I don’t know about you, my friends, but I am right royally sick and tired of being bombarded with media whose intent is to make me want to shop the summer sales. Especially the “haul” videos. And here I was thinking that haul videos were a thing of the past. Ha. Not so much.
As I mention on the blog frequently, I have a lot of clothes that are old. In fact 30% of my current summer wardrobe is older than five years. So I decided in the spirit of my “Rule of Five Pledge” to make an anti-haul video. A video in which I shop my closet for five pieces which are more than five years old, and attempt to style them into outfits I might wear while I am NOT shopping the summer sales.
Okay, before you protest. I get it. Shopping sales is not a bad thing in and of itself. Everyone likes a bargain. And if one shops the sales with a plan to restock ones’ closet with a few needed items (emphasis on the words “few” and “needed”), where’s the harm in that?
But that’s not how it works, is it? Unless you are strict with yourself… and I mean very strict… you’ll probably come home with a bunch of extra pieces which you don’t need, but which were such a great bargain. Right?
So, if you’ve already ascertained that you don’t actually need anything. Well… you’d best steer clear of the mall for the next couple of weeks. Stay home and shop your closet.
Anyway… have a look at my video. It’s under fifteen minutes.
Some of the outfits I styled are more successful than others. At least one is a perennial favourite of mine for summer “events.” If you look carefully you’ll see that I reuse each main piece in two different outfits, and carry over at least one element from each outfit into the next.
Oh, and please excuse the background noise. Living on the river can be noisy sometimes.
I hope you enjoyed that. Thanks for taking the time to watch it.
That’s it for me this week, my friends.
Now, over to you. Why not join me with your own anti-haul? Pull five old items out of your own closet for a restyle? And let us know how you get on if you do.
P.S. Here are some links from sites I mention in the video. Melanie Rickey’s podcast “The Enoughness.” Amy Odell’s article on fast fashion in her substack newsletter “Back Row.” Tiffanie Darke’s newsletter “Rule of Five“.
75 thoughts on “My Summer Anti-Haul”
I love your blog!! Because most influencers make money from selling stuff I usually feel like their posts are one big advertisement. I’ve stopped reading a lot of the blogs I used to follow because of the strong sales pitch.
I’m a retired widow and funds are limited.
Now to go shop my closet and put together some outfits!
BTW – I let myself buy one item a month. This month it was a pair of shoes that were badly needed.
Even my favourite cooking blogs have their Nordstrom sale picks!
I just delete those posts.
Besides ordering from Nordstroms in Canada is very expensive.
It is always kind of sad when blogs you like become selling machines. I am happy for their success but hate the sales push.
Totally agree. Way too many sales and way too many clothes that I have not even worn in five years. So wasteful. Love you advertising the “NO HAUL” attitude. I have shopped my closet for most of the summer and have not been taken in by those wide legged pants which do absolutely nothing for me. They are not classic and now they are having a hard time ridding the stores of this abhorrent style. I look at the articles and tell myself I have something so similar – why would I buy this??? SO USEFUL FOR INFORMATION that we all need to heed.
Dr. Brett Staniland who I mention in my video says that for a start we could try to get back to the number of purchases we were making back in 1980, which was 12-13 pieces a year. So one piece a month is totally reasonable, Cathy.
I am with you on the push for end of summer and anniversary sales. I have seen nothing in these sales that I don’t already have. I have not been tempted by wide legged pants, either. Like you, I need NOTHING. I still get compliments on items I wear that are between 10-15 years old. I am pleased that my classic jackets and pants still fit! I might seasonally update with a new sweater, tee or shirt. I did buy a couple of white linen short sleeve tops that I am loving. My rule is nothing new comes in the house unless two items leave! I do read fashion blogs and catalogues to see how to style what I already have. I knit and have a love for yarn. Guess you could call it “slow fashion- new sweaters!”
When I knit it really is slow fashion. Ha. It now takes me forever to finish a sweater. 🙂
Hi Sue! I love the comparison of not shopping to giving up smoking. I quit smoking in 1982, after ten years. It was on a weekend in June, just after I first saw the movie E.T.; the two events are forever linked in my mind. I did it because I was moving out of the area at the end of the summer, to live with a friend who I knew didn’t allow smoking in her home. I told no one I had stopped, fearing that I would backslide. After about a month, when I finally confessed to my boyfriend (who was still a smoker), his only comment was, “No wonder you’ve been such a b****.” (Yeah, I left him behind in the move, too.)
That was one of the hardest things I’ve done, so I know I can take on the shopping issue. Thanks for the inspiration!
Sounds like quitting smoking and quitting that boyfriend were two good ideas, Sarah. 🙂
The big push, it seems, is the Nordstrom sale lately. Almost everyone on the gram is pushing buying early and buying a lot, I don’t shop Nordstrom but it’s easy to get influenced and feel like you are missing out on deals. Loved your video and the challenge of using 5 items in your closet in different outfits. I think the rule of 5 is going to be very challenging as fall clothes are entering the stores. Since it’s my favorite season to dress for I am going to have to lock myself in my closet.
Ha. That’s a good idea, Kat. I will join you. Fall will be the biggest test of my resolve.
What a great message. I agree with you about “haul” shopping. Your careful and thoughtful approach to adding to your wardrobe is very inspiring.
Thanks, Marcie.
Love your first outfit, also the Max Mara combo and the gingham pants with a white T-shirt. All perfect. When you’re sick of everything, I would so love to shop your wardrobe! Although you seem to have such a petite frame and I am… not.
I dressed for an appointment the other day and wore a pair of black Italian jeans that are ten years old, a dark brown skinny roll neck sweater five years old, a very cute quilted dark brown jacket 15 years old (it’s winter here), dark brown and black lizard skin loafers on a thin sole (v.elegant and secondhand e-bay) with a brown Hermes Picotin copy bag (five years old). It passed muster with white hair and I was happy.
TBH: everything in my wardrobe is pretty old, classic or it’s second hand from e-bay or Etsy. I’m never tempted by sales. I only buy when I need something: eg a new swimsuit for our oncoming summer and also shorts and tops as my clothes from last year’s hot summer are v. worn and faded. It’s getting rid of them that concerns me. If they are tired and worn, surely its not right they go to charity and equally, I’d be upset to have them go to landfill. A conundrum.
Where do the clothes go when we are done with them? That is a conundrum, you’re so right. I’m not sure I know the answer to that.
I enjoyed your video & would be happy to wear any of those outfits . I’m pleased with clothes I’ve had for years too . There’s a real restlessness in some bloggers . Great ( & expensive) items are often tossed aside & replaced by something, in my mind , inferior. I’ve left those blogs behind now . I think it’s partly an age thing as I just don’t need a massive wardrobe these days . I try keep an eye on new twists in fashion , not keen on the word ‘trends’ , & adapt a little . I’m trying to layer sometimes . I met a few friends last week for a modest cafe lunch & put together a ‘new’ outfit . Some straight , quite wide dark denim jeans with a rather cropped , boxy , navy sweatshirt but it wasn’t good . The wider neck wasn’t very flattering to me now & I didn’t want the fuss of a scarf or jewelry so I put a higher necked T shirt underneath in a soft lime green . A dark green bag & white trainers finished things off nicely. The jeans were new last year but everything else was years old . I’m looking to do more layering . I need to as summer here is non existent so far . Yesterday we reached a max of 13 degrees ( 50ish )though we’re hoping to reach the dizzy heights of 21 tomorrow . The sales will be wonderful this year as retailers will have a lot of stock to move but I won’t be there .
I love lime green with navy. I’m sure that outfit looked great. Really, it just takes one newer, or current piece to make classics look reborn.
Loved the video, thanks for sharing.
I was thinking, just a few days ago, about some of the period dramas on TV and how the girls/ladies would get excited about having a new dress! Perhaps we need to rekindle that excitement when buying a piece of clothing (one of five, of course!) which, I’m sure, is possible if we look at purchasing in a different way
Maybe we need to bring back the idea of saving up for something special, like we did as teenagers.
I agree my oldest pieces of clothing are my favorites. I did do a “haul” this spring/summer because this is a neglected area of my wardrobe and one that takes the most wear and tear. Certain items of clothing will always need to be replaced yearly, such as t-shirts. But, in doing my haul I found I really didn’t love anything. Well a few pieces I did/do and I bought replicas of them. If I love something it’s bound and determined to never be found again. What I’ve learned is to reflect on what works and doesn’t and why. What is the uniform I’ve been wearing this season and really what do I wear daily? For now with the extreme heat, humidity and mosquitoes my at home uniform is a white t-shirt and green linen pants. Those colors are supposed to be the least attractive to mosquitoes. And yes all the influencers are starting to get on my nerves, so I watch cleaning and gardening videos, although I will watch your video this afternoon.
Ive just returned from a month in Greece, half of which was spent hiking in the Peloponnese Mountains. It was very hot and also very hard on the four pairs of pants I have taken on every active/rainy/hot, whatever trip we have taken in the past 5+ years. They were great pants, but I’ve literally worn them to death. So after our hiking adventures and before our 10 days in the Greek Islands, I decided to give them up, and left them behind.
These pants could no longer be restyled; they were just DONE, as was I after all those days of going up and down hills in them.
So, now I am home without my old trusty trousers, and missing them but ready to move on. To what, I am not sure. But right now seems just the right moment to take your challenge and reorder my closet to find those 5+ year clothes to restyle and give my wardrobe a boost for the rest of the summer.
By the way, I loved all the jackets, but in Florida “jacket” is a nonexistent item that won’t come back until at least November. So wish me luck, and starting tomorrow I will give your suggestion a try.
Also… I love your blog and read it no matter where I am on Sundays. Keep on, and enjooy your summer!
I hear you about needing to replace summer stuff more regularly, especially tee shirts. I’ve found that most of mine last me three or four years. I’ve been buying the ones that are a bit heavier from Everlane and Uniqlo. My white ones are on a constant rotation from good, to okay, to roadtrip-worthy, to camping.
Watching influencers unbox their hauls makes me physically ill. I’ve unsubscribed from all but two “fashion” blogs (this is one of the two). I recently watched a documentary called “Brandy Hellville” – it focuses on a juniors brand called Brandy Melville that is about as unethical as fashion gets. It also exposes the horrific dumping of excess clothing from all around the world in Ghana, Africa and reveals disgusting facts about fast fashion giants Shein, Romwe, etc . It’s truly sickening.
Thank-you Sue, for encouraging us to start with what we already have.
I’ve been reading again about the dumping of excess clothing, and you’re so right, the visuals are horrifying. Sickening, actually, as you said. That’s a topic I’d like to write about but I need to know more first.
Thank you for this timely post. Like others mentioned, I did follow several other blogs and have been sickened by their constant need to push sales and show just bags of “stuff” they purchased. I love your thoughts on shopping your own closet. I just discovered a new blog by a lady of a certain age who listed ten items that she will not purchase again. It included makeup foundation, hand bags, jewelry, furniture and so on.
Since retiring, my lifestyle has become so much more casual. I am preferring to focus on a healthier me. I need to be honest about how much more “stuff” I need to haul home.
Once again, thank you for your post today!
Lately I’ve been finding my decision to not buy new kind of freeing. Like stopping colouring my hair. In some ways the terrible selection in bricks and mortar stores has helped with that.
I agree with everything you said. I too am retired and don’t need much. I don’t enjoy shopping at all like I used to. However, I’m a sewist and therein lies a problem. I like to make clothes, especially dresses, which I prefer wearing. I have a small walk-in closet which is pretty full. I find it challenging to get rid of my custom-made and brand name clothing. I reason that I already own them and have room so ….
And since sewing is a hobby, it’s kind of like you buying/reading books.
Oh Marilyn, I join your club. I’m a retired designer/dressmaker and so enjoy making clothes. I used to fill that need by making for a select clientele and for various reasons have retired from that. I have an extensive stash of fabric and time on my hands. The result is a few closets full of favorite clothes. Some are as old as my 40 year old kids. They fit perfectly and are the correct item for each occasion (although most times just grocery shopping) and if they are not, I change and “refashion them”. Yes I know I’m lucky. I don’t buy a lot, I shop my fabric stash!
Plus if styles change you know how to alter and change up what you already have. I envy you ladies that skill.
Forgot to mention…I recently listened to “The Day The World Stops Shopping.” What an eye-opener! He gives many statistics, one is ” six out of ten purchased garments are disposed of within one year.”
Yes, I’ve read The Day the World Stops Shopping. An eye-opener for sure.
I’m just deleting all the sale hauls on blogs. Why read them when I’m not buying and don’t want to be teased? I really don’t need anymore summer, nor upcoming fall/winter clothes. As it gets closer I may be tempted to shop. I would like to find a couple of cashmere sweaters. My size small ones are too small. Must have shrunk! 😉
You did a great job of turning five old pieces into interesting outfits. I much preferred the looser striped top with the navy skirt than the yellow fitted one. The bigger top with the fitted bottom seems more your aesthetic these days.
The yellow sweater with the navy skirt outfit was not a keeper. I’d worn in a few years ago, but its day has gone. 🙂
Check out Nearly New Cashmere on Instagram for best quality cashmere & prices! Also excellent silk scarves often featuring Hermes & other lux brands.
Agree. They are great. I follow them on IG.
Your blog as always, enlightening and thought provoking! As some others commented I too have eliminated several bloggers from my repertoire because of the constant sameness of items they were all touting. One day three of them wearing exact same item in unrelated posts. If I shop I always try to purchase thrift store items or I wholly agree shop my closet. Actually finding that a bigger rush at times! Just the other day my son-in-law commented on a bright green linen shirt and matched belt I was wearing with wide leg dark denim cropped jeans. Made my day… belt and shirt 10 years and counting!
Isn’t it fun to get compliments on old stuff??
Loved your anti-haul. I am tired of the haul videos and the NSale is the worst time for them, it seems. I do shop Nordstrom, and my sale shopping is my favorite bra and my hubby’s favorite briefs. lol. Not too exciting, but when they go on sale, I’m there for it.
The last few years that Nordstrom was in Ottawa I was disillusioned with the Anniversary sale anyway. So many items made specifically for the sale, like the cheaper items made for outlet stores.
I completely agree with every thing you said and showed. Therefore, my mind latched on to random side bits, LOL. Life on a lake is noisy? How can that be. And you hang your jeans?! — brilliant idea I’m emulating right now!
Oh, PS, I meant to also say that I liked your comparison of stopping smoking with stopping shopping, and how starting back at ground zero was a motivator. I used an app to stop drinking, and surprisingly (to me), the gradual accumulation of non-drinking days was a HUGE motivator. I did not want to have to start over at zero.
We live on the Rideau River which is part of the Rideau Canal system. Boats are constantly passing to get to Parliament Hill or going the other way to Kingston etc. A great historic waterway… but noisy on the weekends.
I love this series you are posting.I have observed the items you do purchase are expensive, but still in style and look great. Is that the secret for not needing to continually purchase? Unfortunately my weight has a tendency to go up and down making it hard not need different sizes. My budget is not a Veronica Beard budget. I would love your advice for those of us who have a more mid-range budget. I will be retiring in a few years and I know my clothes needs will be much different.
The more expensive pieces in my closet tend to be jackets. And because I wore so many blazers when I worked, I have quite a stash of older ones. I also have a fondness for cashmere sweaters… which can also be pricey. I understand that not everyone can spring for these. Maybe I should look into shopping second hand for better blazers and sweaters. See what’s out there.
Check out Nearly New Cashmere on Instagram. First class online shop based in UK.
Excellent, and completely agree. You inspire me…..Love your blog!
Thanks, Leigh.
Great blog and video today. You are such a good influence on me!
I’ve been really focusing on “shop my closet” , particularly items that I have not worn for a long time but kept because I like them and/or they are really good quality. I have a grey midi skirt bought sometime in the early 2000’s at the Karen Kain designer outlet store in Palm Springs. I wore it as a summer staple for many years while I was still working but retired in 2013. I’ve been working my way through my closet to find items I haven’t worn for a long time and either wear them or donate. I wore the grey skirt with an also more than 10 years old t-shirt style top to a pedicure appointment at a new higher end spa in town and got an “I love what you’re wearing” which felt sincere. I’m going to wear the same outfit today to a family barbecue and see how that goes over. Sometimes your family are your harshest but much needed critics. Thanks for your inspiration.
Family can indeed be our harshest critics. But not always the best judge of style either. I trust my girlfriends more. Ha.
I agree with the overload of hauls featured lately on fashion blogs! I especially love the detailed instructions given on just how to shop the sales!! As if their readership is sadly lacking in that knowledge..haha
Much admiration to those who refuse the bait and click delete those posts!!
Several years ago a very good but sadly now defunct fashion blog opined that the days of the ‘fashion’ blog were over. The author lamented among other things the ‘gifted’ items, monetization of blogs by using links and the pushing of fast fashion. I don’t think fashion blogs will go the way of the dodo but I hope that there will be a second revolution and readers will demand more content and less pushing of merch. I get that running a blog costs and that it’s income for many but TBH I would rather pay .99/ month for good content on one or two blogs than subscribe freely to many for what amounts to free advertising for retailers I don’t or won’t patronize. Also many of those blogs are plagued by advertising banners and other click bait rendering them difficult to read on a tablet..
I already do pay for two blogs, or I carefully curate the free offerings with good relatable content like Sue’s blog.
I’m not adverse to earning back what I invest in my blog, though. It’s just hard to do that without affiliate links. Especially since I made the decision to NOT allow advertisements. Or to take sponsorship offers from brands I’d never wear. But I’ve always maintained that of Max Mara came along and offered me a brad collaboration I’d jump at it. Especially since I’ve been wearing the brand for decades.
Once again I was thrilled to see the content of your lovely blog. Your notebook inspires me to try to organize my thoughts a bit better. I have clothes that are 5, 10, or more years old and still hang on to many of them. I do have a problem that I have 3 size sections and due to medical issues, cycle through them at various times and tuck the others away. I have been doing OK with the five items so far and will see how that finishes with the fall/winter season. Like someone mentioned, the less I shop, the less I think about it and really, just a couple new bras are on the list for now. I love how your timeless great buys have stood the test of time and always look fresh when you restyle them. The constant push for more purchases on so many blogs has me ready to cancel . When someone is pushing the Nordstrom sale to the point of ‘needing’ to buy these items it just makes me want to scream, and then delete. Even my “new” Coach bag was purchased at the local thrift store and after some tender loving care with saddle soap it looks fantastic and I do not need any more ( 4 ) for now. I feel the need to ask granddaughters if they would like some of my jewelery. Well, off to get a start on a lovely notebook that I was wondering what to use it for. Thanks for all the inspiration Sue…. and community.
I think we need to redefine “need.” Ha.
I look forward to your post every week. I must admit I’ve never been much of a clothes horse, but I am interested in how others think about clothes. I’ve been particularly interested in your goal this year to only purchase 5 new items. Honestly, I might only buy 5 high quality items in 2 or 3 years.
So, a question that comes to mind for me is how do you care for your clothes so that they still look so nice after 5 years? Living in rural Nova Scotia we are cursed with hard water. I always follow the manufacturers instructions, but things can look shabby fairly quicky.
How do you care for your favourite garments?
Ah, I hear you. Hard water can be devastating especially on white cotton pieces. We have very hard water but we now have a water softener so that helps. Plus I don’t wash everything every time I wear it Especially sweaters which I wash by hand once a season.
YES YES YES!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!! AGREE AGREE AGREE!!!
Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you. 🙂
Anti haul….hhhmmm, wish that would work for me at this point. After staying at relatively the same weight for many years, age and health problems have rendered my body a bit on the chub side. I have gone through the closet and donated things I know I will never get back into…so sad. Wearing what I can, but comfort has become a main concern. Bought a new, very comfortable dress to wear while on vacation, left said dress with daughter, she’s worn it twice. Just didn’t like my bumps and lumps…didn’t really notice them until I saw the photos…cringe. The struggle is real…upwards and onwards.
I hear you, Heather. I had to jettison several styles I loved a few years ago due to changing body shape. It sure messes with our self-image.
I have stopped looking at ladies blogs except for yours as I don’t need the newest styles, summer in the garden means oldest Ts and shorts. Spending my money on flowers that actually make me happy every day. Trust me, they are not cheap, lol I agree that at 73 I have more than enough clothes and if I do buy summer tops I want cotton or linen. It’s been so hot and humid here 33C feeling like 38C
You comment made me laugh, Brenda. My mum always used to go home with plants for her flower garden when she couldn’t find what she wanted when shopping.
I LOVED this video and LOVE your style! I, unfortunately, have waaaaay too many clothes—because of all the reasons…sales, influence, multiple of favorites, etc …and have come to realize I need to NOT buy ANYTHING and wear or get rid of.. ( I know-it’s a no win!) Now that I am retiring, I have been in a rut, wearing the same thing over and again. If I were younger, (nearly 67) I would do as you, with a cultivated, classic and comfortable wardrobe! My new standard!! You inspire me!! LOVE IT!!
Thanks, Rhoda. You do you, my friend. It’s not too late to acquire good pieces that make you happy.
Great post, great video, comme toujours:-)
Today: Max Mara sailor pants (11 years old), APC striped T (9 years old), G-Star denim jacket (10 years old), “new” sneakers (3 years old). But I did shop the sales for something fun (silver sequined top and skirt from Masscob, a small and great Spanish brand).
Thank your for taking us on your anti-haul journey!
I think I would feel right at home in your closet. 🙂
Wow! You’ve really made me think! Unfortunately, I have used shopping as a hobby! I DO love fashion and clothes, so it’s easy to lure me into the sales. I am really ashamed of how many clothes I have and probably only wear a small percentage of them.
I am going to definitely try to do better! I have fallen for the fashion blogs that make me think I have to have a certain item!
I will think of this blog before I make any more purchases.
Thanks for your great blog!
My biggest issue with temptation is browsing blogs or IG and seeing something that then gets into my head. And the feeling that I “need” it grows. That’s a hard habit to break
I have noticed since reading your blog that you have a lot of well made basic clothing in styles that don’t go out of style. This is the “secret” of not having high turnover.
Enjoyed your video,
Lucretia Roletta
Good basics that are well made are key, I agree.
All I can say is “ditto to previous comments.” I hope that some of the influencers and bloggers will take note of how their articles add to the buy more impulse. Look at some of the horrifying articles about fast fashion cheap clothing upon landfills in Sudan and elsewhere. Sue, you are an inspiration.
Thanks, Beverly. The media we decide to give our attention to makes a difference in our mindset. Those images of mountains of discarded clothing stay in my mind too.
Hi Sue! Just wanted to register that I was here! Read blog 2 times. Watched video 3 times. Mulled over thoughts…endless. Making me think, Sue.
Love the background sounds and beautiful surroundings of your home!
Thanks, Charlene. 🙂
Preaching to the choir here, as I enjoy having a curated wardrobe and don’t read fashion blogs or spend time on IG (so have never seen the videos you speak of). Plus I enjoy sewing, so can be experimental as I like. I find it’s more fun to add a few new details as needed to change looks or modernize. There is no need to change wholesale, if you have nice clothes already.
Just a quick note, as MM has always been a favourite brand, given the classic cuts: as an Italian brand the name is pronounced more like Max Mah Rah (not May Rah), but of course you can say the name any way you like.
I’m not surprised that I’m not pronouncing it correctly. But like an Anglophone Canadian, I guess. 🙂
I read and watched this post last week and thought that I’d commented, but found the page left open this morning. Time to follow through.
You did a great job making outfits with older, much-loved items. Isn’t it nice to have things that still bring you pleasure to wear? I especially love the dress blazer and pants. They look fantastic on you! They look like they were tailored for your body.
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