Style · October 2, 2017

Why I’m Not Shopping In October

 

Crikey, that sounds dramatic for a title doesn’t it? Although I’m rarely one to do things by halves, this is very much limited to clothes shopping for now- as much as I persuaded Joe to pay for the food shop for the entirety of the month, a girl can dream…

 

Anyway! Inspired by a chat with Sophie on social media last night (which consequently was inspired by Daisy’s #nospendseptember), throughout the month of October I am cutting back on any new purchases or doing any frivolous online, or IRL shopping. Like most people, in the past I’ve tried doing things like this endlessly. In January I was set on not spending a penny on anything other than essentials, and pairing up with Charlotte– vowed solemnly we’d resist all spending urges and end the month victorious! After endless Instagram DMing and cooing over everything from Orla Kiely to a certain pink dress from & Other Stories- we collapsed at the first hurdle- and a mere two days after starting we had a 3-5 delivery date set and we were already back shopping.

You can’t blame a girl for trying though, right?

So why now? After seeing Daisy’s successful Instagram mission (whereby she posted a mirror snap of her outfit each day with details as to when she bought it) it made me think about how I shop and what I actually have. Here are my reasons for this ban:

1. Can I wear the ridiculous amount of clothing I have in my wardrobe already without panic buying/browsing on ASOS?
2. Weddings are surprisingly expensive and it would be nice to feed our guests.
3. I’ve fortunately recently bought some lovely new pieces (which I featured in this video) so thought, ‘Hey! Instead of buying more why don’t I play around styling what I have?’ Mad thoughts!!

I’m going to aim to be snapping standard iPhone pictures daily of outfits (yup, even if I’m just working from home) and hopefully show that sometimes what we have is enough. More in fact.

 

On top of that, sometimes it’s nice to have a bit of breathing space in between seasons to actually work out what you need. It’s so easy to get swept up into next seasons trends, but taking a moment to dust off whatever is in the loft from the winter boxes and then later work out where the gaps lie. It’s so easy to fall into an autumn funk as summer departs but this year I want to try and be sensible- and hey, looking at what I’ve already got versus what’s in the mags I’m certainly not doing too badly.

So! Here’s to not shop for shoppings sake (no matter how bloody wonderful it does feel) and utilise the good shit that I already have- even if we’re only starting with one month at a time. Let’s see how this one goes- see you on the 1st Toppers! (Well, maybe)…

 

 

x

 

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21 Comments

  • Reply
    Britney
    October 2, 2017 at 10:14 pm

    This is super exciting. I for one am a big spender on home stuff! And I reckon a month off of spending will do me some good. I like to think of it as being a more intentional shopper!!

    WE GOT THIS GIRL

  • Reply
    Madhu
    October 3, 2017 at 12:44 am

    Girl, good LUCK! You can do it. Alternatively, I made a New Year’s Resolution to decrease frivolous spending by only buying ethically! So no fast-fashion, only sustainable created & sourced clothing. And I’ve stuck to it 99% and spent SO MUCH LESS money on things I didn’t need. Because ethical clothing is expensive yo! You might want to give it a try but also…your faves are high street. So I understand. 😀

  • Reply
    ashdaisley
    October 3, 2017 at 1:01 am

    I am 100% going to jump on this bandwagon too! Such a fab idea and great post xxx

  • Reply
    Tess
    October 3, 2017 at 3:22 am

    This. Is. Amazing.
    I just started a 60 day no-shop challenge yesterday and I’m already panicking. I’m looking forward to seeing how it goes for you this month – I’ll be turning to you for motivation for sure!
    Great post!

  • Reply
    Emma
    October 3, 2017 at 10:06 am

    I love this! I gave up shopping like this for the whole of August and although I placed an order as soon as the 1st of September came, it did really make me evaluate what I was spending my money on! I now always think twice about whether I really need something and how much use I’ll get out of it before buying x

    heart-autumn.co.uk

  • Reply
    Susan Torres (Waldron Lewarwy)
    October 3, 2017 at 10:11 am

    Such a good idea! I’m excited to see your daily outfits! You have such an amazing dress sense?

  • Reply
    Manon
    October 3, 2017 at 10:52 am

    Amazing idea! I really should do the same, it would make my bank account happy!
    Good luck for your challenge 🙂

  • Reply
    Ella
    October 3, 2017 at 1:02 pm

    I’ve seen quite a few bloggers talk about this on Instagram and honestly, I think it’s shocking that not shopping for a month feels like a challenge. I mean seriously? All this talk of shopping from your wardrobe and the like, this is what us plebs do every day of the month. It’s called getting dressed.

    • Reply
      Olivia Purvis
      October 3, 2017 at 9:07 pm

      Hey Ella! I totally know where you’re coming from- but I’m definitely not suggesting it’s a ~huge~ challenge/the most difficult thing in the world by any means (crikey, if that was the hardest thing I had going on that would be wonderful indeed)! A lot of my friends (bloggers and otherwise) have spoken about this, and it’s less the time frame but more just being less impulsive with shopping and spending and styling things in different ways. A lot of people do things like this in January and I know it’s not an uncommon thing. Particularly in an industry that encourages spending/pumping money- it’s trying to suggest that creativity is more than spending. I actually don’t shop a huge amount, but it’s more working out what works seasonally without spending more money- sorry if it came across otherwise lovely! x

    • Reply
      Kim
      October 4, 2017 at 12:22 pm

      I 100% agree with this too. ?

    • Reply
      Jennifer
      October 6, 2017 at 6:06 pm

      I think what Liv is saying is that in the blogging world there’s pressure to buy buy buy, so she’s just offering an alternative to that!

  • Reply
    Catherine X
    October 3, 2017 at 5:45 pm

    Hmm this is interesting – I think it’s a wonderful idea! I find myself buying things that I probably (scratch that, definitely) don’t need, and though it usually feels so good, later on I start to regret it. Maybe I’ll give it a go this month too.

    Catherine X
    http://www.thestylesynapse.com

  • Reply
    Paige
    October 3, 2017 at 9:20 pm

    This post is exactly what I needed after receiving a low balance text message from my bank a week after payday massive *oops*.

    I love Autumn style and relish the purchase of a new knitwear piece and a good pair of boots, but sometimes enough is enough, especially as I do the same every year. I definitely need to try this ‘challenge’ and actually I might just do that!

    Brilliant post 🙂

    Paige | pagetwentyfour.co.uk

  • Reply
    Meryl
    October 4, 2017 at 6:19 am

    Great idea I Did a No shopping month earlier this year and although it was very hard in the beginning I actually stuck with it. It’s just a month of shopping your own wardrobe ? Can’t wait to see the outfits you come up with

  • Reply
    bonjourchiara
    October 4, 2017 at 8:00 am

    This is so interesting because my last post talks about how we buy now an endless amount of clothes because when something is worn it sounds “bad” to show it again lol! Good luck with the challenge! xx
    http://www.bonjourchiara.com

  • Reply
    Ellenor | Champagne Lifestyle
    October 4, 2017 at 10:23 pm

    This is such a good idea! I’ve already done some shopping in October- so I might try this for November! 🙂

    http://champagne-lifestyle.com

  • Reply
    Naomi
    October 5, 2017 at 1:48 pm

    Great idea and also one which might encourage us to think a little more about the huge impact consumerism and fast fashion has on our environment and culture. Good luck! x

  • Reply
    Maddy
    October 6, 2017 at 3:53 pm

    I, like you, have tried to have a freeze so many damn times but then I just get weak and buy something I *think* I need. starting right now I’m going to make it a month. You’ve inspired me!

    xo, Maddy
    http://cassidylou.com/

  • Reply
    Alyssa Harris
    October 6, 2017 at 3:57 pm

    I really need to try this this month. I am very much an impulse buyer whenever I have time to browse the internet. October will be that month for me, as well.

  • Reply
    Kara O'Brien
    October 16, 2017 at 12:13 pm

    Au good luck with this! Hope it’s going well. I am currently on a neccessary clothes shopping ban because ugh…bills and MOT expenses hit me hard this month, and have been feeling quite uninspired by my wardrobe. I took a trip to my local charity shop this weekend though and picked up some gorgeous pieces for a couple of quid! I loved your recent video with Anna looking at her capsule wardrobe, wish I could be that streamlined but there’s no chance. It did get me thinking about buying quality staples rather than ridiculous amounts of fast fashion in the future though.

    Kara
    http://www.spreadthesparkle.co.uk
    ?

  • Reply
    Lauren
    October 18, 2017 at 8:41 pm

    SO behind on commenting and only just catching up, but I loved this – since opting to buy eco/sustainable clothes, I’ve been able to cut down on spending and really focus on what I buy, which means I buy a LOT less often!

    Lauren x
    Britton Loves | Cruelty-Free/Vegan Beauty • Lifestyle • Photography

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