I don’t buy a huge amount of clothes so I thought this would be a relatively easy challenge. But it was harder than I expected!
Although I’m no fashionista I do buy clothing for my hobbies so trainers, running kit and outdoor gear were all off my shopping list for the year.
What were the rules?
The challenge covered all brand new clothes for myself, including underwear and accessories. I allowed myself to buy ‘new, without tags’ items from Vinted. I also bought new clothes for others. I’m not sure my children would have appreciated second-hand underwear for Christmas!
Why bother?
The figures relating to clothing waste are truly staggering. Across the globe an estimated 92 million tonnes of clothing ends up in landfill each year. Even when people try to do the right thing by recycling clothes they’ll more than likely end up in landfill or burnt, as the huge volume of clothing overwhelms the system. Indeed, the entire production process comes at a huge environmental cost, from water usage to pollution and microplastics. For me it was a no-brainer to try and reduce my impact.
So how did it go?
January 2025
I spent the last day of December 2024 buying new pyjamas and a couple of other clothing items so I thought I’d breeze through January. Of course, I’d forgotten about the sales. It took some amount of willpower to avoid the 50% discount signs, but in the end I contented myself with just looking in the shops and not buying. This worked well as I didn’t see anything I fancied, but my challenge might have been over if the perfect item was waiting for me.
February 2025
I always knew that I might need to repair my clothes, but I hadn’t expected it to be so early in the year. Whilst I can sew a button on, I’m no seamstress so when a clasp went on a favourite pair of trousers I knew I’d need help. Fortunately, a local eco group holds a monthly mending session in a nearby pub. I popped along, followed their suggestion, and came away with my mended item. I’m not sure how long the repair will last but at least I’ll get a few extra wears out of it.
March 2025
Will my clothes last a year? Even before this challenge I wasn’t a clothing addict. Many of my clothes have lasted a fair number of years. But to my dismay I realise that two pairs of jeans and much of my underwear are in their final throes of life. I buy a second hand pair of jeans from Vinted and although they’ll do the fit isn’t quite right. But will I have enough knickers to see me through to December? Oh the jeopardy. Despite my worries, a quick count indicates I still have 20+ pairs!
April 2025
I’ve discovered charity shops. Well, that’s not strictly true as I’ve bought books from charity shops for years. However I’ve never bought clothes previously. But in April, whilst looking for a better pair of jeans, I found a bargain pair of Montane ladies walking trousers for £4. I didn’t really need them but knowing how much they cost new I decided they’d be good to have for when my current pairs wear out.
May 2025
Whilst browsing Vinted I came across the exact pair of running shoes that I buy each time – Mizuno Wave Inspire. Sold in very good condition for £15. I couldn’t resist them as my old pair had a rip in the fabric and wouldn’t last much longer. Even better, when they arrived they were near enough brand new with only the slightest sign of wear. What a bargain!
June 2025
Oops. I play in a ukulele band. When we perform we wear black and green T-shirts with our group name on. I had somehow mislaid mine so, without thinking, I ordered a new one online. Argh! Although I couldn’t cancel the order I’ve decided not to wear it until the New Year, leaving (in my mind) my challenge intact.
July 2025
I don’t own many ‘dressing up clothes’. I belatedly realised I’d need to wear something smarter than my usual attire to my daughter’s graduation. However, I’d left it too late to get anything off Vinted. I decided in the end just to go for a relatively new pair of trousers I already owned, but had barely worn. Most of the other mums were in summer dresses, but hey ho, that’s not really me.
August 2025
This was actually a really easy month. I was away travelling for three weeks with minimal clothing that fitted in my backpack. I didn’t even wear all of it (primarily because the weather was so much better than I’d anticipated). Just goes to show how little you really need.
September 2025
Back to school. In a normal year I’d buy new shoes, but this year they’re going to have to last a while longer. Same for my Converse which have sprung holes in the usual places. I had looked online but pre-loved shoes are a tricky one. I have no qualms about wearing second-hand trainers as they’re usually worn with socks, but I’m not keen on wearing shoes which have had other people’s bare feet in.
October 2025
I’m ready to buy some new clothes now. I’ve been throwing away end of life socks and underwear, and they’re not the kind of thing I want to replace from Vinted. It must have been bad as my mum donated me some of her socks!
November 2025
I was about to set off on an exercise session and realised that the backside of my tracksuit trousers was almost threadbare. Wouldn’t have taken much of a lunge for them to end up in holes. I retired them from external use, but will still wear for internal workouts whilst they have some wear left in them. I also needed to buy a new jacket, fortunately Vinted came up trumps. I really am a convert.
December 2025
Back on Vinted again, looking for outdoor clothes I can wear on a big trip in 2026. Have discovered that Vinted isn’t just for fashion (not that I know much about this!), but it’s also great for performance clothing too. A bit of a gamble but the gear I’ve bought has been great quality and much cheaper than if I’d bought it new.
Will I continue?
Yes, with caveats. I’m absolutely going to continue buying second-hand clothes but I will be buying myself new underwear and shoes in the new year. Not all of my Vinted purchases have been successful and sometimes it is hard to gauge colours, fit and material type from just looking online. However I am a convert and will now always look for second-hand items before I buy new.
Challenge completed
Challenge completed. Pop over to read the full list of my 60 things to do before I’m 60.