8 Surprising Impacts Of My 6-Month Clothes Shopping Ban

In this video, one woman shows us what she gained (and how much she saved) from not spending on clothes for 6 months.

Through weekly video essays, "Making It Work" showcases how *real* people have upgraded their personal or financial lives in some meaningful way. Making your life work for you doesn't mean getting rich just for the sake of it. It means making the most of what you have to build a life you love, both in your present and in your future. And while managing money is a crucial life skill for everyone, there's no one "right way" to go about it — you have to figure out what works best for *you,* full stop.

Video by Grace Lee

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[Schokoladentoertchen]

#1 i can live without new cute outfits
#2 i will now aim to buy timeless pieces
#3 i can finally appreciate quality
#4 i hate dry cleaning
#5 i learned to take care of my clothes
#6 i started to wear "work uniform"
#7 i will not buy pieces with the goal of losing weight
#8 there are things I would rather spend on

[LillyJeanne]

I did 2 fashion-no-buy-years in a row some time ago. It actually was way easier than I had expected and after about the first 3-4 month the urge to by anything new just disappeared. Now I purchase about 4 new pieces a year, mainly to replace broken items or pieces too used to be suitable for the office. It saved me time, energy and money and transformed the way I think about clothes and shopping. Highly recommend.

[fireflythinking]

I'm glad I never had this problem. When I was young, we would usually go shopping twice a year, only during the two sale seasons. My mother would buy me only a reasonable amount of clothes, and I would get some from my sisters cousins etc.. And it hasn't stopped since, I love good deals thrifting and being given clothes for free!

[lestranged]

I wish there was any mention of sustainability in this video. Like when you start buying again, check some pre-owned clothing instead of fast fashion stores. Thrift stores, thred up, poshmark, depop, facebook marketplace, vintage, there are many sources now for pre-owned clothing and you can often get a high quality used piece for the same (or less) than a brand new fast fashion piece. Trend cycles are getting shorter and shorter so almost any current trend can be found in the pre-owned market. It's not only about saving money, it's also about reducing textile waste.

[lubnan]

Having less clothes and quality pieces makes a big difference. Less clothes really helps getting dressed become so much easier!!

[jtidema]

At the beginning of Covid, I did less 'in person' shopping, and I've never had luck buying clothes online (fit, fabric, or overall quality has always been a disappointment). One weekend I decided to 'shop my closet' and really look at what was in there. It was a SHOCK. I thought I knew what I had! So many outdated, too big or too small, or unflattering items shoved to the back - wow. I got rid of two big bags immediately. Then I started digging in - every day I forced myself to wear something I hadn't worn in a while. I found that I had about 260 tops in the house! Some were in storage boxes or in an old dresser in another room which I had totally forgotten about. Some were literally 4 sizes too small - but others were items I've had for literally 30 years and they still look good - and make me feel good! So I wore a top, washed it, and put it on the left side of the closet or drawer. I kept taking from the right hand side. Each time I wore something that didn't make me feel good, it went into the donation pile. I made bags for friends who are smaller than me or like different styles. After almost a year, my closets had only clothes that fit, that I liked, and that I knew I'd use. I felt no need to shop because I have so much! I don't know if others have this situation, but it's worth a try - you may be surprised.

[erinthompson]

I’ve also been guilty of having WAY too many clothes. Over the past year, I’ve lost almost 100 pounds, so had to donate or sell almost my whole wardrobe. I’ve had to buy some new things of course- but I have way less and am actually enjoying it. I’m going to work at really keeping my wardrobe under control. I’m glad my situation forced me to change.

[inathi]

I stopped going to shopping malls as a form of entertainment and only go when I need something specific, which eliminated my impulse buying altogether. Figuring out what I need beforehand instead of buying something I saw because it's cute has also helped me cut down on buying clothes

[JAH-iuyh]

Holes in your socks after 4 months?! I’ve had the same socks for 4 years lol

[bagery]

Thank-you TFD for including diverse lifestyles and voices on your channel that don't only cater to one demo. It's refreshing.

I think there is something for everyone here. As well, it's good to be able learn about others outside of ourselves.

[rosseryankeegirl]

I think people holding onto smaller clothes really does depend on what size you actually are. I mean for me, I'm a current 18 and my first step is just to get back into my 16s then I can go on from there. I've gained the quarantine 20 like lots of folks, but I don't wanna get rid of those clothes, Im too close to being back in them!!

[TheMindfulMillennial]

OMG this series is back?!?!?! I LOVE this series! THANK YOU

[GeeklingNo]

I've never really been a part of fast fashion unless you count graphic tees from Walmart. I did do a huge cleanout of my wardrobe about 4 years ago and decide that I would not wear anything that wasn't comfortable. I threw out all the tank tops that I had to keep pulling up and all the pants that just felt too restrictive. I cut down to a few pairs of shoes that I love both bc of simplicity and bc bad shoes really agrivate my joint pain. I tried to buy clothes that would pair well with the rest of my whole wardrobe so no matter what's in the wash I can wear most of my clothes with whatever bottom that's clean. The result is a wardrobe that I can reach into any day and find a comfy outfit that looks good enough for a job interview. It really helps my self esteem.

[JadeManatee]

This video made me add up how much I spent on clothes (including undergarments) and shoes in 2021. I am shook. I thought I only spend like $600 last year and it was almost $1500. That’s a ridiculous amount considering how much I ended up giving away because I just wasn’t wearing it. You don’t realize how much you spend when it’s a purchase here and there. I am definitely doing a “no buy year” in 2022.

[animemenga]

when you prioritize comfort and haven't bought clothes in literally years

[atkcsc]

100% agree with the practices above! I have a thrift shop near me that gives 50% discount on items you buy there if you take your old clothes you don't want anymore. I found that thrifting timeless pieces + buying smaller trendy accessories (earrings, hair accessories, etc.) will still create that trendy look, and it's much more sustainable. And with fashion being cyclical, you'll have everything you need very soon. I recently started wearing accessories I bought 10 years ago again because they are in style again.

[themoneylibrarian]

No one should judge where others spend their money, but $1, 800 in six months on clothes!?! OMG my wardrobe would be spectacular if I spent that much on my clothes.

[Lynkah]

This is definitely not a video for me, but I still find it entertaining and useful.
I have bought like 4 items of clothing in the last year!

[MySkycastles]

You would do amazing making audiobooks or narratives, I love the way you talk and tell stories.

[blackisntdarkenough]

I love TFD, but vids like this have made me realize I'm not exactly the target audience. I hope it helps those who are!