Half way into my 365 no buy wardrobe challenge
What it's *REALLY* been like, my most worn pieces & thoughts on temptation
We’ve officially hit the halfway point of my 365 day no buy wardrobe challenge! I wanted to to use today’s substack as a way to review my progress so far, and to reflect on how I’m really feeling, now i’m past the halfway mark. I’ll be documenting every 90 days/each quarter of the challenge, and you can catch up on the first 90 days review here.
The truth is I needed this no buy more than I realised. It has been the breath of fresh air that I didn’t know I needed, the pause/reset I had been putting off. This one decision became a catalyst to many other decisions. Last week a client shared with me the concept of ‘warmer warmer, colder colder’, and that has truly stuck with me when it comes to what i’m leaning into and what i’m moving away from this season, and life in general. Ultimately, this challenge has helped me make peace with longing for something and riding the wave of desire, which i’ll go into more detail after the data.
My most worn pieces over the past 6 months (compared to the first 3 months)
Am I surprised by the fact everything in the first image (Q2) is black and white (with the exception of the tan Loewe puzzle bag)? No, not really. Given that I got diagnosed with depression at the end of May, this makes so much sense. When I compare the two quarters side by side both still feel like me, only the latter months of the year show just how much I needed to simplify in order to remove any decision fatigue. Naturally my brain didn’t have the capacity to be my most creative self, there was a sense of getting by, and a craving for simplicity.
When I look at the pieces in the top image, I feel a sense of gratitude, for how each piece helped me slowly come back to myself. I think the bags and earrings have played a huge role in being able to feel like myself, they helped me feel put together with minimal effort and without having to overthink it. It’s also worth pointing out that the first three months would have been a little cooler so it makes sense my most worn items include boots, and a blazer, vs the summer months are showing a vest top and flip flops.
My most worn uniforms in Q2
Let’s access my most worn uniforms from the past 3 months, especially given these months were summer. I definitely find it easier to add in color in the autumn winter months, especially because I often notice the inclusion of colour via a layering piece, so my summer palette does tend to lean more neutral in comparison. I could have been more creative but I as explained above the simplicity of this neutral palette was exactly what I needed during a difficult time.
Uniform 1 - LBD with a woven or suede bag
The little long black dress is a staple in summer for me. Don’t get wrong I love a white dress, but I am like a child who always manages to get food down myself, so when I wear a lighter dress I have to proceed with caution. The LBD is just so easy to style, and I find it very easy to make it feel ‘summery’ especially if i’m adding a bag with texture and a sandal. The only one I own that is still in stock is the Cos dress in the centre below, which I would buy again in a heartbeat.
Uniform 2 - T- Shirt dresses with a barely there open toe heel
When the temperatures are soaring, I just want easy, fuss free and that’s why I love a t-shirt dress. I can dress it up or dress it down. The accessories do all the heavy lifting. I like that a t-shirt dress acts like a blank canvas to show off your other pieces, which for me usually felt like the shoes & earrings, they become the focal point. I love the contrast of the casual tshirt vibe with a fancier, more elegant shoe. The only one I own that is still available is this one in the centre below.
Uniform 3 - Matching linen sets
Living in Los Angeles makes linen a no brainer in my forever wardrobe, especially having several matching sets that I can mix and match with other separates. An essential in any summer wardrobe in my opinion. Whether I went away for a weekend or a longer trip, I always packed one matching linen set, knowing it could be worn in a variety of ways and used interchangeably with whatever else I packed. It’s my favorite way to make more looks while packing less. Most of my linen sets are old from H&M premium section, but i’ve linked the linen trouser and waistcoat.
Uniform 4 - Linen pant with a vest or tee
On the hardest days this was my go to. For the most part it felt like I was wearing pyjamas. I was comfortable, I felt safe. It was usually on these days where I didn’t see anyone. There were times when I would play in my closet and put on something fancy, only to return to my ‘pyjama’ looks. But those ten minutes were enough to offer some light relief and reminded me how powerful getting dressed can be. My favorite t-shirts are these ones, and my slouchy wide leg linen trousers are these ones.
Has there been any temptations?
Of course! Many! But here’s the thing, my brain likes rules (i’m working on this). There is something comforting in the boundary of a no buy, and what i’ve noticed is this challenge has helped me get comfortable in the longing for something stage. Knowing I can’t have it now has allowed me to experience the desire at its most heightened, and then more times than not, once the desire peaks and is at its most intense, it lessens. There is a strange acceptance of doing a challenge like this, mostly because I liked my reasons for doing said challenge. It was sparked by curiosity, not punishment.
When the desire is at its most intense, I entertain it, I talk to it, I remind it just because we can’t have it now, doesn’t mean we will never have it. That calms me. Desire is a normal part of being a human being, I don’t shame myself for it. I’ve had to learn how to satisfy cravings in a different way, but I don’t feel like i’m white knuckling anything. It becomes equally fascinating when you look back at how many things spoke to you in the moment with intensity, only to lose their lustre after sitting with it.
I remind my brain there are so many beautiful things in the world, some of which will be in my life one day and some won’t. I remind my brain there are so many things that have yet to be made, yet to exist, that will probably be even more exciting than something that is speaking to me in this moment. The difference is when the desire lessens, but continues to come back round repeatedly, I then trust that might be something to put on a wish list, I trust that thing is a case of warmer warmer, and maybe is meant to come home with me, one day. I’ll share a seperate post soon of the pieces I think with a lot of time and hindsight (and applying what i’ve spoken about above) may well be added to my wardrobe once my challenge ends. It will be interesting to make some predictions about what I will add in Vs what I actually end up buying at the end of the no buy.
Thank you so much for reading and supporting my work.
Harry x
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Thank you for sharing the nooks and crannies of this adventure and congratulations on your progress! I started the year by committing to the Rule of Five, that is, allowing myself to 5 purchases only, with such a level of "I'll do this no problem" confidence that turned out to be unrealistic. However, what I learned about myself, my habits, and my relationship with my wardrobe is worth the adventure.
Harriet, this is so so impressive. As somone who is too afraid to embark upon this quest and fears failure, you sharing your experience helps me plot my own upcoming adventure.