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The Wardrobe Project: A Year of Buying Less and Liking Yourself More
One year. A whole new perspective on style, spending and self-image.
Have you ever stared at a wardrobe full of clothes thinking ‘I have nothing to wear’? You're not alone. Millions of women are stuck in the frustrating cycle of shopping for the perfect outfit, only to find themselves overwhelmed and confused as to why no matter what they buy, they never look the way they want to. This expensive obsession drains our wallets and leaves us feeling empty, especially when we face new cost-of-living pressures.
Emma Edwards, financial behaviour specialist and founder of The Broke Generation, broke free from this cycle with a radical one full year without buying any clothes. No new clothes, no second-hand finds, not even rentals. In The Wardrobe Project, Emma shares her raw, honest journey of stepping away from what she calls the ‘hamster wheel’ of spending. She confronts our culture of consumption and the impossible standards women are forced to chase, and reveals the empowering transformation that followed.
What you'll
How to understand your buying habits and ways you might be outsourcing your identity to consumption
Real-world strategies for surviving weddings, work events, and ‘nothing to wear’ days ? all without buying something new
The link between body image and fashion consumption, through Emma's raw month-by-month insights into changing the way she saw herself
The unexpected power that lies within your existing wardrobe and how wearing what you can have can change everything
Practical techniques for saying no to impulse buying, whether you're in the store or shopping online
Ways to find confidence beyond the perfect outfit and rediscover what brings you joy
The Wardrobe Project is your guide to gently shifting your spending habits and finding confidence within yourself instead of searching for it on a rack. It might even tempt you to take on the no-buy challenge as you discover your inner brilliance, without the need to add to cart.
Have you ever stared at a wardrobe full of clothes thinking ‘I have nothing to wear’? You're not alone. Millions of women are stuck in the frustrating cycle of shopping for the perfect outfit, only to find themselves overwhelmed and confused as to why no matter what they buy, they never look the way they want to. This expensive obsession drains our wallets and leaves us feeling empty, especially when we face new cost-of-living pressures.
Emma Edwards, financial behaviour specialist and founder of The Broke Generation, broke free from this cycle with a radical one full year without buying any clothes. No new clothes, no second-hand finds, not even rentals. In The Wardrobe Project, Emma shares her raw, honest journey of stepping away from what she calls the ‘hamster wheel’ of spending. She confronts our culture of consumption and the impossible standards women are forced to chase, and reveals the empowering transformation that followed.
What you'll
How to understand your buying habits and ways you might be outsourcing your identity to consumption
Real-world strategies for surviving weddings, work events, and ‘nothing to wear’ days ? all without buying something new
The link between body image and fashion consumption, through Emma's raw month-by-month insights into changing the way she saw herself
The unexpected power that lies within your existing wardrobe and how wearing what you can have can change everything
Practical techniques for saying no to impulse buying, whether you're in the store or shopping online
Ways to find confidence beyond the perfect outfit and rediscover what brings you joy
The Wardrobe Project is your guide to gently shifting your spending habits and finding confidence within yourself instead of searching for it on a rack. It might even tempt you to take on the no-buy challenge as you discover your inner brilliance, without the need to add to cart.
- GenresNonfiction
288 pages, Paperback
First published December 2, 2025
54 people are currently reading
227 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
January 8, 2026
This book really landed for me. It was a right book at the right time situation. It's the start of the new year and one of my golas (for a few months now) is to acquire less stuff in general.
Before I'd read this, I'd already done a huge cull of my wardrobe, then listening to this inspired me to go a step farther and decide I won't be buying many clothes this year. Usually I'm constantly picking up cheap clothes at thrift shops and it got to the point where I had piles of clothes everywhere because they all couldn't fit in my drawers! This book made me realize I'm stuck in a cycle of looking for "better" clothes over and over, thinking this pair of jeans will make me look slim or tons of other similar thoughts.
I love how the author addresses that these issues are most common with women and we've been trained to look to fashion to solve our problems and it never works. I'm sure you can relate to standing in front of a closet full of clothes saying you have nothing to wear, I have too.
After listening to this audiobook, narrated by the author, I ordered a physical copy so I can revisit it and do the exercises she recommends.
Some of the things she mentions that helped me are normalizing re-wearing outfits (I'm even weird about not wanting to repeat close together at work and I wear scrubs!) and topping off an outfit with an accessory to make it "different."
If my review hits home with you, this book will help you as well!
Before I'd read this, I'd already done a huge cull of my wardrobe, then listening to this inspired me to go a step farther and decide I won't be buying many clothes this year. Usually I'm constantly picking up cheap clothes at thrift shops and it got to the point where I had piles of clothes everywhere because they all couldn't fit in my drawers! This book made me realize I'm stuck in a cycle of looking for "better" clothes over and over, thinking this pair of jeans will make me look slim or tons of other similar thoughts.
I love how the author addresses that these issues are most common with women and we've been trained to look to fashion to solve our problems and it never works. I'm sure you can relate to standing in front of a closet full of clothes saying you have nothing to wear, I have too.
After listening to this audiobook, narrated by the author, I ordered a physical copy so I can revisit it and do the exercises she recommends.
Some of the things she mentions that helped me are normalizing re-wearing outfits (I'm even weird about not wanting to repeat close together at work and I wear scrubs!) and topping off an outfit with an accessory to make it "different."
If my review hits home with you, this book will help you as well!
Review of advance copy
I was actually on the hunt for another book by Emma Edwards but couldn’t find it...so I “settled” for The Wardrobe Project. Turns out, it was exactly what I needed. This book was the thump on the head I didn’t know I was begging for.
It dives headfirst into overconsumption and the toxic body mindset women have been fed since we were young. It completely reframes how we purchase, why we purchase, and how much of it is tied to chasing a fantasy version of ourselves instead of loving the person we already are.
I could talk about this book until my jaw falls off. It’s heartwarming, brutally honest, and deeply freeing all at once. Emma Edwards...your gift words is real.
It dives headfirst into overconsumption and the toxic body mindset women have been fed since we were young. It completely reframes how we purchase, why we purchase, and how much of it is tied to chasing a fantasy version of ourselves instead of loving the person we already are.
I could talk about this book until my jaw falls off. It’s heartwarming, brutally honest, and deeply freeing all at once. Emma Edwards...your gift words is real.
January 17, 2026
I love how this author feels like 'one of us' and I enjoyed not only following her journey but getting helpful and useful advice
Not to be overdramatic but Good With Money improved my quality of life by about 400% (actually giving myself a 'fun money' category has been amazing!) so I had high hopes for this one. My expectations were met
Not to be overdramatic but Good With Money improved my quality of life by about 400% (actually giving myself a 'fun money' category has been amazing!) so I had high hopes for this one. My expectations were met
December 5, 2025
With her usual candour and wit, Emma takes you on a journey of a year of not buying clothes, and in the process emerges with better self-worth, a calmer mindset and a wardrobe that looks and feels like it was made for her... because it was. This book is empowering, practical and will leave you full of aha-moments. It's perfect for anyone who’s ever thought 'I have nothing to wear'.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
What is it about body image we struggle to accept even though we see the same body in the mirror every day? Who is the ‘fantasy woman’ we all have deeply imbedded in our minds, our psyche?
Why do we shop, and shop, and shop for clothes that never, or seldom, achieve the look we are searching for, demanding and failing to create would appear to be answerless, that is until Emma Edwards had an epiphany and set out to find answers to this vexing issue!
The Wardrobe Project consisting of not buying any clothing for twelve months, came about after a particularly harrowing experience with online shopping, not for the first time, when the desired, lusted after garment finally arrived only to fall a very long way short of achieving the sought after look as depicted on a rail thin model on the site.
Emma, a plus sized gal, who has always had issues with her size, her chunkiness and lack of confidence used clothes to create or try to create an image to represent whatever she felt was required, spending time, effort and money towards this end.
Realising that something had to give she took the brave step of committing to total abstinence from any form of clothes shopping for one year. She set strict guidelines to ensure she did not regress.
Plunging in she had serious doubts, but as the year ticked past, she met the challenge of working with what she had, discovering so much about herself and her wardrobe choices. This helped create a greater understanding of why she craved the addictive dopamine hit of new clothes and the deeply ingrained psychology we are carefully trained to accept by modern day marketing.
More than just a book on meeting a challenge to stop shopping for clothes, The Wardrobe Project peals back the layers of a shopping obsession and by doing so has led to a way of life that is lived consciously for Emma Edwards and many other women who needed help to challenge their obsession with shopping.
Set out in a nice easy style, with absolutely no judgement, Emma Edwards illustrates clearly why we do what we do and how we can change our habits to make better choices, understand the mental directives that encourage wrong choices, leaning to say no to temptation via online shopping, sales, markdown and lets face it excessive overspending.
The Wardrobe Project is a book that is enlightening, even for those who really don’t like shopping but feel they must, as to why we do it and how to go about making serious changes which lead to so many unexpected bonuses in lifestyle.
With the Christmas and Boxing Days sales fast approaching, if you are someone who can’t resist a ‘good bargain’ treat yourself to The Wardrobe Project, enjoy the read and accept the challenge as your New Year’s resolution! Go girls!
Why do we shop, and shop, and shop for clothes that never, or seldom, achieve the look we are searching for, demanding and failing to create would appear to be answerless, that is until Emma Edwards had an epiphany and set out to find answers to this vexing issue!
The Wardrobe Project consisting of not buying any clothing for twelve months, came about after a particularly harrowing experience with online shopping, not for the first time, when the desired, lusted after garment finally arrived only to fall a very long way short of achieving the sought after look as depicted on a rail thin model on the site.
Emma, a plus sized gal, who has always had issues with her size, her chunkiness and lack of confidence used clothes to create or try to create an image to represent whatever she felt was required, spending time, effort and money towards this end.
Realising that something had to give she took the brave step of committing to total abstinence from any form of clothes shopping for one year. She set strict guidelines to ensure she did not regress.
Plunging in she had serious doubts, but as the year ticked past, she met the challenge of working with what she had, discovering so much about herself and her wardrobe choices. This helped create a greater understanding of why she craved the addictive dopamine hit of new clothes and the deeply ingrained psychology we are carefully trained to accept by modern day marketing.
More than just a book on meeting a challenge to stop shopping for clothes, The Wardrobe Project peals back the layers of a shopping obsession and by doing so has led to a way of life that is lived consciously for Emma Edwards and many other women who needed help to challenge their obsession with shopping.
Set out in a nice easy style, with absolutely no judgement, Emma Edwards illustrates clearly why we do what we do and how we can change our habits to make better choices, understand the mental directives that encourage wrong choices, leaning to say no to temptation via online shopping, sales, markdown and lets face it excessive overspending.
The Wardrobe Project is a book that is enlightening, even for those who really don’t like shopping but feel they must, as to why we do it and how to go about making serious changes which lead to so many unexpected bonuses in lifestyle.
With the Christmas and Boxing Days sales fast approaching, if you are someone who can’t resist a ‘good bargain’ treat yourself to The Wardrobe Project, enjoy the read and accept the challenge as your New Year’s resolution! Go girls!
January 2, 2026
Big big fan. Reducing my purchasing & consumption is definitely an active work in progress (let’s pretend I don’t have parcels coming from Boxing Day sales…) and this is such a valuable resource.
After reading it do I think I can do a year without purchasing? I’d love to say yes but I am a weak human. But I’ve learned some valuable tools and definitely think I can be stronger. Will continue to refer back to this month on month and am hoping I can be more mindful this year.
After reading it do I think I can do a year without purchasing? I’d love to say yes but I am a weak human. But I’ve learned some valuable tools and definitely think I can be stronger. Will continue to refer back to this month on month and am hoping I can be more mindful this year.
January 18, 2026
I loved everything about this, the way it is sectioned by months, the very practical advice and candid personal experience and the focus on how feeling better about yourself links with buying better. This is such a practical book that will also make you laugh out loud and slow think lots of different ideas and musings!
It is such a tonic to a world currently consumed by ultra fast fashion and honestly anything Emma puts here name to from literature to content is so refreshingly relatable!
It is such a tonic to a world currently consumed by ultra fast fashion and honestly anything Emma puts here name to from literature to content is so refreshingly relatable!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I listened to this on audio. As a girl who loves adding to cart and has a wardrobe that is bursting from the seams I felt soooo seen. The observations and suggestions were practical which I appreciated. Bravo 👏🏾
December 23, 2025
This is a brilliant book!
I am going to do my own wardrobe project next year having heard about Emma last year. This has motivated me whilst being an incredibly enjoyable read. im going to buy her first book!
I am going to do my own wardrobe project next year having heard about Emma last year. This has motivated me whilst being an incredibly enjoyable read. im going to buy her first book!
December 24, 2025
Calm, clear, inspiring and really insightful look at how stepping back from buying clothes for a year can bring a range of financial and mental health benefits. Excited to try my own no buy year. Thanks Emma!
December 30, 2025
Adore this book! Flew through it. Such a relatable look at excessive clothing consumption and a practical take on how we can hit pause. I’ll be taking my own wardrobe freeze in 2026. Keen to follow Emma’s advice to refine my personal style without cramming my wardrobe with rubbish.
January 3, 2026
Funny, entertaining and inspiring. Has definitely challenged the way I think about my own wardrobe and buying habits. Seriously considering taking part in my own version of 'buying less and liking myself more'
Review of advance copy
I thoroughly enjoyed following Emma's journey through her year of not buying clothes. Her writing really puts you in her shoes and the sprinkles of practical tips and exercises throughout the book is super helpful, not just for clothes but for consumption in general.
November 30, 2025
Emma is a star. Her content is a big reason I’m planning to do a wardrobe freeze in 2026. Happy to have the book to turn to in tricky times ahead!
December 29, 2025
3.5 rounded up
January 6, 2026
Witty, relatable, and thought-provoking. Loved it!
January 19, 2026
A great read for any of my fellow shopaholics out there!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews