No New Clothes Challenge: Our Stuff is Falling Apart
A few nights ago as Martin happened to be walking by me, I glanced at the back of his feet.
“Stop everything,” I shouted. He looked at me; he saw my eyes twitching as I watched his feet.
I didn’t even have to say a word.
“There’s another hole, isn’t there?” he said.
For the last 2 1/2 years, our little family has been on a self-emposed effort we call The No New Clothes Challenge.
2 1/2 years?! That’s crazy. That means that everything we’ve been wearing is that old. And yeah, it’s certainly starting to show. We counted four other spots where I had already darned that same sock with this tutorial. “Just throw that sock away tonight,” I announced. “I’m tired of fixing it.”
Martin agreed. (If anything, he can’t believe how stubborn I’ve been about making that sock last!)
The No New Clothes Challenge has to change at our house. Jeans are getting ratty. (Ever have that nightmare where the back of your pants burst open in public!? …how about when you’re out biking? Yikes!) Many clothes are getting stretched out, ill-fit, or faded. Little fuzz balls are making clothes show their age. (The clothes in the above summer photo can totally pull off a few more years, mind you.) The other day, I found myself repairing a sweater that I don’t even like because “I don’t want to buy new clothes.”
Taking on this challenge has been THE BEST thing we could have done. It just needs tweaking.
So I asked an always-dressed-so-awesome-like friend for her advice. She says:
Katie, I think this whole journey isn’t so much about running out and buying a ton of stuff, then stopping, as it is about learning to shop sensibly. As in take stock of what you have, then periodically buy the pieces you know will build a long-term wardrobe. And being mindful of quality, fit, versatility, etc., means you won’t end up just acquiring gobs of junk, which is what many women do. I think I end up shopping about once or twice a year, mostly to replace worn items. I know a lot of women who just buy clothes multiple times a month, then wear only half of it.
Then we agreed to purge: the old stuff, the unloved stuff, the over-worn stuff.
Still sporting a college jacket this summer.
My remodeling clothes could all be thrown out; my “I’m wearing these to the death” jeans and shirts became my new work clothes. And then I went shopping.
It’s been really difficult to remember and find my correct size. Either I have shrunk (completely unlikely) or American clothes have expanded since I last bought clothes. (Right before we started the No New Clothes Challenge, Martin and I were living in Germany where I had to learn a whole new set of sizes. So it’s really been about 3 1/2 years since I have shopped in American stores.) Culture shock!
The biggest tip my friend gave is this:
Have a list. What do you need? Put it on that list and stick to it when you’re shopping.
I’ll share the results soon. In the meantime, here are some favorite No New Clothes Challenge pieces to get those juices flowin’:
- How to alter knits and sweaters
- Finding your signature look
- Q&A I, Q&A II
- Mending the clothes you have
- 6 ways to make your natural beauty shine
- Is the No New Clothes Challenge worth it?
Now it’s your turn. How do you manage the clothes you have? Do you purge regularly? Have a shopping plan? Or are you still like me, darning away?
October 21st, 2011 at 8:26 pm
I buy clothes when I find something that I lIke and that fits me. I have a hard time finding clothes that fit me, so if I find something I buy it.
I do a purge/reevaluation when the seasons change and I get out my clothing for the season. I find that getting them out after not wearing them for a few months lets me see them with fresh eyes. I can better tell what is good and what is not going to be presentable anymore.
All my worn out clothes get turned into gardening/work clothes.
October 22nd, 2011 at 8:45 am
I love to shop and buy clothes and have a mix of good quality items that have lasted for years and inexpensive items found on sale or in thrift stores that may only last a short time. I try to purge regularly and sell the best items on consignment and donate wearable, but more worn items. I have restricted my clothes budget in the last few months to save money for other goals so now I really think twice before I buy something and shop more for accessories to go with the clothes I already own.
October 22nd, 2011 at 9:25 am
I haven’t bought any new clothes in who knows how long? A couple years at least now! But maybe that is because I have too many? I definitely never have darned anything, and just recently I went through my closest and got rid of A LOT of clothes – mostly from my high school years that I was still hanging onto. BUT, I do plan on buying new clothes this fall – mainly little girl PINK clothes :) I have no little girl clothes so I feel like it’s OK for me to get some now that I’m finally having a girl.
October 22nd, 2011 at 10:57 am
I definitely was inspired by your “no new clothes” and I often think about when I end up in a clothing store. I am lucky to be an average size and shop almost exclusively at thrift stores. I do look for name brands that I know are good, well made clothes. I try to build my wardrobe with those pieces. I’ll also pay a dollar for a cheap tshirt I know I’ll only wear for a season (at which point it will be worn out because I’ll have worn it so often…:) So I do cycle through clothing so that I don’t feel deprived.
After shopping at thrift stores so much I often find myself in sticker shock at regular stores. Which in a way is good because then I just think “well, this shirt/sweater/dress is cool but I could get something I like just as well at the thrift store for so much cheaper.” Occasionally something will really catch my eye and I’ll know I won’t be able to find anything like it at the thrift stores and I’ll pay full price (In January I bought a gorgeous black wool sweater with a unique side/shoulder button accent) but that doesn’t happen very often.
The other great thing about thrift store shopping is if it turns out those sandals that I thought I loved end up just hurting my feet I can get rid of them and only be out $6 bucks, instead of the $50 they probably were new.
I’m glad you’ll be getting yourself some new things. I think your mind is in the right place–you don’t want to accumulate stuff just to have stuff. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get yourself something every once in a while:)
October 23rd, 2011 at 12:40 pm
in the past 2 years i too have really changed the way i shop for clothes. becoming aware of the social justice issues that accompany the lower priced clothing in many chain stores i now do a lot of research before i buy something new. i have pared down my wardrobe to a small amount of pieces that are classic, that i love, and that actually fit me. when it is obvious that it is time to replace something i research various brands, and look around for good quality and fit, especially if it is for a staple item like a jacket or shoes. i am much more willing to spend more money per item if i know that i have fewer clothing items, and that the items i buy have been ethically made/produced.
October 23rd, 2011 at 1:16 pm
I’m glad you decided to buy Martin some new socks! ;-)
After we talked about clothes budgets the other day (I’m still in shock over how much my step-mom thinks that budget should be, and how often I should go shopping! Twice a year is plenty, thank you!), I was thinking about another great way to buy clothes that my lovely mother taught me: Buy a couple of pieces that coordinate and viola! you have multiple outfits.
Last time I went shopping (well, that was memorable for the fact that with sales, gift cards and dividends the store paid ME $5 to walk out of there with more than $100 worth of clothes!), I bought a tank top and a couple of shirts that are easily layered with about half my wardrobe, as well as with each other. Buying three or four nice pieces (that are high quality) that can make double that number of outfits is the way to shop!
October 24th, 2011 at 7:12 am
We purge clothes around twice a year, normally in the Winter/Spring and Summer/Fall clothing switches we do with our closet. We hate to store something we have no intention of using again. Anything from the just-past season that is beyond repair or needs replacing we note and then look for off-season sales to replace the item with at a better price. This works especially well with silk long underwear, coats, sweaters, summer pjs, etc.
We also, like you Katie, have several tiers of clothes. We have our dress clothes (dresses, gowns, suits, etc.), our public (job/around town) clothes and our around-the-house clothes for weekends, etc. Old sweaters also become “jammie sweaters” that get worn in the evenings (at home only) to allow us to keep our heat costs a little lower. Every little bit helps!
October 24th, 2011 at 8:51 am
I noticed yesterday that my slippers are really, really falling apart. I considered using a glue gun to re-adhere the rubber soles to the fabric slipper bodies…but that might be a bit extreme. I definitely say to buy selectively, but because I buy less now, I feel comfortable spending more on one or two fabulous pieces that I really, really love and know I will wear a lot. For the rest, it’s off to the thrift store!
October 24th, 2011 at 9:25 pm
I am so glad I read this post. Clothing is something I feel I have a funny relationship with. As Sarah R said, I really struggle with the social justice issues behind a lot of cheap clothing. Even not cheap clothes, and stuff made in the US of A, can come at a price to our planet (cotton, unless organic, if I remember correctly, is one of the most highly sprayed crops around). So, yes, I struggle with clothing.
I will admit, I have t-shirts from… ok, no, I won’t admit exactly, but let’s say they’re “vintage.” Over the last few years though, I convinced myself that I needed to start changing my wardrobe from year to year so it wouldn’t look quite so dull. I mostly shop at thrift stores, I have a favorite in the Twin Cities called “Steeple People.”
But then I discovered the magic of CLOTHING SWAPS. :) This whole idea has completely altered my clothing reality. I always take more to the event than I go home with (thus reducing overall volume in my closet) and try hard to find fun, unique or at least versatile pieces. One time I left with a complete “outfit” (it didn’t really match, but I had a pair of flip flops, capris, shirt, light jacket and even a scarf!) If I can hit up one or two per year, it keeps things fresh. It also makes me feel good about giving away clothing that I don’t like anymore (or that doesn’t fit) but is still in good shape (I don’t have the patience to sell it) since it will likely go to someone else’s home. Many groups that organize them also donate what is left to thrift stores or one group was giving any dressier items to a local group called “Dress for Success” which helps low-income women find interview and professional job appropriate clothing.
There are a few things I ALWAYS buy new. Underwear. Bras. Chacos (they last me 3-5 years). And I will take free shirts that are given out at events (like for volunteers or participation). I do not wear shirts with brandnames, I have chosen specifically to be a billboard only for things I truly support. If it tells you anything about the last time I wore a name brand with logo, the final purge included CK, Billabong and Nike. I have no idea if these are even popular anymore.
Speaking of t-shirts though, that reminds me, a friend had a sewing party this summer and she showed us a great idea for older t-shirts that you KNOW no one else will want at the thrift store (you know, the “We Rock” one you and your dorm mates made in college…). Cut off the sleeves (leave the seam). Cut a deep “U” shape out of the neck – front and back. Turn it inside out. Sew across the bottom. If you want gussets, sew perpendicular across the bottom “corners.” Right side out and ta-da, t-shirt bag! Great gift bags, since they will be usable for the recipient.
Ok, I’m done. Sorry this is so long Katie, but you know me, never short on opinions! Thanks again for your post! :)
October 25th, 2011 at 12:50 pm
I’m so impressed with your No New Clothes Challenge. However, I have a very weird personality glitch. I CANNOT handle holes in my socks. I grew up really poor. For whatever reason, holes in my socks just sends me into some kind of panic that we are too poor too have nice socks. It’s completely irrational, I know. So hat’s off to you for darning, mending, and making-do! You’re an inspiration.
I’ve actually adopted your No New philosophy in my craft room. I have all the supplies I need to make a TON of crafts. I’m not going to a craft store for at least the rest of the year!
October 27th, 2011 at 12:24 pm
It was fun to read this post and see that you’ve gained a new respect for shopping. :) You deserve a few new things every once in awhile–we all do! And yes, even Martin deserves some new socks :)
I’ve never been a fan of shopping–either I’m hard to fit, things are too expensive, cheaply made, etc. So I get annoyed easily with what I have (not lasting, not durable) but also because I can’t find things I love to replace them. I’m going to sound like someone’s mom or grandma, but I swear, even in the past 10 years, clothing has gotten less durable!
I shop maybe once or twice a year and like you, I have different levels of clothing. Old work/everyday clothes become “working outside” or chores clothes, then rags.
Speaking of rags, I clean with old socks (if you wear ‘em like mittens, they’re great for dusting!) and old underwear. No, really. I cut out the crotches, throw those away, then cut what’s left at the side seams, making two pieces. They are wonderful for cleaning glass–almost lint free!
November 14th, 2011 at 11:01 pm
How is this a challenge? I haven’t bought anything new in at least ten years. The newest things I own are Christmas presents. My oldest shirt is 24 years old, which is quite a feat, considering I’m 25 (it was a hand-me-down.) I hope you guys appreciate having the money to buy new socks when your old ones wear out, new jeans, or a new shirt whenever you feel like it. I don’t enjoy wearing the same clothes I wore when I was 15, but I wear clothes basically until they fall apart -out of necessity.
November 15th, 2011 at 7:43 am
Thanks for the input, Kristin.
I admire that this is no challenge at all for you. It has been for us, and it is for the majority of people. INTENSE marketing has a lot to do with it – making us feel inferior if we don’t own the latest styles or look a certain way. But you show that a person CAN overcome that, and I think that’s just awesome!