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MOST ASKED QUESTIONS OF MY #365NOBUY CHALLENGE

When I didn't buy clothes for two years (from 2017 - 2019) I got asked a lot of the same questions. I compiled them here and hoping it will inspire you to look at your closet in a different light.
Wear Joy Project - how to not buy clothes for two years - tips and style tricks

Written on Aug 19, 2019
I got asked a lot of the same questions going through my two years of not buying clothes. If people have asked me these questions multiple times I figured there are others that are wondering the same things So here you go, some of the most commonly asked questions and my answers!


Do you have a massive closet?

I actually do not have a massive closet. I don’t think it’s necessarily small, however, I do feel it is smaller than most people imagine. Below are pictures of my closet, dresser, and wardrobe. These three things hold everything of mine from clothes, shoes, jewelry, accessories, underwear, purses…everything.

Wear Joy Project - how to not buy clothes for two years - tips and style tricks

Wear Joy Project - how to not buy clothes for two years - tips and style tricks

Wear Joy Project - how to not buy clothes for two years - tips and style tricks

I share the small walk-in closet with my husband (I have to give him some space!! haha) but the picture is of only my area/clothes in the closet.

How did you do it? Wasn’t it torture to go shopping with friends? Didn’t you always want to shop?
During my challenge I consistently worked on a few things:

  • I wanted to expand my creative fashion abilities. Without buying new clothes it forces you to look deep within your closet to make some magic. When I went shopping, instead of buying, I was committed to looking at mannequins and in stores to be inspired. I switched my viewpoint from “I need that outfit” to “How can I create that outfit?” (I go more in-depth in the next question and answer below).
  • Changing my mindset from thinking that “I need this dress to make me feel good” to “That dress isn’t the thing that is going to make me. It’s my creativity and my confidence in my outfits that make me.” 
  • And all of the other things I talked about in my last article. If you have not read it, read it HERE.

When focusing on the above, I didn’t feel tortured when I went shopping, I felt inspired and empowered!

 

Did you feel out of style?
Most of the time not. Your closet and clothing aren’t simply in or out…look at your clothing as building blocks… like LEGOS.

Just because LEGO comes out with a new Star Wars or Harry Potter LEGO build set doesn’t mean they reinvented each LEGO piece that came in the set. A lot of time they are using pieces they have had for years but in different combinations and for different outcomes. They might have made 1-2 new pieces for that set but they are essentially using the same blocks to create something new. That is your closet.

I have so much to say about this topic and if I were to do it all in this post it would be too overwhelming. So to learn more about that, this is the first time I am even mentioning this (eeek!), I have started a new fashion project called Wear JOY . Where I will talk about how to break down your closet into the building blocks and how to get inspiration from places like Pinterest to become more creative with your outfits. I will teach you about making the most out of your closet!
Follow here: @wearjoyproject

 

What was the first item you bought?
The first item was this GORGEOUS leather purse from 1.61 Soft Goods. Handmade in Japan, the leather is ridiculously beautiful, holds so much stuff, and helps support a small business. I can’t get enough of it. Find it HERE.

Wear Joy Project - how to not buy clothes for two years - tips and style tricks

Wear Joy Project - how to not buy clothes for two years - tips and style tricks

 

How much money did you save?
Hmmm… I used to spend an average of $200/month on clothes. So $200 x 24 = $4800! My main focus for the last couple of years has been building my business, SOCIAL CRAFTS, so that extra money definitely went all back into the business building.

I hope I have answered all the questions! If you have any others shoot me an email at casey@iamcaseylum.com

THANK YOU SO SO MUCH for following this journey. I am grateful for you! Can’t wait to have you on the next.

Wear Joy Project - how to not buy clothes for two years - tips and style tricks

Wear Joy Project - how to not buy clothes for two years - tips and style tricks


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