In 2009 I challenged myself to go the whole year without buying any new clothes, and somehow I did it. I also, as an experiment to see how far I could go, reduced the items in my wardrobe to less than 30, not including coats, swimwear, scarf’s and underwear ; most of the items I cleared out were either unworn or too small. As I’m quite simple with my clothing choices, summer is jeans, t-shirts and flip flops, winter is jeans, jumper and boots, I’ve found the ‘capsule’ wardrobe concept quite easy to work with.
There was one eek moment and that was when I went to two weddings in the same outfit. I know this shouldn’t have bothered me, and it wouldn’t now, but at the time I didn’t like it. All that conditioning, a wedding=new outfit, was obviously in me, but now I’ve banished it; no one seemed to notice and if they did, who would dare to mention it? 
When the New Year hit I still had no urge to start clothes shopping again or increase the amount of clothes I have; I wanted to stay at less than 30 items. I knew that I needed to buy some new underwear, which you’ll be pleased to know I did, replace a pair of jeans, and get a new jumper, that was all. I was lucky to receive some vouchers for Christmas so in the main I used these to buy everything I needed; the new items only replacing stuff that was worn out.
Going forward I can’t see me ever wanting to increase the amount of clothes I have; this process is totally stress free and frugal!
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{photo credit: pinknblack73}
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Well done! I did buy some stuff – mostly wet weather gear – which was necessary for my outdoor walks and trips to Snowdonia. I also needed some new running shoes. On the whole I did OK though. I managed to get rid of a lot of stuff. What amazes me is when I think I have The Minimum I go and surprise myself by getting rid of a load more stuff – I must be getting close to some sort of minimalistic threshold, but I don’t appear to be “touching bottom”, so to speak, just yet!
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Move to Portugal Reply:
April 8th, 2010 at 5:39 am
I agree Tony; it seems impossible to hit ‘bottom’ , but I’m going to keep trying
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That’s a great achievement! I hadn’t bought many clothes in the last year, except for a few things from charity shops, until I recently got some walking boots and a jacket for a challenge I’m doing in May, and these were birthday presents! I’d like to reduce what I have but need different clothes for work, casual and tidy so it’s difficult.
Thank you for your comment on my blog. The clarinet looks difficult to play but I’m going to give it a go!
Teresa x
.-= Teresa ´s last blog ..A Cushion and a Clarinet =-.
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Move to Portugal Reply:
April 8th, 2010 at 5:41 am
thank you Teresa.
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Wow, 30 pieces– amazing! I’m going to do a count of what’s in my closet now too!
.-= Middle Way´s last blog ..Everyday Stuff =-.
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Move to Portugal Reply:
April 8th, 2010 at 5:41 am
thanks Middle Way; let me know how you get on
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that is an impressive achievement. I have (inspired by you!) cut down on the number of clothes I have, but I do struggle! I went to a swishing party and came home with a mass of things!) I have succesfully limited my colours and I am very pleased that everything I wear now goes together. and my wooden hangers!!
.-= mo´s last blog ..mondo beyondo =-.
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Move to Portugal Reply:
April 8th, 2010 at 5:45 am
thanks mo. I know what you mean about a struggle to cut down…mine is books etc not clothes now
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Good for you. I did the same thing a few years back, buying nothing new except food, medical supplies and toiletries. The only time I faltered was when I went to a baby shower. . .I felt so much pressure to buy something new, but I shouldn’t have panicked–I should have looked for something fun and vintage.
The year without buying anything ‘new’ left me a changed person in the long run.
.-= Simple in France´s last blog ..Take that, French driving test! =-.
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Move to Portugal Reply:
April 8th, 2010 at 5:43 am
Thanks SIF. Gift giving is difficult isn’t it, if you’re not buying stuff. Did you do the Compact?
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After cleaning out my closet and remaining with few items… I was content for a while. I have refilled my closet. But its different this time.
As i was a young adult, I used to love clothes. Then it became the whatever wardrobe after having my children and being mom. Cleaned the closet… now its different when i restocked it. I restocked it with the love of clothes again. Fun, girlie stuff. Not the stuffy mommy wardrobe any longer. My purchases are decent qualty items that will last me. I actually restocked with skirts and dresses. And of course, my husband likes it much more.
So, because of your minimalist closet project… I have to say, “thank you”.
.-= Money Funk´s last blog ..How much did you earn to give up your dream? =-.
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Move to Portugal Reply:
April 8th, 2010 at 5:48 am
thanks Christine. I agree re the whole buying decent quality items, much better in the long run.
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It’s interesting to read all the comments, and I take my hat off to you, Laura, but much as I love decluttering and getting rid of ‘stuff’, my love of fashion and clothes is simply too great to do what you’ve done. I love my bulging wardrobe, though I do have regular clear outs, and I do buy A LOT of my clothes from charity shops and boot sales. I guess we’re just all different (and what a boring place the world would be if we weren’t!)
.-= Caroline´s last blog ..The Gallery: Ugly =-.
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Hi Caroline and thank you. It’s great that you love your bulging wardrobe, lol; we are all different and thats exactly as it should be.
Also as good as I am with reducing clothes, the handbags are still there, looking at me, can’t quite let them go yet
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Well done on limiting your wardrobe.
I limit the amount of clothes that I have ” on display” in my wardrobe. It only contains the clothes and shoes that I am currently wearing at that time.
The rest are packed in labelled plastic boxes, so that I can “rotate” them when I feel like a change. This helps me a lot, so that instead of going shopping when I want something different, I just open one of the boxes and “shop my closet”.
Off season clothes are also packed away in labelled boxes.
So I have a simplified closet which makes it easy to see what I have without all of the clothes being crammed in together.
.-= Non Consumer Girl´s last blog ..Secondary Benefits of Giving Gifts of Experiences…. =-.
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