The Challenge

So, I've decided it's high time I set myself a new challenge. A proper one that will take a decent amount of effort and last a while. 

When I was nine years old I gave up sweets for Lent without telling anyone. I wanted to see if I could go without for six weeks and by keeping it secret I didn't have the added help of my mum keeping a beady eye on me. After the allotted period I emerged on Easter Sunday brandishing a carrier bag half full of confectionery, having stored it under my bed. My family were suitably impressed and my mother insisted I took the bag into school to show and tell, and probably so that I'd have to share the stash and so not OD on sugar.

Three plus years ago I turned veggie. The main reasons being health and environmental benefits and animal welfare concerns, but a little part of me also wanted to see if I had the willpower to do it. After all, crispy duck pancakes and bacon sandwiches were two of my favourite meaty meals. But nearly four years on I'm as committed as I always have been and have every intention of staying meat-free forever.

So, I have will power and previous record directing it at abstaining from various foodstuffs. My latest challenge doesn't involve food but clothing instead.

For one year I will not buy a single new item of clothing. Starting today (although I could have got going a while ago as I haven't been stocking up on new threads) I won't buy a single new item of clothing. Instead I will make do and mend items I already own, buy secondhand or (I'm the most nervous about this one) make my own.

Some might say I could go further and eschew the purchase of all clothing for a year but I'm not about winning rosettes for extreme behaviour. To totally rule out taking ownership of a new or not-new item of clothing isn't particularly practical or realistic. After all, even cave folk made themselves a new loin cloth/toga/whatever you call their garb from leftover animal skin from time to time.

Plus, by boycotting all clothes I may turn off readers and be dismissed as too idealistic. I'd like to take this opportunity to show others, as well as myself, that buying £3 outfits from Primark, just because you can, or changing your wardrobe every season isn't needed to look and feel good about yourself. When it comes down to it, most of our purchases are suggested and decided by someone sitting in an office a long way away and their highly-skilled marketing company. And then there's the labour used to make the cheap clothes so many love. However much we might not want to believe it, no high street store is guilt-free of using cheap labour – people who work incredibly long hours in harsh conditions and don't even take home a decent enough wage to live on at the end of the day. We can't keep buying and binning clothes and not think there's a catch.

Over the next year I'm going to find out just how well I can be dressed without the use of virgin clothing. Hopefully it will benefit my wallet and the local charity shops I support, it will mean I don't contribute to the misery of many garment workers, plus improve my sewing skills and leave a few items out of landfill. 

Now, where did I put that pattern for handmade knickers…

Comments

[Mrs Green @ my zero waste]

Fantastic challenge. I've been on a waradrobe declutter and my goal is to create a capsule wardrobe. It's a real challenge as I'm not very good at that sort of thing, but I'm getting there. I took over 40 items of clothing to the charity shop and am still left with over 60 in my wardrobe. I was horrified to be honest, when I saw just how much *stuff* I had in there. I would love to halve what is in there now to get it down to 30, but that's the most challenging part.

i reckon about 80% of what I own is second hand; I LOVE my charity shop bargain!

Good luck with your challenge; I think with your creative streak you'll do great.

[Thefrugallife]

Very cool! What a great idea. You are an inspiration to us all. Keep us updated on how you get on.

[Kirsty]

Such a cool idea - very intrigued to see where it takes you. Pattern-cutting/stitching help offered at any time, if useful, although I'm possibly not up for making your pants!!

Also Mrs Green's comment makes me wonder if you should maybe organise a clothes swap some time...?

x

[christine]

Good luck with your challenge! Since January 1st, I have been doing a similar thing but only for six months...I have 2 basic dresses as a base & can only use what I already own or secondhand items to change them up. I'm donating what I would have spent on clothes to a charity at the end of the six months. You can do it!

[the green gal]

Oh you guys! Thanks for the kind comments, your encouragement and support means a lot to me.

Mrs G - your wardrobe clear out sounds v impressive! There's something about finding a little diamond of an item hiding in a charity shop that makes you feel so good, isn't there?

the frugal life - aw shucks, I think I'll need to reread your comment a few times in the future when I'm bemoaning my lack of anything to wear (despite a full wardobe).

Kirsty – so glad you offered your sewing skills before I had to ask, yay!

Christine – checked out your blog, v impressive posting every day and love the accompanying pics. You're a noble gal donating to charity, I salute you!

[linden]

This is so great! I have always made all of my own clothing...except for tshirt which I do buy. I wear old fashioned cotton jumpers or hemp jumpers or frocks or dresses they would be called here in the US. I wear pants underneath them...usually guaze or cotton of some type. And when these wear out I sew and patch them up. I've always done this since I can't find clothing I like...never have really been able to...at least that I can afford. So...I think that folks doing this challenge is most awesome! I look forward to seeing the projects you come up with along the way! Nice to meet you in the indie class.