All the things I didn't buy in 2024

My year of less shopping. And how my last item of the year simply flips everything

Dear TIDBTW, welcome to this year’s last news and – just in time for the holidays – a little celebration of what has not been bought. I have the whole list, all the prices, all the money that has not been spent.

Collage by TIDBTW

I’m always interested in why someone chooses a particular brand, style, material, colour, and how it integrates into their life. This year I was able to explore this profoundly for myself. Is it very you / me? How do we know? In our conscious bubble, I assume that a purchase is usually a heartfelt one.

On the contrary, all the things I didn’t buy this year have been consciously unchosen - which can be just as satisfying. It was a good and meaningful journey; the rule of five, sometimes annoying, often very dry.

Also, and maybe more importantly, thank you so much for your kind messages after my letter about grieving my dad. Those notes do bring some light. I’ve been given this beautiful book which might be a wise friend on this difficult path. I can only read it in small bits, the language is very frank and hits all the nerves – but I always strongly believe that from a book you take whatever you need, when you need it (Marie Kondo, was that you!?). I think The year of magical thinking by Joan Didion can do that for us.

Joan Didion next to celebs hiding by Berlin based art director Zoe Philine (I feel you). Photo by TIDBTW

What I can do for you is offer a summary of my year of non-shopping. Some very very good clothes to remember (and possibly still available). Here’s the whole chronological lot and what happened in the end aka just now. Let’s dive right into it x

All things I didn't buy this year

JANUARY

Things I didn’t buy:

• PALOMA WOOL Oversized long recycled down jacket Etherea 340,00 €

• BYREDO wearable blanket 1490,00 €

• CAES 0067 robe coat wool was 1050,00 €, currently sold out

• mfpen Margin Coat black deadstock wool cavalry twill was 704,00 €, now 333,00 €

• UGG Tasman slippers in black here at 124,95 € (I did see these recently again and they still make so much sense to me, if your idea of comfy and cool embraces a round cloggy soft shoe.

• PALOMA WOOL SKIRT 165,00 €

• SANTANGELO RANE SUPREME JEWERLY BELT $560

• PRADA BUM BAG ON VESTAIRE (yes, I liked that one, wish someone got it for me) 449,40 €

• HUND HUND KOY TROUSERS 139,00€

FEBRUARY

Things I didn’t buy: 0

• ZERO. I actually DID NOT want to buy anything!!! Mindblowing, revolutionary, healing, slightly terrifying.

But then again..:

Things I DID buy: 1

• VIU CHARLIE GLASSES: 300,00 € Really needed those and my eyes did too. I wear them almost every day and mostly feel pretty elegant. Would always recommend a transparent frame.

Tired is my middle name. Wearing CHARLIE in Feb, photo by TIDBTW

MARCH

Things I didn’t buy: 3

• KidSuper Trousers were 305,00 €, now 152,50 €

• LEMAIRE bag small 590,00 €

• WALES BONNER brown shell loafer were 850,00€, now 425,00€

APRIL

Things I didn’t buy: 9

I mean, those brooches are a steal! I hate smart fast fashion:

• COS BROOCHES pair, 39,00€

• Or also cute: COS BROOCH single & silver, 59,00€

• PHOEBE PHILO Medaillon Dish Earrings in silver, 600,00€ (obviously more than cute :/)

• SHANNON BOND Moon brooch, 290,00$

• SHANNON BOND earrings (obsessed!!!) 390,00$

• STUDIO ENA Talisman (currently sold out) 50,00€

• Skirt, shirt, nylon belt, this whole outfit is fire:

• TIBI Chino Maxi Skirt, 395,00$

• TIBI T-shirt Circular Top, 265,00$

• TIBI Tobian Webbing Belt, 325,00$

MAY

Things I didn’t buy: 2

• I don’t dare to ask the shop if they are still around: MIISTA Airi Black Loafers: 249,00 (at Harth) - 390,00 €

• ACNE furry faux jacket: 650,00 € that was the original price, I think now it’s at 750,00 € - that’s how fast we are currently spinning.

• Basically everything from The Row Spring 24 :-)

JUNE

Things I didn’t buy: 3

• MALAIKA RAISS Dress Vic Print, 529,00 €

• MALAIKA RAISS Blazer Bouvier Mellow Rose, 399,00 €

• MALAIKA RAISS Trousers Mellow Rose, 299,00 €

JULY

Things I didn’t buy: 3

• PEOPLE striped reworked suit: 580,00 €

• PEOPLE reworked vest: 320,00 €

• ARKET mesh ballerinas, God damn it: 139,00 €

Things I DID buy: 1

• Jérome Studio Quinn Bag (which technically I did not buy because a gift): Was 1040,00€, last 298,00€

I enjoy above everything the combination with washed out blue jeans, a black coat and a whole day of productive meetings.

Photo by TIDBTW

AUGUST

Things I didn’t buy: 23

Summer hit hard:

• Basically everything ZODIAQUE STUDIOS: Hera Top Black: 55,00 €

• Hera Bra Black: 48,00 €

• Hera Shortie Black: 29,00 €

• Hera Slip Black: 19,00 € - the beige is gorgeous too, disaster!

• Organic Cotton Shortie White: 29,00 €

• Organic Cotton Tank Top White: 48,00 € Check out the cute T-shirt too. Too hot to handle!!!

• Johanna Gauder necklace no. 14, 340,00 €

• OSOI Boat wide in black, 355,00 € (me love)

• PHOEBE PHILO Small Kit Cabas 3,400 €

• PHOEBE PHILO Score Sunglasses 380,00 €

• ALAÏA Le Teckle bag 2100,00 €

• BOBKOVA maxi coat with a straight cut 972,00€

• Arket mesh flats still around 139,00€

• AEYDE Renee Leather Toe-Post Sandals (flat) 225,00 €

• AEYDE Wilma Leather Toe-Post Sandals (w/ heel) 255,00 €

• GABRIELA COLL GARMENTS cut off boots, ca. 690,00 €

• Vibram Vibram FiveFingers V-Soul 85,99 €

• Ancient Greek Sandals Saionara Jelly 125,00 €

• Cecilie Bahnsen dress in Size L via Vestaire 440,00€

• Chloé Ballerinas velour leather (and a demure hint of mesh) via Vestaire 192,60€

• Little Prada Nylon Cargo Bag via Vestaire 332,20€

• Bruá Simple Earrings, 230$

• Vagabond EIDA boots here you go, 220,00€

Things I DID buy: 1

• Vintage knitted scarf: 2,00 €

Worn over bare belly or wide pants:

Photo by TIDBTW

SEPTEMBER

Things I didn’t buy: 0

• Not sure how or what happened here either

OCTOBER

Things I didn’t buy: 4

• Satisfy Ghoost Fleece AD Gloves: 90,00€

• Renaissance Renaissance Grey NEW YORK PANTS (also come in black) 457,32 € (Still love everything about them. The color, the loose fit, the way they make you glide through the world with swoopy elegance. Still thinking about them, possibly saving money for them.

• Renaissance Renaissance Sheer DAVID PANTS 413,06 €

• Renaissance Renaissance ADEN JACKET 732,68 €

Things I DID buy: 1 (gifted)

• Sézane trousers now skirt (find the story here), Matheo Trousers Stripes Beige Pink Brown, 130,00€

Photo by TIDBTW

NOVEMBER

Things I didn’t buy: 7

• Prada denim bag via Vestiaire, 645,00 €

• ACNE jacket via Mytheresa, 750,00 €

• Totême faux fur coat via Vestiaire in XS (they run big) for 419,00 €

• BOBKOVA Blackberry bomber, 783,00 €

• LOEWE Campo loafers in color coal, 950,00 €

• Zellweger Warmwear wrap scarf, 369,00€

• Eytys denim in Rust, 365,00 €

Chronology of a fashion downfall

DECEMBER

Things I didn’t buy: 3

• That very pretty vintage PRADA dress: Possibly still around, ask Verena.

• Oh Vintage Jil Sander Reversible Shearling jacket: 600,00 €

• Oh Vintage Jil Sander fully lined boots: 460,00 €

December 11th

It’s a full day, I’m running around the city and after a few doctors appointments I do in fact feel a little sick. As I’m making my way home, I sit across a woman in a great coat: Cream white teddy shearling, looking cozy, soft and just like what I need right now. When we both quickly exit the train I almost don’t do it, but then I remember that at times it nice to have a stranger tell you that you look amazing in what you’re wearing. So I gently stop her and tell her exactly that. We chat about her coat and I get all the information I need: Yes, it’s the Arket one, yes it’s gorgeous and yes, it’s warm. And I’m still looking for my fifth item! She moves on with her day and I already know this has fashion momentum.

December 13th

At some point this afternoon I slowly feel better after two feverish nights and find myself refreshing the Arket webshop a little too often. Is this coat sold out or is it not!? After contemplating whether I could order via Austria, I finally enter something like a twilight zone, where enough coats are restocked or rebooked that I can fill my cart with what seems like the right one. Not before discussing this some endless minutes with Arthur, is it REALLY worth it? Is this IT? Just order it, my brain says, just do something stupid for once.

December 18th

So far so bad. But as long as the coat is in transit no damage has been done. We spend the day at

Arthur Laidlaw

’s studio, shooting something personal and fun with AVENIR. I have been obsessing over their circular fall / winter collection when I saw it on the runway in February and their Edith blazer was an absolute dream to wear during the shoot (complete with STUDIO ENA Jewerly). But what I did not come prepared for was AVENIR’s limited edition of dark navy denim.

I think my hand was literally shaking as I took this photo because I loved the jeans so much and was so afraid to never see them again. Photo by TIDBTW

Crafted from premium hemp denim sourced from Japan, the trouser also has the brand’s signature recycled element. As I never shy away from good denim I try them on – and almost faint: these feel too good to be true. I’m o-b-s-e-s-s-e-d with the low rise fitted yet relaxed fit and I can’t get over this non-wash. As I’m walking around pretending to not completely losing my mind over them, I feel uplifted, long legged and fashion happy.

These beautiful trousers come with the matching jacket – which makes them basically a suit and we know a suit counts as one piece!!! I will introduce and show this pairing properly in an extra edit early next year once our photoshoot is out, but I can not wait to wear it for, over and under everything. A denim combination is what I did not know I needed and there was zero hesitation to keep it and to wear it forever.

December 19th

The coat arrives. The coat ARRIVES. It’s exactly what I was afraid it might be. Suddenly I’m finding myself at six items. It’s a big hug and there is no way I’m sending it back. I wear it immediately out for the day and we all now that’s a good thing.

Not in my elevator selfie era but this coat made me feel nice. Wearing it with THINKING MU cap, Jérome Studio bag, Vinted denim and AEYDE Kate boots. Photo by TIDBTW

December 23 (!!!), approx. 3 pm

I’m walking into my local scandie fashion store (wearing said coat), taking my mum so we could find her a nice sweater. In a place that I would now usually avoid, I come to face my final test. I’m a very tactile buyer, which over the past 12 months I actually forgot. Every sales person’s nightmare, passing their stores with open arms, touching, stroking all their fabrics. It’s somewhere between Samsoe Samsoe and Moss Copenhagen that I pause in my stride: In my hand suddenly a very fine material. It’s a grey longsleeve by Soft Rebels. A brand whose name I haven’t even heard of, now encapsulating my all revolting fashion greed. Their basic item is crashing my whole base idea.

My heart is beating fast with guilt as I’m walking up to the cashier, knowing that now that I’ve held and tried on this shirt, I would be back here in two weeks anyway. Two weeks or 10 days, whenever that new year starts and I’d be allowed to engage in such pleasure again. But what if I want it now? When does it all start? With the forbidden thought or the act of purchase.

Five is just a number but also five has been MY big, mystical, golden number all year. I had it already. I’m now at seven and I walk back home, feeling strangely lighter.

Photo by TIDBTW

Things I DID buy in Dec: 3 (incl. 1 gifted)

• ARKET teddy coat: was 249,00€, now 174,00€

• SOFT REBELS: longsleeve in medium grey bought at MAERZ Berlin, 59,95€

• AVENIR denim trousers & jacket (kindly gifted)

+ previous buys:

• VIU CHARLIE GLASSES: 300,00 € - still love them loads

• Jérome Studio Quinn Bag (gifted): Was 1040,00€, last 298,00€

• Vintage knitted scarf: 2,00 €

• Sézane trousers now skirt, Matheo Trousers Stripes Beige Pink Brown (gifted) 130,00€

Adding up to total of Things I DID buy: 7 items (bought & gifted) and a spending of 535,95€ in 2024

I can get at least one whole complete outfit out of this - adding the grey rebel softsleeve. Starting clockwise at 6: vintage scarf, SÉZANE trousers/skirt, AVENIR denim set, Jérome Studio bag, Arket coat. Photo: TIDBTW

And summing up everything else listed above:

Things I didn’t buy in 2024: 76

Adding up to a total of 28.970,59 €

Shopping is nothing but a muscle’s work

I present my mischief at my last co-working friday of the year, before the longsleeve incident, already feeling like a cheeky child.

Kinga Katharina

calmly says, “now that you’re back at it, you’ll buy easily again.” – And she wasn’t wrong!!! Turns out, my shopping mindset works like muscle memory. Once you tap back in, it builds up quickly.

Technically I’m only going to pay for that coat in mid January and with that it could count towards the new year. As does that shirt that nobody saw coming. One could argue (as one reader did) that reading glasses are medical aid, so they never counted in the first place (but do cost money, need resources etc.)… So did I loose the challenge? Probably. Definitely. Which seems a bit dramatic to happen in the last few days of a whole year. But then again, it totally makes sense that I fall head over heels for a coat. An item sells out, the nice feeling of wearing it hopefully remains.

2024 changed entirely how I consume. Even though I failed, I feel like I achieved so much. I was able to appreciate what I have, reflect on what I want and feel free to sabotage everything within a week.

In my opinion the rule of five should not be about controlling or even punishing yourself. It’s about getting to know yourself better and through that being able to make better informed choices and purchases. From an environmental perspective, but also a wholesome, mentally kind one. I ended up being so fixated on not losing, that it made me tense. While it was fun to use that headspace to explore other things than online shops, it took something away that is actually essential to who I am: It feels nice to let good fashion happen to me.

Whatever you are wearing today, I hope you feel the same.

Wishing you a peaceful and restful end of the year. See you for TIDBTW in 2025 x