Let me paint a picture for you: my closet, any given time of day or night; the door is open and literally unable to close. Pants, shirts, dresses, bras, shoes and bags spill out of it…kind of like the vomit I feel in my throat when I get a new VISA bill. I am addicted to shopping and cannot curb my spending….especially when stores bring our new inventory that I can’t live without! 

I’m sure I’m not the only one. But Terri Coles is the brave soul out there who made a decision for her New Year’s resolution to not buy any new clothes for an entire year. She’s blogging about it every step of the way on her site One Year, No New Clothes.

First of all, do you consider yourself a shopping addict?
I don’t know that I’d say addict — I’ve done shorter shopping breaks before, and managed to do it. But it’s definitely where the biggest chunk of my discretionary income goes. I’ve always loved clothes, and when I was younger I wanted to be a fashion designer. That dream was put aside because I cannot sew or draw, but it’s still something I’m interested in, whether it’s buying things for myself or picking out items for other people.

Where did you get the idea to not buy new clothes for a year?
I’d recently started following the blog for the Free Fashion Challenge, where participants agree to give up shopping for clothing for a year. I was simultaneously feeling kind of stifled by all the stuff and clutter in our apartment, and looking for ways to cut spending in anticipation of a job change. This idea just came to me one day and I decided to do it. It was kind of a rash decision, honestly; I told a few people right away so I’d have someone on my case if I backed off from it later.

I did include three exceptions to my shopping hiatus. First, I am allowed to buy new running shoes when mine wear out, because it’s bad for your feet to run in terrible sneakers. No other shoes, though. Second, if I make something myself, that is fine. This is part of my side goal to learn to knit more than long rectangles. And finally, socks, underwear and hosiery don’t count. Sometimes I need new underwear! I promise I’m not out buying La Perla or anything like that.

How do you stop yourself from buying new things?
The best way is really just avoidance. I can’t want to buy something if I don’t know it exists, so I just try not to go into clothing stores, or even the mall. I used to walk through the Eaton Centre on the way two and from work every day, because I get to my office through the PATH. I’m trying not to do that now.

What kind of feedback have you been getting?
A lot of people seemed pretty suspicious about my ability to do it. I can’t blame them — I was previously shopping nearly weekly, so it’s a big change for me. But I’ve also gotten encouragement too, which definitely helps. I don’t know how many people are reading, but knowing that a few people are following along and will notice if I stop posting or admit to failure does keep me honest.

The feedback from my bank account doesn’t hurt either, I have to say. I’ve definitely noticed the money saved.

What tips can you give to people who would like to take on this challenge?
If there is something you really need — as in, you do not currently have a winter coat — get it now. That’s the kind of thing that can break you. Clean out your closet and get rid of things that don’t fit or that you do not wear. It seems counterintuitive to get rid of clothes right before you commit to not buying any, but it’s easier to see what you really have that way. Otherwise, avoid the things that make you want to go shopping. It seems obvious, but that’s the most effective thing, I think.

What’s the biggest splurge you’ve ever allowed yourself?
For a single item? Probably a beautiful winter coat that I paid over $300 for when I was a student. It was nearly as much as my rent at the time, and I probably shouldn’t have spent that much, but it was a really great coat. The answer should probably have been my wedding dress, but I got that on eBay for $100!

Is this challenge about saving money or stopping an accumulation of clothing?
It’s about a few things. Saving money was definitely a motivation for it, but not the entire motivation; redirecting money was also part of it. I’m interested in photography, for example, and I’d like to get some new equipment; spending so much on clothing before kept me from being able to do that. I also want to save for a trip next winter.

Accumulation was definitely a strong factor, though — I just had so much clothing, but ended up wearing the same 10 things over and over again because I didn’t have the patience to poke through my closet and get creative. All the fun of playing with getting dressed was gone; I’m hoping this forces me to be more creative.

And finally, I just am not totally comfortable with where the fashion industry is moving. We focus so much on cheap, disposable fashion now, at a pretty significant cost to the environment. Also, if a shirt made halfway around the world cost me $20 in Toronto, I have to wonder what exactly made it so inexpensive for me. I want to break my habit of just going for the sale and focus more on clothing that’s well-made and really what I want, as well as more responsibly created.

Is there any store that might make you cave in?
Not so much a store, but the internet is my biggest nemesis, I think. I can avoid going into a Club Monaco, but I spend my days online and definitely have used browsing through Etsy or J Crew as a distraction. That’s harder to stay away from. Also, band t-shirts. I definitely don’t need any more t-shirts, and it sounds like a pretty boring temptation. But I love music and I love supporting musicians, and I go to a lot of live shows. Buying a band’s shirt is one way to throw a bit of extra cash their way and show them you dig them. Fortunately I’m not on a vinyl hiatus, so that’s still an option.

Who is your style icon?
Joey Ramone — I’ve always been a bit of a tomboy and I can frequently be found in skinny black pants and a striped top. I appreciate his commitment to a theme, as well — he knew what worked for him and stuck with it. In an alternate universe where I am actually glamourous, Debbie Harry or David Bowie.

How will you celebrate if you make it to the end of the year?
I’m going to buy a gorgeous cashmere sweater, and it won’t even have to be on sale.

Check out Terri’s blog: http://nonewclothes.tumblr.com/.

Bianca Teixeira
www.beeisthenewblog.com