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.

If you can afford it, why not? I have some beautiful clothes too but I always buy in charity shops. If you have the money, go for it!!

Perhaps some of us have done that already.

OP posted so people could comment. I shared my thoughts on a public forum and made it pretty clear that I was simply sharing my thoughts.

I am not sure why you are claiming that this is somehow patronising.

Of course, OP can feel free to ignore my thoughts and do what she likes!

To be honest, if I were skint I'd probably buy cheaper and less rather than from charity shops. I can't get my head around wearing stuff that has been round someone else's armpits! 2nd hand to me still equates with jumble sale.

So if you go on holiday for ten days, you do a wash a few times? Do you not dress seasonally? Do you not have 'going out' clothes?

I have phases. I've lost nearly half my body weight this year so I've had to buy everything new, even shoes 😂 but then I'll go months and not buy any sometimes. I don't need expensive office wear and my work clothes are mostly the same as my me clothes, although usually with leggings instead of nice trousers/skirts.

Is it your money to spend?
Did you get into debt?
Are the bills paid?
Are you a hoarder?
Will you wear them?
Will you enjoy them?

I think are the key questions.

🙄

Haven't you got a washing machine ? 🙄🙄🙄

OP, I'm about the same age as you, still working in a good job as is DH, children grown up, mortgage paid off, pension sorted and have a decent disposable income. I love clothes and have probably spent more than you since September on clothes, shoes and accessories. I do need to get better at getting rid of things I don't wear or need.

@Merrymouse - fair point. I probably should have put this on style rather than AIBU. Also perhaps shocked was the wrong word. I’m not concerned- I haven’t bought anything throw away or impractical and it’s affordable for me. The poster who seemed to imply that my teachers pension was not safe is scaremongering I feel. I’m aware that it’s pretty middle of the road for some people- often when I click the links on the style and beauty threads I’m sent to clothes in the late hundreds which I wouldn’t consider. It was more musing on how it all adds up.

Why are they not all "multiple wear items"?

Just for me I've spent about £150 for shoes and clothes. I do shop at charity shops a lot. I could afford to spend more but I always spend my money on travel and experiences over stuff.
I also hate buying new things for environmental reasons.

I’d say I’ve quite possibly spent that OP

£330 shoes (Jimmy Choo flats half price)
£325 jacket from me and em
£200ish jeans
£100 top from Aritzia
£150 Birkenstocks
£70 me and em dress vinted

I try to buy less but spend more per item now to get stuff that I wear again and again

Well they’ve only been bought in the last 6 months and some items will always be more occasional or seasonal.

I don’t think it means she only plans to wear them once.

I'm trying to wean myself off cheaply made pieces that won't last for a long time. Buying better quality is more expensive, so I'm not surprised that it all adds up over time.

It might be worth selling anything you don't want on Vinted, and then using the credit for future purchases.

I've probably spent £5K+ since September, which is about £500 ish per month, and that's usually on 1 or 2 items. That's only clothes though and doesn't include shoes or bags - maybe another £5K on those!

That would make me utterly miserable. I love clothes and they give me enormous pleasure. Quite often if I buy something that suits me and I enjoy wearing I’ll buy a duplicate for when the first one wears out.

I’ve got one of those jackets @RosesAndHellebores and it’s one of the most useful items in my wardrobe, the cost per wear must be pence now.

Since September?

One dressing gown £55
One pair trainers £120
Assd knickers £50
Bras £70
Nightdresses £30
Jeans, 2 pr £80
Linen shirt £48

I make that £453. I would also say I have a wardrobe full of clothes so it's one in, one out at the moment.

Well I know what you mean, I had a 'shock' (not the right word), or 'didnt realise' moment on two things from reading threads on this site

One was someone asking whats the most expensive item you're wearing. Well I dont wear jewellery and at the time I read the thread I didnt have a watch (now I do, its only 50 quid)
Most of my clothes are from charity shops or Sainsburys or similar supermarket price point clothing apart from some I buy in Italy and Spain and some high end things here

So I was thinking, well I think my most pricey item is around £30, probably less, although I do spend over 100 or so on most shoes

And it was a shock/surprise to remember that my glasses, due to my prescription and adding reactolites or reactions or whatever they're called are around £300 a pair. Thats the most expensive thing I was wearing, hugely costly, no way round it and that was even with buy one get one free, due to the coatings needed, the lens thinning, the reaction sunglasses needed etc etc

My other 'didnt realise' was when someone was talking about how many thousands they paid each year for a holiday, we dont go on expensive holidays, just flights and an airbnb, but we go on lots of holidays so overall, I totted up that we spend around 6-9k pa on holidays dependent on the year. I dont mind, we enjoy them, I just hadnt realised it was that much.

In the last year, maybe £400, all needed though rather than wanted.

Since Covid and no longer needing office clothes I've saved thousands. Also dont feel the need to wear a different outfit everyday so need less 'stock' in my wardrobe.

I hope they were top quality to begin with, because if cheap they are probably showing a lot of wear.

I expect they are anyway. Imagine the amount of washing they’ve seen.

Not that I have to justify myself but I'm hardly going to wear a velvet or smart occasion dress to go to Tescos! Some things I'll buy for an occasion and hand them onto to dd or send to the charity shop. When I say not for multiple wear, I probably mean 6 to 10 times rather than my usual once a week or fortnight for three or four years.

Yes, me too! Clothes bring me a lot of joy, and I like putting a look together. I spend perhaps a little bit more than the OP, bit they're quality items which last.

@Blossomtoes - I think one day, we must have a glass of wine!