https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2014---fashion-budget-aka-being-a-grownup Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 15 Apr 2026 04:22:50 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2014---fashion-budget-aka-being-a-grownup/page/2#post-1122987 Fri, 27 Dec 2013 19:35:58 +0000 lyn* 1122987@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>@ Krista - I tend to overspend in the fall too! I will save all of my bonuses along the way towards fall, I will need new boots, come fall.</p> <p>@ K - I'm so glad your DF likes the dotty dress!!! It is very fun! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2014---fashion-budget-aka-being-a-grownup#post-1122966 Fri, 27 Dec 2013 18:58:36 +0000 Kristin L 1122966@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>First off, I'm so glad you finally got your purse! It's very cute!</p> <p>I like how you have everything laid out in your budget. Your rationale sounds great and as long as you can afford it, then go for it! I really like the update/repair part as well.&nbsp;</p> <p>Oh, and I wanted to tell you, my DF LOVES the dotty dress I got from you. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2014---fashion-budget-aka-being-a-grownup#post-1122850 Fri, 27 Dec 2013 13:29:58 +0000 Krista 1122850@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great analysis, Lyn! I like how you have further categorized your lists with New/Upgrade/Replacement; it's one step further in planning than I usually go and I like it very much; it would keep me focused on my list, rather than just randomly purchasing an extra item or two with the thought "Oh well, not on the list but still okay." Given that I completely overspent in the Fall I need this type of focus to reign me in for this year. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2014---fashion-budget-aka-being-a-grownup#post-1122744 Fri, 27 Dec 2013 04:50:02 +0000 cheryl 1122744@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Fantastic list. Glad you got yourself a warm winter coat! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2014---fashion-budget-aka-being-a-grownup#post-1122617 Thu, 26 Dec 2013 23:32:38 +0000 bj1111 1122617@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>my husband and i went on three "non-dates" before we officially started dating. &nbsp;we also forgot what day we got engaged. &nbsp;so we only celebrate our wedding anniversary (when we remember). &nbsp;i guess we are not a sentimental couple.</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2014---fashion-budget-aka-being-a-grownup#post-1122511 Thu, 26 Dec 2013 19:16:03 +0000 rae 1122511@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You and Mo are so inspiring! I totally get what you said about the experimental phase as well as the need to "keep up" at work. It really sucks the money right out of your wallet, doesn't it? lol</p> <p>I think your plan is pretty solid, and I love that you have built in the replacements and repairs. And um... frostbite?? Thank goodness you got that parka!</p> <p>I really need to sit down and assess my needs to create a game plan for Spring/Summer. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2014---fashion-budget-aka-being-a-grownup#post-1122507 Thu, 26 Dec 2013 19:04:25 +0000 lyn* 1122507@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>@ Gracie - haha, yes, he thinks a skirt or a dress is dressing up - but I'm slowly getting him used to the idea that I rarely wear pants. I wore jeans once to the grocery store, and he doesn't even remember. :p</p> <p>@ Carla - Haha! But it is a dress-up occasion! Silk pants sound really comfy.</p> <p>@ Suz - This is what I am hoping. I seriously thought about jumping someone for theirs when it was -40.</p> <p>@ Meli - I think it depends what you do with the rest of your money too; I think 5% is your "clothing only" kind of budget assuming you spend money on other things too. I rarely spend my money on other things - tuition, textbooks, some electronics, my vehicle, groceries, utilities ... I don't go out to concerts or movies, or anything like that, so I lump what they call "entertainment" into my clothing sometimes. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2014---fashion-budget-aka-being-a-grownup#post-1122396 Thu, 26 Dec 2013 15:07:24 +0000 Meli 1122396@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Re: the 5%, this was a new line of thinking for me. I have spent more than that before and never knew what the right # to budget before. This will be an interesting experiment. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2014---fashion-budget-aka-being-a-grownup#post-1121905 Wed, 25 Dec 2013 03:27:42 +0000 Suz 1121905@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That coat will prove itself&nbsp;worth every penny in your climate.&nbsp;</p> <p>And so will the bag.&nbsp;</p> <p>This looks like a sensible plan and it sounds as if you've got reason to upgrade everything you're considering.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2014---fashion-budget-aka-being-a-grownup#post-1121852 Wed, 25 Dec 2013 01:15:05 +0000 Carla 1121852@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>LOL! When I changed my pants from black straight legs, to loose silk trousers, DH said: "I'm not dressing up for Christmas Eve, you know?" </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2014---fashion-budget-aka-being-a-grownup#post-1121819 Tue, 24 Dec 2013 23:42:36 +0000 Gracie 1121819@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Smart planning! It's nice to have the realization that one has enough good things and start thinking about a few, better and more planned statement-y purchases. Thank you for sharing your budget. I didn't see date jeans and tees in there but I see you already have some. My budget is purely aspirational, I just want to be in the ball park by the end of the year. I call it my so-called-clothes-budget :)</p> <p>And, some guys make those comments all the time – I've been married 12 years and when going out to eat (Chili's, Applebees, Mexican - not fancy) and I choose a skirt or dress my hubby always seems crest-fallen "Oh, you're dressing up?" then I say, it's *just* a skirt, or *just a summer dress* lol... always the same routine.&nbsp; Of course if I wear jeans, he is very pleased. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2014---fashion-budget-aka-being-a-grownup#post-1121812 Tue, 24 Dec 2013 23:35:40 +0000 lyn* 1121812@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Drat. I forgot my red trench coat. &gt;:( </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2014---fashion-budget-aka-being-a-grownup#post-1121806 Tue, 24 Dec 2013 23:08:11 +0000 shedev 1121806@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Nice list Lyn. A good warm coat is something you will likely get a ton of use out of. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2014---fashion-budget-aka-being-a-grownup#post-1121705 Tue, 24 Dec 2013 19:35:45 +0000 Alassë 1121705@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Good job and fun read, Lyn*! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2014---fashion-budget-aka-being-a-grownup#post-1121692 Tue, 24 Dec 2013 19:12:40 +0000 lyn* 1121692@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>@ Beth Ann - You are very wise at 1 am. I shall consult you again at this time.</p> <p>@ Gigi - I think I have the fancy end stuff covered; it's more the opposite - we kinda lounge around and do jigsaw puzzles and make food in his kitchen - and he feels more comfortable around me when I just wear jeans and a t-shirt anyway (he says I always look so 'dressed up' when he sees me after work).&nbsp;</p> <p>@ Ariadne - The first pic is from Anthro, and I have the dotty dress which is why I kept the picture! The Doc Marten zipper burst on one of my boots (ULTIMATE SAD FACE) but I am thinking of getting them replaced with heavy duty zippers x2; that way they match. Although having Doc Martens with not matching zippers sounds pretty bad-ass.</p> <p>@ Jayne - My life is a wildcard :p</p> <p>@ Dianthus - It sounds like I need some ear bags :p I usually use muffs + toque + hood these days. I got the frostbite on my inner thigh, actually. Drat skirts.</p> <p>@ Deborah - Thank you; I hope that it will be nice in the future once I get the groundwork settled.</p> <p>@ Meli - I usually stick to about 5% of my budget on clothes; I do reach into the hobbies 10% too though, because I consider curating my closet to be my primary hobby.</p> <p>@ Runcarla - Oooh, grown up and smart You flatter me.</p> <p>@Bj11111 - Officially for about 6 weeks; unofficially for much longer than that. Finally one of the older ladies at work just stares at me, "You know these dinner and movie things you go on are dates right?" O_o; are they? Oh ...</p> <p>@ Claire - Ah; I know, boring things are boring. Hopefully pastels are making a comeback this year and I hate pastels, so it will make life easier for me.</p> <p>@ Mo - I had you in my mind as I was plotting my world domination - uh; bank account domination?</p> <p>@ Una - I know, isn't she brilliant? I think I will start to use that quote.</p> <p>@ Retailgirl - Yes; I am very fortunate to work in an environment in which there aren't new clothes all the time - if I did, I'd be much more broke. I didn't think I'd need a real nest egg for awhile - I don't know now though. I think aside from a car, a nice healthy downpayment for property would be nice to have.</p> <p>@ Lisa - I wish you best of luck as well - It's nice to be able to sit in front of your closet and give it a sobering look. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2014---fashion-budget-aka-being-a-grownup#post-1121583 Tue, 24 Dec 2013 16:28:17 +0000 Lisa 1121583@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Smart move to preplan your spending for next year.&nbsp; I usually create a running wish list but I don't have the shopping planned out better than that.&nbsp; I'm going to sit down and think of this for myself next year.&nbsp; Like yourself, I also have too many clothes sitting unworn. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2014---fashion-budget-aka-being-a-grownup#post-1121565 Tue, 24 Dec 2013 16:01:31 +0000 retailgirl 1121565@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It is so hard to reign yourself in! I understand...I work in retail, so temptation is always right in front of me, plus I am easy to fit...size 8, tall and slim. It was worse for me when I was a buyer and could buy salesman's samples. So I have a closet with way too many options, most of them very nice. The return you get from a consignment store is not worth the effort involved. (To me, anyway.) But Lyn, you are wise to be prudent with your spending in the early years of your career, you'll be able to build up a nice retirement nest egg or save for your own home or whatever long term goals you may have. I wish I had been a little more frugal! But no regrets! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2014---fashion-budget-aka-being-a-grownup#post-1121538 Tue, 24 Dec 2013 15:37:23 +0000 catgirl 1121538@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>"Better is better."</p> <p>Beth Ann, you are brilliant at 1 a.m.! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2014---fashion-budget-aka-being-a-grownup#post-1121505 Tue, 24 Dec 2013 14:56:56 +0000 Mo 1121505@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You know I love this! &nbsp;I recently started marking what's a replacement or upgrade as well on my lists. &nbsp;You already have a beautiful wardrobe; I'm sure this will just fine tune it more for the year to come </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2014---fashion-budget-aka-being-a-grownup#post-1121473 Tue, 24 Dec 2013 13:39:39 +0000 Anonymous 1121473@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It must be hard to buy boring things you need when there are so many pretty dresses out there (and they all look amazing on you) but you can do it! Love the new Kate Spade. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2014---fashion-budget-aka-being-a-grownup#post-1121466 Tue, 24 Dec 2013 13:27:33 +0000 bj1111 1121466@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>wait...there's a boy? &nbsp;when did that happen? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2014---fashion-budget-aka-being-a-grownup#post-1121440 Tue, 24 Dec 2013 12:27:12 +0000 Carla 1121440@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Being a grown up can be fun too, and having a budget is just smart. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2014---fashion-budget-aka-being-a-grownup#post-1121436 Tue, 24 Dec 2013 12:19:30 +0000 Meli 1121436@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've read a few articles on budgeting clothing and really was struck that they all recommend under 5% total, and even how overspending can impact you over the years. So I've adjusted my own budget as well this year. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2014---fashion-budget-aka-being-a-grownup#post-1121431 Tue, 24 Dec 2013 12:07:36 +0000 Deborah 1121431@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Lol! Being a grown up can be a pain sometimes:). I think this all sounds well thought out and ver wise) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2014---fashion-budget-aka-being-a-grownup#post-1121429 Tue, 24 Dec 2013 12:02:53 +0000 cheryle (Dianthus) 1121429@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Looks like a great plan Lyn.&nbsp; </p> <p>Have you ever heard of ear bags?&nbsp; They are these cute little things that fit over your ears for extra warmth.&nbsp; I got a pair a few years ago at Portage Place hat shop.&nbsp; Frostbite on ears is no fun.</p> <p><a href="http://www.earbag.com/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=19&amp;Itemid=47&amp;lang=en" rel="nofollow">http://www.earbag.com/index.ph.....38;lang=en</a></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2014---fashion-budget-aka-being-a-grownup#post-1121399 Tue, 24 Dec 2013 09:11:34 +0000 jayne 1121399@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great start on a budget.&nbsp; Just love these posts and seeing how it worked out.&nbsp; Good you have some wild cards in there. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2014---fashion-budget-aka-being-a-grownup#post-1121394 Tue, 24 Dec 2013 07:58:32 +0000 Ariadne 1121394@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is impressive and inspiring. &nbsp;It looks like you've been very thorough and realistic. &nbsp;I look forward to seeing how it all plays out this year!</p> <p>Is the first image from Anthro? &nbsp;It's lovely.</p> <p>Tell me more about the Doc Martens zippers. &nbsp;Can they be replaced? &nbsp;I have a beloved silver pair and the zipper just broke on one of them. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2014---fashion-budget-aka-being-a-grownup#post-1121389 Tue, 24 Dec 2013 07:21:05 +0000 Gigi 1121389@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Although I hate making mistakes, it's always the best way to learn!</p> <p>For your date night capsule, maybe you could start with some add-on pieces that would go with your work wardrobe--fancy clutches, high heels, some statement jewelry--so that you are able to increase the functionality of some of your work wardrobe pieces&nbsp;rather than just keep adding to the closet (seeing as you feel like you have too much in there already). Also, this would buy you time to find stuff that is perfect for the date night capsule. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2014---fashion-budget-aka-being-a-grownup#post-1121386 Tue, 24 Dec 2013 07:13:06 +0000 Beth Ann 1121386@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>More is not better.&nbsp; Better is better.&nbsp; <br />OK -- that's the closest I cam come to wisdom at 1am, after two hours of wrapping.&nbsp; Still, I think you're at the place in life when finding great garments that flatter, serve, and represent you to the world beats a closet full of cute, trendy clothes.</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2014---fashion-budget-aka-being-a-grownup#post-1121373 Tue, 24 Dec 2013 06:43:41 +0000 Anonymous 1121373@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You sound very wise and grown up. It can still be fun. </p>