Yearly Clothes Budget

[jodi]

Re: Yearly Clothes Budget

My rough budget is $20/month, but there are many months I don't spend anything. If I do go over budget, it's never by more than $10 or $20. I have certain limits on how much I will pay for items:
Shirts, pants, shorts, etc.: $5-6 per item at thrift stores, $2 at garage sales. Rarely bought new unless it's a great deal or something I need but can't find used.
Shoes: $10-15 pair, will buy these used for $1-2 but it is hard to find my size
Childrens clothes: $.50 per piece regardless of where I buy - and I can always find enough items in this price range. I will spend $1-2 for pajamas though since they are very hard to find used (I have had good luck on Ebay).
Undergarments: $1 per pair of underwear or socks, no specific range for bras (but I will not buy any of these used)
I truely enjoy shopping the thrift stores and garage sales, which is why I give myself a monthly budget whether I need clothes or not. Sometimes I just like to hit the stores and I can always find a few neat things for under $20. I also ask for clothing or gift cards for birthday/Christmas when I am asked what I want. Then I can update my wardrobe with a few classic pieces, but I rarely buy anything too trendy.

[kealina]

Re: Yearly Clothes Budget

Clothing is a sore point with me. I'm of average height and very slender. More and more I find clothing in my sizes to be cut so generously (?) that I'm engulfed in fabric. What ever happened to tapered styles? A friend in the trade tells me the expansion accommodates the developing American waistline. She recommended I look in the young men's department, but that's not exactly the image I normally hope to project. (Rant over)

lol... young mens department? that's pretty funny...i find it difficult as well, especially on a budget... i am so small and short (5' tall size zero petite) that i can shop in the childrens section and wear the larger modern sizes... as you can imagine it is difficult to find other adults my size willing to sell their clothing cheap... i'm debating just saving my money up getting some suits/other clothes tailor made the next time i go to vietnam, which will hopefully be in the next 5 years or so...
in the meantime, i will of course shop clearance sales and thrift/consignment stores for a few quality pieces that should last me... stuff like ann taylor petites is great...

[tgavin71]

Re: Yearly Clothes Budget

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.

[boefixepa]

Re: Yearly Clothes Budget

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...

[markio26]

Re: Yearly Clothes Budget

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]

Re: Yearly Clothes Budget

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]

Re: Yearly Clothes Budget

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

[tgavin71]

Re: Yearly Clothes Budget

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]

Re: Yearly Clothes Budget

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]

Re: Yearly Clothes Budget

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]

Re: Yearly Clothes Budget

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]

Re: Yearly Clothes Budget

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]

Re: Yearly Clothes Budget

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

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

[shengmei]

Re: Yearly Clothes Budget

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]

Re: Yearly Clothes Budget

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.