THE RULES

What’s allowed?

Lingerie (but don’t go mad). Hosiery/socks (as above). Renting, borrowing and swapping. Alterations and mending.

What’s not allowed?

Gifts from others (I am afraid they count towards your five items). Too much second hand. We need to reduce the amount of clothes in circulation, and there is no proof that the rise in second-hand buying is slowing the sales of new clothes – in fact, it may be fuelling it. So be moderate – I allow myself four preloved purchases on top of my five buys. Cheating – stick to no more than five new items per year.

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