How much is a reasonable annual clothing budget?

[jennifersofia]

If your salary is between 20-25k?

[Hopefully]

Well, my salary has been around that mark (averaged over maternity leave) and DP and I each have £100 per month for all our spending money, which includes (for me) make up, clothes, facial cleansing stuff, any odds and sods that are not part of house budget.

I tend to buy perhaps one thing every 3 months, but save up a bit and make it a good thing that will last a long time (I probably have 20-25 items of clothing in my wardrobe for summer, and I wear every single one)

[joliejolie]

Depends on how you have to dress for work really. You can spend less if you can get away with more casual styles.
I spend about £2,000 a year on clothing, haircuts, beauty products and bags/shoes.
The trick is to always buy in the sales. They work out great because winter clothing goes on sale before it really gets cold and the same is true for summer.

I also agree with only buying pieces that you know you will get loads of use out of.

[Podrick]

Depends on how smart you need to look at work and what your priorities in life are - I don't think there is really an answer to this question.

[KathyBrown]

Well I think it matters more what the household budget is, I earn about the same right now but haven't worked for 18 months so need to blow about £2000 pulling myself together, but that will be it for maybe 2-3 years in the work clothes department.
However I consider H's wages to be accessible in terms of my casual requirements and that could be anything.
The children cost me about £200 a month in shoes, clothes, uniforms etc so I would spend less than that on myself without being upset.

[KathyBrown]

*wouldn't spend less than that.

[TheRealMrsJohnSimm]

I don't have an income but I do have a "clothing allowance" which we worked out together (I appreciate this makes me sound 12years old but we did it because I hated feeling like I was spending "his money"). So each January I get £2000 for the entire year to cover clothes, shoes & accessories & beauty stuff. Hair is extra - I am approx 50% grey and so I see it as being of great benefit to DH to have his original brunette wife instead .

If I need an outfit for any particularly swish events (weddings, Wimbledon, Henley, christmas ball etc) then these are counted as "extras" and funded from our joint account.