Lessons learned from no buy November

I did not think things through carefully when I decided not to shop during the month of November. I do not know how I forgot all about the Black Friday deals and free shipping until the end of the month that most online stores offer. I almost thought I would not make it. I came really, really close to cracking after impulsively wandering into J. Crew on Black Friday after seeing a movie.

I picked up a few things a little more frantically than I needed to and calculated how much I would save. I would have a saved a lot, but while waiting in line for the dressing room I looked down at the things I was holding and decided it was not worth it.

I had gotten so far and resisted so much temptation; I was definitely not going to give in that night along with all the angry and aggressive shoppers. I was not even sure if I genuinely wanted the stuff or if I wanted the items because they were on sale. I left the store feeling more gratified than I would have ever felt if I had purchased anything at all.However, I must confess that I have not stopped thinking about shopping. Even so, I have not scribbled “to buy” lists on the margins of my school notes.

I do have a clearer idea of the things that my closet is missing, though. Oddly enough, it isn’t quantity that I realized I am missing but quality. Sure, it is great to buy a few trendy items here or there but the things I get the most use out of are not the things I buy on impulse, but things I have obsessed over for months.I’m obsessing again, but the things I want are not a specific brand or a certain style at all. They are just things I know that I will wear to death.

For example, through this no buying exercise I realized that I really want a nice pair of black jeans. Instead of jeans, I have been resorting to black leggings through the month and I have really exhausted them. I don’t have a certain brand or style in mind; they can be Levi’s or wide-legged. If I keep my eyes open, I know the right pair will probably fall into my lap — at least I hope so.Another thing I have really wanted for a while is a white or cream-colored blazer. Since I’m not going to change my attraction to white and black anytime soon, I figure a white blazer will get as much wear as the black one I own and wear to death. This is my thought pattern when it comes to shopping and it always should have been this way.

Of course, I have been craving a new handbag and shoes, too. I am confident that I will wear them frequently because they are usually more expensive than any other clothing item I purchase.

The lesson I have learned by not shopping is important: it isn’t about how much I buy over a month’s time, but that the things I buy are thought out. Not only that, but they must be made well, fit well and go with other things I already own.

Did I save any money this month? Probably not, since I just allocated the leftover cash toward other things like over imbibing when out with friends. But honestly, saving money was not the ultimate aim of this little project. I did it to prove to myself that I do not have to shop every five minutes.

It takes money to look good but it doesn’t have to take a lot if you carefully plan out the things you would like to see in your closet. Once I find a balance between wants versus needs, I am almost positive I will finally be satisfied.