Ban shopping to restore order in your wardrobe and improve your finances and relationships
Do you have a wardrobe overstuffed with clothes yet feel you have nothing to wear? Well, let me tell you a story…
Finding out about clothes diets
Last year, I found out about this lady, Jill Chivers, who had embarked upon one year without clothes shopping to address her shopping addiction. She retraced her experience in her blog, describing how she created a life of abundance out of “deprivation”, and eventually tapped into her experience to develop programmes to help women in the same situation. Well, I am not here to tell you her story, all details are on her website, but to tell you how her experience has influenced me to look at my own wardrobe in a different manner.
Considering a clothes diet for myself
My husband and friends were quite surprised at first that I was even giving some thought to this idea. After all, I am known for not being a big spender when it comes to clothes and accessories and for having a wardrobe, neatly contained and organised, made of clothes I mostly use and love. Yet I felt compelled to try something similar on my own. And as I couldn’t figure out what exactly I wanted to do – whether having a complete year without shopping or just a few months, or establishing a lower budget for shopping, etc., I decided that I would stop shopping from the next day onward and see where this would take me.
Putting myself through a clothes diet
After a couple of months, I realised that the temptation to buy clothes was not due to a lack of clothes, but to always wear them in the same way. Also, the absence of seasons without the need to rotate clothes was probably adding to the feeling of boredom. So I did some research on how to mix and match a wardrobe. I started combining colours differently using the colour palette concept and accessorising the same outfit in different ways.
Also, I learned that we tend to wear 80% of the time 20% of the clothes we own. In my case, it was more towards 80% – 60%. But interestingly, the 40% I was wearing less often was primarily made of clothes I was saving for special occasions, occasions that were not always happening. So I decided that there was no better time than now to enjoy them. After all, fashion trends change, fabrics deteriorate and colours fade. I also took the time to get clothes that did not fit perfectly altered, so I had no more excuses not to wear them.
Eight months down the road…
I think I am making the items in my wardrobe work harder for me than before without feeling deprived. I also came to realise that my best asset was actually having a bit of a sun tan. And this can’t exactly be obtained in a shopping mall, can it?
Now I am sure you are eager to know whether I have resisted temptation so far! Well, truth be told, I haven’t exactly… I have bought a formal dress that I needed for a very specific occasion. I guess I could have worn something from my existing wardrobe instead but I really wanted to make an impression on that specific occasion. The other purchase was a cardigan that I bought after doing some research on how to maximise my wardrobe to allow me to wear some of my dresses in different ways. Honestly, I could have delayed this purchase, but I am not going to beat myself up with this. Overall I feel pretty satisfied with what I have achieved so far.
Embrace your wardrobe transformation
It’s truly wonderful how a clothes diet, whether a strict shopping pause or a mindful shift, can transform your wardrobe and how you feel about your clothes. The joy of decluttering and keeping only what truly serves you is immense, saving you time and boosting your confidence every single day.
If the idea of a full clothes diet feels like a big step right now, please know that’s completely normal. The most important thing is to simply begin gaining clarity and control over your wardrobe. A fantastic first step is to gently clear out the items that no longer fit your life, making space for what truly makes you feel good.
And that’s exactly where my free Quick Wardrobe Fix guide comes in! It’s packed with simple, actionable steps to help you declutter your clothes with confidence, build lasting habits, and start creating a wardrobe you genuinely love, one easy step at a time.
Ready to feel the joy of a calmer, more organised wardrobe? Download your free Quick Wardrobe Fix guide here!
Good idea. I have too many clothes yet feel my clothes are all so boring:)
Hi Viji!
Start by de-cluttering. Let go of your clothes that:
• Are not in good condition i.e. out of shape, torn, faded, stained, etc.
• No longer fit you
• Are not comfortable
• You no longer like or that do not make you feel good
• You have not worn in the last 12 months, unless it is because you can’t pair it with any other items in your wardrobe. You can extend this to 24 months for clothes that are worn occasionally such as evening dresses or winter clothes.
See how you feel when standing in front of your wardrobe then.
Good luck!
Nathalie, I felt intrigued when we met in June and you shared your personal journey on a “No shopping for a year” with me. So I decided to challenge myself to do the same.
It’s been four months now and I must admit I am pretty proud with myself. I only had 2 “cheat” occasions; once in KL when I had forgotten to pack my slippers and the other “I’ve waited a long time for this” moment. While my journey is far from over, I learned some important tips. The smaller the items, the more I bought because they were inconspicuous in the closet. There’s also no need to shop for those ‘just in case moments’ like stocking up just in case I’ll be too busy to shop when the item runs out. There’s more to learn along this journey.
Thanks so much for the inspiration
Audrey, I am so happy to read about your own journey of no clothes and accessories shopping. See how far you have come while you doubted you could even last one month! That’s fantastic! I agree with you, there is a lot to learn in this experience about our shopping habits and triggers. The more I progress on this journey, the more liberated I feel. The clothes don’t own me, I own them and I enjoy them! And that’s how it should be, shouldn’t it?
Good luck with the rest of your journey, but as far as I am concerned, you are already a winner!
Nathalie