I love fashion. I buy something new most weeks. But I have too many clothes. And it’s becoming a bit ridiculous. I don’t need anymore clothes – I should wear the fabulous stuff I have. I wanted to do “buy no new clothes in 2018” – apart from underwear and stockings, though that’s a huge goal that needs to be more manageable.

So I created a Facebook group for moral support. It’s not only to reduce shopping but making the most of what we already have – not saving the fabulous dress for a special occasion, but wearing it on a week day.

Come join!

There are almost 500 people in the group already, and everyone is friendly and supportive. It’s very motivating.

The group is about shopping your wardrobe. It’s aimed at reducing spending and waste, and putting together fun outfits from what we already have. There will be weekly and monthly challenges – I’ve spent some time creating graphics and text for around two months of challenges already.

Members can post pics of outfits in the group – detailing the history garments if they choose. (This is a skirt I got for Christmas paired with an opshop top. I found this bag hiding at the back of my wardrobe – so glad to revive it again.) They can also take part on social media – with the #SYW18 hashtag.

Some members might want to buy nothing new for the whole of 2018, others might reduce their purchases to just one item a month.

There won’t be guilt if members fall off the wagon.

It’s also a body positive and inclusive environment – every body is welcome. Negative talk about appearance – others’ and self – is discouraged.

Shop your wardrobe in 2018 – who knows what you might discover!

My goals 

Because I’m a big believer in writing things down, here are my goals for 2018:

1. Get my floordrobe under control. I need to make sure my clothes fit in the storage I have. Currently it’s an overwhelming situation. If I died suddenly I worry my parents would be sadder at the state of my floordrobe than that I’m gone. Seriously.

2. Reduce clothes purchasing significantly. I don’t need to have two or more items in the same print. I don’t need to buy into the hype of a new release. I said I’d buy no clothes in 2018 – but a more achievable goal would be to buy only one item a month, if needed.

3. Related: stop going shopping to treat myself/cheer myself up. There were SO MANY amazing milestone moments this year (TV work, radio gigs, a book deal) that I rewarded myself for these, and also bought more things of the same value any other time I wanted, so nothing felt special. More disposable income meant I had more freedom, but at times it became mindless purchasing.

4. Read what I have on my wooden/kindle bookshelf before buying a new book (unless it’s work related).

5. Get things repaired/altered if the hem is coming down/needs taking in or up. I can think of two dresses I haven’t worn because of repair reasons.

6. Plan to save for a holiday at the end of next year. We are already planning to buy a house.

7. Sort out superannuation and income protection insurance as a freelancer.

8. Stop saving fancy clothes for fancy occasions. Wear what I have because it makes me happy. I’ve got so many fabulous things I could wear something different each day of the year if I wanted to.

9. Do some more modelling work – to improve appearance diversity/disability representation. I did some modelling recently and I loved it. It was like playing dress ups. More please!

10. Start a personal styling hobby-business. I love styling myself and want to style others.

11. Don’t be hard on myself if I falter. I work hard, buy all of my clothes with my own money, don’t rely on credit and only do Afterpay occasionally. I’ll try really hard to reduce clothes and accessory purchases and shop my wardrobe, especially with the support of this group.

12. Have fun in this group. It’s been great to get to know the members these past two weeks – they’re all so supportive and kind. I can’t wait to see the outfit results of the challenge and to see them having fun and sharing advice with each other.

You are most welcome to join the Facebook group. Click here. 

I will be sharing my challenge outfits on social media – check out Facebook and Instagram for pics.