Just totted up how much money I’ve spent on clothes since September- a bit shocked.

[Notellinganyone]

I used to keep note of my clothes spending from the start of the school year and fell out of the habit, Just did a tally and have spent just over 2k. I’m a bit shocked but probably shouldn’t be. I shop in a mixture of Jigsaw, Whistles, Marks etc. How does that compare to your spending? Children have now left home so have more disposable income so no debt.

@My2cents1975 - I’ve got a solid teachers pension as has my DH plus lump sum so not concerned about finances in future. Have given all 3 DC an excellent education and supported them through uni so I feel it’s up to them now. I don’t generally hang on to clothes if I don’t wear them - am pretty ruthless about any type of clutter. Am not going to start saving for potential grandchildren!

Probably about £300 but mostly cuz I had to get some new holiday bits this year

Yes indeed! I spired by the thread I have just spent £110 on a new Boden shirt and some funky multi coloured tennis shoes.

I said to DH 'I'm about to spend money on clothes' (we always pass more expensive purchases past each other as a courtesy really) and he said 'Oh, well done'. He knows how much I struggle to spend on myself.

Thank you OP.

YANBU if you’re not using credit, you’ve paid your bills, and clothes make you happy then fuck what anyone else thinks. Clothes aren’t my thing- sleeves and trousers always too short, but I will have spent more than £2k since September on my garden, which is what makes me happy.

@GetOffTheCounter - it’s difficult isn’t it? In the back of my mind I keep thinking I’m about to lose the weight but I’m 58 and it’s so much harder now than it was 10 years ago to shift it.

I told DH and he pointed out that he spends more than this on his hobbies. I hope you enjoy the shirt.

A very lightweight puffa type thing that is perfect for the car journey to and from work. Doesn't crease and is machine washable. Probably not the correct name but it's what I use it for.

I don’t keep any kind of list but I’d estimate 2K would be a very conservative estimate for me.
I’ve been on MJ, lost 5 stone and needed to replace so many clothes. I’ve also rediscovered a love of clothes which means I’ve not only replaced but also added! We had a hot holiday a few weeks ago and I needed to replace all my summer clothes which I don’t usually do, I tend to buy myself one or two new things each season but since November I’ve been shrinking and everything was hanging off me/falling down so it was necessary.

You are making some big assumptions there! What some of us spend on clothes is a tiny fraction of our disposable income.

There's no need to patronise.

"build wealth for future grandkids"

You are joking right?

I have a total of 4 dresses, 1 skirt, 2 tops and 2 cardigans. 1 coat which is over 25yrs old, 1 pair of boots, 1 pair of shoes and 1 pair of sandals.

I don't understand what you could do with that amount of clothes and how you can justify spending so much money on yourself! I bought a new dress in probably May 2024 and I have no intention of buying anything else for the foreseeable future!

£717 - feels like more! Pleasantly surprised when adding up but I do search for bargains.
Summer cardi £15
Silver trainers (reduced) and silver cross body bag - £95
Bra, pants, socks, £65
2 prs casual trousers £35
Monsoon dress (reduced) £45
Bootie slippers (reduced) £12
Tunic, velour top, yoga top (all reduced) £60
Ankle boots (reduced) £40
Faux Fur coat (reduced) £85
Superdry padded coat £120
Winter fur lined ankle boots £115
Mint Velvet dress (reduced) £50

Seemingly not! 😳

why does the OP (or anybody) have to justify spending money, that they can afford and which doesn't leave others short, on themselves?

Congratulations on 3 for 3! It is a big relief once they are done with uni.

I would be cautious of believing that governments won't come after public pensions as the demographic squeeze hits developed markets...an ever-smaller working-class population is paying in, and an ever-larger population of longer-lived retirees is taking money out of the pension system.

As for my advice...that is all it was. You are free to do as you choose and best wishes for the future.

I've been building a new post mastectomy wardobe this year. A new style for me.
So this year I have spent about £1200 and haven't finished yet. I've just added a sun dress today.

Good clothes in natural fibres are very expensive but worth it for the confidence they bring. 😊

I am sorry to read that.

I don't have to justify what I spend. I do and wear what makes me happy and actually don't believe I'm the last of the big spenders.

And you deserve every single thing and I hope you enjoy them.

I'm long retired so no work clothes which makes a huge difference. I'm not great at spending on myself and like a bargain. DH refreshes stuff more quickly than me and is always telling me to do the same. I've just looked in my wardrobe whilst packing for a holiday and thinking it's time for a clear out so the figure below will go up.
Off the top of my head I'd say no more than £300 since September: a couple of pairs of trainers, a big chunky cardi for winter from M&S, 3 or 4 tops from various places and a dress from Primark.
If you can afford it, need it or it brings you joy it's fine but if it's buying for the sake of it's not so good.

No idea but definitely less that £500 for me and 2 kids. I nearly always buy second hand (even school uniforms) and have a slight obsession with Vinted, but trying to build up a balance on there through selling and only spend that.

Probably not as much as you did this year but I certainly spent at least that in the same period last year, as I needed new boots, new bag, new ski gear and so on. This year I feel my wardrobe is more or less complete so no need for a big haul.

I’ve probably spent the same.
I don’t really care and am fairly happy with it. Clothes are my interest/ hobby. I’ve a decent pension, in our forever home with a pretty low mortgage and have enough to always go on holidays out of savings. The rest is there for me to enjoy and have fun with!
Maybe when I’m older the yearly figure will go down but the last few years I’ve been in and out of pregnancy, post partum etc and don’t always have many nice things from last year for example.

But surely you recognise that is not the norm?

Just thinking my coats:
A trench raincoat
Faux fur coat
Padded 3/4 coat (navy)
Full length padded coat (cream)
3/4 wool jacket
A full length coatigan
3/4 Sheepskin
Leather jacket
Pink, pale green, baby blue suede bombers
Black leather with diamanté bomber
Embroidered velvet coat
Velvet frock coat
2 Plastic raincoats short and long
Waxed riding coat
Waxed walking jacket
Gardening jacket

That’s a quick summary, I may well have more! And I wear all of them, depending on weather and activity.

I have spent £800 on me, and £300 on hubby and 4 year old.
I have lost 2 dress sizes and 3 bra sizes since then- so have had new gym clothes and sports bras (18, 16 and now 14s), and new clothes 18 and then 16 and lots of bras..... And a new pair of running trainers for me and him.....

I don't add it up but if I had to guess I'd say I spend maybe £1000 over the course of the year mainly in the sales try never to buy full price

Since september, my clothes spending has been 35 quid on a top from marks, 150 on a barbour coat in the sale as old coat was worn out. 45 quid on some trainers in the sale.
I have 2 young DCs at home and hefty bills so everything goes on house and kids really.
2k since september is really 200 a month ish so it isnt excessive if you have a good disposable income and outgoings are not a huge chunk of income. Its basically my kids lunch money for the month, so if they had moved out then it would be spare cash really.