Live Lovely Summer Clothing Challenge | No Shop Summer

This summer I was planning on challenging myself and you to shop your own closets and create your summer outfits out of what you already have. In other words, go on a complete spending ban, especially with clothing. However, I decided to jump right in and start early. Yesterday I was thinking about how fortunate I am to have the clothes that I do, even though this time of year I often get excited to add some new styles to my wardrobe. I want to work on building up some savings and being more aggressive about my student loan repayments. So then I decided, why wait for summer? I’m going to start now. 

Chances are you already own everything you need for the beach, summer picnics, Independence Day soirees, and any number of spring and summer activities and events. My challenge to you this season is to resist buying new clothes, shoes, and accessories so you can mix, match, and appreciate what you already have all summer long. 

But why?

If you’re online as often as I am, you might have noticed how influencer marketing has tricked us into “needing” things that we don’t actually need. Going on a vacation? Buy this sundress. Heading to the beach? Not without this sunhat or bathing suit. You get the idea. Ever since I started appearing in my blog posts I have had to think about what I wear for each trip and post. Sometimes, more often than I want to admit, I have fallen into the influencer way of thinking that I need a new outfit to match where I’m going, when I already owned something suitable. And I’m not even a fashion blogger! I’m not a fashion influencer so I don’t do this every day or every week, but it happens more than I like and I’m done with those bad habits and messages.

Or maybe you shop a lot in your downtime or with friends. Perhaps you spend too much time in retail therapy instead of getting more of what you really need. When your self esteem is low, maybe you shop to try to feel better. Whether you fall for clever online ads or find yourself popping into the mall after work or on the weekends, many of us can learn a lot about ourselves by examining our shopping habits; the where, when, and why we shop. Shopping is now a cure for feeling bad though, no matter how excited or good a new purchase may make you feel temporarily. 

You might want to accept this seasonal challenge because you too have realized that you have accumulated enough and don’t actually need more. Maybe you just want to save money or time. Perhaps you’re looking for different ways to connect with your peers or feel good about yourself. You might also want to limit your consumption to help the environment. Whatever your reason may be, I hope you join me. 

I want to teach myself more appreciation and to embrace my own personal style instead of keeping up with trends. That is not to say I won’t try to pack clothing that looks chic, but I won’t shop for something new to achieve the look I’m going for. I’m all for dressing for the occasion and matching what I wear to the place, but with creativity, I can create any look I’m going for without having to purchase something new and you can too. I will be using the clothes, shoes, and accessories that are already in my closet. I’m challenging you to do the same. 

How?

First things first: shop your closet.

Organize your closet and declutter everything that is stained, ripped, doesn’t make you feel good about yourself, or doesn’t fit. By removing the weeds you can see the blooms. 

Take stock of what you have. You might think you’re low on summer shorts, but find that you actually have several pairs. What kinds of accessories do you own? Any hats that have been long forgotten or scarves hidden in a drawer? What kinds of colors do you have? Familiarize yourself with your closet. Chances are, you have a lot more than you thought you did. When you switch your mindset from wanting more things to realizing you have enough, you will start feeling better about your current collection and find yourself wanting less and enjoying more. Gratitude is the best cure for a case of the gimmies. 

Step Two: Now that you have taken inventory, make a list of necessities. Do you have a bathing suit for the summer? Do you have a pair of sandals or active shoes? A work out outfit? A good pair of jeans and tops for both work and play? How about a blazer for formal events? Socks and under garments? A sweater for chilly nights out? Anything that you actually need and no not have goes on this list. Why? Because if you’re lacking items that you will need to use, then you will inevitably set yourself up for failure and you’ll find yourself shopping. 

Step Three: Time to get creative. What tops and bottoms can you mix and match? How do different shoes or jackets effect your outfits? Can you change the look of a dress by adding a waist belt? How many looks and combinations can you come up with? How many different ways can you wear your scarf around your neck, in your hair, on your bag, or as a band on your sunhat? When you get creative with your closet you will discover how many combinations you can make with what you already own, resulting in gratitude for your possessions and also broadening your wardrobe without having to add more to it. 

The rules:

1. All summer long, you cannot buy any new clothes, shoes, or outfit accessories like jewelry, watches, belts, and scarves (unless it is to replace an important and necessary item such as sneakers or work attire if what you have breaks down). 
2. You can however, make new things. Designing your own clothes and accessories goes beyond shopping. It is a creative outlet that should be celebrated and you can make things with friends. If this is a part of what you do or enjoy, I wouldn’t want to take it away from anyone and it nourishes a different part of ourselves than shopping does. 
3. Gift giving is accepted! If you need to buy a gift for someone else, you can purchase items that fit the clothing and accessories challenge. If you’re a parent or caregiver, you may need to purchase new things for those under your care. And of course, if someone gifts you something new, it is always a kind gesture to be appreciated. Practice that gratitude. 
4. If you absolutely need something new try borrowing or swapping with a friend instead. Last resort: try a thrift store. 
5. Stop looking! Ban the e-mail subscriptions, don’t click on ads, avoid window shopping or going to the mall, and keep off of the websites that increase temptation to buy. Grocery shop in stores that only sell groceries (sorry, Target). If you love to follow fashion, you can still keep informed about styles and read blogs, but be careful about the links. Instead, use it as inspiration to style the clothing that you already have. 
6. You can take this project a step further and ban spending on anything that is not necessities. That includes beauty products, hobby supplies, going out to eat, etc. 

Will you try a spending ban? I would love to hear your thoughts for or against it in the comments.