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Apr 9, 2023Liked by Tiia VM

I’m constantly thinking about buying clothes too.

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Yeah, it's kind of scary how conditioned we are to always chase the next new thing...

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Apr 12, 2023Liked by Tiia VM

This really made me feel like starting to tot up what I spend on clothes!

(I buy things almost exclusively from charity shops, so most items are around 4-6€, or maybe up to 10€ for shoes. Anything over that is really rare - like maybe once every few months - and still it’s usually only a little over. The absolute most I’ve spent on one thing in the last few years is a little under 40€, and that felt like a wild splurge. Sometimes I think about spending more on a particular item - but on deliberation it always feels like a bad idea, because I could spend so much less on something else.)

But like you and Mary, I am always always thinking about acquiring clothes. Always.

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I used to buy clothes almost exclusively at thrift stores and charity shops, and you definitely get used to spending very little on clothes, and eventually something that costs 20 euros sounds expensive. For me it became problematic because I didn't really see much value in the clothes that I bought, so I treated them accordingly, and kept buying and purging, buying and purging. I didn't really know what my style was so it felt suitable to just buy cheap things here and there and try different things and hope that something would stick.. It took me a long time to figure out what my style really was, and only after that I felt more comfortable spending more on occasional, individual items. Having said that, I think it is possible to have a balanced, amazing, great quality wardrobe that consists of nothing but thrift store finds!

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Apr 23, 2023Liked by Tiia VM

i almost exclusively buy secondhand now but mostly online which is still quite expensive. it also makes buying so tempting because everything feels unique (there’s only one and i’ll be sad if someone else scoops it up!) and it gives me more access to higher end duds that i normally wouldn’t shop for... i am realizing that i need to delete the apps but i get so much pleasure out of scrolling and looking. not sure what i can peruse instead to just appreciate but not shop?! magazines seem like an appropriate option but i wouldn’t even know which ones to look for - suggestions from folks here would be much appreciated!

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I totally get the thrill of buying second hand things because they're unique! It's almost too easy to make mistakes because you can't stop to think for too long.

My favorite magazine is The Gentlewoman. It has a very calming, simple aesthetic and they don't do trend reports at all. The editorials don't really push products. I also like Violet (violetbook on IG). Their aesthetic is similar to Lula from back in the day, so more feminine and dreamy.

I also like fashion books, I have a big collection I've accumulated over the years.

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Same! Making a list of what I want helps me but less but then it makes me obsess. I fell in love with a tweed jacket on TRR and I was quite relieved when it sold, because it meant I could stop obsessing.

About money and shopping: this morning a pair of trousers I ordered from Vestiaire arrived, and my husband asked me how much they were (he was curious because they’re secondhand). I found myself explaining how much more they would have cost me if they were new..it’s funny how embarrassed we are to state how much we spend on clothes when we sense that we’re spending more than others would.

For me, the guilt comes from feeling that I’m fuelling the whole consumption machine, and that I can afford to spend on clothes that I don’t need. Agree it’s better to acknowledge those feelings...I think it’s helped me shop more mindfully. And that’s a good thing.

I don’t have a budget but I did the maths and found that I spent about 5% of my take home pay on clothes, which surprised me cos I thought it would be more. This year I’m trying to buy maximum 5 pieces a year, and I’m currently at 4 😬. But zero regrets though -- I was able to spend more per piece and go for the wishlist pieces so it has been satisfying!

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Ah, yes, the eternal game of excuses and explanations before telling someone what something you bought cost! :-D I know it all too well.

I, too, feel guilty about spending money on things I don't need, and about being a consumer in general. The whole fashion/clothing/style industry is problematic on so many levels and even though I love fashion and clothes, there are moments when I wish I could just resign from the system somehow. I definitely experience shame, not being able to resist the pull of it all. Not sure what to make of all that.

5% is a good place to be! The "5 pieces a year" -thing is super interesting. I see a lot of Finnish sustainability influencers doing it this year.

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