Do you have a monthly budget for clothing, shoes and accessories?

[Anonymous]

If you do, how much is your budget?
If you don't, how much do you spend in a month on average?

I think I spend way too much and am trying to get perspective.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Clothes and accessories? I wish I could spend monthly on those things, but I pretty much spend about $200- 300 each year split between spring for warm weather clothes and fall for cool weather. Have had the same purse for 2 years.

We just aren't wealthy.

[Anonymous]

Family of 4.

No budget.

Monthly cost to replace worn items or buy ones as needed: $50 average.

Source: eBay, my favorite consignment shop, plus JCrew Factory for DH's work clothes (on sale). Also, free hand-me-downs and grandparents' gifts.

[Anonymous]

No, not on a monthly basis. But in all fairness, I spend $350 every 8 weeks on my hair, which is budgeted for every month. My hair is my splurge item.

For clothes and shoes I purchase on an as needed basis (very rarely) or during my big trip to the outlet mall, which happens twice a year for seasonal updates. These come out of that months 'misc' category, which is $400, and includes homes purchases, coffees, lunches at work, etc.

A lot of this is driven by individual lifestyles.

[Anonymous]

I spend different amounts each month. If I had to take an average, I would say 200/250 per month. I love clothes and shoes. So far this month I bought a new bathing suit and 2 pairs of gladiator heels. One black and one tan. I do shop sales as much as possible.

[Anonymous]

For me or for the family? I'll include my hair in this, but I would calculate, including haircuts for all $3000 a year. 2 kids under 4, don't spend money on them other than Target/Costco/Zulily shoe sale clothes

My husband and I budget for one additional $300-400 suit each a year to add to our business wardrobe

[Anonymous]

I buy a new purse at TJMaxx or Marshalls about every six to seven years. I don't buy scarves because people give me those. So no accessories.

For clothing and shoes I keep it under $250 per year. I have one pair of dress shoes for funerals or job interviews or weddings, one pair of flip flops I've had like eight years now. Then I have one pair of sneakers and two pairs of office shoes (one ballet flat, one loafer/driving moc type) and each year I replace one of those three. The rest of the money gets spent on clothes.

[Anonymous]

zero

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:zero

+1

[Anonymous]

Honestly, if you spend zero what are you doing on the Beauty and Fashion page? This page is full of people who debate whether a $500 or more purse is worth it. And they are spending zero or $250 a year? Amazing that they stay the same size year after year and never need to buy a new pair of jeans because the old ones just don't fit right anymore. Also amazing that their shoes never wear out.

FWIW I am older professional and don't really budget. I have a stock of clothes bought in the past that I continue wearing. But each year I find things that no longer fit well or look good anymore and I get rid of those.

This usually happens twice a year, spring and fall. I then supplement. I have very definite style tastes based on what looks good on me. Some years I cannot find those styles and will spend close to zero. But in years where the styles are plentiful, I stock up and can spend up to $3000, depending on what I find and what needs to be replaced. Last year's big ticket item was a replacement for my 20 year old winter coat--still very attached but it had become very shabby.

[Anonymous]

Annual budget of $300-500 for me. DH does about $1k every 2-3 years and we're still getting clothing gifts for the kids often enough that we just pick up whatever we don't have as we need it - no special budget but probably a couple hundred a year.

[Anonymous]

I don't understand these replies, honestly. How can there be endless discussions about designer purses and Frye boots and yet you spend 250$ a year? Are you only buy one item per year? I just don't understand.
Back in the winter I had to buy a new better winter coat 400$ and Frye boots 300$ and that in one month. I got myself few tanks and a new Le pliage two months ago 250$. This month a needed new sandals, few leggings and anti slip socks for yoga, 250$. sometimes I also buy some stuff because I like it and love fashion.

Am I really that out of line here? I don't have stuff I don't wear and I don't have a large close. I'm also a stay at home mom an dress pretty casually. How do you shop for business attire on a 250$ yearly budget. A quality suit would cost more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand these replies, honestly. How can there be endless discussions about designer purses and Frye boots and yet you spend 250$ a year? Are you only buy one item per year? I just don't understand.
Back in the winter I had to buy a new better winter coat 400$ and Frye boots 300$ and that in one month. I got myself few tanks and a new Le pliage two months ago 250$. This month a needed new sandals, few leggings and anti slip socks for yoga, 250$. sometimes I also buy some stuff because I like it and love fashion.

Am I really that out of line here? I don't have stuff I don't wear and I don't have a large close. I'm also a stay at home mom an dress pretty casually. How do you shop for business attire on a 250$ yearly budget. A quality suit would cost more.

A lot of people underestimate what they spend, obviously. I'm the PP who spends about $50/mo on average for the whole family. I had to think about it, because I have the impression I never buy anything! Purchases are on a "as needed" basis so it's hard to estimate. DH spends $500 one year, and $20 the next (summer flip flops), buying for the kids depends on what hand-me-downs we receive that year, etc...

[Anonymous]

I don't have one. I just buy what we need when we need it. I'm a teacher so I don't buy much b/c I can't afford much.