Sometimes when we set goals for ourselves, it’s nice to know we have a group of cheerleaders supporting us.  If you are interested in joining the No New Clothes Challenge and stop clothes shopping (except for necessities), then you’re in luck.  There’s a whole slew of us ready to support you in your journey toward simplifying your closet (you know – in case the men in your life and your wallets weren’t whooping and cheering loudly enough already!).

You can catch up on the journey here, here, here, here and -whew!- here.

The following quotes are bits and pieces that I’ve pulled from the comment sections of all the No New Clothes Challenge blog posts.  I hope you find them just as motivating and inspiring as I have.  What great ideas, ladies!

1.  It’s a good reminder that you should not be liked, remembered, or noticed for what you wear, but for who you are. -Jane

2.  I love an idea that I’ve heard about from friends – having a clothing swap each season…which can include clothing, scarves, accessories! It’s like shopping, but for free! We all get sick of our clothes from time to time.  -Court

3.  One thing I’ve begun doing is making new clothes out of clothes I already have. I’m currently creating a sweaterdress out of two sweaters, neither of which I really loved. -Jane

4.  It seems like the longer I stayed out of stores, the easier it became. -Vicki

5.  I’m doing the same thing. … It feels so freeing! -Lara

6.  You’re so right that just as we buy more clothes, we’re donating them. -Ashley

7.  I’m very proud of the fact that I can pack ALL the clothes I own (including shoes) into ONE-yep one-suitcase. -BWelch

8.  When you stay out of clothes departments (and don’t look at clothes catalogues), the temptation to buy is SO much less! I’ve always been pretty frugal, but lost my job earlier this year, so I’ve had to tighten the budget even more.
And quite honestly, I bet I could ditch 50% of the clothes I own and not even miss them. -Sue

9.  The more I window-surf on my favorite boutique blogs, the more I want, want, want. I find things I didn’t know existed, and all of sudden my *NEED* is overwhelming; however, if I just avoid those blogs, I’m fine. DUH. ; ) -Kirwin

10.  I started doing this when I moved to Germany three years ago (not only because we are flat broke). It’s just that I found so many other things that were more important. -KatieB

11.  I mostly wear the same clothes over and over again. It doesn’t get that boring or old, because I like what I have and don’t really have to think much about what to wear! -Jennifer

12.  A person only needs so many clothes. I decided to only buy gorgeous pieces that I love, and try to buy made in the USA clothing (or used clothes). No more “Made in China” or sweatshop clothes. So instead of buying a bunch of so-so pieces on clearance at Target or the mall, I’ll occasionally buy one fabulous (and maybe more expensive) piece. -Jane

13.  I just want to scale down every aspect of our lives from the amount of clothes we own, to toys, etc. I’m tired of the things of our lives taking up too much time and energy. -Stephanie

14.  I look back and can’t believe how much wasted money that was [buying new clothes]. I keep telling myself, “When I die, I want people to remember me for my character, because it’s not like I am going to be able to take all this stuff with me anyway!” -Katie

15. The best thing that ever happened to me was having my clothes dryer break. I am forced now to look at every piece of clothing when I hang it, and when I take them down, I put some into the “giveaway” pile, and some into the “rag” pile. -Deborah

16.  As I put newly washed clothes back in the closet, I put them at one end and aim to wear the clothes at the other end. When I find that I have been avoiding a certain item, I take it out and look at it seriously. I ask myself why I am not wearing it. If the answer is not justified (such as: it only matches one pair of pants, or I don’t like the sleeves much) then I gift it away, or cut it up for quilts or rags. -CC

If you are interested in joining us in the No New Clothes Challenge or find yourself struggling when you wish to buy fewer articles, feel free to share your thoughts bellow.  We’re here together.  And that makes it so much more rewarding!

Seasoned pros and people who have dappled with fewer clothes purchases, you know what to do.  (ie say “howdy” or bestow a few discoveries you’ve found in the comments… you know, like the day you shrunk one of your only sweaters… like me.)

(Images both from Flickr)