Following yesterday's thread on clothes.............

What I have never understood is how people manage to afford to be constantly buying new clothes, making impulse purchases.

Even though we are comfortably off, I have never been in a situation where i can casually buy clothes every month or week, especially clothes for which I have no discernable need for.

How much do people spend on clothes every month?

Fashion is responsible for 10% of annual global carbon emissions, more than all international flights and shipping combined. If we continue to use fast,cheap, plastic fashion, the industry’s carbon footprint will increase by 50% in the next 20 years.

I've got more than enough for several years (ashamed to say) so I won't be buying more - unless there's a big occasion on the horizon. I cut up a couple of pairs of linen trousers (had 4 pairs of khaki ones)- to make some nice window scrims (have to clear that Saharan dust somehow).

Buying less stuff is certainly good for the planet but it isn’t good for our independents and the wider economy! Not easy to square this circle.

I don't think that this is a good reason to buy more stuff. If we decide to buy less, then I'm afraid the wider economy will have to adjust.
I think the idea of going a year without buying any new clothes is rather draconian. I'm now visiting charity shops when I think I need something new, and only visit a new shop if I can't find what I want. After Covid and lockdown, I'm trying to resist splashing out on new summer clothes, and trying to mix and match what I have - it's not easy.

Thanks to this thread I have re-vamped a coruroy pinafore, it was handmade and I never really liked it, so it just hung there in my wardrobe. I have unpicked the waist and rescued the skirt part, I will have to re-do the waist band but it seems to be a decent skirt

My pale blue woolovers jumper was going to be chucked after this winter but as it is lambswool, I will wash at a hotter wash in the machine and it will felt. I will cut it into a bodywarmer/waistcoat if it is big enough, should be possible as it is overbig now. If it felts and shrinks a great deal, I can cut mittens and slippers

If I don’t wear an item of clothes it’s because I just don’t feel right in it. What I am doing is as things don’t look their best, I get rid of them but don’t replace. If I am tempted to buy anything, I sleep on it as I’ve far too many clothes , then if I think I will wear it I go back and buy it. . Those I just don’t feel good in or were bad buys I am giving to the charity shop, so I have a gradually reducing wardrobe of things and left with items I do like.

I'm very pleased that it's now well over 2 years since I last bought a single item. I'm very happy with my current wardrobe but had to have a serious word with myself to stop buying the odd item just on a whim. Ridiculous really considering the amount of stuff I have. Ancient but decidedly ok for me.

Joesoap

I recently had a clear out and sent everything to a charity shop, some with labels still on.I have so many tee shirts, I could wear one a day for six months, and still have plenty over,its ridiculous,I am not buying anything more this year I dont need to, besides I have had some "scumbag" clear my entire
savings account and they had a super shopping spree with MY money in a shopping mall in Rotterdam.I dont need clothes I need money!

Sorry to hear that Joesoap, 'I hope your bank gets it sorted for you.
One of my relations had the same done to them, the culprit refurnished their house.Luckily they had it all re embursed by the bank.

Marg75

I think this may be changing the subject a little, but I always wear either cord jeans or dark blue denim jeans in the Winter, and ankle grazers or crops in the Summer, never a skirt. I have put on a little weight around my hips & tum, and lately have felt that maybe at my age (77) I should perhaps change my style but looking around at clothes for my age, I hate all of them, and feel that I don't want to make the changeover to 'granny' with elasticated waists and 'trousers'! I have given in to not wearing short sleeves and have bought a couple of t-shirts from Seasalt which are long, covering everything.

Does anyone else feel like that?

Don't give in Marg,
I posted on here what my DH said when I went from denim and cords to tailored trousers'"Nursing home chic".
After working in formal clothes for 40 years, I can't remember the last time I wore a skirt since leaving work except for weddings. I buy better clothes than I did but fewer of them and refubish the old cashmere cardigans and jumpers with a pack of Bic disposable razors.
I also stick to the same colours that I know I feel better in ,not the pink fluffy gardigan DD suggested.I've been told it's school uniform but I don't care navy blue is always smart and I still love Denim.

You asked ?

Maw
You haven’t lived ‘till you’ve used a Kango. ( it was the lighter model.
A wacker plate is the tool you use to flatten all the rubble you’ve dug up with the Kango.

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I recently had a clear out and sent everything to a charity shop, some with labels still on.I have so many tee shirts, I could wear one a day for six months, and still have plenty over,its ridiculous,I am not buying anything more this year I dont need to, besides I have had some "scumbag" clear my entire
savings account and they had a super shopping spree with MY money in a shopping mall in Rotterdam.I dont need clothes I need money!

What are a Kango and a wacker plate please?

MerylStreep

Polly73
I do my own gardening and 3 other peoples gardens. I do all my own cleaning and all the decorating.
Being smart and stylish can go hand in hand with doing all those jobs. At the weekend I was using a Kango with my neighbour who is style personified. She will be using a wacker plate this coming weekend.

Surely not in white or cream trousers though MerylStreep? I wear them to go out in, but find they are incompatible with dog ownership otherwise, never mind dirty jobs like the garden - although I’ve got a fetching pair of strap on knee pads for that.

MerylStreep

Am I the only one who wears white/cream trousers in the winter?

No. I wear white all year when going out - but not for gardening or cleaning the kitchen floor. I have some white slim leg jeans, white jeggings and a midi length white pleated skirt. I'm so mucky though that nothing white gets more than one airing as a rule before needing to be washed so I pick the occasions when I wear it carefully.

Polly73
I do my own gardening and 3 other peoples gardens. I do all my own cleaning and all the decorating.
Being smart and stylish can go hand in hand with doing all those jobs. At the weekend I was using a Kango with my neighbour who is style personified. She will be using a wacker plate this coming weekend.

I have recently culled my wardrobe (which wasn’t that extensive to start with). I have lost interest, pretty much. I dress warmly if it’s chilly out (I’m outside/in the open air a lot). I have my leggings and T’s for exercise and some nice dresses for going out somewhere special. Don’t go out much now; I got used to a smaller life in lockdown and I really like it.

I sometimes feel a bit scruffy but, I always have nice hair and shower and put my face on ?

MerylStreep

Am I the only one who wears white/cream trousers in the winter?

No, a lot of smart French and Italian women do too. But, not so great for gardening, cleaning floors, or dealing with lively DGC!

Am I the only one who wears white/cream trousers in the winter?

Beanie
we all buy and forget
No we don’t all buy and forget.
I’m like MOnica, 1 wardrobe and a chest of drawers. Everything I have I’ve bought because I really love it or I need it.
I’m always told how good I look.

Karmalady
I’ve still got my gansy, a traditional navy one. I bought a tan one at the same time but I gave that to the daughter of the man who bought our last boat. It had her ( the boat) name embroidered on it. 42 years old and as good as new.

Yes, Germanshepherdsmum, I think I shall, must try to lose a half a stone, that might help me feel I still can!

Carry on wearing what you do Marg. I’m just a little behind you at 71 but have no intention of changing what I wear, jeans etc like you. Practical and comfortable. We wouldn’t be ourselves in ‘old lady’ clothes would we??

Most impressed that those on here seem still to fit into their clothes year after year - mine seem to shrink (but probably not always due to washing)!

I think this may be changing the subject a little, but I always wear either cord jeans or dark blue denim jeans in the Winter, and ankle grazers or crops in the Summer, never a skirt. I have put on a little weight around my hips & tum, and lately have felt that maybe at my age (77) I should perhaps change my style but looking around at clothes for my age, I hate all of them, and feel that I don't want to make the changeover to 'granny' with elasticated waists and 'trousers'! I have given in to not wearing short sleeves and have bought a couple of t-shirts from Seasalt which are long, covering everything.

Does anyone else feel like that?

I had a look at some clothes in Sainsbury's this morning. I would have been fine if I was 6 feet tall and had monkey arms. As it is I am 5 feet and a size 14. Flouncy skirts dresses and tops with long flouncy sleeves are ridiculous looking on me apart from reaching to my feet. I just need something that looks normal.