Anyone on a low buy or no buy in 2023?

[QualityNClass]

Hello, I was wondering if anyone is on a low buy or no buy this year, or just has generally paused buying because nothing is appealing right now. Would love to hear more about what season of life or buying you are in, what triggered a change etc.

Here is my story for this year:
I made some wonderful purchases - both in jewelry and handbags - in the first half of this year. While I could be chasing the next item on my wishlist before the next round of price increases or a certain item is no longer available, I decided to take a pause and just enjoy what I have added in the last few years. As for season of life, mid 30s, married and a parent of 2 young children and we are constantly racing against time with busy schedules, hectic jobs and never-ending todo lists.

Looking to hear from any / all of you!

 

[880]

Yes actually. Thank you for starting this. Your thread is an interesting variation on some other threads, like shop your closet etc., and I am interested in the stories of others who might feel this way. ( I haven’t run a search to see if this thread is Close enough in subject matter to be folded into another pre existing thread , but either way, members will see it

DH and I are 55 and recently retired. For the past two years we‘ve been immersed in an extensive gut renovation of a second apt which will be our main home going forward. Once we’re done with this one, we plan to renovate our current place for friends and family to stay. Most of our time, energy, and budget are going to this project, and lighting design, Lutron, custom millwork (more in my dressing room than in my kitchen — and I like to cook and entertain lol), as well as landscape design, etc. all cost quite a bit. DH doesn’t want to take any of our old furniture, so that’s another budget too.

I’m also bursting out of the seams of my current dressing room area, which has constrained purchases too. So I have already refused several bags that would perhaps be dream ones for other people, and I am trying to be much more discerning. I want to only buy forever things that I truly love and will use. I dont want to succumb to fear of missing out, and I don’t want to chase new trends. Looking forward to hearing what others are doing, and whether recession or a desire to do other things than shop, like travel etc., play a role.

 

[haute okole]

As @880 knows, I am trying! But it is difficult, especially when I cross the BH Hermes portal with @880 and her DH. So I reset my year of austerity to start on August 1, after I return from my Paris, Positano, Ischia trip. In the meantime, I will TRY not to buy any new clothes while I am in LA, ugh, how boring. But I will buy any old clothes that @880 wants to throw out of her closet! Hahaha.

 

[A bottle of Red]

I'm really feeling sort of over my obsession with designer items. I used to think they were really higher quality which justified the price somewhat, but lately I just don't think so anymore.
Also even if they are, I'm a stahm , so wearing cheaper clothes just is more practical.
I do however need a new inexpensive summer purse because the coach one I have is starting to fall apart.
Other than maybe a few more cotton or linen summer clothes, I think I'm good.

 

[880]

As @880 knows, I am trying! But it is difficult, especially when I cross the BH Hermes portal with @880 and her DH. So I reset my year of austerity to start on August 1, after I return from my Paris, Positano, Ischia trip. In the meantime, I will TRY not to buy any new clothes while I am in LA, ugh, how boring. But I will buy any old clothes that @880 wants to throw out of her closet! Hahaha.

We’ll have a swap meet

LOL the H portal. I’m getting an OG Star Trek vibe

 

[QualityNClass]

Yes actually. Thank you for starting this. Your thread is an interesting variation on some other threads, like shop your closet etc., and I am interested in the stories of others who might feel this way. ( I haven’t run a search to see if this thread is Close enough in subject matter to be folded into another pre existing thread , but either way, members will see it

DH and I are 55 and recently retired. For the past two years we‘ve been immersed in an extensive gut renovation of a second apt which will be our main home going forward. Once we’re done with this one, we plan to renovate our current place for friends and family to stay. Most of our time, energy, and budget are going to this project, and lighting design, Lutron, custom millwork (more in my dressing room than in my kitchen — and I like to cook and entertain lol), as well as landscape design, etc. all cost quite a bit. DH doesn’t want to take any of our old furniture, so that’s another budget too.

I’m also bursting out of the seams of my current dressing room area, which has constrained purchases too. So I have already refused several bags that would perhaps be dream ones for other people, and I am trying to be much more discerning. I want to only buy forever things that I truly love and will use. I dont want to succumb to fear of missing out, and I don’t want to chase new trends. Looking forward to hearing what others are doing, and whether recession or a desire to do other things than shop, like travel etc., play a role.

For me, as I get older, the desire to spend more time with my aging parents and see my children interact with them is starting to be a priority. Saying no to 1 or 2 luxury bags or jewelry pieces means having 5k more in travel and experiences bucket. Additionally, with how frequently colors and designs are coming and going, and how infrequently I use what I already have has also contributed to the decision to slow down spending.

 

[QualityNClass]

Hello there! While I do work outside the home, I am in the same boat as you when it comes to clothes. I only go into the office twice a week and sit at a desk doing tech work and talking to people on the phone. 3 pairs of nondescript jeans and a healthy rotation of a few linen or cotton tops, perhaps 2-3 dresses are all I need. When I am working from home or doing chores or running errands, I am typically in the same clothes or just wearing “home clothes” - aka leggings and tshirts.

Speaking of Coach, I was in the store 2 days ago helping my sister pick out a crossbody bag as her old one was starting look a little sad. They have great quality items, some of them with very little branding and the colors were great! Good luck with your search!!

I'm really feeling sort of over my obsession with designer items. I used to think they were really higher quality which justified the price somewhat, but lately I just don't think so anymore.
Also even if they are, I'm a stahm , so wearing cheaper clothes just is more practical.
I do however need a new inexpensive summer purse because the coach one I have is starting to fall apart.
Other than maybe a few more cotton or linen summer clothes, I think I'm good.

 

[A bottle of Red]

Hello there! While I do work outside the home, I am in the same boat as you when it comes to clothes. I only go into the office twice a week and sit at a desk doing tech work and talking to people on the phone. 3 pairs of nondescript jeans and a healthy rotation of a few linen or cotton tops, perhaps 2-3 dresses are all I need. When I am working from home or doing chores or running errands, I am typically in the same clothes or just wearing “home clothes” - aka leggings and tshirts.

Speaking of Coach, I was in the store 2 days ago helping my sister pick out a crossbody bag as her old one was starting look a little sad. They have great quality items, some of them with very little branding and the colors were great! Good luck with your search!!

Thank you ! I have looked at coach a few times recently and I just don't like the feel of their leather anymore.
My current bag was so inexpensive & lightweight from their outlet but it lasted me years through all weather. Now the handles are feeling gummy and the last time I used it there was a very weird chemical smell, so I'm thinking it might be somehow breaking down. I'm not sure.

 

[charlottawill]

I'm in low buy mode these days. I've come to the conclusion over the past few years that I have more clothes, jewelry and handbags than I can wear. I've been limiting my handbag purchases to those I pick up as souvenirs on trips. They're more meaningful to me that way. But I still love to browse.

 

[GrippySocks]

I'm on a low-buy until the Mr. and I can build our finances back up, I'm allowing myself to buy little things under $100 but no more than $200 total per month. We got hit really hard this year with medical & legal bills so no more big/luxury purchases until we recover. I was hoping to get the LV Kusama pumpkin Boulogne of my dreams this summer but it will have to wait till at least fall now. Thankfully I don't buy much of anything else outside of bags and accessories and I don't chase trends, so it shouldn't be too hard to save up

 

[charlottawill]

I'm on a low-buy until the Mr. and I can build our finances back up, I'm allowing myself to buy little things under $100 but no more than $200 total per month. We got hit really hard this year with medical & legal bills so no more big/luxury purchases until we recover. I was hoping to get the LV Kusama pumpkin Boulogne of my dreams this summer but it will have to wait till at least fall now. Thankfully I don't buy much of anything else outside of bags and accessories and I don't chase trends, so it shouldn't be too hard to save up

I'm sorry to hear you've having a rough year but I hope things are improving. Nothing is more important than good health. Speaking from my own experience, you learn that as soon as you don't have it. And the craving for that cute Kusama bag will probably pass. I've also learned that from experience. Here's to your health and wealth!

 

[QualityNClass]

I'm on a low-buy until the Mr. and I can build our finances back up, I'm allowing myself to buy little things under $100 but no more than $200 total per month. We got hit really hard this year with medical & legal bills so no more big/luxury purchases until we recover. I was hoping to get the LV Kusama pumpkin Boulogne of my dreams this summer but it will have to wait till at least fall now. Thankfully I don't buy much of anything else outside of bags and accessories and I don't chase trends, so it shouldn't be too hard to save up

I am sorry about the medical and legal costs. Hope things get better and your family gets back to normal soon. ❤️

 

[canto bight]

I wouldn't call this a low buy or no buy year for me because I have purchased a piece of jewelry and two pairs of shoes, but the last bag I bought was in December 2021. I have enough bags already and nothing has really called my name since then either. I have been browsing online recently, but after about five or ten minutes of it, I grow bored and move on. Any bag that I purchase going forward will have to fill a gap in my wardrobe.

Currently, a perceived gap in my wardrobe is a bag to go to shows with though I find it hard to believe that I didn't have a bag to go to shows with before the pandemic. I guess post-pandemic and three years older me doesn't want to carry a Chanel bag to an indie show anymore. I haven't pulled the trigger yet because I suspect that current me doesn't want to carry a Bottega Veneta in the pit either.

I'm not really sure what triggered this change in me, but getting a little older has made me financially more responsible. I also have been really busy taking my career to the next level, getting another degree, planning travel, working on hobbies, and spending time with my people. Shopping somehow requires more mental capacity than I have at the moment. We also want to buy a house in Austin or Denver and dread the idea of moving even more stuff than we already have across the country.

Also, I lost a good friend unexpectedly almost a year ago. He was too young to leave us and I'm still not ready to unpack the true impact that has had on me yet, but I'm sure that might have something to do with it.

Plus, I'm just pretty content otherwise and shopping doesn't inject me with the dopamine that it used to.

 

[leechiyong]

Somewhat. It’s a passive decision, but my spending is down in most areas. I’m no longer going out as often as I'd amassed my wardrobe to accommodate. I’ll still buy something if I absolutely love it and enjoy browser window shopping, but my reasons to make a purchase are becoming fewer and fewer.

Choosing an outfit used to be a big motivator for me when going out, so I'd buy items here and there to give a little excitement or if something was wearing out. Now, my excitement comes from wearing something I haven't in awhile.

I’m also at the age where I’m no longer the target demographic and if something does catch my eye, it rarely rivals what I already possess and isn’t worth the hassle. Why go through the process of going shopping or ordering online, waiting for tracking, etc. when I can just go to my closet?

There will be a point where I want to do more and travel again, but until then, I’m content to focus on my current priorities, be at home, and pocket the money.

 

[QualityNClass]

I wouldn't call this a low buy or no buy year for me because I have purchased a piece of jewelry and two pairs of shoes, but the last bag I bought was in December 2021. I have enough bags already and nothing has really called my name since then either. I have been browsing online recently, but after about five or ten minutes of it, I grow bored and move on. Any bag that I purchase going forward will have to fill a gap in my wardrobe.

Currently, a perceived gap in my wardrobe is a bag to go to shows with though I find it hard to believe that I didn't have a bag to go to shows with before the pandemic. I guess post-pandemic and three years older me doesn't want to carry a Chanel bag to an indie show anymore. I haven't pulled the trigger yet because I suspect that current me doesn't want to carry a Bottega Veneta in the pit either.

I'm not really sure what triggered this change in me, but getting a little older has made me financially more responsible. I also have been really busy taking my career to the next level, getting another degree, planning travel, working on hobbies, and spending time with my people. Shopping somehow requires more mental capacity than I have at the moment. We also want to buy a house in Austin or Denver and dread the idea of moving even more stuff than we already have across the country.

Also, I lost a good friend unexpectedly almost a year ago. He was too young to leave us and I'm still not ready to unpack the true impact that has had on me yet, but I'm sure that might have something to do with it.

Plus, I'm just pretty content otherwise and shopping doesn't inject me with the dopamine that it used to.

Sorry about the loss of your friend! May he rest in peace.
At the beginning of this year I purchased a few things a little too fast. Since then I feel like my collection of handbags is complete. While I would like a couple of colorful clutches / evening bags, I question if I even step out often enough to need them. I have a few old bottega clutches that have not seen the light of day in years! As far as Chanel goes, I use the ones that are more utilitarian than the classic one. I am with you on how I don’t experience any dopamine rush or excitement about a new purchase as I used to in the past. I decided to cool off for the rest of the year and just focus on repairs/ sprucing up some of my older vintage items if the mood strikes me.