Yearly Clothes Budget

Originally Posted by tgavin71

The best clothing investment I well actually hubby made was to buy a book called "What Not to Wear". The authors have been on Oprah a few times. Since using their techniques I have saved a heap of money. Usually I hate shopping for clothes but now I know exactly what types of clothing look great on my body shape every time I go shopping its like being a detective. Before I would look at a couple of shops in frustration and then get to the next one and just buy a few items. Most of the time they would pass but now I get compliments on what I wear. All the clothes I buy are from thrift stores. The only new stuff I own are given to me as presents.

Cool. I'll check my local library for this book.

[boefixepa]

I have trouble finding short as long as I would like them. The boys section is really good for this...they make boys shorts much longer than those in the womens section....humm...

Originally Posted by boefixepa

I have trouble finding short as long as I would like them. The boys section is really good for this...they make boys shorts much longer than those in the womens section....humm...

Same thing with me, I found guys short more comfortable than women short, and I found a pair that cost me 29.99$ in the guy section, really comfty =D

[markio26]

i only buy clothes when they are just about giving them away... at target i get tee shirts for $1.25 clearance for example... i do receive clothes for my xmas and birthday presents that are quite expensive... i hardly wear them though....

[kealina]

Originally Posted by T_I_N_A20

Cool. I'll check my local library for this book.

lol... that's exactly whta i thought... and i'm going there later today too... =)

[Ima saver]

I wear my clothes so long, I usually wear holes in them from walking on the treadmill so much.

[tgavin71]

Originally Posted by kealina

lol... that's exactly whta i thought... and i'm going there later today too... =)

You may find the fashions in the book to be a bit out of date but the underliying principles are still valid. I am trying to take my wardrobe from this'll do to classic.

[Saving in So Cal]

I am very impressed with you all. I see my clothing budget as my biggest area of opportunity for reducing expenses.

I use to buy at will. Now, I try to buy just twice a year for myself and my daughter, although I haven't been 100% successful. My husband is a jeans and polo shirt guy. We buy as needed for him when things go on sale, usually no more than once a year. I don't have an exact figure, but I would estimate our total spending for all three us averages $800 - $1000 a year. Usually, I buy online and through vendors that offer free shipping and Upromise dollars.

Inspired by various posts, I thought I would scout a few thrift stores and see what kind of things are available. According to the internet, there is a Good Will Superstore and a Salvation Army Boutique in the area. Both my daughter and I are tall, so I am skeptical about finding pants, but I may be able to find some other things. From what I read on this sight, its best to be consistent in your hunting and selecting in your choices. It would be great if I could get the annual budget down to around $500. It definitely seems doable based on your collective accomplishments.

[kealina]

Originally Posted by tgavin71

You may find the fashions in the book to be a bit out of date but the underliying principles are still valid. I am trying to take my wardrobe from this'll do to classic.

thanks... i picked up the book... have looked through it a little... i'm mainly looking for cuts that will flatter me since i'm looking for more classic pieces too... so far, it's been rather gratifying to find that i do have some pieces i've liked on myself that are supposed to flatter me... of course, it's always trial and error and doubtless i will ignore some of the tips to suit myself...

[PrincessPerky]

I spend practically nil on the kids literally nil on DH and he spends way to much on me.

The kids are given clothes by all relatives for all holidays (including little ones!)

I don't need more clothes I need less! but sometimes I have to, socks or something. I buy allshoes too, but I often find that while my kids are happy with a pair or two (sandles and sneakers) friends kids have like 10 pair, no wonderthey can't afford it!

and if you don't mind a rant here 'it was only 2 bucks, you can't beat that!' umm yes I can, zero beats 2 any day! Or my personal hated line 'it was only a buck even if he doesn't wear it who cares.' umm I do, a buck for this one he wont wear and a buck for that one, and a buck for the other one..you get the picture, those bucks can add up to a nice pair of pants he will wear.

[shengmei]

I only buy jeans from the Dillards boys department and shoes from the Dillards men department........all of them 75% off.........since they last forever.

I am a tomboy anyway.

I always wear my MOST expensive clothes first, because I wash them so seldomly they rarely wear out. Usually by the time I wear out something, the item of clothing doesn't fit me anymore. I am still growing.

I think too many people "save" their expensive clothes. Clothes are meant to be worn all the time. A lot of times when people pass away they are left with tons of expensive clothes with tags still on them, and a whole bunch of ratty old clothes.

A lot of clothes are literally rotten away on the shelves due to silverfish and moths. Sunlight and humidity also degrades fabric. Clothes are not meant to be saved. They are meant to be worn.

People can always find good deals later. Clothes outdate quickly and people change shapes over time. Clothes are meant to be enjoyed at the moment. People should not worry about wearing out clothes eventually. After all, few people can not afford to replace clothes that are worn out.

Everytime I see a hole, I dabs it with clear nail polish. It makes holes stay the same size.

[vsjhoc]

Originally Posted by Broken Arrow

$0, but I'm a guy so....

Surely you buy new underwear or socks at least once a ... uh, decade?

[shengmei]

I think anything related to personal appearance (clothing, makeup, beauty supplies...etc.....etc...) should be used up as soon as they are purchased, since they degrade with time and lose their brilliance.

[Ima saver]

I think it is funny that people spend so much money on clothes. I never see anyone with an outfit that just makes them stand out! Not around here anyway.

[kealina]

Originally Posted by shengmei

I always wear my MOST expensive clothes first, because I wash them so seldomly they rarely wear out. Usually by the time I wear out something, the item of clothing doesn't fit me anymore. I am still growing.

I think too many people "save" their expensive clothes. Clothes are meant to be worn all the time. A lot of clothes are literally rotten away on the shelves due to silverfish and moths. Sunlight and humidity also degrades fabric. Clothes are not meant to be saved. They are meant to be worn.

People can always find good deals later. Clothes outdate quickly and people change shapes over time. Clothes are meant to be enjoyed at the moment. People should not worry about wearing out clothes eventually. After all, few people can not afford to replace clothes that are worn out.

shengmei,
i definately agree that people should make use of what they have... unless i am going somewhere dirty, i just wear whatever i want... i have lots of regular and expensive clothes that i got cheap at yard sales as i've built my wardrobe... and i'm lucky because i have been roughly the same size for over 10 years and do actually get to wear out clothing, even the good kind... i don't bother to save it, although i have to admit i am sometimes sad when i wear out something i used a lot...
like my favorite nikes that i wore for marching band/school for 7 years... or my nordstroms black heels ($1 at a yard sale 10 years ago)... is it pathetic that i still miss them occasionally? lol...
i actually don't think clothes outdate that quickly unless you go for the trendy stuff but i do agree that people change shape over time... i may be roughly the same size but i'm definately not the same shape... and i can definately afford to replace clothes that are worn out thanks to the generousity/spending habits of those having the yard sales...

[kealina]

Originally Posted by Ima saver

I think it is funny that people spend so much money on clothes. I never see anyone with an outfit that just makes them stand out! Not around here anyway.

yeah, i can't see myself spending so much on myself.... it actually bothers me when people tell me i "deserve" it because of whatever reason... i know people who use this to justify their spending and i've heard lots of reasons... young, thin, beautiful... so what? doesn't mean you deserve to spend hundreds of dollars on clothes when you're having trouble making rent... and all that just to have the same clothes from the mall as everybody else... another reason i love my garage sales.... not only cheap but occassionally different too... it's neat getting clothes from the mainland that aren't sold here, clothing that is just different, and also vintage clothing that people don't see much anymore... i've had lots of compliments from people where they tell me "i've never seen one like that before" or that they like some detail from my outfit that's different... most of my pieces are classic but i find it hard to resist a little twist of something different...

[scrava]

omg, this is enlightening!
I spend about $1500/yr on myself $700 on DH.
I am an admitted clothes, shoes hand bag snob, though

I do sell my used clothing but have never been into used clothing for myself.
Perhaps when we have kids I'll buy them clothes
at yard sales.

[Bookie]

Oh boy, do I have a story to tell on this topic. I went to a clothing sale today at the big mall. A friend wanted sompany while he shopped. It gave me a whole new perspective on the concept of "bargain buying" at the high end.

[lrjohnson]

One of my favorite shirts is one I got about 6 years ago, for 2.99 (3.49 less 20% plus tax-I can remember some oddball stuff). It was a men's "club" sort of shirt, bright green chartreuse, but it looks really nice despite how it sounds. It's a shirt I often get compliments on, and it has just held up to so much.

If I look at what is my favorites and/or have held up, and what has hit the jammie drawer/good will box or hasn't looked great, I'm often surprised. The keepers are sometimes ones I wasn't sure of. Sure bets are dusty. It's weird. And as for holding up, I have cheap go the distance, and pricey fail, though of course I've had it the other way to. Life just keeps on surprising me.

[Ima saver]

I bet I could go years with out buying clothes. Many some underwear. If I wear out all my jeans (2) or shorts (3) I would need to buy a few pair, but that is about it. I haven't even bought a pair of shoes in about 5 years.