Meet the two shopaholics, Perdita (Perdy) on the left, and Alison on the right, who have made it through almost a full year of not shopping.
They’re chronicling it on their blog: 365 Fashion Rehab, and they have less than 120 days left before their year-long torture..er..experiment is over.
I must admit, I had a wee bit of an ulterior motive, as I too, am on a Shopping Ban for all of 2010, having started in mid-November.
Read all about that here, on my third blog, Style on a String.
However, I let myself have a bit of leeway, because I am allowing for 3 major items, purchased at each 3-month milestone, and any possible fashion emergencies. Like bridesmaids dresses.
Now, well past the mid-way mark, they’re here to dish it out on my blog.
So I came up with some questions to grill ask them about their experience so far and how they feel about it all, and they’re completing the answers separately so you will see 2 sets of answers.
Let the grilling interview begin! 
To give this some more perspective, how much clothing did you have BEFORE you started this project?
P:
Well, we actually did an inventory before we started and I have 600 items in my wardrobe.
This includes everything hanging in my closet and everything in my drawers and all coats and bags.
Individually I have 59 dresses and over 60 pairs of shoes including boots, sandals and sneakers.
FB: Pssst! I snagged a recent shot of P’s rolling rack wardrobe from the blog. Apparently she has a room as a closet, that we have yet to see pictures of. 
A:
I am currently out of the country so I do not have my inventory list with me, however to give you an idea I have a two-sided closet full of clothes, a double dresser, and I have taken over half of our (mine and my husband’s) hall closet to store my coats.
I have 32 coats, about 65 pairs of shoes and more than 30 pairs of jeans. Those are the numbers I can think of off-hand!
How much do you think you each spent each year in clothing?
P:
Such a scary thought… it is really hard to guess, but I would say (gulp) around $6,000 a year.
Again this includes shoes, bags and accessories.
A:
Every year is different.
For the past few years I worked in fashion as a sales rep for a contemporary clothing line so I was able to buy most of my clothes at very good prices (which obviously contributed to the problem I had of purging and restocking my closet every two months!). I would say any given year it could have been anywhere from four to six thousand dollars.
In some ways I wish I had kept track of everything and in other ways I am glad I did not.
What made each of you decide to embark on giving up shopping for a year?
A:
We were having dinner together talking about how at this point in our lives (our early 30’s) we thought we would have owned a home by now.
Then we started talking about how much money we have spent in the last 12-14 years on shopping. We used to have “Shopping Saturdays” every week and would buy a completely new outfit to wear out that night.
I also had always prided myself on how good I was at “cleaning out my closet” but then I realized I just would go out and buy more clothes to fill the spots of the ones I gave away.
I noticed, too, that I was buying quantity over quality. Too many trend items, not enough classics.
P & I talked somewhat jokingly about the possibility of giving up shopping for a year (after several glasses of sauv blanc) and how all of our friends and family would go into hysterics laughing, never actually thinking we could do it.
I think the fact that the idea seemed so impossible made the challenge that much more appealing and entertaining. So we decided on May 15, 2009, to embark on the journey and document it along the way on our blog, www.365fashionrehab.com.
P:
In the beginning it really was just to see if we could actually do it, but we both do have a ton of stuff and I definitely became more interested in WHY we shop.
Plus, it’s great to do something with your best friend even though they are so far away!
What are the exact rules, and what does “frivolous” shopping mean for both of you?
A:
Absolutely no clothing of any kind (includes underwear, socks, workout gear, outerwear etc.), no accessories, no make-up, and no “frivolous” home décor.
By frivolous we mean no candles, picture frames, decorative vases, pillows etc. We do buy shampoo and face cream etc. (our goal is still to look pretty and age gracefully during this year!).
[FB: I think you two are doing more than just fine.]
We put the “home décor” caveat in there because we thought that we would transfer our wardrobe shopping addiction to a newfound “home beautiful” addiction and that was certainly not the point.
P:
a) No clothes.
No accessories.
No makeup.
We also are not allowed to buy frivolous home decor items like candles, fancy soaps that are just for show or stationary.
b) Frivolous shopping to me means buying things you truly don’t need in any way.
Can you buy “emergency” items or a list of exceptions? What if you have a fashion emergency like having to buy a bridesmaid dress?
P:
No, there are no exceptions. In an emergency, we just have to get creative!
[About bridesmaid dress]
That’s such a good question! I feel like if that happened, we would just have to borrow from our very fashionable friends.
A:
No. We just have to make do with what we have.
If we break a heel, wear through our boots, etc. we just have to either fix the item or do without. One of my favorite belts broke in the first few weeks of fashion rehab and normally I would have just thrown it out but instead I super glued it back together.
It actually worked and I am still wearing it today!
[About bridesmaid dress]
We actually talked about this before starting the project and literally thought of all of our friends and the possibility of an engagement and a wedding happening for them within the 365 days of Fashion Rehab. At the time none of our friends had marriage plans so we figured we were in the clear. Any weddings that have since come up are in the summer after the project is over; we definitely breathed a sigh of relief over that one. We love our friends but didn’t want to have to choose!
Any tips for those of us going currently through it?
P:
Don’t become a hermit, especially if you’re a lover of fashion. You can still feel inspired, even if you can’t buy.
Go through the items you do have, get re-acquainted with things you haven’t seen in a while and try to see them in a new light.
I have this pair of brown riding boots that I didn’t wear that much before 365 Fashion Rehab.
When Fall set in and I couldn’t go on my annual Brown Boot Hunt (the right pair are basically impossible to find!), I had to wear the ones I have.
[FB: I had an annual Brown Boot Hunt too, until I found my Ecco Hobart's -- See post here..]
They’re still not quite right, but I got a ton of compliments on them and they worked out just fine.
Oh, and if at all possible: Get a buddy. In the beginning I asked Ali to be my sponsor. I really don’t know if I could do this without her.
A:
Be creative. Combine new outfits in your closet to keep things fresh.
Step out of your comfort zone and dare to wear one of those pieces that hangs in your closet unworn. Each piece in your wardrobe deserves to see the light!
Perspective is everything.
If you view it as deprivation you will only feel more miserable as time goes on, embrace the challenge and feel proud of yourself even if you only last a month.
Before the project, what were your most cherished purchases?
A:
1. Diane Von Furstenberg printed wrap dress
2. Long strand of vintage pearl beads bought at the antique market in Toronto for $10
3. Via Spiga tall slouchy black leather boots (a purchase made three years ago and I still adore them)
4. Banana Republic cream colored linen Grecian inspired dress
5. Black leather Coach hobo bag
P:
My white Coach bucket bag, my black backless mini-dress, my old school slip-on Vans…
….this great Geren Ford blouse I got from Wasteland in L.A., one of my fave stores, and my cream, down-filled coat from M0851 that I got for half price at the end of the season a few years ago.
I could not survive winter in Canada without it!
[FB: M0851 has some killer leather goods, jackets and coats.
My sister started me on the lust for the brand, because she kind of knows the owner... and is OBSESSED with the brand.]
Have you purchased anything yet?
A:
No, we have not.
P:
Most certainly not! Though, like Ali, I have been dreaming about shopping and, now that we are in the home stretch, it seems I am constantly thinking about what my first post Fashion Rehab purchase will be.
I am hoping it will be my first pair of Louboutins! Fingers crossed!
And how about you A?
Are you going to buy anything after this project finishes?
A:
I really want a chain link handbag. In my dream world it would be quilted and from Chanel, but in reality I would love a deeply discounted one from Marc Jacobs!
Is this all on the honour system? What happens if either of you lapses?
A:
It really is. Since P and I have been friends for almost twenty years we trust each other completely.
It doesn’t hurt that I have a very supportive husband who keeps me inline, either!
We haven’t had any lapses.
We both agreed that if either one of us faltered that essentially the project would be over.
How is that for pressure?
P:
a) Since Ali and I have known each other since we were 12, we don’t even need an honour system.
We may not tell each other absolutely everything, but we have no secrets.
b) No lapses allowed!
Or else, as per our poll, we have to donate 50% of our wardrobes to charity.
What are you going to do after this year is over? Go back to fashion bingeing?
P:
Hopefully not.
It’s gonna be so great to see how we will have changed once we do start shopping again.
We are going to keep writing and blogging about our experiences with a sequel – 365 Fashion Rehab – The Year We Did Shop!
[FB: Looking forward to it!]
A:
We really want to continue our blog as “the year we did shop.”
We would like to be able to use everything we have learned this year and help those who are seeking a more conscious shopping lifestyle.
I believe if we went back to binge shopping the whole project would be in vain.
[FB: Perhaps you could do a follow up after "The Year We Did Shop".]
What have been your greatest and most revealing moments of the project?
P:
Mmmm… most revealing?
This may sound strange, but I feel that I am now keenly aware of just how much stuff I have.
I hate not shopping, but I simultaneously shudder to think how over-stretched my closet might be if we weren’t in Fashion Rehab!
And the greatest? Well, that’s easy. Sharing an experience with my absolute BFF who is so far away and who I used to miss like crazy.
Now through the magic of Skype and this crazy, bananas, nuts project that is 365 Fashion Rehab, I get to “see” her almost everyday.
A:
First of all, that I have made it this far. That, to me, is an amazing achievement.
Second, that I actually am still a happy person. I thought I would have many dark days where I wouldn’t want to see people (fear of envy) or that I would just give up, wondering if there was any point to this madness.
Another revealing moment is that I absolutely still love fashion!
I thought maybe I would become resentful towards it, almost like a long-lost friend that had let me down, but instead I appreciate it more than ever.
Can’t get enough of them? Me either!
They were also featured in The Toronto Star.
Read the article here: Shopaholics go cold turkey.
They have 116 days left.. and I am 100% positive they are going to make it.
( I am just not convinced I will. Haha!)
- Interview: G&D from All Things G&D
- December 2009: FB Blog Features
- Interview: Onada from Onada’s Lookbook
- October 2009: FB Blog Features
- Lika Schindler: Delectably Refashioned Jewelery
Megpie
on Jan 18th, 2010
@ 11:02 AM:
This is inspiring! I'm also trying to do a no-shopping challenge, allowing myself only $50 for new dress pants for my new job and MAYBE up to $200 for an investment Coach bag at the outlet that's near me, if I have enough after paying off debt.
Good luck, Purdy, Allison, and FB!
Alissa
on Jan 18th, 2010
@ 1:43 PM:
I'm always amazed at these fashion bloggers. I have no where NEAR the inventory of clothes that these chicks have…otherwise may I could go a whole year without buying clothes. I think I own like 3 dress, 10 pairs of pants, 4 skirts (3 that don't fit), 3 pairs of jeans, 30 pairs of shoes (eek!) and like 2 style-y winter coat and the rest are for COLD COLD weather.
I love shopping, but I don't know why I never buy a ton of clothes. Maybe it's just because I hate parting with the money? Or I hate that I'm horrible pear shape and nothing looks cute on me – except shoes!
suzie
on Jan 18th, 2010
@ 2:01 PM:
wow! they are an inspiration! i've already bought 2 dresses *gulp*
E_Z
on Jan 18th, 2010
@ 10:37 AM:
Very attractive ladies.
I’ll be honest, that this challenge seems more gimmicky than anything. Hey, it’s great that they can hold off for a whole year, but it sounds like they’re not going to change their old habits the second the year is over, which in a way says they haven’t learned anything substantial. If they significantly reduce their shopping great, but I just didn’t get that sense from your interview.
Chloe (Naturally Frugal)
on Jan 18th, 2010
@ 11:52 AM:
Great article! It’s amazing what you can do if you set your mind to it, and I can’t wait to read up more on these girls and there no-shopping adventures. I just did a closet purge and it felt GREAT!
gingercorsair
on Jan 18th, 2010
@ 5:17 PM:
Good for them, sticking to it!
But I can't believe how much they have and how much they were spending… I mean, that's pretty over the top to begin with! I don't think I know a person in real life that has that much clothing. What do you do with it all?
I thought *I* had a lot of stuff… but I've only got about 5 dresses and one of those gals has 59????
FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com
on Jan 18th, 2010
@ 12:45 PM:
I think that A & P are definitely going to change their habits for the new year.
I believe in one of the questions, they replied that they’d rethink their choices and be more careful with what they purchase, or else the whole experiment/project would have been useless.
FabulouslyBroke.com
on Jan 18th, 2010
@ 6:08 PM:
Thinking to my wardrobe, I probably have 15 dresses now if I count it all
But that's the whole reason why they stopped — they're self proclaimed, real "shopaholics"!
FabulouslyBroke.com
on Jan 18th, 2010
@ 6:09 PM:
A closet purge always feels good.
As long as you don't throw away something you have to re-buy later. *side eye to BF*
FabulouslyBroke.com
on Jan 18th, 2010
@ 6:09 PM:
Pics?
(Look at me. Such an enabler..)
FabulouslyBroke.com
on Jan 18th, 2010
@ 6:10 PM:
You are way more minimalist than I am!!!
I have about the same as you for jeans and shoes (less in the shoe department), but I have a ton more tops, skirts and dresses…
I think a lot of it has to do with my not being able to physically pay $300 for a pair of jeans (I feel ill) and a lot of jeans don't look good on me. I don't have a butt…
Maybe that's why you focus on shoes?
I'm a dress girl.
FabulouslyBroke.com
on Jan 18th, 2010
@ 6:10 PM:
Thank you. I hope you're going to blog your purchases if you can.
Please, throw me a bone here.. show me what y'all are buying LOL I'm stuck w/o a way out..
uberVU - social comments
on Jan 18th, 2010
@ 1:19 PM:
Social comments and analytics for this post…
This post was mentioned on Twitter by brokeinthecity: *Blogged*: Giving up shopping for a WHOLE YEAR. Could you do it? These 2 shopaholics did. http://bit.ly/803Tpw...
E_Z
on Jan 18th, 2010
@ 6:34 PM:
This is why I'm suspicious about it all. I do think their hearts are in the right place, but…
—————–
"…Though, like Ali, I have been dreaming about shopping and, now that we are in the home stretch, it seems I am constantly thinking about what my first post Fashion Rehab purchase will be.
I am hoping it will be my first pair of Louboutins! Fingers crossed!
A:
I really want a chain link handbag. In my dream world it would be quilted and from Chanel, but in reality I would love a deeply discounted one from Marc Jacobs!"
——————-
The way they look forward to purchasing something after the one year, reminds me of faking a smile at a party eventhough you may be pissed off at the host/partner/whoever. There's an awareness and conscious decision not to buy anything, but in their hearts the shop-a-monster still wants to come out and lurk. If they have taken the meaning to heart, the impulse would die away.
Anyways, just my perspective from very limited information – I don't know them! Although I wouldn't mind….
Kate H
on Jan 18th, 2010
@ 2:53 PM:
Kudos A & P! I think you 2 are doing fabulous while looking fabulous! I have all the confidence in the world that when this experiment is over, your shopping habits will change and your frivolous, over shopping tendencies will be a thing of the past. I love your blog and this one too!
Kate xo
Jazz
on Jan 18th, 2010
@ 8:16 PM:
My friends say that I have a shopping problem , but what I do doesnt even compare to these two . Congrats on making it this far in the no shopping journey .
Anny
on Jan 18th, 2010
@ 8:48 PM:
I was with them until they said "no socks or underwear." Unless they have a great collection of this stuff to begin with, it really needs to be replaced when worn out
Michelle
on Jan 18th, 2010
@ 6:40 PM:
Good for them! I had a major shopping habit five years ago which racked up $3000 in credit card debt. Luckily I don't have that habit anymore. In my defence, I barely have any money to buy new clothes so I am always wearing what I already have. I asked for gift cards for Christmas so I could buy clothes. Next payday I definitely need more work and every day wear clothes. Can't help it when you have holes in most of your pants!
FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com
on Jan 18th, 2010
@ 6:55 PM:
My feeling is that P&A have more than enough socks or underwear.
I sure do!
And one year with my whole collection is more than enough.
FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com
on Jan 18th, 2010
@ 6:57 PM:
Tsk tsk, this isn’t Lavalife! And I do believe Ali is a happily married woman.
FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com
on Jan 18th, 2010
@ 6:58 PM:
Thank you Kate!
FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com
on Jan 18th, 2010
@ 6:58 PM:
They’re my inspiration for 2010.
FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com
on Jan 18th, 2010
@ 6:58 PM:
I took a look through my wardrobe and I could go about 3 months wearing something new everyday (I’d have to change the bottoms once a month though)
They’re doing great!
E_Z
on Jan 19th, 2010
@ 12:06 AM:
Well, that sucks for me then don't it?
frugalscholar
on Jan 19th, 2010
@ 12:24 AM:
I guess I'm looking forward to next year. I hope this isn't like one of those restrictive diets that's followed by a return to old habits.
FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com
on Jan 18th, 2010
@ 7:44 PM:
You mean like binge shopping?
I think they are willing to really change and look over their habits moving forward.
paranoidasteroid
on Jan 18th, 2010
@ 8:57 PM:
Man, if I could spend $6000 this year on clothes, I don't think I'd ever need to shop again ever.
That said, I currently have trouble going for more than one month.
Shelley
on Jan 19th, 2010
@ 10:15 AM:
To be honest, I used to enjoy shopping a lot more than I do now. Perhaps in part because when you get older it's harder to find things you think look right on you. I can pretty easily go for months without buying anything for me or the house. I work at wearing everything in my closet and so I don't get bored very quickly. I still celebrate finishing off a bottle of body lotion and being able to throw the container away! Just using the candles and picture frames I already have is plenty for me. If you think about 600 items, how long would you have to own those things to get the cost-per-wear down to something sensible? We live in a crazy world where some people spend their hard earned money on things they don't need or really want and others barely have enough to survive. (Sorry, very philosophical today…won't blame you if you don't publish.)
duddes02
on Jan 19th, 2010
@ 10:07 AM:
I was wondering if they would have an underwear exception…I don’t think I could last a year without buying new underwear!!
These girls are so pretty-I was kinda relieved they still buy face creams
I spend a huge chunk on money on anti wrinkle cream
duddes02´s last blog ..Orientation
FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com
on Jan 19th, 2010
@ 4:16 PM:
Hate to burst the bubble but anti wrinkle creams don’t really do anything to erase wrinkles.. nor to keep them away
You’d have to Botox and use Restylane fillers for any real effect.
Or, stop making any facial motions whatsoever. No smiling, frowning, laughing or talking naturally!
enzagreen
on Jan 20th, 2010
@ 10:24 AM:
They're great looking women.
cavale
on Jan 21st, 2010
@ 6:00 PM:
um, no. i couldn't.
but then, i have about 30 clothing items total and that's including things that don't fit correctly.
365fashionrehab
on Jan 23rd, 2010
@ 4:04 PM:
It is so true. We totally know now that 59 dresses is way excessive but honestly we have always found ways to justify everything (well this one has capped sleeves, this one is halter style, v-neck etc.). I think in some weird way it never actually occurred to us that you are not supposed to have one of each and every style in every color! Talk about a learning experience : )
Kate
on Jan 28th, 2010
@ 4:24 PM:
Wow! amazing stuff. I wish I could do it… INSPIRATIONAL!