I recently thought I might try something new this year. Something that I haven’t done before, and that many people couldn’t do if their life depended on it (and that others regularly do it rather easily).

I decided I wasn’t going to buy any new clothes in 2012. For the whole year.

I’m the kind of person that gets bored easily – I like to update my wardrobe through the year, and always have a bit of a spree at the start of winter and summer.  I have been long exploring the idea that you can be happier if you can accept what you have rather than always wanting more. I have been practising it a lot, and wondered if I could take it this one step further.

So, I’m going to have a new clothes embargo in 2012. No new clothes or accessories for a WHOLE YEAR. These are the rules I have made:

1. Replacement of essential items that have been damaged are allowed. By essential I mean that there is only one of them in my wardrobe, and it’s needed for work or something important (like underwear!)
2. Gift cards can be redeemed (I have none, but if anyone wants to join me they can do this)
3. Clothes-swapping and borrowing from friends is perfectly acceptable
4. Clothes received as gifts are also acceptable (I have to wait until December for my birthday so this will be of no use to me!)
5. Accessories are included – no new shoes, jewellery or handbags either (unless conditions satisfy rule #1)

Why am I doing this? A few reasons:

1. I bought more clothes and jewellery this year than I ever have (BEFORE I decided on the embargo!) and I think I have everything I need to get by
2. It will teach me to be patient
3. It will teach me how to be more creative with my wardrobe instead of just buying something when I get bored
4. It will save me money (this is a minor reason; I’ve never really spent a load on clothes or shoes)
5. I just want to see if I can do it!
6. It will show me that I don’t need new things to be happy
7. I won’t have to go shopping (I don’t like it!)
8. It’s something fun to blog about and share with others
9. My wardrobe is full.

Would you like to join me?  It will be good for you, I promise! You can attend the Facebook event, and follow @rebeccamezzino and use the hashtag #fashem2012  to join in the discussion on Twitter.

Tell me what you think – could YOU do it?