How to cut back on buying new clothes, according to the FJ team

Saying no to new doesn’t mean saying no to fashion.

The dopamine hit from retail therapy is often overshadowed by guilt, especially if you find yourself indulging a little too frequently. As we learn more about fast fashion’s impact on the environment, both brands and consumers are starting to make more conscious choices around clothing. More designers than ever are taking responsibility for what happens to their garments post-purchase, while choosing pre-loved fashion is becoming the norm for many consumers. 

For more on the circular economy, head to our Pre-Loved section.

Some shoppers minimise their impact on the environment (and their bank accounts) by taking time to consider if they really need a new item before making an impulse purchase. But for others, cutting back on new clothing doesn’t mean abstaining from shopping altogether. From hunting for vintage finds on eBay to curating a capsule wardrobe of versatile basics, there are plenty of ways to make our shopping habits more planet-friendly. 

Wear someone else’s wardrobe

Practised by: Lara Daly, Fashion Journal’s Features Editor

I’m an all-or-nothing person with most things in life – I can swing from living off green juice and 6am Pilates to eating pizza exclusively for days. It’s something I’m working on! Clothes shopping is kind of the same. I’ll go for months without stepping foot in a store, completely avoiding the lure of newness. If I do see something I like, I’m quite good at ‘thinking about it’ for so long that I forget about it. After about six months of frugal behaviour, though, I start to get the itch.

I’m currently at the tail end of a spending spree, which coincided with my moving to Australia, starting a new job and turning 30. It’s been emotional! I love everything I’ve bought lately, all from local designers (including a new Frisson knit, two pairs of Kahe pants and a 27 Mollys necklace) but it’s time to reign it in. Honestly, I cut back on buying new clothes by raiding my sister’s wardrobe. That, and forcing myself to look back through my bank statement to scare myself straight.

Layer yourself a new wardrobe

Practised by: Daisy Henry, Fashion Journal’s Assistant Editor

I have a few hacks that help stop me from buying new clothes when I’m feeling bored or restless with my current wardrobe. Lately, I’ve been experimenting with layers by wearing singlets over long-sleeve tops and skirts over pants. This forces me to look at my clothing in a new way, immediately giving old pieces a new lease on life.

I also like to cycle my wardrobe in and out, depending on the season. In winter, I’ll store my really summery pieces under the bed (and vice versa), so by the time the next season rolls around, each piece feels fresh and new. When I’m truly ready to move on from a piece of clothing, I usually sell it on platforms like eBay and use the money I’ve made to buy something I know I’ll get more wear out of (it doesn’t really count as new if it’s pre-loved).

Follow the ‘one in, one out’ rule

Practised by: Maryel Sousa, Fashion Journal contributor

I’ve shopped almost exclusively pre-loved for years, perhaps to excess. Only a dramatic decrease in closet space after moving in with my partner has successfully curbed my shopping addiction. I became intensely aware of how much clothing I’d accumulated over the years, how infrequently I wore most of it and how painful the idea of parting with it was. But (after many, many tears), I found solace in selling my clothes to people I knew would appreciate them.

After purging my closet of many well-loved but never-worn pieces, I’ve been left with a comfortable, versatile collection that I truly love wearing. When the shopping bug bites, I adhere to the ‘one in, one out’ rule: I first have to sell a piece from my wardrobe before I can add something new. Occasionally, I’ll find a piece better than one I already own but more often than not, the clothes I have win by a landslide.

Scroll Pinterest for ideas

Practised by: Molly Griffin, Fashion Journal’s Advertising and Partnerships Manager

I was always ‘that’ person who bought a new outfit for every occasion (of course, I could never outfit repeat), meaning I’ve had so many cocktail event dresses cycle through my wardrobe. I’ve since sold a lot of them on eBay. Now, when shopping, I try to focus more on my everyday wardrobe and prioritise pieces I can wear a lot. If I find I’m consistently struggling to find ‘something to wear’, I turn to Pinterest for inspiration and seek out people who have styled items similar to what I own. It’s amazing what style ideas other people can come up with.

Opt for quality first

Practised by: Giulia Brugliera, Fashion Journal’sManaging Editor 

If I’m honest, what’s helped me cut back most is the fact that I’m now buying more expensive clothing. Over time, I’ve found I’m most drawn to pieces that are well-cut, made from natural fibres and, true to my personal style, share a similar boxy silhouette. I now know the designers whose pieces tend to suit my body shape and tastes, and it’s really streamlined my wardrobe. However, the clothes can be expensive. That fact in itself has forced me to buy much less, as my budget only stretches so far.

On the upside, it’s prompted me to search for these designers on pre-loved platforms first, which has now become a well-embedded habit. I have saved searches on eBay for brands like Anna Quan, Beare Park and Harris Tapper, which (hot tip) I tend to browse most voraciously when their new collections are announced. 

Sell, sell, sell!

Practised by: Georgina Woolcock, Fashion Journal’s Partnerships and Campaign Executive

I really stepped into my personal style when I undertook a wardrobe clearout and sold a number of pieces on eBay. I was forced to really look at my wardrobe. I had to think creatively about how to wear what I own in different ways, what pairs well together, and what simply wasn’t being touched. I noticed the pieces I turn to most are relatively simple – a pair of black trousers, a long-sleeve elastane top, a quality knit, a little black dress – and all tend to pair well with most other items in my wardrobe.

Now, whenever I’m tempted to shop, I consider how an item will slot in with my existing wardrobe. Will it enhance my current collection and pair well with the pieces I already own? Is it likely to get the same level of wear? Sometimes the answer is yes, often it’s no.  

Start browsing pre-loved fashion first on eBay.