Could You Go a Year Without Shopping For Clothes?

Could you go a MONTH? ;) I read an article on this chick doing it over at Savvy Sugar this week, and I started to wonder if *I* could possibly do it too. At least without driving myself insane :)

I’m pretty good at completing missions when I put my heart into it, but there also has to be a good reason why I’m shooting for them too or else I’ll just tucker out and forget it. And I’ve already made my peace with clothes shopping about 4 years ago when I gave up ALL shopping (except the necessities) over 40 days of Lent – it was Awesome. A simple challenge that ended up changing my spending pattern forever! (I used to spend $200-$300/mo on stuff like clothes and random toys just for fun, but not anymore!  I broke the habit!)

But for the sake of this article, if I WERE to take up another challenge with clothes, here’s how hard or not it would be:

  • Shirts8 out of 10 on the “hard-o-meter.” All I wear day in and day out are graphic tees and jeans. At home, at “work,” out and about running errands, and sometimes even church (though I have gotten better about wearing something at least with a collar ;)). So I could, in theory, give up all new shirts for an entire year, but I’m pretty sure I’d start looking ragged come 6 or 7 months down the road since I don’t have nearly enough shirts to cover me for a 12 month stretch. This one would be challenging…
  • Shoes4 out of 10. While I tend to pick up 1 or 2 new pairs of shoes a year – usually sneakers – I could probably get away with none for a bit if I started wearing some of my older shoes I no longer think are cool anymore. So this department is easier to handle.
  • Hoodies10 out of 10. This would be the deal breaker ;) Just like with my shirts and jeans, the h0odie is the ONLY thing I wear to keep myself warm throughout the Fall and Winter days. Much to the frustration of my wife and mother, haha… But they make ’em SOOOO comfy these days! And some pretty much look and feel like jackets anyways, probably to capture those consumers like me ;) So while I *could* just use the same 15 or so I have scattered across my closets (no joke), I def. wouldn’t be able to resist getting a new one if it was awesome looking and on sale. This would be a big FAIL in no time.
  • Jeans5 out of 10. While these I do wear every single day just like my shirts and hoodies, I luckily have enough to last me a while if I were to never pick up a new pair again. But only because I’m okay with holes and rips all over the place as they only make them that much cooler ;)
  • Socks 2 out of 10. Oddly enough, this is one of the departments I have TOO MANY of! ‘Cuz every time I go shopping I usually pick up a few pairs (always on sale, of course) because I’m constantly on the search for the “perfect” socks out there. And when I get close, I then buy like 10 of them. So right now my drawers are overflowing with both awesome socks, and not-so-comfortable socks that I keep on the back burner just in case they’re needed.  I could probably last 3 months without ever wearing the same pair twice, haha…
  • Undergarments0 out of 10 on the “hard-o-meter” (but not when I’m exciting! Bad-dum-ching). Similar to my socks, I have plenty of boxers waiting to be worn too :) I buy like 4-5 at a time when I see a killer sale, and I’m paranoid of running low on these guys so I tend to hold onto the ones I no longer wear just in case… So 12 months of gong without new ones would be no thang.

So hoodies aside, I could probably get close to rocking this mission if I really tried hard enough. But really there’s no motivation here ‘cuz I rarely spend money in this department anyways anymore. And when I do, everything’s always on sale and I get a total thrill finding them! Nothing like sporting my new crisp outfits in my basement when I’m blogging to  y’all, haha… Love it.

Think you could do it? Give up shopping the entire next year? If both your budget AND closets are overflowing, it may be time to try out a new method. As the young lady mentions in that article, it would give you a chance to finally WEAR all your items that have been piling up as well! If you’ve got clothes with their tags still on ’em, it’s time to start sportin’ those bad boys ASAP. They’re doing no good just sitting there! Either wear ’em or sell ’em and use that money to reward yourself for a solid 12 months of behaving yourselves ;) You might be surprised at how it affects your future habits.

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Photo credit: orangeacid

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52 Comments

  1. Stephanie November 2, 2012 at 7:15 AM

    I am very nearly doing just that! Apart from replacing a basic gray cardigan that I thought I’d lost (turns out I didn’t, now I have two) and a belly band from Target so I can keep wearing non-maternity pants, I haven’t bought anything since… April? And probably won’t buy anything else except an inexpensive winter coat that will accommodate a 3rd trimester belly until April of ’13.

    Granted, this is only because I have 3 wonderful friends and cousins who let me borrow what amounts to an entire maternity wardrobe, otherwise I’d have been forced to spend more money than usual! (Although at 6 months pregnant, I still fit into the majority of my non-maternity clothes, and most of the maternity tops I borrowed are still comically large on me… I don’t know whether to be smug or concerned…)

    I think my biggest challenge under normal circumstances would be shoes. I wear ballet flats a LOT, so I usually wear through one or two pairs a year. I’d have to stock up on extras before the clock started ticking. ;-)

    Reply
  2. Lance @ Money Life and More November 2, 2012 at 7:38 AM

    I am not a fan of having to buy clothes. If I stocked up to how much clothes I would need for a year I’d have no problem not buying clothes for a year. I’m almost never tempted to buy something new when it comes to clothes unless I need something like a couple new tshirts because my old ones are getting holes or are completely faded like some of the free tshirts I got at college sporting events.

    Reply
  3. Mrs. Pop @ Planting Our Pennies November 2, 2012 at 7:42 AM

    Running shoes would be my toughie. They’re typically “supposed” to be replaced every 300-500 miles, and I wear mine for longer than that usually, but still go through at least 3 pairs/year.

    Reply
  4. Brian November 2, 2012 at 8:30 AM

    I could do it no problem! I haet shopping for clothes anyways and pretty much don’t mind looking like a hobo if need be. However, if you included buying clothes for the little guy there is no chance in hell I could do it. While we have been given a TON of clothes for him and don’t need to buy much, sometimes there is just something too cute/funny not to buy it for him!

    Reply
  5. Diane November 2, 2012 at 8:39 AM

    Sure. I did it in 2010.

    But now that work is better I’m certainly back to buying clothes. It’s a bit of a spree for me at the moment.

    Reply
  6. JT November 2, 2012 at 8:55 AM

    I usually only get clothes in January after Christmas when I get all the cash and gift cards together. I missed last year because I was busy so I have been almost 2 years without clothes with the exception of new socks and underwear. So, I am really needing to get some new shirts, pants, and jeans in the near future.

    Reply
  7. Poor to Rich a Day at a Time November 2, 2012 at 9:15 AM

    Yes I can and do this all the time! I keep a minimalist wardrobe of 2 jeans, 2 t-shirts, 2 long sleeved shirts, 2 sweatshirts, 1 jacket, 1 winter coat and 1 shoes ( underware and socks too of course but more like 10 pr a piece here) I think my jeans are 5 years old??? Same with my sweatshirts that were free when I worked at a humane society.

    I hate spending money on clothes, washing them, taking up space etc so go as minimalist as I can and don’t buy that often at all. When I do it is to replace a really badly stained t-shirt with a $2 one I find on clearance from time to time.

    Reply
  8. Emmy November 2, 2012 at 9:32 AM

    I did give up shopping during Lent last year – and it worked pretty well. I did better than I thought I would. But once Easter hit I did go on a bit of a shopping spree… ooops. Guess I didn’t learn my lesson. Haha. Realistically, I probably could go a year without buying clothes. I have SO MANY CLOTHES it’s ridiculous. If I really wanted to I could probably be creative and find new ways to use the clothes I already have without having to shop. Unless I just genuinely need more, like if my shoes have holes in them, and I feel like I never have enough pairs of socks in the fall/winter. But I really like buying new clothes – especially sweaters and light jackets. Which is why fall is one of my favorite seasons – you can buy so many sweaters!!!!!! YEAH LAYERING! Ugh – I think I have a problem.

    Reply
  9. Michelle November 2, 2012 at 9:42 AM

    I definitely don’t need to buy any clothes, so I should do this. Ahh my crazy clothes buying personality just won’t let me :)

    Reply
  10. Paige November 2, 2012 at 9:53 AM

    I think it all depends on the clothes you have in your wardrobe. My winter coat has holes in it so I need a new one and the only pants I have also have holes, so I couldn’t make it a whole year. I could buy all the stuff I think I’d need in the next year and then not buy anything for a whole year, but that seems kind of like cheating:).

    Reply
  11. Aaron November 2, 2012 at 9:54 AM

    Great post.. I think I could do it. I rarely – if ever – buy clothes. I wear em til they have holes in em. :) And really, I can just wait til Christmas / or the Bday – cuz someone is bound to give me some then. Cheap, cheap.

    Reply
  12. Budget & the Beach November 2, 2012 at 10:25 AM

    I love hoodies! I would have a hard time giving up sports related/workout related clothing. I go through it faster because it gets more wear and tear. Second to that would be seasonal tops to give me wardrobe a boost. I have a very small wardrobe, so I get sick of wearing the same things over and over again. That being said, I could probably do the challenge since I technically have everything I need, but I would be cranky.

    Reply
  13. Jackie @ The Barn Cat November 2, 2012 at 10:26 AM

    I have a serious problem with buying clothes whenever my boyfriend and I go to Target. A sweater here, a cute dress there (and he’s totally an enabler even though he teases me about it). It’s not exactly a shopping spree at Bloomingdale’s, but it adds up. I’m proud to say I went all of last month without browsing the racks as part of our savings plan. It’s a small step, but it’s something!

    Reply
  14. Joe @ Retire By 40 November 2, 2012 at 10:55 AM

    I haven’t purchase any clothing so far this year. I was planning to quit my job so I didn’t buy any work clothes. My tshirts are getting ragged though and I’ll probably need to go “after Christmas” shopping. My boxers are getting holey too…

    Reply
  15. GZ November 2, 2012 at 11:20 AM

    If your still searching for the perfect socks, check out the Under Armour ones. Expensive but seriously, the perfect socks. They also have the perfect boxers. I would have no problem with not having to buy clothing. My fiancé on the other hand would have a hard time.

    Reply
  16. Stan @DebtsnTaxes November 2, 2012 at 11:35 AM

    I think I’ve went a year without shopping for clothes probably a couple of times. I can’t stand going to the mall and shopping. I sit in my jogging pants (awesomely comfortable) when I’m at home 90% of the time. My work supplies a uniform so I don’t have to worry about buying clothes for that and like you I got a ton of socks. I did go shopping last week and bought 2 t-shirts, a hat and a pair of running shoes which was the first shopping I’ve done in over a year.

    Reply
  17. Angella November 2, 2012 at 12:17 PM

    Considering I’ve bought 1 pairs of jeans and a few pairs of undies in 2 years and nothing else clothing related, I could definitely do this with no problem. I hate shopping, especially for clothes!

    Reply
  18. LB @ Finanical Black Sheep November 2, 2012 at 12:34 PM

    I could go a month easily and at least a year without buying clothes, including special occasion and Halloween. Of course I might have to be creative at times, but I could definitely do it. I have enough hoodies, work clothes, sweaters, T-shirts, etc. I would just have to stay away from my favorite discount places and give them up as well. Shouldn’t be hard with all the school work I have. I will raise your month and give up clothes for all of 2013 if you are game.

    Reply
  19. Emily @ evolvingPF November 2, 2012 at 1:00 PM

    My husband and I often go months without buying any clothing but a whole year is practically out of the question. We actually keep rather minimalist wardrobes and replace items as they wear out. It would be unusual to go a whole year without needing to replace a pair of jeans, a pair of sneakers, a couple shirts, and maybe an outfit for a wedding. Clothes shopping isn’t a problem for me so a year-long no-clothes-spending challenge wouldn’t have much utility.

    Reply
  20. MadlyClumsily November 2, 2012 at 1:01 PM

    I was a SERIOUS shopper, but I also have serious debt (mostly student loans and mortgage), so I decided to make a change. I challenged myself not to purchase clothes, shoes, purses, jewelry or makeup for the last six months of the year, and to funnel those funds into debt reduction. I wasn’t making progress on my financial goals when a good portion of my disposable income went to disposable things. I have held out so far on the challenge (with two months to go) and I can already see a change in my “shopping habits” and my budget. Now, if I am out an about and I see an article of clothing I really like I allow myself to look at the price tag and make a mental note for January, when the shopping ban is over. 9 times out of ten, when I see the price, I am SHOCKED that people pay that much for clothing. I have so quickly forgotten, that I was one of those people four months ago. Your post has be considering stretching the 6 month program to a year to see if I can make it.

    Reply
  21. KitchenPenguin November 2, 2012 at 1:07 PM

    I’ve been on a clothes buying diet since the beginning of March. I bought a new winter wardrobe and a bunch of “travel” clothes for a trip to Europe then I said that’s enough for the year. I did have to buy some clothes, white t-shirts and black crew socks, over the summer to supplement the culinary school uniform but I wrote those off as “school supplies.” Other than that, I think I’ve gotten two t-shirts and one dress shirt. The underwear drawer is starting to look ratty so I’m going to have to start watching the sales for replacements but as long as my work clothes and jeans don’t wear out beyond my ability to mend them then I could easily close out the year without having to make any non-underwear clothing purchases.

    Reply
  22. Revanche November 2, 2012 at 1:28 PM

    I’m sitting here trying to remember the last time I bought clothes for myself. I hate the act of actually going shopping in a store, unless I’m in a very specific, exact mood for it, and am looking for very specifically a *thing* so I shop online but even that has been on hold for at least a few months because of the job changes.
    When job changes are being planned for, I get bullish on my financial future and don’t shop — it’s probably been at least 4 months since my last shop. :) Let’s say six months without clothes shopping would be dead easy. Beyond that, it depends!

    Reply
  23. Jenay November 2, 2012 at 2:01 PM

    I am definitely *NOT* concerned with what “looks cool.” It’s all about comfort for me!! I probably buy about 6-8 things each year, usually just to replace what is worn. I buy socks and undies in bulk, and buy most the rest secondhand from Goodwill! My husband and I are very lucky and thankful that we are not fashionable. LOL

    Reply
  24. K.K. @ Living Debt Free Rocks! November 2, 2012 at 5:58 PM

    I think it’s doable for me. I’d have to do an inventory and see how feasible it is but it tomorrow I was told I’d HAVE to do without any new clothing for a year I believe with what I currently have I could make what I have last. I used to be a shopping queen but it’s been a few years now since I’ve tamed my ways. When I do shop, I will always look for deals but I prefer to buy clothing of high quality workmanship over the ones that your washing machine will shred to pieces within three washes!

    Reply
  25. TeacHer November 2, 2012 at 7:18 PM

    I really think I could! My closet is pretty stuffed and I often think that I really need to consider going on a clothing hiatus for a while. Although, I wouldn’t want to. I love clothes and fashion, so it would be really sad to not buy anything new for a whole year. I guess that’s kinda materialistic, but I get such a charge out of incorporating something stylish into my wardrobe at a steal that it would make me unhappy to give that up :-/

    Reply
  26. Kevin Vesga November 2, 2012 at 9:05 PM

    I could probably do it so long as the clothes themselves last the year. Once I have clothes, I tend to wear the same outfits anyways.

    Reply
  27. J. Money November 2, 2012 at 9:50 PM

    Excellent excellent… I like seeing all your brain waves working over there ;)

    For all those who said they don’t shop for clothes much anyways, what about giving up something you DO spend a lot of money on more regularly? Think you could give up THAT?

    @Stephanie – Haha no stocking up – that’s cheating! But yay for the baby coming soon! I’m so excited for you! :)
    @Lance @ Money Life and More – Those sporting shirts and freebies people give out NEVER fit me right… I don’t know if it’s cuz I’m oddly shapped or they’re cheapos (I’m praying it’s the latter), but either way I just never accept them anymore – no point.
    @Mrs. Pop @ Planting Our Pennies – Really? Never heard of a mile limit on them, but I guess that does make sense. I tend to wear them until they either a) fall apart, or b) hurt my feet, haha…
    @Brian – YEAH!!! We just picked up a cute rock start outfit for ours about an hour ago, haha… I totally forgot about clothes for babies! No way in hell is right ;)
    @Diane – Well that sounds exciting, congrats :)
    @JT – I’ll make a note to send you some cold hard cash this year then ;)
    @Poor to Rich a Day at a Time – Woah, that IS minimalist! Goood for you on being able to do that. I give it a half-ass try every now and then, but I just can’t get everything down to those levels… I am, however, getting better about exchanging 1 for 1 items! Anything new I bring in I have to get rid of/donate/sell another so I’m always at least breaking even :) It’s a good start, right?
    @Emmy – Haha I know, that’s why it makes it so hard! Cuz it IS really fun! Esp in Fall as you mention :) They’re perfect for hoodies too!
    @Michelle – Maybe you can try 1 *month* and see if you can do that? Baby steps :)
    @Paige – Haha yup – I’d agree with you on that one. Unless you only did buy one pair of hole-less shoes and a new jacket and then stopped. I’d allow that ;)
    @Aaron – That’s a nice way to go around the system! Request them during Xmas and bdays – I like it :)
    @Budget & the Beach – Oh yeah, but really good you’re working out so much! A healthy body is just as important as a healthy wallet. Maybe even more so :)
    @Jackie @ The Barn Cat – There you go! Congrats! And honestly, if you have the budget for it I don’t think it’s that bad anyways ;) It’s when you *don’t* that it becomes more of a problem.
    @Joe @ Retire By 40 – Haha… you might want to do something about that! :)
    @GZ – Oh really? Okay! I’ll pick up a pair and check them out! – always on a search for excellent socks, thanks :)
    @Stan @DebtsnTaxes – Jogging pants and sweats are the BEST at home! So comfortable!
    @Angella – Then you’d be a perfect fit for this :)
    @LB @ Finanical Black Sheep – HAH! No way – I love my clothes shopping when I get to do it ;) And now that I’ve investedin TJ Maxx I *have to* keep shopping there! Haha…
    @Emily @ evolvingPF – Yeah, there’s got to be a point to a challenge like that for ya for sure. I bet there’s something else you could give up instead though that’s a bit tougher :)
    @MadlyClumsily – NICE WORK!! That’s what I like to hear – swap all that nonsense shopping for debt slaying! Keep on going strong, you’ve almost made it!!
    @KitchenPenguin – Ooooh culinary school, I like the sound of that! Not sure if I knew that already about you or not, but either way I dig it :)
    @Revanche – Hi friend!! Love seeing you here – hope things are well!
    @Jenay – Haha… I don’t care much about what *others* think is cool or not either, but I do like it when I myself think what I wear is cool :) Makes me feel nice and fresh!
    @savvyfinanciallatina – At least you’re honest with yourself :)
    @K.K. @ Living Debt Free Rocks! – I’m getting more into “higher quality” too than pricetag, but it’s a hard habit to break. My whole life I’ve only bought on sale, but luckily the nicer stuff goes on discount too every now and then! :)
    @TeacHer – I think it’s perfectly fine my friend, as long as you AND your budget is happy about it :) Why give up something you love and have under control? That’s what money’s supposed to be there for, right? And plus – I TOTALLY dig your style. You’re one of the most fashionable bloggers I know, no lie! Even among non-bloggers too! Haha…
    @Kevin Vesga – Yeah that would be the tricky part – making them last. But if you had a handful of favorite outfits it may do the trick?

    Reply
  28. eemusings November 2, 2012 at 10:15 PM

    That was the goal I set myself this year! The only exception was in the cases of need – when my shoes fell apart I bought new flats, and same for my daily handbag.

    Reply
  29. Edward Antrobus November 2, 2012 at 10:57 PM

    I feel like I’m always buying socks, which is funny, because I’m pretty sure I’ve only bought two packages since I moved to Colorado three years ago.

    Do you really have that big of a problem with your shirts getting raggedy? Many of my t-shirts last a decade before they start to fray. Cheaper ones the print will wear off, though. The shirt from my freshman year of college in 1999 is still in great shape, but the shirt I got from the bookstore when I finally graduated in 2009, the logo is already half gone!

    Reply
  30. Tahnya Kristina November 2, 2012 at 11:19 PM

    I tried to do this but I didn’t even last for 6 months. I didn’t go on any shopping sprees but I did need some new jeans and warm sweaters. Hats off to anyone who can go a year without buying clothes.

    Reply
  31. Jeff @My Multiple Streams November 3, 2012 at 11:12 AM

    Not a problem. Couldn’t tell you last time I bought clothes or shoes, I’m sure i t was over 6 months at least. Shoes over a year (although I could use a new pair of chucks) To me it’s just not a priority. I’ll wear things until they are all full of holes and then wear them a bit longer.

    Reply
  32. Jerri Lyn November 3, 2012 at 3:31 PM

    My clothing budget is $20/month which covers me and my 5-year-old. Pretty much, the only new-to-me clothes I get within a year are new bras and new underwear every other year. This year I bought two new blouses from TJ Maxx for $30 – what a spurge!

    Hopefully the new year will bring me child support so I can actually have a supportive budget in all categories!

    Reply
  33. Bryan November 3, 2012 at 4:22 PM

    I can go a year without clothes, its the costs associated with maintaining clothes that blows my budget….tailor for alterations, laundry detergent for washing, dry cleaning for my expensive clothes, storage including closet space and dressers, mirrors to see how you look in your clothes. I would lke to find a way to stop those expenses for a year

    Reply
  34. Louise November 3, 2012 at 4:39 PM

    I went for a year without buying clothes a few years ago and blogged about what I learned. It was one of the best things I’ve ever done and really did change my thoughts about a lot of things. After that year I started to really re-assess how much ‘stuff’ I really needed and started decluttering and downsizing. A year without buying buying clothes will make you rethink a lot of things.

    Reply
  35. Jane November 4, 2012 at 9:16 AM

    I did this in the past 6 months! I used all my clothes in the closet especially those I haven’t worn yet. Definitely worth it! Plus I get to save a lot of money. Unfortunately, I was pressured to buy new clothes on a special occasion last month, so I wasn’t able to do it for a year. But I’ll definitely do it again this time for a year! Thanks for sharing this!

    Reply
  36. Cait November 4, 2012 at 10:22 AM

    I’m not a huge clothing/shoe shopper, proven by a wardrobe of staple items all worn on a regular basis, so I could definitely go for 6 months or so… but a year is intense. What if you need a new jacket? Socks? Underwear? Do those things count against it? If so, I’d be out.

    Reply
  37. maria@moneyprinciple November 4, 2012 at 4:45 PM

    I would have no problem with this one at all; in fact I pretty much did it last year – I was on sabbatical and spent 10 months writing. When I write, I like to be in my loose trousers, t-shirts and hoodies for warmth and comfort. Till we were in a clothes shop and my 11 year old son caught me looking at dresses; ‘Mum, let’s go to the trackie section’ – he said.

    I immediately became the proud owner of some very sexy dresses. Lesson? Next time I decide to go a year without buying clothes I should not go to a shop with my son who knows how to ‘press my buttons’.

    Reply
  38. Clark November 4, 2012 at 10:36 PM

    I think I could do this. It’s always easier for a guy to resist shopping clothes for a year, but not gadgets!

    Reply
  39. m1nt5 November 5, 2012 at 9:39 AM

    Mmmm I don’t think I could do that.
    I have enough clothes to keep me dressed for about 2 weeks and that’s it. I replace them as I go but try to keep my wardrobe to a minimum.
    I have 4 pair of jeans, 3 nice pants, 1 skirt, 4 dresses, 7 short sleeve blouses, 4 long sleeve blouses, 1 hoodie, 4 sweaters, 2 coats and about 4 pjs.
    Got 1 pair of blue flats, golden flats, black shoes, brown shoes, red shoes, black boots, converse shoes and running shoes.

    Reply
  40. J. Money November 5, 2012 at 10:54 AM

    Some of y’all are doing great! :)

    @eemusings – Nice! So you’ve been sticking to it all the way then? Besides your rule about when things fall a part? I hope so! You’re almost at the end! :)
    @Edward Antrobus – Oh yeah, mine either get ragged or start shrinking over time. But again, I wear them EVERY SINGLE DAY through Summer and Fall and Winter and Spring, hehe… I love t-shirts!
    @Tahnya Kristina – 6 months is great! Most people can’t do for 6 weeks! ;)
    @Jeff @My Multiple Streams – Haha, nice…
    @Jerri Lyn – Awww, I hope it does too! My sister lost her child support after like 6 months when the dad decided he’d rather go to jail than to pay his share, f’ing loser. The fact you can live off $20/mo for a clothes budget though is GREAT! Way to go :)
    @Bryan – Mirrors?? Haha… you’re too much, man. Though I can’t really say much considering I use TWO every day to make sure my ‘hawk is nice and spikey ;) And then I got hairspray to contend with too, d’oh.
    @Louise – Heck yeah! Way to go! It def. puts your mind in a new and fresher place. Glad you got a lot out of it! :)
    @Econowiser – You gonna try it and find out? :)
    @Jane – Cool! A 1 time splurge ain’t that bad either, I’d be proud of yourself! :)
    @Cait – You could make a few exceptions like that if you wanted to :) It’s your world, my friend.
    @maria@moneyprinciple – Haha… How cool was that writing sabbatical though? Were you on a mission to complete a novel or anything, or you just doing it for fun? You def. don’t hear about that every day :)
    @Clark – Haha… That would be an interesting test actually – How long can you go without any new gadgets! :)
    @m1nt5 – That IS pretty condensed! I really REALLy wish I could pull that off but just haven’t been able to yet… Though I do wonder if I bought super nice stuff only and got rid of the rest, if I could dress happier feeling like a pimp every day and only dealing with my best clothes :) Which would be ALL of them if I went down that route… Either way I should at least clean up the rest of my closet of stuff I’m no longer using anymore – it’s been a good 8-9 months since we did that last.

    Reply
  41. Cherron November 5, 2012 at 12:43 PM

    I could do this in a SECOND if I worked from home and just hung out. It’s the judgements of others (co-workers) that keeps me buying new blouses and slacks and trouser socks and shoes on the reg. I feel like I would be less respected if I dressed in worn clothing / and or if I wore the same clothes all the time. So superficial, but a fact of life if you work in finance / law with a lot of women.

    Reply
  42. Christa November 5, 2012 at 1:05 PM

    I could do this if I could classify shoes as an exercise expense. I’m an avid runner and go through at least 2 pairs of running shoes per year. But other clothes? Ugh. Way too many!

    Reply
  43. Crystal @ Get A Copywriter November 5, 2012 at 1:27 PM

    I actually have gone without clothes shopping for a year. It would have been two, but I needed $100 in new undergarments, lol. It was from 2008-2010…I pudged up a bit, decided that I had enough work clothes, tshirts, and jeans, and I just stopped looking at clothes. Then I lost 25 pounds and had to buy a few things for my new wardrobe. To be completely honest though, I still only clothes shop a couple of times a year for something that wears out. Now tell me I can’t buy holiday decorations or random house items from Amazon for a year, and I would go bonkers…I think I buy something from Amazon every two-three weeks at least…

    Reply
  44. Ms. S November 5, 2012 at 9:29 PM

    I’m doing that this year and it hasn’t been difficult at all. Two more months to go and I will have gone a whole year without shopping. Well I bought a new swimsuit for lap swimming but that’s it. Since it’s for fitness and not fashion wear I don’t count that. If I needed running shoes I’d get those too, I consider those purchases fitness.

    Reply
  45. Chrysilla November 6, 2012 at 1:22 PM

    I think I could. I actually really need to stop buying so many clothes, tho this year I can at least make the excuse that after being sick for 18 months and gaining a bunch of weight lots of things just didn’t fit anymore. But I think I’ve got my new wardrobe sorted now. And while I’m feeling better and starting to lose that weight very slowly, I also own a sewing machine, so if I happen to shrink out of the new clothes I can just tailor them in a bit.

    I barely have the space for it, but I also hang-dry all the clothes I really like so they last longer (jeans and sweats are expendable, tho). Driers seem to break down fabric waaaaay more than soap & washing machines. When I was a kid my parents didn’t even own a drier, and I still own some tshirts from childhood that are older than I am ;-)

    Reply
  46. Suzanne November 6, 2012 at 3:08 PM

    Sure. I would no problem doing this. Over the years my values have changed. I no longer give a bleep about clothes and shoes, although, I have to admit I’ve got some nice clothes from years past to last me awhile. I live in comfortable clothes and work from home. I used to think nothing of spending $300 per month on clothes when I had an upscale retail store. Not anymore. I’d rather live simply and put the money in the bank.

    Reply
  47. J. Money November 7, 2012 at 5:36 PM

    @Cherron – Haha, that’s perfectly understandable though :) In a lot of financial places you could get in trouble too if you don’t dress nice and sharp all the time! Just a part of the job.
    @Christa – I give you permission to make an exception for them :)
    @Crystal @ Get A Copywriter – Would I be in trouble if I told you I bought something from Amazon like twice a week? Don’t tell anyone! ;)
    @Ms. S – Work it, yo! That’s wonderful – you’re almost there!
    @Chrysilla – You know, I think you’re right about those dryers and what not. Technology is good, but there’s nothing wrong with the old fashion way of doing things too! Thanks for bringing back good memories of my childhood too :)
    @Suzanne – Yup! Saving money is a different kind of sexy ;)

    Reply
  48. Cat November 9, 2012 at 1:56 PM

    I’m considering doing this but I’m always a sucker for special occasion outfits. I mean.. the holidays are coming up! What will you wear to all the work parties (it has to be appropriate) and then to your family members houses (you want something fun, not your work clothes) etc.

    Reply
  49. MakintheBacon$ November 9, 2012 at 3:27 PM

    I probably could. I don’t work in an office, so I don’t need nice work clothes. And I don’t really like shopping anyway. I’d probably just ask for clothes for birthday, anniversaries and Christmas. Does that count? :P

    Reply
  50. J. Money November 9, 2012 at 9:16 PM

    @Cat – Well as a guy I don’t know much about that ;) It’s always jeans and a collared shirt for anything fancy! Haha… it’s a good thing my work parties are actually “home” parties with my baby ;)

    @MakintheBacon$ – Yeah totally! That’s a GREAT way to do it actually, I like it :)

    Reply

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