https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budgets---share-what-you-think-is-relevant-and-helpful Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 16 May 2026 00:55:42 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budgets---share-what-you-think-is-relevant-and-helpful/page/2#post-1838070 Sun, 20 Aug 2017 20:13:47 +0000 Penny 1838070@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Fashiontern, your approach makes sense to me. If the price is within reason and the item is right, the presence or lack of a sale doesn't factor much into my purchases these days. Although if I see the same item at a lower price within a few weeks, I often do a swap or get a price adjustment. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budgets---share-what-you-think-is-relevant-and-helpful/page/2#post-1837980 Sun, 20 Aug 2017 13:04:36 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1837980@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Grace, got it! I thought you were giving that as an example of "bad shopping" but I see I mis "heard". </p> <p>Penny, happily? I'll pay full price happily only if I'm reasonably confident that money is going where I want it to. I'm resistant enough to prices that simply sales don't do it for me--still has to be a good item. I can see something I really like, right fabric, well made, etc, then see the price and walk away. Otoh, if something doesn't look good to begin with, a sales price isn't going to get me interested. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budgets---share-what-you-think-is-relevant-and-helpful/page/2#post-1837928 Sun, 20 Aug 2017 03:54:59 +0000 Grace 1837928@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>fashiontern.&nbsp;</b>As to the wedges, I have worn them many times. On the flats, I have just started wearing them, and the reason is I had another pair of flats like them, but the pair started to wear down, so I disposed of them.&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budgets---share-what-you-think-is-relevant-and-helpful/page/2#post-1837884 Sun, 20 Aug 2017 01:17:34 +0000 Penny 1837884@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Although there may be a number of reasons, I think people may be more willing to settle when seeing a good price, perhaps because the satisfaction of the sale offsets the doubts about the product. Now, I'm with you - it's nice if I can get a piece on sale, but I'll pay full price happily if needed to get the right item. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budgets---share-what-you-think-is-relevant-and-helpful/page/2#post-1837875 Sun, 20 Aug 2017 00:13:56 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1837875@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Penny</b>, several people, in this thread and on other posts, have said that when they buy things on sale, they often get items that might be a 7 or 8 for them instead of a 10. Why do you think that is? To me, if it isn't right, it isn't right. The fun in getting something on sale is, I admit, the unevenness of the exchange, that i get something great for less I would normally pay. When I do this with a company known for its fair trade policy, I know I'm being logically inconsistent; I'm more likely to pay full price for that or for eco-friendly things than for other items. It might be something I already have a bunch of, or that I won't wear a lot, but if it is poorly made, or uncomfortable fabric, or so trendy it won't last a season, then I don't want it, even for free. Can you explain the thinking behind getting a soso object just because it's on sale?</p> <p><b>Grace</b>, did you ever wear the shoes? To me, there is a huge difference between buying for a fantasy life and buying for a realistic future need, especially if money will be tighter in the future. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budgets---share-what-you-think-is-relevant-and-helpful/page/2#post-1837869 Sat, 19 Aug 2017 23:23:27 +0000 Grace 1837869@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I do not have any set budget amount for clothes. I base my buying decisions on my overall financial situation. If money is tight, then I only buy things I absolutely must have. The better off I am financially, the looser my criteria is for making a purchase.</p> <p>I like to shop often, since it increases my chance of finding great deals. Plus, shopping is a fun activity. </p> <p>When deciding whether to buy something, I have certain criteria I use in helping me to make that decision. Does the item represent good value for my money. Then I consider how often I will wear it and under what situations I will wear it. How does It fit into my overall wardrobe, does it enhance it, is it an area of need. </p> <p>Often when I go shopping, I am not looking for anything in particular, but then find a great deal, so I decide to buy it. One time shopping, I found a great pair of wedges on sale, and just could not pass them up. Another time I had no immediate need for a pair of flats, but since I had a cupon for them, and knowing I would need them in the future, I decided to make the purchase. </p> <p>There will be times where in a month where I will buy a lot of stuff, and then I will go for four or five months and buy very little. </p> <p>I find the more thoroughly I think thru my buying decisions using my above criteria, the less likely I am to overspend. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budgets---share-what-you-think-is-relevant-and-helpful/page/2#post-1837862 Sat, 19 Aug 2017 22:56:26 +0000 minimalist 1837862@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is only part of the picture, but I set aside a flat amount every month. That amount was set during a different lifestyle, but I've left it as is. That leaves room for full-price HEWIs. I'm picky, so that works out so far. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budgets---share-what-you-think-is-relevant-and-helpful/page/2#post-1837836 Sat, 19 Aug 2017 21:20:45 +0000 Penny 1837836@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Like many here, I shifted from regularly purchasing almost-right sale items to carefully selecting just-right items that fit my needs and style goals. So, although I'm happy to spend more on single items - or in total annually - than in years past, it must be for pieces I love and need that cohere with my wardrobe. </p> <p>Tracking annually helps raise my awareness and purchase more deliberately, and exercising a strict one-in-one out policy per wardrobe category (which are pretty curated these days) works better than a budget for me in limiting my spending: among other criteria, a new item has to be better than the item it will replace. </p> <p>Overall, I find this approach has me browsing more, buying (or keeping) less, and immensely enjoying the pieces that I have and add. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budgets---share-what-you-think-is-relevant-and-helpful/page/2#post-1837799 Sat, 19 Aug 2017 18:24:48 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1837799@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Found it! Finery, in Laura's post. <a href="https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-help-app" rel="nofollow">https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....g-help-app</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budgets---share-what-you-think-is-relevant-and-helpful/page/2#post-1837796 Sat, 19 Aug 2017 18:05:35 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1837796@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks, Sterling! That does help. After the plane took off, I thought some more about this, but couldn't post.<br /> Your ibank suggestion ties right in with what I was thinking about the spreadsheet--I'm not sure I'll keep up with it. Might be better to see if I can set up a "clothing" category on my bank account site, and get it to take returns into account. Or I could start with both, as you do, and then at least have the bottom line records (in my bank instead of ibank) to fall back on. </p> <p>I might surprise myself with the spreadsheet. Buying most things online means I don't have to keep track of paper receipts. Wish I could remember the name of the app someone mentioned recently that imports the info automatically!</p> <p>You mention shoes too. I've just learned about cheap shoes. Never have bought them before, tried some recently to see if I liked a trend. They never even got out of the house, because I could tell they'd be uncomfortable. I wonder if this is why I think of my feet as not finicky--they've never known mistreatment </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budgets---share-what-you-think-is-relevant-and-helpful/page/2#post-1837724 Sat, 19 Aug 2017 13:46:53 +0000 Anonymous 1837724@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Like <b>Anne</b> -- My wardrobe is at the stage where I can focus on <u>very specific</u> capsule building (e.g., athletic, casual, lounging, high summer) and devote most of the budget in a given calendar year to building that capsule. &nbsp;</p> <p>This system has worked out perfectly for me because as my wardrobe evolved through time, I discovered holes and deficiencies in very specific categories. &nbsp;This year I discovered I had a very sparse wardrobe for high summer days of heat and humidity. &nbsp;A couple of years ago, I made the decision that I was done with heels <i>forever&nbsp;</i>and consciously spent my budget building a shoe wardrobe that fit my wide feet and needs. &nbsp;</p> <p>Although I may devote a calendar year to building a defined category in my wardrobe, that does not mean I buy for that category exclusively. &nbsp;It just means the focus and the budget are <u>skewed</u> in that direction. &nbsp;Life would suck if you were too rigid in your rules. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budgets---share-what-you-think-is-relevant-and-helpful/page/2#post-1837719 Sat, 19 Aug 2017 13:30:56 +0000 Anonymous 1837719@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Fashiontern</b> -- I recommend starting with the standard categories (tops/bottoms/shoes). &nbsp;If you are comfortable, add a second more specific category (sleeveless top, knit top, dress slacks, casual summer pant). &nbsp;You will see quickly which categories are important to you and your life style. &nbsp; </p> <p>I ONLY insert line items for garments I keep. &nbsp;So if I buy it and return it, it is never added to the spreadsheet. &nbsp;Purchases/returns are tracked using iBank. &nbsp;The two documents serve very different purposes. &nbsp;</p> <p>Does this help? &nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budgets---share-what-you-think-is-relevant-and-helpful/page/2#post-1837712 Sat, 19 Aug 2017 12:49:15 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1837712@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This has gotten to be a really interesting thread. I see that several people have fracked their clothing purchases for a year. That's definitely something I should do--I'd probably find that I spend more than I think. I'm also a person who thinks the year starts in August/September, so I should probably start now. The most complicated part for me is that I tend to buy online and then return a lot of things. In some stores, sales assistants bring things to the dressing room you to try on. UPS does that for me. I don't know what kind of categories will be most salient for me, so I'll probably set up a spreadsheet with columns for pants, shorts, skirts, dresses, etc and rows for different occasions or seasons. Being in a year round hot climate, idk how I want to account for seasons. For example, my parents just got me a linen sweater for my birthday that would be a fall/spring item most places I've lived, or could even be worn in summer, but here I will wear it in the winter. I think I'll try to go by standard definitions.<br /> One person mentioned "This has gotten to be a really interesting thread. I see that several people have fracked their clothing purchases for a year. That's definitely something I should do--I'd probably find that I spend more than I think. I'm also a person who thinks the year starts in August/September, so I should probably start now. The most complicated part for me is that I tend to buy online and then return a lot of things. In some stores, sales assistants bring things to the dressing room you to try on. UPS does that for me. I don't know what kind of categories will be most salient for me, so I'll probably set up a spreadsheet with columns for pants, shorts, skirts, dresses, etc and rows for different occasions or seasons." Do you agree? I think those items will get so little wear, it's worth finding discounts. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budgets---share-what-you-think-is-relevant-and-helpful/page/2#post-1837659 Sat, 19 Aug 2017 01:52:04 +0000 annagybe 1837659@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Bwahaha Laura! Cheap shoes make life suck </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budgets---share-what-you-think-is-relevant-and-helpful#post-1837435 Fri, 18 Aug 2017 12:43:42 +0000 anne 1837435@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>&nbsp;I think the post Angie linked to has some helpful points.<br />As to your questions<br /><i>Is it an amount for the year or per season or per month?</i><br />I go yearly</p> <p><i>Do you change your budget annually?<br /></i>Yes. I have tended to have "big" years (i.e., starting or returning to work, a new life stage) followed by a few "maintenance" years which are much less.</p> <p><i>If you allot an amount per year is it Jan-Dec?<br /></i>Yes<br /><i>Do you allocate more on fall/winter or spring/summer?</i><br />Depends on the year. ANd a lot of my work wear can be worn all year too<br /><i>Do you have a maximum amount per type (e.g. No more than $x for a pair of jeans, or a range for a winter coast? Would you share that?</i><br />In my head I probably do.</p> <p><i>What % do you allocate for footwear?</i><br />It is a huge proportion for me as I wear orthotics, and have fussy feet. I can easily spend half my budget on footwear - and I don't have that many pairs either! I probably buy 3-4 pairs a year (including gear)and wear them to the ground - I'll get the heels redone until the uppers get too shabby.</p> <p><i>Do you count repairs, tailoring, etc in the budget?<br /> <br /></i>Yes</p> <p>Further points, I try to pick a certain capsule to concentrate on &nbsp;- last year it was gear (7 new things inc shoes) and summer casual (5 new). By contrast I added only 3 to winter casual and 2 to workwear because they weren't my focus - I'd spent more on workwear the previous years. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budgets---share-what-you-think-is-relevant-and-helpful#post-1837172 Thu, 17 Aug 2017 17:10:14 +0000 wesleycomal 1837172@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Spend wisely. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budgets---share-what-you-think-is-relevant-and-helpful#post-1837170 Thu, 17 Aug 2017 17:00:39 +0000 Anonymous 1837170@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I forgot to mention that I have a separate budget for gifts. </p> <p>Also, I do have a rough idea of how much I'm willing to pay for an item.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budgets---share-what-you-think-is-relevant-and-helpful#post-1836733 Wed, 16 Aug 2017 04:43:36 +0000 Suzanne (ambergreen) 1836733@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>DonnaF, well that's neat. Budget sisters? :)</p> <p>And I certainly wrote enough for more than one person...heh. Happy to share. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budgets---share-what-you-think-is-relevant-and-helpful#post-1836714 Wed, 16 Aug 2017 02:04:53 +0000 Tammyb 1836714@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks DonnaF! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budgets---share-what-you-think-is-relevant-and-helpful#post-1836705 Wed, 16 Aug 2017 01:42:44 +0000 DonnaF 1836705@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Gee, I could have written Suzanne's post.</p> <p>DCO is dry clean only. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budgets---share-what-you-think-is-relevant-and-helpful#post-1836701 Wed, 16 Aug 2017 01:29:51 +0000 Tammyb 1836701@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I just figured out that from a huge shopping trip in January, I have a CPW of $10 on average. But most were cold weather clothes so I've only had one season so far. I think I won't be able to track CPW my older clothes because I've decided to let go of the wear tracking that I did prior to a year ago (I do it on a notebook). But for anything bought since last August... I will know! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budgets---share-what-you-think-is-relevant-and-helpful#post-1836700 Wed, 16 Aug 2017 01:24:40 +0000 Tammyb 1836700@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow- thank you all for your thoughtful responses and insight! </p> <p>Kathie- what is DCO?</p> <p>Laura- I think having a minimum might be good for me to avoid sales goggles. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budgets---share-what-you-think-is-relevant-and-helpful#post-1836675 Tue, 15 Aug 2017 23:15:24 +0000 BrieN 1836675@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I started working on my wardrobe in the Fall of 2015, starting from very little that was flattering or fashionable; I've gone back to work as well in the last year. I found I needed a clothing budget to be able to make good decisions--I'm always better when I have a plan. To answer some of your questions:</p> <p>I set an amount per month, but am not constrained by that exact amount. I use YNAB religiously to track our expenses--it carries forward the over or under budget amount into the next month.&nbsp;</p> <p>ETA: &nbsp;Clothing is also a big part of our gifting - so Birthdays and Holidays. Those amounts are not listed in clothing, but in Gifts, and are budgeted separately.</p> <p>I don't have any hard maximums I would spend on any one item, but I am very aware of the tradeoff you make purchasing a spendy item. I do tend to spend a lot on shoes. &nbsp;</p> <p>I also return A LOT. I wish I knew how to stop doing that, but for now I need the items in hand before I can make a final decision of this or that. &nbsp;<br />I count everything in the budget - clothing, shoes, lounge, activewear, bras, socks, tailoring, cobbler etc. but not the odd dry cleaning. &nbsp;</p> <p>I haven't been/don't intend to increase it at all, as I am needing to shop less as my wardrobe starts to feel "complete". &nbsp;We spend 1-2 % of our income on clothing (depending on what my husband needs in the way of big ticket items like suits.)&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budgets---share-what-you-think-is-relevant-and-helpful#post-1836669 Tue, 15 Aug 2017 22:52:45 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 1836669@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've structured my clothing budget in a few different ways. Until recently I was doing it by quarter, and also trying to be particular about what season I was buying for - for example, at the end of the spring quarter I probably shouldn't be buying too many spring things anymore, I should have shifted to summer. Right now my finances are fairly changeable, so I'm just including clothing and cosmetics in my 'personal' budget for the month, and aiming to spend 1/5th or less of the total amount on clothes. </p> <p>I've also done a lot of thinking about what kind of wardrobe suits my lifestyle, and at various times have tried a one-in-one-out limitation or a set number of items of each type. </p> <p>In the past I was a bargain hunter and a thrift shopper, and bought a lot out of season. Nowadays I tend to plan ahead and buy in season/right before the season, and a lot more full price items than I used to (which means the number of items has decreased since my total budget is not that different). </p> <p>I suppose I've got a loosey-goosey ceiling on price for each type of item, though I've never written it down or anything. What I have implemented recently is a floor - too often bargains are not quite right or end up not being used. For example, shoes: I don't let myself buy anything under 50 bucks anymore, unless it's some kind of weird mega-discount of a decent brand, because cheap shoes just make life suck. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budgets---share-what-you-think-is-relevant-and-helpful#post-1836646 Tue, 15 Aug 2017 21:15:38 +0000 Suzanne (ambergreen) 1836646@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What a great set of questions, and I've enjoyed reading the fascinating variety of responses! (Warning: another long post!)</p> <p>I apparently go by a combination of hard numbers and by feel. I don't have a budget per se, but I've been tracking my purchases in the categories of clothes, shoes, accessories, and gear/foundations since 2014. That year, I was really starting from scratch, because I had paid about zip attention to the wardrobe for a few years after moving from locations where there was little style consciousness, and I wanted to enjoy my closet again. So I allowed myself to pretty much buy until I reached a comfort limit. Since then, my spending has fallen year over year because, well, my needs have become better covered over time. </p> <p>I've seen various sites that say 5% of income is an average annual budget, and that seems reasonable, but I'm getting to the point that I may not feel a need to add much at all for quite a while. </p> <p>The way I do things, I have low wardrobe turnover. I buy items for the long term, but I don't dress classic. I add trends I love and none I don't, but I don't let them push me around. If I like something, I'll wear it on and off for decades if I can do it in a way that doesn't look dated. I feel, as has been noted before on YLF, that mixing older with newer items can work well. As some others here have mentioned, things can fall out of favor in one's closet and then come back in. That's my experience too, so I don't worry that I haven't worn X for the last year or two or more. And sometimes an emerging trend (it can be just a trend in how to style things) makes something very remixable again. </p> <p>Your question about $X per item type is a big yes for me, but I never approach that numbers-first. It's always "Is this worth the asking price to me?" I go by feel on this and get just about everything at a really healthy discount (and this has eliminated sales goggles buys, just like someone else here mentioned is the case for her). There's so much super fun choice out there that I don't know that I need any one thing so badly or so soon that I can't wait for it to go on sale. One thing that supports my method is price-watching services. Set and forget! Then if it shows up at a great price later and I still like it, score. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budgets---share-what-you-think-is-relevant-and-helpful#post-1836639 Tue, 15 Aug 2017 20:34:30 +0000 Style Fan 1836639@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My budget was very flexible up until a few years ago.&nbsp;<br />When I retired I realized I had to organize my finances differently.&nbsp; Or go back to work.&nbsp; I looked back at how much I had spent on clothes between September and August (I spent so much time in school I just think that way) after being retired for a few years and decided that would be my annual budget for clothing.&nbsp; It was working and it seemed like a reasonable amount.<br />This includes everything.&nbsp; I buy all my shoes, outerwear, basics, essentials, jewellery, etc. from this.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budgets---share-what-you-think-is-relevant-and-helpful#post-1836631 Tue, 15 Aug 2017 20:17:03 +0000 Sal 1836631@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have a target amount per year - and don't like to go over that. &nbsp;But I think more about buying a certain number of items and not over purchasing. &nbsp;</p> <p>eg winter - one pair footwear, one pair pants, one dress<br />accessories - one bag, one summer hat</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budgets---share-what-you-think-is-relevant-and-helpful#post-1836615 Tue, 15 Aug 2017 19:36:29 +0000 Anonymous 1836615@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Mine is a monthly budget for everything--clothes, shoes, accessories, makeup. I shop frequently, so this works for me. Whatever I don't spend gets rolled over to the next month, so I don't have to use the $ all in one month. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budgets---share-what-you-think-is-relevant-and-helpful#post-1836612 Tue, 15 Aug 2017 19:21:58 +0000 rachylou 1836612@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Clothing is entertainment for me. I'd rather a frock than pay for a movie or a restaurant dinner. Of course, that means I don't have anywhere to wear anything, lol, so I don't know what to say about that!</p> <p>I suppose I go by category/activities. New work clothes, dog walking clothes, shoes that don't make my feet and knees hurt, a puffy, sweaters, one nice outfit for 'the social season.' That sort of thing to maintain and freshen up these capsules. I go by month, because different times of year mean different things are on offer in the shops.</p> <p>I allot more for a single coat than for any other individual item. Coats are very important to me - they have to be real and warm. Shoes are a frequent expense, because I wear them out big time, so that tallies up. I spend little for summer clothes. I like to wear sundresses and pretty much have been wearing the same ones for decades... gee, I don't know, is that a problem that they're all so old? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budgets---share-what-you-think-is-relevant-and-helpful#post-1836583 Tue, 15 Aug 2017 18:13:10 +0000 Laura G 1836583@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm of the "budget? what's that?" persuasion, which works because I'm not a recreational shopper. Every few years I decide I need clothes, go by a lot of them, and then shop shopping.</p> <p>I just did one of those mega-shops, only this time I recorded what I spent, to gather information so that I can budget in the future.&nbsp;</p> <p> </p>