Love this! I had made my New Years Resolution for next year not to buy any new clothes, only second hand, but reading about the Rule of Five, maybe this is better! Am excited to keep following the campaign.
I think it is because we still support the industry (80% staffed by women) and if we make sure to buy from independent, small labels then that money gets distributed much better (rather than 99.9% going to some big man boss in Paris, and 0.1% going to garment workers in Bangladesh). But thats another story! I LOVED plotting my 5 purchases, and found shopping for them deeply rewarding (mostly). It also really restores the value relationship between object and owner. Basically - you really treasure your clothes again. Excited to do this with you in 2024!
I tried and totally failed--bought 25 pieces (new and secondhand). I wasn’t happy with my clothes as quite a few things didn’t fit anymore so I think I did the right thing to shop for my body’s needs and it’s made me more satisfied with what I have.
I did learn a lot from the attempt and will be trying again in 2024! This time I’ve actually made a plan--
1 winter item, probably a jumper;
1 basic item in case I need to replace something that’s a necessity (eg if I lose my sun hat);
1 spontaneous but considered item because there’ll always be a place in my life for something beautiful
1 non-basic essential (I would really like a new button down shirt and hope to find the right piece)
1 “open” item in case I need one more of any of the items above.
Some of these items overlap, which would be great. Also, my goal is to shop secondhand first, and in person where possible.
I also plan have a few no-buy months scattered throughout the year just to detox from the need for a dopamine hit from shopping. I’m thinking Feb, April, June, September, November and December.
Great plan! One thing I found really helped was the two week cooling off period. I avoided buying so many things by making myself wait and see if I still wanted it as much
I decided to start my Rule of Five this December (why wait for January) but I've already bought one 2nd hand piece. Regarding swimwear/underwear, I went the opposite direction. I've used my wool bra and undies as swimwear for most of the summer and was quite happy with it!
wow - where are your wool undies/swimwear from? Love the sound of this. Wool is now being used as swimwear by Vilbrequin instead of synthetic materials - they intend to transition their whole swimwear line to wool. How did you find it dried? Did it stretch at all?
Well done Tiff, keep at it, I think Rule of Five will be even bigger next year. I've done it, but only because I have been poor as a church mouse, and spent all my money on wine when I've had some. Perhaps we should try wine Rule of Five...
I started off the year well, but around April I started to slip. In looking at my closet, I realized that I was wanting pieces that helped me develop more of my personal style. I used that as my mantra the rest of the year when considering purchases. I’m in my mid 40s, and feel like I’m just now honing in on my personal style. I ended up somewhere in the 15-18 item range if I include accessories. It’s been a great learning year, and I’m going to try some of the tips offered by others and you as I consider purchases next year. Grateful for the conversations offered here by you, and others who are championing more conscious consumption and creativity!
It sounds like you're well on the way Claudia. Personal style is an evolving thing. Try the 80/20 rule - 80% your wardrobe functional items, 20% total personality pieces. So you could wear a navy suit with crazy shoes. A black dress with an outrageous coat etc. Look forward to hearing how you get on in 2024!
Thanks Tiffanie! I’m trying to define my style by using three descriptive words to guide me. I also like the idea of the 80/20 rule, so I’ll look into it.
I’ve done it... Just about, I too bought some swimwear come underwear from Prism which I have definitely categorised as underwear and I used a VERY long term rental from
Cirkel. I also bought an incredible upcycled denim bag from Revival London which I think is technically cheat, but hopefully the least offensive kind of cheat. Here’s to 2024 🥂
Extremely inoffensive! Amazing Hannah, so enjoyed doing this with you. All conscious purchases. Prism are brilliant because their clothes are three in one - underwear, swimwear and activewear so if you are living on a minimalistic wardrobe they are brilliantly multi-functional. Great buy!
Branwyn. I've only used the black as swimwear but they hold up great and dry quickly. I used them in both lakes and pools this summer and I plan to use them again next year. No stretching!
I organise a Christmas shopping event in aid of charity where we endeavour to sell products made from sustainable sources or recycled materials or actually are recycled - the recycled cashmere is one of the best sellers.
I think with workwear there should be some flexibility. Clearly you need good shoes and boots! Also I love that you tie it back to the land. Arizona Muse (Dirt Charity) always talks about how our clothes come from soil, which they do. You can actually buy cotton t shirts from regeneratively farmed fields now. Pangaia have them, so too does Stella (expensive!) but hopefully more soon as Inditex (Zara) have put millions into a regnerative farming fund. Do let us know how you get on in 2024 Kimberley
Love this! I had made my New Years Resolution for next year not to buy any new clothes, only second hand, but reading about the Rule of Five, maybe this is better! Am excited to keep following the campaign.
I think it is because we still support the industry (80% staffed by women) and if we make sure to buy from independent, small labels then that money gets distributed much better (rather than 99.9% going to some big man boss in Paris, and 0.1% going to garment workers in Bangladesh). But thats another story! I LOVED plotting my 5 purchases, and found shopping for them deeply rewarding (mostly). It also really restores the value relationship between object and owner. Basically - you really treasure your clothes again. Excited to do this with you in 2024!
I tried and totally failed--bought 25 pieces (new and secondhand). I wasn’t happy with my clothes as quite a few things didn’t fit anymore so I think I did the right thing to shop for my body’s needs and it’s made me more satisfied with what I have.
I did learn a lot from the attempt and will be trying again in 2024! This time I’ve actually made a plan--
1 winter item, probably a jumper;
1 basic item in case I need to replace something that’s a necessity (eg if I lose my sun hat);
1 spontaneous but considered item because there’ll always be a place in my life for something beautiful
1 non-basic essential (I would really like a new button down shirt and hope to find the right piece)
1 “open” item in case I need one more of any of the items above.
Some of these items overlap, which would be great. Also, my goal is to shop secondhand first, and in person where possible.
I also plan have a few no-buy months scattered throughout the year just to detox from the need for a dopamine hit from shopping. I’m thinking Feb, April, June, September, November and December.
Great plan! One thing I found really helped was the two week cooling off period. I avoided buying so many things by making myself wait and see if I still wanted it as much
I decided to start my Rule of Five this December (why wait for January) but I've already bought one 2nd hand piece. Regarding swimwear/underwear, I went the opposite direction. I've used my wool bra and undies as swimwear for most of the summer and was quite happy with it!
wow - where are your wool undies/swimwear from? Love the sound of this. Wool is now being used as swimwear by Vilbrequin instead of synthetic materials - they intend to transition their whole swimwear line to wool. How did you find it dried? Did it stretch at all?
Well done Tiff, keep at it, I think Rule of Five will be even bigger next year. I've done it, but only because I have been poor as a church mouse, and spent all my money on wine when I've had some. Perhaps we should try wine Rule of Five...
That WOULD be punishing :(
Impossible even...
I started off the year well, but around April I started to slip. In looking at my closet, I realized that I was wanting pieces that helped me develop more of my personal style. I used that as my mantra the rest of the year when considering purchases. I’m in my mid 40s, and feel like I’m just now honing in on my personal style. I ended up somewhere in the 15-18 item range if I include accessories. It’s been a great learning year, and I’m going to try some of the tips offered by others and you as I consider purchases next year. Grateful for the conversations offered here by you, and others who are championing more conscious consumption and creativity!
It sounds like you're well on the way Claudia. Personal style is an evolving thing. Try the 80/20 rule - 80% your wardrobe functional items, 20% total personality pieces. So you could wear a navy suit with crazy shoes. A black dress with an outrageous coat etc. Look forward to hearing how you get on in 2024!
Thanks Tiffanie! I’m trying to define my style by using three descriptive words to guide me. I also like the idea of the 80/20 rule, so I’ll look into it.
I’ve done it... Just about, I too bought some swimwear come underwear from Prism which I have definitely categorised as underwear and I used a VERY long term rental from
Cirkel. I also bought an incredible upcycled denim bag from Revival London which I think is technically cheat, but hopefully the least offensive kind of cheat. Here’s to 2024 🥂
Extremely inoffensive! Amazing Hannah, so enjoyed doing this with you. All conscious purchases. Prism are brilliant because their clothes are three in one - underwear, swimwear and activewear so if you are living on a minimalistic wardrobe they are brilliantly multi-functional. Great buy!
Branwyn. I've only used the black as swimwear but they hold up great and dry quickly. I used them in both lakes and pools this summer and I plan to use them again next year. No stretching!
Hi
I totally agree and managed to only buy 6 items.
1 white t shirt
1 white shirt
1 WNU shirt
2 dresses
pair of boots
I organise a Christmas shopping event in aid of charity where we endeavour to sell products made from sustainable sources or recycled materials or actually are recycled - the recycled cashmere is one of the best sellers.
www.cotswoldfair.com
I think with workwear there should be some flexibility. Clearly you need good shoes and boots! Also I love that you tie it back to the land. Arizona Muse (Dirt Charity) always talks about how our clothes come from soil, which they do. You can actually buy cotton t shirts from regeneratively farmed fields now. Pangaia have them, so too does Stella (expensive!) but hopefully more soon as Inditex (Zara) have put millions into a regnerative farming fund. Do let us know how you get on in 2024 Kimberley