The No New Clothes Challenge : New Changes, New Clothes

I’m back with another No New Clothes Challenge update.  As most of you know by now, our family went on strike.  We stopped buying new clothes in May and haven’t looked back since.  Sure we’ve purchased the occassional socks and undershirts.  I needed boots for all my walking; Martin needed gloves.

It’s time for change.

No – I don’t mean buying new clothes.  Over the last few weeks, I came up with a few strategies on stretching the summer wardrobe that I have and turning “ho hum” items on the bottom of my shirt pile into “little lovlies”.  Here’s the plan:

1.  Absolutely -0- purchases in clothing stores or online.

2.  New handmade earrings are okay. I’m turning to Etsy for handmade products and my old college hobby of browsing bead shops to make one new pair.  Earrings are that little piece of glam that completely change how I feel about an outfit.  I currently alternate between three pairs (two of which I made in college).  So if you have a handmade shop and ship to Germany…!

3.  Try sewing my own clothes. It seems pretty silly that I sew everything else in our house – from curtains to blankets – so I’d like to at least attempt sewing.  (If you have any tips or beloved patterns, please share!)  I especially need to find a plan for a dress to wear to a hot July wedding.  Time to finally sit down and learn how to sew a zipper.

4.  Alter a few pieces of clothing. Lace, new collars, different sleeves.  Other than darning hole after hole in our socks, I’ve never reworked a piece of clothing.  I think I can do this.

5.  Figure out what to do with two shrunk sweaters. Yep.  My sweater selection this winter was slim.  It did not help that I lost two sweaters to German washing machines.  I’ve had one of those sweaters since high school, so you can imagine the number of times they’ve gone through the washing machine.  But those, I guess, were American washing machines.  Either way, I have two wool sweaters (green and pink) that have seriously shrunk.  I’d love to repurpose.  Or pass on.

So there you have it!  The newest No New Clothes plan.  I’m pretty excited about it, and I’m always up for a challenge.  You know, because apparently going a year without clothes shopping isn’t a challenge or something.  I’m ready to expand and try new things.  After all, that’s how we keep life interesting and motivating.

What do you think of these ideas?  Do you craft your own earrings or alter your clothes?  Or do you purchase handmade jewelry or repurposed clothes?  I’d love to hear any experiences or resources you can suggest.  And while we’re at it, what types of plans do you have for your summer wardrobe?

Psst… have a handmade shop that relates to these clothing goals?  Let’s get in touch because guess what – I’d be thrilled to feature readers’ businesses and philosophy.

And yes – I was squatting in this photo from German class.  I’m the big American giant. ha!