal, with a view to revisiting anything of interest at the end of the month.
The month helped me to clearly define my quest for more intentional purchases, better quality items and a less is more approach.
Intentional Purchases
I have started a folder on my iPad which contains links to items I am
interested in. I review, review again. and then some before I commit to purchase. Over the month I had 7 items in this file. The more I looked, the more I saw things that helped me assess the suitability or otherwise.
By the end of the month, I had two items left in that file. This is a good thing for me. I need to not be too spontaneous with my purchases because I have a very strong emotional response to clothing and loose myself in the beauty of something and completely disregard the fact that
it is not going to suit my body, my style, or my life style. I need to take my time with purchases.
Quality Items
I am not necessarily talking ‘expensive’ but rather items that are
affordable within my budget and are nice quality fabrics that wear and wash
well. Cheap, of the moment items are no
longer welcome in my wardrobe:) I am finding it easier and easier to walk
away from clothing that looks good
but is not of a quality I find pleasing.
Metalicus has been quite a discovery for me. Their styles work for me and are reflective
of my preferred aesthetic, the quality of the clothing is just beautiful and
the prices don’t require me to take on a second job;)
Less is More
I have always been someone who likes variety, but that has often meant a
lack of real direction in my personal style. Discovering what feels like me, and how I want to look, has changed that. I suspect that what I thought was a desire for variety was actually a lack of fulfilment in the wardrobe I had. Truth
be told, I could wear a black skinny leg pant, oversized top and ankle boots
everyday of my life and be happy. A month of no new goodies demonstrated for me that my wardrobe is just fine and I can find any variety I need through what is already in there. A limited colour palette, and silhouette
works well for me. At this stage I never tire of either and I find that the majority of my closet mixes and matches beautifully and most likely has the potential to create many more outfits than my even my heart desires. As I reach for most of these items of clothing, my heart sighs, I love them, I want to wear them all the time. I can dress with ease and for any occasion. I feel my wardrobe loves me:)
So what does October look like?
By the end of September I had put away a nice sum of
clothing money. I also had a Metalicus
voucher.
I ordered the Metalicus
Kahlo Jacket #1/#2 in Navy and it’s lovely.
I also ordered the Marlini Draped Skirt in black which we agreed was short and tight and that went back. In its place I duplicated my Black Marlini
Draped Top in … wait for it… Blood Red! (#3)
I don’t anticipate any further purchases this month. I would really like to reduce my purchasing to between 8 – 12 (or less) new items over a 12 month period.
And as far as
breaking a habit goes, right now I don’t feel the need to be constantly
browsing clothing websites and searching for that illusive next great
thing. Instead I am fostering an attitude of intentional shopping, maintaining my chosen style and developing the habit of putting my clothes
money aside rather than ploughing thought it each month (we budget monthly) in order to purchase more quality and less items.
I know this has been a bit of a marathon read, so thank you if you made your way through all of it. And some of it is a little repetitious of previous posts, but it's a good exercise for me to put my thoughts in writing.
I would love to know your thoughts, opinions and experiences in relation to this exercise or similar experiences.
xxx Deborah
