No new clothes: I’m a fashion editor who’s bought nothing new this year

When I want an injection of newness, I find it pre-loved.

When working in fashion, particularly as a fashion editor, the desire to buy new clothes can be overwhelming at times. Whenever Fashion Journal does a profile on a brilliant local label, or I receive a press release about a new collection from a designer I love, I get an insatiable craving for newness. But from writing about slow fashion, I know the last thing we should be adding to our already overstuffed wardrobes is brand new clothing and accessories. 

I’ve been trying to consume less for the last few years, and I promised myself at the beginning of this year that I wouldn’t add any new items (as in, purchased brand new) to my wardrobe for the entire year. The caveat is that I can add pre-loved pieces, but I need to sell a piece already in my wardrobe to fund it. I call this my ‘one in, one out’ policy. 

The platform that’s helped me the most in my ‘no new items’ journey has been eBay. I’m a longtime eBay seller and have found the most success, both in selling and buying, on the platform. With millions of Australian users, I know there’s always going to be a buyer searching for what I’m selling – in fact, eBay is the original marketplace when it comes to pre-loved fashion. It’s why I turn to the platform first when adding pieces to my wardrobe. 

So after several months of buying nothing new, what does my wardrobe look like? Here’s what I’ve learnt so far and how I’ve gone about it. 

I list high end and high street pieces

Unlike some reselling platforms, on eBay, everything from high end to high street is in demand. This is great for both sellers and buyers. Something I’ve done this year is list a bunch of cheaper, high street pieces that I might have taken to a consignment store or donated to an op shop in the past. After they sell, I’ve been saving up the money and putting it towards a special designer piece. 

Earlier this year, I spotted a pair of heels by St. Agni on eBay – heels I’d been lusting after for years – and was able to put the money I’d made from selling my cheaper ‘going out’ tops and dresses towards purchasing them. 

While the previous example is more of a ‘several out, one in’ situation, I also list my more expensive designer pieces on eBay and use the money made for a straight ‘one in, one out’ swap. The other month, I listed a gorgeous Viktoria and Woods suit and when it sold, I put the money towards a cute pair of Prada shoes that had long been on my to-buy list. I’ve now started saving for some Marni loafers. 

There’s something particularly thrilling about getting that injection of newness but knowing you’re not contributing to our culture of rampant overconsumption. Finding incredible pieces like this at a fraction of their original cost doesn’t hurt either.

A little work, a lot of benefit

I know what you’re thinking: ‘Isn’t all this selling and buying actually a bit of a pain?’. Firstly, remember that your wardrobe, even if you’re personally sick of it, is bursting with value. Because eBay has millions of users globally, there’s demand for a wide array of brands and styles, even those you think might fetch very little.

Secondly, it’s important to me that my clothing gets a chance at a second life. Just because a piece no longer fits with my personal style doesn’t mean it won’t help someone else express theirs. By selling my pieces on eBay, I know they’re going to someone who’s specifically hunted them down and made a conscious decision to add them to their wardrobe. 

Lastly, listing and selling your items on eBay is surprisingly straightforward, something I think a lot of people forget. I’ve been opting to sell my items on Sundays because it’s when I have the most downtime. I use the platform’s artificial intelligence (AI) tools when getting my listings live as it writes my listings for me, then I’ll review what the AI has prepared and make any tweaks I need. eBay’s also collated a list of ways to describe your item’s condition here, so if you’re unsure or feeling time-poor, it’s great to reference.

Another key reason I choose eBay is that it’s safe and secure – there are seller protections for things that are out of your control – and easy shipping options, like the printer-free pick-up and delivery via Sendle option. This means no trips to the post office or human interaction is required when sending off my sold items, which lazy girls like me love.

So how does my wardrobe fare?

Since I broke up with buying brand new, I’ve become much more thoughtful about my purchases. Where before I’d see something I love it and buy it on the spot, I now need to take more time to consider the item. 

I search pre-loved platforms to see if I can find the item (or something similar) and if nothing is available just yet, I wait. eBay allows me to set alerts on specific search terms, then notifies me when those items become listed. By then, the urge to buy has usually waned, and I can tell if I genuinely like an item (and if it will add real value to my wardrobe) or I was just driven by a capitalistic desire to buy something new. 

As a result, my wardrobe has benefitted. It’s seen me add pieces like my Acne Studios jumper that pairs with almost anything, and my vintage Levi’s jeans that I’ve worn most days since buying them. I now find it’s easier to style myself in the mornings with minimal gaps in my wardrobe, and my old anxiety around having ‘nothing to wear’ has eased. I’ve also had the confidence to explore my personal style even further, knowing that if a piece doesn’t fit quite right, I can simply sell it again. That said, I genuinely love all the not-so-new pieces I’ve added to date. It’s been several months without new clothes and I can’t see myself turning back any time soon. 

eBay is not endorsed by or affiliated with any of the brands referenced in this article.

If you’d also like to bid farewell to new clothes, head to eBay.