Yahoo Finance My wardrobe freeze: 9 things I’ve learnt in the first 6 months
We’ve become so accustomed to instant gratification that the gap between seeing something and owning it has become dangerously narrow.
I’m almost halfway through my year-long wardrobe freeze, and it’s been interesting to say the least. I’ve not bought any clothing for the past six months – not even second-hand – and it’s completely changed my relationship with my wardrobe. Here are nine things I’ve learnt along the way.
1. Consumption has become dangerously easy
Withdrawing from consumption has shown me just how easy it has become to consume. The gap between seeing something, wanting it, and owning it has become dangerously short thanks to social media, advanced digital marketing and streamlined ways to pay. Stepping back has highlighted how many times we’re prodded with opportunities to purchase.
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2. I’m more creative without new items
With no new items entering my wardrobe, I’ve been forced to work with what I’ve got – and my style is better than ever as a result.
I’ve noticed how often I’d either base my outfits or style choices around the most recent things I’d bought or turn to the same old outfits every single day until I had something new to feel excited about.
3. A lot of my previous clothing consumption was driven by a desire to be someone I’m not
I’ve always loved the style of slim, athletic women. Loose, drapey, masculine. The problem is I’m a jiggly size 16, so items wear differently on my softer body.
I’ve noticed that, over the years, a lot of my style and consumption choices were coming from a place of wanting to be someone I’ll never be. Suddenly being unable to outsource my confidence to a new outfit has been liberating.
4. Many of us have enough outfits to last several months without repeating
You can work out how many outfits you own with a simple equation: (total tops x total bottoms) + total dresses + total jumpsuits. Even with just five bottoms, 10 tops and two dresses, you’ve technically got 52 outfits.
Of course, not all colours and shapes go together, but it’s been an interesting lesson in creativity. Exploring how to wear items multiple ways, and noticing the items that have the most versatility in my wardrobe, has taught me a lot about how to get the most from my clothing.
5. A little bit of effort goes a long way
Let’s face it: getting new clothes is fun. I used to get seriously excited when a new package arrived, or I finally bought a piece I’d been eyeing up for ages. But I’ve come to learn that there is as much joy – if not more – to be found in the clothes I already own.
Spending more time in my wardrobe, with my clothes, has ignited a new love of working with what I’ve got. And the satisfaction of discovering a new combo that I’ll come back to again and again has been even more powerful than getting something new.
6. My relationship with my body is better than ever
I’ve been taking photos of outfits I’ve put together and adding them to an album on my phone to refer to when I’m having one of those ‘nothing to wear’ days.
Looking at my body every day, taking a photo, enjoying that photo, and being pleased with how I look has fostered a new level of body acceptance.
7. Knowing what you own makes it easier not to buy
An important part of my wardrobe-freeze journey has been taking myself on ‘exposure therapy’ trips. This is when I visit stores I like and practise seeing beautiful clothes and walking away.
Not only has this been incredibly empowering (not to mention demonstrative of our collective obsession with consumption), it’s made me realise that the more intimately I know my wardrobe, the easier it is not to be tempted by new things. Feeling like I have plenty of clothing, and knowing the versatility in my wardrobe, has meant walking away has become easier over time.
8. It’s fun to replace buying with recreating
There’s outfit inspiration everywhere you look, but with inspiration comes temptation. Replacing “I like that, I’m going to buy it” with “I like that, I’m going to recreate it” has reminded me that inspiration doesn’t have to mean immediate replication.
You can take the principles of an outfit you see online and create something similar with what you already own.
9. I now know what I like and why
I’ve made a conscious effort over the past six months to learn about my style and preferences. What fabrics do I keep reaching for? What dress lengths am I most comfortable in? What colours suit me best?
I really value comfort in all aspects of my life, and my wardrobe is no exception. I’ve found myself loving outfits that feel stylish but also comfortable (I’m looking at you, elasticated-waist wide-leg pants) and it’s teaching me a lot about how to buy better in future.
With six months of my wardrobe freeze left to go, I’m starting to look ahead to what comes next. What began as a challenge to test my habits, save some money, and reduce my fashion footprint has become an important lesson in consumption that I hope will change my behaviour long term.
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