I do hope you all had a lovely Christmas (and got everything on your list from Father Christmas!).
My most treasured Christmas gifts this year were two coats; a faux fur coat from my sister (which I have been living in!) and a trench coat from my mum (which I intend to live in, just as soon as it stops being winter!!).
So... my shopping ban is over. I already told you 'what I have learnt' from the experience, although if truth be told I am far too excited at the prospect of being able to shop again that I might just forget all of that!
In order that I don't, I have come up with my definitive 10 shopping Commandments:
1. I shall not turn to my credit card for clothes.
2. I shall budget and stick to it.
3. I shall save for that much coveted item.
4. I shall not buy in a hurry.
5. I shall go home and if I still want it tomorrow then maybe I'll get it.
6. I shall buy classic and investment pieces.
7. I shall not dash madly through Primark grabbing armfuls of clothes just because it has a price tag under a fiver - and I shall remember that it all adds up.
8. I shall continue to love the clothes and shoes I already own.
9. I shall carefully decide what is missing from my wardrobe and stick to this list when out shopping.
10. I shall not be tempted by a sales sign.
When I started this ban six months ago I had a couple of reasons for doing it;
1. To save money - for a deposit for a house and to finish learning to drive before I'm 30!!
2. Because I was fed up with being told that I "have too many clothes"!! And was intrigued as to what was actually in my wardrobe - the stats say that most women only wear 10-20% of what they own, so maybe I can start wearing some of the remaining 80-90% of mine!!
Well, I have managed to (re) start learning to drive and will hopefully be passing my (second) driving test sometime in the first half of 2010. The house deposit part was maybe a little ambitious but I have proved that I have the will-power to not spend spend spend and when we do decide to start saving, I will be able to!
As for the second reason; I have certainly had to stretch my wardrobe to its limits and have found things I had forgotten about. It has also shown me where there are gaps in my wardrobe and hopefully, I can fill them over time without going mad on things I don't need!
So, my resolution for 2010, is responsible and (slightly more) limited shopping.
Happy New Year to fashion bloggers and their readers everywhere,
Love, Shopgirl
