Fashion detox challenge: No clothes shopping for 10 weeks
At the start of November, I challenged myself to 10 weeks of no new clothes, shoes and accessories. fashiondetoxchallenge.com suggests we pause our usual clothes shopping and reflect. Why? To save money, increase creativity, reduce clothing-related stress and help tackle clothing waste. If you wish to partake, my only tip is tell other people you are doing it. Doing so made me more likely to stick to it!
Image from fashiondetoxchallenge.com
Why did I do it?
My main motivation was curiosity. How would it feel slow my consumption a notch? It did not sound difficult and it might be kind to the environment and my wallet.
Like many of us, I’ve become more aware of how fast the fashion industry is. That 10,000 garments go to landfill in the UK every 15 minutes is mind boggling. When I intensely decluttered 6 years ago, I was shocked by the volume I’d accumulated. Many of my clients feel the same way when they declutter. But why should it come as a surprise when you consider how the industry creates timely, fresh and affordable products that consumers want? “Sustainable fashion” is part of the retail lexicon. There are brands with environmentally-friendly and ethical production at their core and brands that have “sustainable” lines (the inverted commas dependent on your cynicism.) I for one need to better educate myself on recyclability, plastic-free materials, engineered to last, fair wage practices and many more factors. But as I say to my clients, start where you are! I know buying fewer garments, looking after them well, buying second hand and slowing down my personal consumption is a big step in the right direction.
In recent years, I have moved in this direction. I have a high bar for new stuff in my home. Only items that spark joy are allowed in my wardrobe - none of that spark meh stuff please! A far cry from my wild shopping sprees for suitable workwear age 22. I gravitate towards high street shops (hi there & Other Stories and Sweaty Betty!), local independents, my favourite charity shops and finding memorable things on holiday.
In November, I could count on one hand the clothes I purchased the 10 weeks prior. I told myself I went longer without buying clothes during lockdown. But I love a bargain and typically shop the Winter sales. At the very least, a search in & Other Stories, Sweaty Betty and Reiss is called for! The challenge was the timing.
Most of what I wear I have owned for many (many) years and are high street brands
Did I stick to it?
I found it mostly straightforward with a couple of bumps.
My first challenge was Black Friday. It felt weird not clicking through to have a little browse of the bargains as I normally would. I paused midway through my reflex click through because I realised, what’s the point if I’m not going buy anything. I probably saved myself time and mental energy scouring pages of items which I probably wouldn’t have bought.
During my Christmas shopping, I found the challenge strangely refreshing. After all, sometimes I top up my shopping basket with something for myself. I came across a lovely retro-looking gold chain with a mix tape pendant (remember those mixed cassettes we spent time recording?) I would have bought it and more had I not challenged myself. Instead I hinted to my husband it would be a good Christmas gift - over WhatsApp and yes I sent the link for convenience! Imagine my surprise on Christmas Day. In fairness, my husband had been asking for gift ideas. Was this a full-on cheat or creativity that leads to a little less consumption? You decide. Knowing for certain I was not going to buy clothes and accessories for myself simplified my shopping. Christmas chocolates were obviously excluded.
During the Boxing Day sales, it felt stranger. My husband and I buy most of our clothes in the Winter sales. He happily ordered a few items from his favourite discounted brands online. The days after Christmas felt busy with our daughters - it doesn't take a lot with these little bundles of energy. But had it not been for this detox, I’d have made time for my own in-person shopping tradition! I have no doubt I would come home with a shopping bag (or more) from Oxford Street or Kings Cross.
How do I feel about it? Did I learn anything?
Was I more creative using what I already owned? Marginally. I made more effort to dress up my existing outfits with accessories and jewellery for evenings out. There’s plenty I’ve not worn since pre-lockdown 1.0. I embraced tips on how to shop your own wardrobe and put outfits together from Shabrina who is a wonderful image consultant I know.
FOMO (fear of missing out) did surface when I saw my husband wearing his new purchases! Do I need new things? No way, I have enough clothes that spark joy. But you know, FOMO! I love shows, dinners out, parties, even playdates and if I know a good friend is going, I usually want to be there too! By setting a rule (even a random self-imposed rule like this challenge) I experienced that familiar feeling of “you just can’t do it so don’t dwell” that I felt in lockdown. Taking away my choice to go shopping was mildly annoying but freeing because the decision had been made.
Furthermore, breaking the habit of instant gratification felt strange. I think that boils down to two things. First, I’ve grown used to convenience (Deliveroo, Uber, high-frequency Jubilee line trains etc) - enter two little people to test and improve my patience! Secondly, I was not engaging in something I usually would. I didn’t suddenly transfer pent up sale shopping to electronics or homewares. I simply didn’t look at the sales at all.
Now it’s been 12 weeks (more than the 10 I challenged myself to) and the moment has passed. I haven’t browsed the shops yet. Like my experience of lockdown 1.0, there was something comforting in reducing my choices. This year I will continue on my path of buying less clothes and more secondhand. When it comes to treating myself, I intend to revamp my skincare and makeup, in which I’ve not invested much money, research or time to date. Clothes wise, I want to buy a classic black leather belt (I can picture it, it’s going to elevate my existing wardrobe!), I will fix the strap of my trusty black leather handbag and I must replace my furry H&M slippers that are falling apart. Right now I’m not in a mad rush to hit the shops. Let’s see…
Hello there, little mix tape pendant :)