Does alteration count as shopping?

harmonica

I left a load of clothes for alteration and repairing this morning. When asking for the price, I got to think about SYC and wondered if alteration and repairing counts as shopping? What do you think?

- 2 dresses (repairing hem)
- 1 glove (repair hem)
- 3 blazers(shorten sleeves)
- 1 denim jacket (shorten sleeves)
- 1 belt (add button-hole loops)
- 1 parkas (add draw string at hemline)

13 years ago

Shopping

12 replies

Latest reply was from harmonica

ManidipaM

Veteran

I shouldn't think so! I'd count them as maintenance costs, same as buying shoe polish or needle&thread to replace a button!

13 years ago

harmonica

Veteran

maintenance costs - i like that!

13 years ago

Anonymous

When it costs less to mend/repair something than it does to replace it, then it's worth it. If it doesn't, then you have to consider whether or not you love the item enough to justify the expense or if you'd be better off to replace it. I don't think the cost of altering a garment is the same as a new purchase. Still, whenever I buy a new garment that I know will need to be altered (say, pants hemmed up or whatever), I factor the cost of the alteration into the equation. Usually I won't buy something that needs to be altered unless I can do the alteration myself or the garment is priced low enough that I can justify paying to have it altered. Hope this helps!

13 years ago

Traci

Veteran

I think it would only count as shopping if you're having an item so drastically altered that it's basically becoming a whole new item and filling a new need in your wardrobe. Repairs and tweaks are almost a necessity to shopping your closet.

13 years ago

harmonica

Veteran

Great! Thanks for the input!

The alterations and repairing to all the listed items are waaay cheaper than replacement and all of them are closet work horses.

13 years ago

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Definitely does not count in SYC. I consider it "clothes maintenance".

13 years ago

Sheila

Veteran

I agree with everyone--it is maintenance, not shopping. You wouldn't take a car in for a lube job or new tires and come out thinking, oh now I have a brand new car!

13 years ago

harmonica

Veteran

Oh, Sheila- what a great comparison! Thanks

Shannon - thanks! You have the best alteration "partner", so you should know

At first, I didn't really consider alteration and repairing as shopping, but more a way of avoiding shopping. I also like the environmental (and economical) side of it. So, it just occured to me when talking about what I had to pay, that others might define it as shopping, so appreciate your input

13 years ago

Charmian

Veteran

For the purposes of SYC (which is to help you appreciate and utilize what you already own), it totally doesn't count as shopping. Go for it!

In contrast, for budgetary purposes (ie, tracking progress against financial goals), I do count alterations, repairs, and other wardrobe necessities (eg, underwear, insoles). After all, money spent on alterations is money NOT spent on food and rent.

13 years ago

RoseandJoan

Veteran

Absolutely not, it's a sundry purchase and it is essential your current closet is in tip top condition if you are embarking on shop your closet.

13 years ago

ironkurtin

Veteran

Newp.

13 years ago

harmonica

Veteran

Thanks! Seems like we agree on this matter

Charmian - I agree that it is money spent no matter how you twist and turn your "shopping math". After all, it is money going out of your wallet instead of money saved in a bank account

13 years ago

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