I legit do not understand how people afford style
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Anonymous
| How in the world do people afford style? I look at my take home pay, taxes, health care costs, etc. etc. And I'm left with a modest paycheck. Then after I pay mortgage, utilities, groceries, a car payment for a modest car, and the rest of the bills, I only have modest amounts of disposable income that mostly goes towards savings for emergencies. It isn't like we are poor either - we are a $200k+ household. We don't live in an insanely expensive house and drive a $22k car. I max out the retirement accounts, which is expensive. I literally cannot figure out how people afford style. Like how are people able to afford to wear new outfits every day that you don't buy from Walmart? Shirts are no like $30+. Pants? $50+. Sweaters? $60+. Decent pair of shoes all $80+. I think right now I have one pair of jeans, 3 chinos, about 6 plain T shirts, about 5 collared shirts, and about 3 sweaters. 3 pairs of shoes (2 dress + 1 sneakers) My wardrobe is pretty pathetic, I know it. I just cannot fathom blowing hundreds of dollars every few months on buying more clothes or shoes. I probably do clothes shopping maybe once every 3-4 years, but only begrudgingly because I get sick to my stomach spending money on clothes when that money could be used to save for emergencies, investing, or paying off debt. How are people able to afford style to keep their wardrobes modernized and to have a selection wide enough where they're wearing something new almost every day of the year? |
Anonymous
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You don't need to buy high-end designer pieces to have "style." Nor do you need a ton of clothing.
Also, you don't need to pay full price for your wardrobe and you can find some nice pieces at good prices if you keep an eye on reviews and such. |
Anonymous
| They make more money than you. They have family money. They have a trust fund. |
Anonymous
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You don’t buy hundreds of dollars in clothes every few months. You set a budget for buying necessities (undergarments, tees, shoes) and a couple good quality items each year.
I am stylish, and have years where I buy nothing except a pair of shoes and then replacing necessities. Most of my clothes last a decade or longer. I don’t shop at Walmart. I shop sales and consignment. I am careful to buy things in more classic or timeless cuts, that go with other items in my closet. I do occasionally spend more to afford something like a fantastic winter coat or update items that are truly out of fashion. But I care about style so I’m okay saving a little less that month. But I’m not making that choice 4 times a year. I’m making it once every few years. That way I maintain a high level of savings but also get to enjoy some of my money now in the form of quality clothes I enjoy wearing. Similar approach to travel. If you don’t prioritize style that’s fine. It’s something I do for me, like splurging on a massage or a great vacation. |
Anonymous
| Very few people wear something new every single day, unless they're influencers, and that's not real life. But you can look relatively current for relatively little by, say, getting a couple new brand name pieces on Poshmark here and there. There are also gems to be found at places like Target. |
Anonymous
You have financially responsible style. And not wasteful style which very on trend with gen Z. Nothing wrong with that. |
Anonymous
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Don’t need that much money for style. Also you don’t just wear stuff one time? It’s not like you spend $50 on pants and then throw them in the trash.
Get a capsule wardrobe with a few quality pieces, it’s not that expensive. |
Anonymous
exactly--for items like jeans and jackets, I wear them all the time. |
Anonymous
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They have different priorities, more money, and/or fewer expenses.
Also, are these real-life people that you know that are wearing something new almost every day of the year? That doesn't seem likely, at all. |
Anonymous
| I don’t have a mortgage or car payment. DH and I earn a lot more than you. |
Anonymous
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Well, I could write you with some tips and tricks of stylish options at affordable prices, but really this is about prioritizing. There's nothing wrong with prioritizing savings.
But I think if you aren't also enjoying yourself, what's the point? Are you going to magically start enjoying life at 65? So spend some on things that make you happy now. Clothes and style make some people happy. It's travel for others, or home decor, or a hobby, or whatever. The fact that you say you get sick to your stomach when shopping is concerning to me. Girl. Have some FUN. That said, - Learn what fits your body and looks and feels good on you - Aggressively shop end of season sales at mid range mall stores - Talbots, Ann Taylor, Loft, Macy's, whatever. You can get excellent pieces at rock bottom prices. For example, don't buy anything now. Right after the 4th of July, hit those stores up for their sale racks. Try on a bunch. Figure out what you like. Buy a couple of things, and then wait and buy stuff you remember trying on in a few more weeks when it is super cheap. This is the best way to get quality shoes. - The sale racks at DSW are full of dreck, but there are hidden jewels there, too. No need to pay $80 for shoes. Be picky and choosy - only buys what works in your wardrobe and what feels good to you. - here's a secret if you are in DC and Talbots works for you - The clearance store in Springfield can yield amazing deals. high quality pants for $20, jackets at rock bottom prices, etc. - JC Penney can be good for basics, if you are picky and choosy. I buy t-shirts for $6-8 there because I like the weight of them. They are my basic t shirts (unless I want a thin shirt in summer or for a particular outfit, then it's Old Navy). In the fall, I'll sometimes pick up some basic sweaters in new colors or styles. I have a black cable neck turtleneck I got from JC Penney that is a nice mid weight, all cotton, and I wear it once every two weeks or so in the winter. And then I throw it in the wash (It's all cotton) and wear it again. It's a staple that cost me <$20, but my per wear cost on it by this point has to be <.25 per wear. Because it's black, it goes with a wide variety of pants and skirts - solids and patterns. - Old Navy is full of junk, but their work out/athleisure stuff is great and is on sale constantly. Their jeans are hit or miss, but one style is perfect for me, and they were special deal $12.50 each this past weekend. They always have a fun decent pattern each season and I get whatever top is in that pattern. Their t-shirts are thin, but great for layering, and they are cheap. (their dress pants are not great and their shoes are junky, don't buy them). Etc. Girl. Go buy yourself a fun gingham skirt and white t at Old Navy this weekend (or whatever!) and just enjoy yourself. |
Anonymous
| Fabrics matter. i wear stuff that doesn't need to be put into the dryer. I stay at home with a side gig, and dh brings home.160k—a lot of the money I make for towards kids' clothes and adult clothes. I highlight my hair every four months or so. We drive old cars that are paid off. |
Anonymous
| Be true to your own style so you can keep items in rotation for years, and buy quality brands NWT or EUC off Poshmark, eBay, etc. Fast fashion is bad for the environment and workers. |
Anonymous
| We're making 500K/year and we're both inheriting over 10MM. The grandparents pay for college for our kids. We moved from the DC area because we can WFH so our mortgage is low. We don't spend a ton of $ on travel because our families have vacation houses in a ski resort, on the beach, and in Europe so all we pay for is airline tickets. We're not into cars and we drive regular cars, like Toyota. I'm a fed so we have cheap health insurance. |
Anonymous
Lol-you've taken every DC stereotype and put it in one post. Love it! |