Shopping Ban Summary

A few months ago, I declared myself on a shopping ban. I was not going to buy anymore clothes or housewares until the end of April. I allowed myself a few exceptions to the ban.

First exception, I was allowed to purchase items on any out-of-town trips I took. During my trip to Pennsylvania in March, I purchased new boots, and during my trip to New York in April, I purchased 3 dresses, a ring and a bracelet.

3Free dress and fork bracelet from New York


Topshop dress and Brooklyn Flea ring from New York


Nine West boots from Pennsylvania

Second exception, I was allowed to continue thrifting at Unique on half-price Mondays. I also took advantage of that exception. All the items pictured below were less than $6 each, most of them in the $2-3 range.

thrifted Ann Taylor LOFT skirt


thrifted Limited Dress and Banana Republic white buttondown


thrifted New York t-shirt


thrifted flowered faux-wrap dress


thrifted teal velvet jacket


thrifted Banana Republic white buttondown and braided leather belt


thrifted Limited wrap top


thrifted bag


thrifted skirt


thrifted Express dress


thrifted off-white bag


thrifted Old Navy skirt


thrifted tie


thrifted Structure tie

Finally, I was allowed to purchase frames for some unframed photos that I was waiting to hang. I still have not purchased those frames.

As far as sticking to the ban, I didn't do too badly. I purchased a few "necessities," specifically black sheer hose for $1.19, 3 pairs of nude hose for a total of $6, and a pack of white socks for $8. I also picked up some cute polka-dot trouser socks at H&M for $5(?) to replace the ones I was wearing that wouldn't stay up. When I instituted the ban, I hadn't really thought about whether to include items such as these. Either way, total damage was around $20.

polka-dotted trouser socks


black sheer hose


nude hose

I also made a purchase that I consider "justified," namely my You by Crocs shoes. I've had my eye on You's for over a year, and I finally saw the price drop below $30 per pair, so I got a pair of grey and a pair of pink. Total damage: $54.

pink You by Crocs

grey You by Crocs

Finally, I made 2 purchases completely in violation of the ban, with no justification whatsoever: this purple purse from H&M ($5) and these dangly silver earrings from World Market ($4). Total damage: $9.

H&M purse


World Market earrings

Counting my "necessities," my "justified" shoe purchases, and my flagrant violations, the total money spent in violation of the ban was $84. All in all, not bad.