My clothes challenge, Embsay swishing evening and a little black dress...

I hadn't realised I'd been at it 7 years until right now. I thought it'd been 4 or 5. How time flies!!

​Turns out (the internet helping where my memory failed!) from this blog, I've been over 7 years doing my 'mostly not new' challenge, or as it is now, lifestyle. By May 2011 I'd done a year of it. So now I must be a pro. 

A recent find was the LBD here, a Next dress from Age Concern in Hebden Bridge. It looks new, fits great and for £6.99 was a bargain for me and a donation for them.

When I 'gave up' drinking for a year (still a few months to go) a friend expressed concern that I was restricting things from my lifestyle, and I see her point. But actually it feels like clearing some things allows for greater freedom and clarity. Abundance of a different kind. So 'giving up' buying new. I treated myself to some lovely harem pants recently that are fair-trade, responsibly sourced and so cosy. And colourful. I love them. I'm definitely not restricting, but am aware that I am choosing more consciously. Did I really need them? Possibly not. Do I love them? Definitely. So I'm happy with that decision.

I think much of our buying may be less conscious and I'm not here to be a kill joy or tell anyone what to do just thought I'd share a little of my path. And - before I forget - to invite you to Embsay's swishing evening next week, of which the theme 'swap not shop', is celebrated. It's happening during One World Week, of which I believe the theme this year is 'Good Neighbours' and I'm really happy to be involved, especially with my love of clothes recycling.

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There's fair-trade wine and nibbles and we're looking forward to a lovely evening of changing, updating, chatting and enjoying. Clothes (if they are hanging clothes) are to be on hangers wherever possible please. There's a changing room too so you can check out whether it fits before you decide if you want it.

So I started out with a year of an aim of nothing new. There have been occasional new things since. I'm not a clothing martyr. Other's people's saggy leggings don't appeal to me so I'm making my own saggy knee marks in new-new ones.

I'm fairly sure it's around a max of 10-15 new items during the last 7 years (I don't keep track - clearly!). Lots of new to me things, and less adapted as I thought I might when I started out. I've occasionally embroidered jeans, added ribbons, but mostly get things I like and keep them like that. Mostly because work is busy, life is busy and my life of sitting around crafting isn't quite here just yet. So my point being, you don't have to be skilled, just curious and open to ideas.

There are many reasons why I love doing it, one of which to cut help down clothing waste, the abuse within the industry doesn't sit well with me and I am happy to opt out of being part of that system. I think I like the not knowing too. I'm not great with fixed ideas (actually I hate having to get dressed for things if I'm unsure what I need to wear to 'fit' with a corporate picture, say if giving talks or attending conferences) so finding treasures like the LBD above on a chance wander makes me smile. I've borrowed clothes for conferences before - my day to day life doesn't need quite the same wardrobe, and that's worked out well for me. Or eBay Coast and Monsoon - great for black tie parties and occasions.

My top tip would be to know a couple of brands you like and that fit you well if you're embarking on a similar experiment - I know Monsoon, Coast, Next and FatFace sizes for items and that they fit me well generally, Next jeans work well for me and Coast/Monsoon for smarter dresses and so makes eBay recycling easy.

Anyway enough of me - come swish and swap your clothes for new to you numbers on Wednesday if you're local to Embsay, North Yorks.