I'm trying to buy nothing new this year other than shoes. Anything I can sew myself I have make my own or do without. I think I'll stick with it for 2026!
Traci, thank you for reading and working your way through my excessive use of parentheses last year. You're diving right into your new era - I'm here for it and am so excited by your secondhand journey.
I wish you would reconsider wool. It doesn’t harm the sheep to shear it, and domestic breeds actually have to be sheared or they will become immobilized and perish. And you can always buy vintage, so you’re not contributing to current practices. Microplastics in the soil and water and other pollution from synthetic fabric production do way more harm to animals IMO.
Pandora, thank you so much! This is the best compliment and my month has been made. You've been an enormous inspiration as I've moved to secondhand fashion over the past decade and the PanDolly podcast will always have a special place in my heart (especially the Christmas episode).
Haha oh my goodness I forget about Pandolly! The High Low’s test run. Thank you. Your immaculate selfies and creative solutions are really inspiring, galvanizing and positive energy x
When I think about no or low buy, I think I naturally fall into that category? Aside from undergarments (underwear is always the limiting factor for laundry!!), I have only bought maybe 5 new clothing items this year. So while your blog is about fashion, I think there's room in my own goal setting for sustainability / reducing waste in other areas of my life. Namely, food purchases. Always bring my own tupperware for takeout - avoid packaged food as often as possible - bring my mug to the coffee shop (plus I usually get a discount!) - compost - etc. Food and food packaging is the largest waste producer in my life, most definitely.
Yes! Totally agree about food packaging being such a huge waste generator. I save my plastic food bags for the grocery store plastic bag recycling bin, but tbh it feels more like wishcycling since it's not clear what happens to them next - I need to look into Ridwell. Bringing your own containers for takeout is genius, thank you for this tip! I always mean to do it and my hit rate is only around 50%.
Thanks for sharing! Lots of articles like yours exclude Shoes, bags, jewelry, accessories, socks, and undergarments from the limit. Undergarments make sense to me (& maybe athletic socks), but what’s the rationale behind excluding the others? I ask because last year i tried this and then just ended up buying lots from those “excluded” categories 🫠
That is a great question! I looked back at my new accessories purchasing for 2024 and bought two pairs of socks, a pair of mesh shoes, and three UPF protection accessories. Being vegan makes shoe, belt, and bag shopping much less exciting since the options aren't quite the same (although I am moving to secondhand leather in 2025 since traditional vegan leather has so.much.plastic). I used to be a jewelry buyer, which made me rethink costume jewelry and jewelry is my fewer, finer category.
Thank you so much for the kind words and for sharing the podcast! ☺️ It’s incredible to hear that the podcast has inspired you to think differently about your shopping habits! I loved reading your post and really appreciate the shoutout! 🤓🧠
I love learning from you Brittany! Your podcasts are so inspiring and I was thrilled when you joined Substack. You've changed the way I look at my own consumption and the huge role that psychology plays in shopping culture is fascinating.
I’m so pleased to have found your Substack Tina! I write about my own personal journey towards more sustainable style consumption and share what I’m learning along the way x
Really enjoyed reading this and resonate deeply. I wonder sometimes in what feels like a very fast world, prints can also be too busy for our minds and solid colours may be more calming. My millennial mind tends to stay away from prints because I cannot take any more sensory stimulation.
Well done on the 10 thing pledge..and being so intentional on making it your own.
I recognize some of those new items! I am excited to think that my fear of patterns may actually be fashionable one day 😊. Would love an article on your take on some wardrobe basics! Side note- hope you keep the green suit in the rotation.
I enjoyed this article, Tina, and since I’ve retired I find that I don’t even have a need to buy more than ten items a year. And while I understand the importance of caring for our planet, I’m concerned about people losing their jobs as the fashion industry will certainly need to “tighten its belt”.
Thank you Shirley! It's amazing that your annual new buys are already so low :) I totally agree, fashion jobs are undergoing a big shift and it's already a lean sector. I'm hopeful that as the circular fashion industry grows it will create new roles.
I'm trying to buy nothing new this year other than shoes. Anything I can sew myself I have make my own or do without. I think I'll stick with it for 2026!
Wow, now that is amazing! I'm in constant awe of anyone who can create their own wardrobe, there are so many possibilities. If you knit, you might enjoy this post where knitters style what they make :) https://anunquenchablethirstforcolor.substack.com/p/how-do-knitters-style-what-they-make
I’m a year late on this - but I read every single word here. I think I’m starting to embark on a new consumer era…
Traci, thank you for reading and working your way through my excessive use of parentheses last year. You're diving right into your new era - I'm here for it and am so excited by your secondhand journey.
🤣 I didn’t even notice!!! Yay!
I wish you would reconsider wool. It doesn’t harm the sheep to shear it, and domestic breeds actually have to be sheared or they will become immobilized and perish. And you can always buy vintage, so you’re not contributing to current practices. Microplastics in the soil and water and other pollution from synthetic fabric production do way more harm to animals IMO.
This was such a huge ethical struggle for me and I ended up starting 2025 with a new approach to animal-based textiles (https://semisustainable.substack.com/p/breaking-up-with-vegan-leather). I'm happy to have found a balance that aligns with my vegan and eco values.
Rombaut is a cool brand that makes their vegan leather out of pineapples, highly recommend. It wears really well.
Tysm! I love that Rombaut is using pineapple leather, it's exciting to see vegan brands incorporate next-gen fabrics in their assortment.
I LOVED this. I love the way you write. You blend trend, personal, and cultural in a really eloquent way.
Pandora, thank you so much! This is the best compliment and my month has been made. You've been an enormous inspiration as I've moved to secondhand fashion over the past decade and the PanDolly podcast will always have a special place in my heart (especially the Christmas episode).
Haha oh my goodness I forget about Pandolly! The High Low’s test run. Thank you. Your immaculate selfies and creative solutions are really inspiring, galvanizing and positive energy x
A huge thank you and Pandolly and High Low forever ❤️
When I think about no or low buy, I think I naturally fall into that category? Aside from undergarments (underwear is always the limiting factor for laundry!!), I have only bought maybe 5 new clothing items this year. So while your blog is about fashion, I think there's room in my own goal setting for sustainability / reducing waste in other areas of my life. Namely, food purchases. Always bring my own tupperware for takeout - avoid packaged food as often as possible - bring my mug to the coffee shop (plus I usually get a discount!) - compost - etc. Food and food packaging is the largest waste producer in my life, most definitely.
Yes! Totally agree about food packaging being such a huge waste generator. I save my plastic food bags for the grocery store plastic bag recycling bin, but tbh it feels more like wishcycling since it's not clear what happens to them next - I need to look into Ridwell. Bringing your own containers for takeout is genius, thank you for this tip! I always mean to do it and my hit rate is only around 50%.
I love this challenge. I’m going to try it!
It's a good one for any length of time you decide to try it - it can really help reframe shopping and how you approach secondhand.
Thanks for sharing! Lots of articles like yours exclude Shoes, bags, jewelry, accessories, socks, and undergarments from the limit. Undergarments make sense to me (& maybe athletic socks), but what’s the rationale behind excluding the others? I ask because last year i tried this and then just ended up buying lots from those “excluded” categories 🫠
That is a great question! I looked back at my new accessories purchasing for 2024 and bought two pairs of socks, a pair of mesh shoes, and three UPF protection accessories. Being vegan makes shoe, belt, and bag shopping much less exciting since the options aren't quite the same (although I am moving to secondhand leather in 2025 since traditional vegan leather has so.much.plastic). I used to be a jewelry buyer, which made me rethink costume jewelry and jewelry is my fewer, finer category.
Thanks for sharing! I'm working on the same shift for jewelry. :)
I may have to try this for 2025!
What an amazing goal for the new year! Please let me know if I can help in any way :)
Thank you so much for the kind words and for sharing the podcast! ☺️ It’s incredible to hear that the podcast has inspired you to think differently about your shopping habits! I loved reading your post and really appreciate the shoutout! 🤓🧠
I love learning from you Brittany! Your podcasts are so inspiring and I was thrilled when you joined Substack. You've changed the way I look at my own consumption and the huge role that psychology plays in shopping culture is fascinating.
I’m so pleased to have found your Substack Tina! I write about my own personal journey towards more sustainable style consumption and share what I’m learning along the way x
Jenny, you've totally made my day! I'm excited to read about your sustainable consumption journey :)
Really enjoyed reading this and resonate deeply. I wonder sometimes in what feels like a very fast world, prints can also be too busy for our minds and solid colours may be more calming. My millennial mind tends to stay away from prints because I cannot take any more sensory stimulation.
Well done on the 10 thing pledge..and being so intentional on making it your own.
Thank you, that's so kind of you Nyachomba! Agree, there's something soothing about wearing solids where prints can feel a bit overwhelming at times.
I recognize some of those new items! I am excited to think that my fear of patterns may actually be fashionable one day 😊. Would love an article on your take on some wardrobe basics! Side note- hope you keep the green suit in the rotation.
I'm going to wear that suit into the ground just like my green one :) Oooh, I love a good basic, thank you for the post idea!
This is such a unique idea - I’ve never heard of this challenge before! I think I know what my next New Year’s Resolution is 🤩
I love that Holley!
I enjoyed this article, Tina, and since I’ve retired I find that I don’t even have a need to buy more than ten items a year. And while I understand the importance of caring for our planet, I’m concerned about people losing their jobs as the fashion industry will certainly need to “tighten its belt”.
Thank you Shirley! It's amazing that your annual new buys are already so low :) I totally agree, fashion jobs are undergoing a big shift and it's already a lean sector. I'm hopeful that as the circular fashion industry grows it will create new roles.
Loved this Tina!X
Thank you :) Your styling is the best inspiration.
Awe you are too kind!xx
I haven't officially made a pledge, but I've been trying to be low-buy for the past few years now. I recently wrote about everything I haven't bought lately: https://zephyrlife.substack.com/p/everything-im-re-wearing-this-fall?r=2hg2jq
And hey, progress over perfection always!
I loved your post Maria! It's great inspiration for wardrobe longevity. Also, your dog 😍