Comments on: (quick) fashion question(s): have you stopped shopping?

By: Kutusha

Kutusha — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 04:00:55 +0000

In my case living off of a scholarship is hard buying “new” clothes at the mall I usually go to flea markets or thrift stores, although, when I lived with my parents I used to shop at boutiques all the time.
The upside is that now I live with my boyfriend, whom I’ve been with for almost 4 years, and last month he inherated his granparent’s house after his grandpa past away (No I’m not happy his granpa died) I’m happy because now we have a house with a garden and three huuuge closets and all the clothes there now belong to us. Of course they’ll need some alterations but still.
I love your blog.

By: Drisana

Drisana — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 22:33:27 +0000

I have spent less money on clothing, but not precisely because of the recession. Perhaps I would stop buying clothes, but I am 14 and still growing. Recently, when I was cleaning out my closet, I realised that a lot of the items I had were impractical fads. The few things that I decided to keep have stood the test of time in my wardrobe. I find that, by not squandering my budget on fad items and unneccessary things, I don’t feel so regretful about spending on classics ($100 for a little black dress, as opposed to $250 worth of multicoloured bottoms and tops which couldn’t really be mixed and matched.)

By: miss fitz

miss fitz — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 21:33:17 +0000

i’m shopping slightly more than usual. but “usual” was nonexistent. the deals are so good that my thrifty self is happy with the value available lately. and i got married so there were some things i had planned to shop for – i was pleased at the deals out there.

but my distaste for conspicuous consumption remains the same – steady and strong.

By: jesse.anne.o

jesse.anne.o — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 00:04:07 +0000

After I posted that, I bought 2 tank tops and a sundress from H&M (totally fine and basic cotton) and a bunch of stuff from some stoop sales – 50% of which don’t fit me!

By: Kristina

Kristina — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 18:06:24 +0000

My shopping has always been heavy on thrift and vintage, with some good pieces picked up when traveling (Built by Wendy, Penelope’s), or the occasional on-sale pair of Fryes at Shopbop. But between the recession and an upcoming move from Orlando, FL to Seattle, WA planned for the end of summer, my last-summer-in-FL wardrobe was pretty much created with one trip to community thrift and one trip to Ross. Before I hit Seattle (which will also mean temporary unemployment), I plan on picking up a good, wear everyday pair of jeans, since mine are pretty much busted, and repairing a few pairs of boots that I have worn to pieces.

These cutbacks are allowing me to really survey my wardrobe and find the holes, and the excesses (I filled three boxes for my yard sale so far, even though I have always felt my closet is really well curated). Also, when you do get a new piece, it feels soooo special. I recently thrifted a pair of red 80s low-heeled pumps with a polka dot shoe clip. I think they were like $4, but I was so excited to wear them. Maybe it is silly, but it feels like joy in simple things.

By: Ira

Ira — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 11:28:03 +0000

I’m buying much less than before, simply because I don’t feel like it anymore. I used to have a really big “craving” for new clothes, but now I’ve lost interest. Maybe it’s the fact that I have a lot of stuff, but I just feel that buying things gives you a false feel of purpose and hapiness and that one should focus on other things.

By: ana

ana — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 07:19:28 +0000

I stopped shopping a while ago. I couldn’t find a job in the middle of this financial crisis, so I started my own business (a knitwear label). So I don’t have much money.

But the less I shop the less I’m interested in new clothes. Buying something trendy means the next season i won’t wear it (= waste money). So if i buy something are basics. That’s why i decided to design clothes you can always wear, they aren’t basics but not “last trend” either.

And because now I think things twice before buying I realize I can pass. Even if it’s cheap i think: “another scarf? mmm”

I prefer to spend money on restaurants, cinema, etc.

Maybe i need to think twice about my business too…

By: simply.femme

simply.femme — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 20:50:10 +0000

I bought my first house four years ago and quite frankly didn’t buy many new clothes for the first three years because of all the house stuff and the adjustment to my budget. (I managed the apartment building where I lived and paid little rent and, although I put amount of money that would go to a mortgage in a savings account to use as a down payment, I knew it was there if I spent too much one month…)This past year, I turned my attention back to my wardrobe (not that it really needed anything) and spent quite a bit. But now I feel the tide turning. While the recession hasn’t affected me personally, I think others’ experiences and just the general news have made me feel I need to really examine what I spend money on…so of course, now I’m turning back to the house. I am trying to really use the clothes I have.

By: SwanDiamondRose

SwanDiamondRose — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 20:24:22 +0000

i love these answers. i have to still to read them all but i’m really curious as to what is going on too. i live in Vancouver and stores don’t really look like they are doing that well. sales on from the beginning of the season. some don’t even look to have brought new stock in. and i’m really just a big thrifter, but that’s often how i wreck my budget. too many little purchases. so i want to stop my tiny purchses. if i think a good long time before getting a more substantial item, i figure that’s ok. i find a key accesory like new shoes, can make all your things work together all over again. i am, and i ALWAYS say this, trying to be innovative with what i have. i have piles of neat finds that go unworn. it’s confusing.

By: Marijke/LeFiffy

Marijke/LeFiffy — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 18:16:38 +0000

I hear you.
It’s pretty unusual for me but it happens that I could spend some money on clothes but I don’t.
I focus on fleamarkets and garnments under 5 Euros. Anything else doesn’t feel right. Why spend 100 Euros on a jeans when I can have a similar one for 3 Euros?!
I’ll keep on wearing the ones I own but I I’m sick to see empire waists in shops. I want to move on.

We’re planning to become parents as well, so I keep on sorting things out, a thing I did only once a decade and only very unwillingly but this is different now. I want to have space for a little nest and I’m more than willing to say goodbye to stuff I haven’t worn in years.