https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-do-you-spend-on-clothes-in-a-year Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 04 Apr 2026 19:08:43 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-do-you-spend-on-clothes-in-a-year/page/2#post-266640 Wed, 15 Dec 2010 15:58:16 +0000 Steph 266640@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't budget, so I have no idea what I spend on clothing, but I am definitely a person who goes for quality over quantity. There have been times where I spent $1000 on a pair of boots, but then I will literally go months without buying a thing (I don't think I purchased anything other than a headband for the first eight months of 2010, and I wasn't doing SYC or anything like that). If there isn't something specific I'm looking for, and nothing special catches my eye, I don't really make a purchase. </p> <p>Ms. Maven, I just had to say: if I spent 2-3 times on clothes than what I do on my cats, I would have a huge wardrobe! I am pretty sure I have spent five figures on my cats in vet bills this year--I can't bear to add it all up. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-do-you-spend-on-clothes-in-a-year/page/2#post-266627 Wed, 15 Dec 2010 15:48:12 +0000 Jonesy 266627@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Eek, I don't know and I'm not sure I want to know. I do know that it's really variable for me depending on the month (e.g., I tend to spend a lot in August and September for the kids' clothes, and fall shopping for myself, but very little from January to April), so a monthly budget wouldn't make much sense for me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-do-you-spend-on-clothes-in-a-year/page/2#post-266614 Wed, 15 Dec 2010 15:37:08 +0000 Kate 266614@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Let's track spending together! This year I spent a lot more money on clothes, shoes, an accessories than I thought I would. I really need to get serious about paying back my undergrad loans, so I'll need to stick to my budget in 2011. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-do-you-spend-on-clothes-in-a-year/page/2#post-266561 Wed, 15 Dec 2010 13:48:13 +0000 Scarlet 266561@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I would be interested in a track your spending thread for 2011. That would probably work better for me than SYC. I will have to tighten up my budget in the next five years, so it would be good to start giving it a lot of thought now. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-do-you-spend-on-clothes-in-a-year/page/2#post-266538 Wed, 15 Dec 2010 10:59:35 +0000 Theresa 266538@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks Megan - I'm giggling here because based on the screen shots etc, its the exact same program that Suncorp have just added to their net banking! I think I'll set up my cash, account in there, and just remember to input those transactions. So far I really like it though! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-do-you-spend-on-clothes-in-a-year/page/2#post-266464 Wed, 15 Dec 2010 06:25:51 +0000 MsMaven 266464@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've kept track of what I spend for decades. I just write it down after I shop--no special program. Partly this is in self-defense: my husband is a CPA and computer guy. He's kept family books since we married and the records are stored in the garage somewhere. </p> <p>At the end of the year I like to go over the list of what I spent and analyze the best/worst of my purchases. Every year I learn something, but then I go out and make new buying mistakes. Fashion is always changing and as I've gotten older, my body also changes frequently.</p> <p>The dollar amount I spend is between me and my CPA. I will say that I spend 2-3 times as much on clothes each year as I do on my cats. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-do-you-spend-on-clothes-in-a-year/page/2#post-266451 Wed, 15 Dec 2010 06:02:47 +0000 Megan 266451@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi Theresa, </p> <p>It's <a href="http://www.anzmoneymanager.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.anzmoneymanager.com</a></p> <p>I've been doing ALL my purchases online as it imports them once you add each account and the program automatically categorises transactions (which you can edit) and you can set it to send you a budget report weekly or monthly. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-do-you-spend-on-clothes-in-a-year/page/2#post-266443 Wed, 15 Dec 2010 05:49:59 +0000 MsMary 266443@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>BTW, I have a separate account for clothing at <a href="http://www.ingdirect.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.ingdirect.com</a>. I have $150 automatically transferred to the account every month. If I overspend that account I have to find the money somewhere else. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-do-you-spend-on-clothes-in-a-year#post-266409 Wed, 15 Dec 2010 03:58:53 +0000 Theresa 266409@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Megan can you tell me the name of that mint.com-like program you use? My bank has just installed a budget tracker in the internet banking section and already I can see it being quite useful, except that in order to stick to my set budget I'm withdrawing my *cash* amount each fortnight to cover all planned purchases.</p> <p>I've been tracking my spending from July 2010 and I've spent $1300 this 6 months - which is FAR too much considering I'm still feeling like I don't have the basics I need and my budget really doesn't allow that... (Although I DO have some great shoes and I'm now completely covered for winter coats for the first time in my life, so there are a few things that I have achieved).</p> <p>And now, having gained weight, I've started again with some things :(</p> <p>But, my budget for 2011 is $55/month for all beauty &amp; fashion related purchases = $660 for the year... </p> <p>Yet another reason I'm leaning more towards making as much as I can of my own clothing! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-do-you-spend-on-clothes-in-a-year#post-266350 Wed, 15 Dec 2010 02:37:02 +0000 Maya 266350@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Now I spend freely because I can. But I have calculated my future budget at about $250/month, which is not that bad at all. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-do-you-spend-on-clothes-in-a-year#post-266307 Wed, 15 Dec 2010 01:32:21 +0000 Mellllls 266307@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>After a year of not having time to track my spending, I just created my 2011 budget last night. I set $170/month as a budget, and a separate budget for dry cleaning. I don't think I will max out every month though and I do receive a fair amount of clothing as gifts.<br /> My first two years post-school, I tracked everything but last year was just too crazy I am looking forward to starting to track again and would love to join the challenge.<br /> Im a lawyer as well, so the need for professional clothes tends to make my expenses higher perhaps than others. I haven't bought a new suit in 4 years...at some point I am going to have to bite the bullet and do that. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-do-you-spend-on-clothes-in-a-year#post-266304 Wed, 15 Dec 2010 01:28:38 +0000 lyn* 266304@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I spend up to $500/mth on clothes; especially if it's a month where I buy a jacket or there is a lot of fall/winter clothing on sale.</p> <p>I spend as little as $50/mth during the summer months because we don't have much summer in central Canada and I don't spend my money here.</p> <p>Probably about $1000 a year? I'm bad. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-do-you-spend-on-clothes-in-a-year#post-266302 Wed, 15 Dec 2010 01:26:48 +0000 chewyspaghetti 266302@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm up for tracking. I did it for a while, but then I stopped. We are in the midst of re-doing our budget, and according to our income and the charts we are seeing, we are to spend no more than $125/month on clothing for a family of 4. Um.....yeah. I hope the kids don't grow anymore! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-do-you-spend-on-clothes-in-a-year#post-266283 Wed, 15 Dec 2010 01:09:12 +0000 Bianca 266283@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I can make a dollar holla and we have been on a tight budget. I would have to say maybe around $700. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-do-you-spend-on-clothes-in-a-year#post-266282 Wed, 15 Dec 2010 01:05:43 +0000 Queen Mum 266282@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>my plan for 2011 is to purchase 2-3 items a month. I have a general monetary guide, but I don't want to just say "my budget is $XX because then I tend to see how many things I can pick up for that amount.. thus ending up with junk. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-do-you-spend-on-clothes-in-a-year#post-266262 Wed, 15 Dec 2010 00:52:59 +0000 Mo 266262@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>"What I need to get better at, in 2011, is saving my pennies for a few months and then buying a nice big ticket item (new coat, boots, nice jeans, real jewelry, etc.) instead of just frittering most of it away on more cheaper items, from Target or the thrift store or what have you."</p> <p>@ Laura - Exactly!! I think I can get much nicer things if I wrap my head around this. I'm very curious to see if, in fact, thinking in terms of 'I have $250 to use for the next 2 months' will lead me to save up for that special item or two.<br /> Right now I find I can get away with spending $30 or $50 at a time without having a discussion about spending too much on clothes. That is another part of my spending dilemma; I don't have my own money right now. And the BF isn't always the sole breadwinner, just when we are here in FL, so we keep switching up roles and don't have definite rules or agreed terms we live by. Complicates things a little . . . </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-do-you-spend-on-clothes-in-a-year#post-266249 Wed, 15 Dec 2010 00:37:02 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 266249@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Love the idea of a track-along. I'm similar to others; I probably spend an average of $100-$200 a month. What I need to get better at, in 2011, is saving my pennies for a few months and then buying a nice big ticket item (new coat, boots, nice jeans, real jewelry, etc.) instead of just frittering most of it away on more cheaper items, from Target or the thrift store or what have you. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-do-you-spend-on-clothes-in-a-year#post-266230 Wed, 15 Dec 2010 00:06:10 +0000 Velma 266230@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I spend no more than $1,500 annually--for everything from soup to nuts. I do a lot of thrifting, buy on ebay, and hunt for bargains, but I also shell out for some important items. I have always had the impression that I spend a LOT less than most YLF readers. Interesting to see that there are several others in my ballpark. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-do-you-spend-on-clothes-in-a-year#post-266227 Wed, 15 Dec 2010 00:04:57 +0000 anne 266227@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Bear in mind that you as an attorney need to have a more expensive professional wardrobe than many of us.</p> <p>I am a SAHM and my main challenge since joining YLF over 2 years ago was developing a casual wardrobe and catching up after 5 or so years of mostly being pregnant!<br /> The first 2 years I spent about $1000 (AUD) a year but this year (ie from July 10-July 11which is the financial year in Australia) I am aiming for about $510. I think this will be difficult to keep to and I am already tracking my expenditure (so far $32!) I am happy to join in with a tracking challenge.</p> <p>Another factor is whether you have changed sizes. Pregancy aside, I can still fit into my clothes from the last 15 years, and I find that that increases the size of my wardrobe somewhat. I am still wearing (YLF approved) dresses that are 9-11 years old. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-do-you-spend-on-clothes-in-a-year#post-266223 Tue, 14 Dec 2010 23:54:44 +0000 Kristine 266223@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I was like you, I never used to spend much of anything and my clothes were cheap and worn out. Now my budget is $125 a month. $125 seemed like a nice amount when I first set the budget last winter but now it doesn't seem like quite enough! I usually stick to it but sometimes I don't count larger purchases like coats, boots or gear. </p> <p>I read that a good guideline is 4-8% of your gross income for clothing. I should probably give myself a small increase for the new year! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-do-you-spend-on-clothes-in-a-year#post-266215 Tue, 14 Dec 2010 23:39:46 +0000 Beth 266215@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>For the last few years, my spending has been very circumspect.</p> <p>Since I found YLF?</p> <p>I plead the fifth. :O </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-do-you-spend-on-clothes-in-a-year#post-266210 Tue, 14 Dec 2010 23:26:30 +0000 catgirl 266210@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have been spending an outrageous amount in the past 6 months or so, but that is partly making up for my crazy stingy/thrifter habits of yore, as well as all the wardrobe holes YLF has kindly made me aware of since being here! I am hoping to do a shopping ban once all the obvious gaps have been filled (cognac boots excepted - if I find cognac boots ANY TIME, I am buying them!).</p> <p>I have also not kept great track as I have been buying and returning. That makes it feel like I'm spending a huge amount but with all the back and forth it's probably not so bad.</p> <p>ETA: Okay, maybe I'm not as outrageous as I thought. I'm somewhere around $150 to $200 per month recently, averaging out. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-do-you-spend-on-clothes-in-a-year#post-266209 Tue, 14 Dec 2010 23:21:04 +0000 Megan 266209@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'll have to budget as well but as my income is variable depending on how much teaching I do I won't know how tight my budget will need to be until Feb. </p> <p>That said, I've got the essential skeleton of a workable closet now and won't NEED to spend loads of money! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-do-you-spend-on-clothes-in-a-year#post-266208 Tue, 14 Dec 2010 23:14:57 +0000 Mo 266208@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am in for tracking for 2011! I am also trying to decide what I should plan, or budget, for the year. Are you gals thinking of just tracking, or budgeting as well?<br /> I'm trying to nail down a figure that pleases both the BF and myself lol! Seriously, though. If I aim to have less, but of better quality, I don't really know if I'll need to spend more or not. Hmm. Maybe $250 every 2 months, which is $1500 for the year? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-do-you-spend-on-clothes-in-a-year#post-266206 Tue, 14 Dec 2010 23:04:45 +0000 Megan 266206@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Psychic forum strikes again, I was thinking about this yesterday!</p> <p>I'm up for a track your spending 2011 too- I use a program similar to Mint.com (but for Australians) that helps me classify what I'm spending. </p> <p>I have spent WAY too much this year and really need to reign it in in 2011. </p> <p>I started with almost nothing but still, the amount I've spent is absurb. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-do-you-spend-on-clothes-in-a-year#post-266205 Tue, 14 Dec 2010 22:56:44 +0000 celia 266205@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Too much </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-do-you-spend-on-clothes-in-a-year#post-266195 Tue, 14 Dec 2010 22:15:16 +0000 mamaKate 266195@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My dear friend, that transition to a professional wardrobe is so much fun! As a seasoned professional, I, too, have found a lot of love from the Nordstrom in-house brands, including Classiques Entier. But I have had even more fun finding treasures at consignment shops. If you are trying to find a benchmark for how much you "should" be spending, or affirmation that it is now OK to be spending as much as you do....well that is, of course, a very individual question that requires introspection into your budget, upbringing, personal style, and circumstances. I know women who have no regrets about spending over $10,000 per year on their wardrobe, and others who have similarly high standards for style but do it on less than $100 per month. You will be able to stretch your dollars if you know how to make small alterations yourself. But I agree with advice that I have received many times, which is that you can find yourself spending just as much by shopping at sales and discount stores than if you buy "quality." There is a natural tendency to buy something just because it's cheap or on sale, where if it was pricier, you might think twice. Think twice anyway! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-do-you-spend-on-clothes-in-a-year#post-266183 Tue, 14 Dec 2010 20:57:45 +0000 MsMary 266183@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I already track everything, so I'm totally in for the track-your-spending challenge! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-do-you-spend-on-clothes-in-a-year#post-266180 Tue, 14 Dec 2010 20:54:22 +0000 Lisa 266180@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Too much, hopefully I will settle down the spending come the new year. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-do-you-spend-on-clothes-in-a-year#post-266179 Tue, 14 Dec 2010 20:53:46 +0000 Mo 266179@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm not sure but I'd guess $150 a month, sometimes less sometimes more. Never more than $300 a month! So I suspect I spend the similar $2000 you used to :). I'm trying really hard to be the smarter shopper for fewer better pieces, but it's sooooo hard to break old bargain hunting habits. (just today I got 2 bargain pieces - a necklace and boyfriend cardi. Did I mention how hard it is to change?!) </p>