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.
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
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
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.
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
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
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.
