How much do you spend on clothes if you're a professional, and consider yourself well-dressed?

[Elfina]

I guess this follows on from my thread asking how anyone can afford to shop in stores like Boden. Our household income is good (70K, but live in London with a nursery aged child so cost of living high).

I realise that I can't remember the last time I bought something new for myself. I only ever buy from eBay. I don't go to the hairdresser (I do drink wine, so its not like I'm completely deprived). I'm 30, if that's relevant, and I don't like 'throw away' type fashion clothes (though like to look current and well turned out). I'm just curious to hear what well-dressed, professional people do! How much do you spend, and where do you spend it?

OneLittleToddleTerror - re your comment about doctors - you're right, there's a lot less pressure on junior doctors to dress well, even though our job is "professional" and our salaries are pretty decent, not too far off junior solicitors. You can dress well if it makes you happy, but it's not expected that you spend too much on clothes other than being neat and tidy. And you'll look pretty silly if you spill a urine sample on your Chanel skirt. When a new colleague joined us, she was introduced (behind her back) as "the best-dressed trainee in London" with a wink and a sneering tone, and the whole room promptly gave up hope that she'd be a serious doctor.

Occasionally I've forgotten to do laundry, turned up to work and changed into scrubs before anyone could see me.

This changes for Registrars and Consultants, as their ward duties decrease and they spend more time in clinics. Consultants are pretty much always in suits and designer dresses.

ElleDubloo interesting about how registrars and consultants spend less and less time in wards. I was definitely imagining the working condition and why would anyone turn up in a ward with a chanel suit and high heels.

I'm a director in a professional services firm, I have to look smart but I don't need to look corporate . Our clients are mostly solicitors and insurers , so just general city suits. No pressure to wear designer labels etc

I dress like lots of the other women on this thread. Dresses , cigarette pants, silk tops, jackets . I always wear tights ( with dresses) , simple but dramatic jewellery and subtle make up . I get my hair cut and coloured every 6 weeks without fail .

I'm the most senior women in the company so I feel under some ( self imposed ) pressure to always look professional and set the tone < get me >. All the other senior staff are male, so there's not a lot to live up to there -it's standard issue grey and navy suits all the way.

I buy most of my work clothes in Cos, as I like their style and the shapes work for my figure .

I spend relatively little on work clothes ( compared to others on this thread and my income ) , probably about £300-400 a year. My style is fairly classic, so I can wear things for several years . I don't have to commute -I think A lot of clothes and shoes get ruined on long train /car journeys .

Also I only work part time, so I spend a lot more on non work clothes, as that's where I spend most of my time . If I worked in London or full time, I woudl have to increase my work clothes budget substantially .

My out of work style is smart casual, so there is an element of crossover and I can wear some more casual tops to the office on days when I'm not seeing clients .

We have no company dress code but no one ever wears jeans , shorts, mini skirts , t shirts . " Casual " for the men is short sleeved open neck shirt and dark chinos and smart trousers /top for the women .

It's because, then they do come onto the ward, they make all the decisions and then the Juniors do all the dirty work

I am known for my bold prints at work

Since I have been told I can't wear black, I am moving more towards brown shoes & accessories for work, and I'm already known for my bold colours and prints.

Just bought this and this and this and this so will see if any of them work out.

PeoniesforMissAnnersley You are lucky; your school must be very clean . I have a few Mulberry bags too but only take cheapies to school. Kids´ books often seem to be quite grubby so I wouldn´t like to put them in one of my nice bags. However, if your school environment is more pleasant then certainly it´s not ridiculous to take a Mulberry bag or any other high quality items. Certainly it´s good for students to see their teachers looking as though they have taken a pride in their appearance and also sets a good example in schools that are hot on uniform.

I work in the inner-city, in a very deprived area. I dress smartly but flaunting a Mulberry would be rather inappropriate, I think.

I'm impressed that ( medical ) consultants at your hospital wear designer dresses and suits. Not at ours they don't

The men wear high street suits. No tie or jackets on the ward or to clinics , so just trousers and open necked short sleeved shirt ( long sleeves are a nuisance as they have to be rolled up )

The women wear similar trousers and top or dresses from the top end of the high street . I've never spotted anyone in what looks like a designer dress ( unless I'm not clever enough to spot them )

That´s a fair point, Remus. (Cool name!)

:)

I can see that in a different context it might not work - in my school (all boys, fairly affluent area) it doesn't raise an eyebrow. In any case I doubt the boys would notice what I carried! I was just saying I didn't think it was unilaterally ridiculous for a teacher to have a nice bag.

I also don't see it as any different to a nice man's briefcase (tbh I probably wouldn't get another Bayswater for work if it broke, they're far too dear now, I'd go for a gender neutral leather briefcase of some description). I tend to either mark at work or carry a pile of books on my arm - I dread to think what size of bag I'd need to fit all the exercise books in anyway.

I hope I don't flaunt it ... I certainly don't see it that way but I'd hate others to think I did.

I might get jumped on for this, but I don't think teachers should wear designer clothes/bags to work. Teachers are role models for their kids, and I wouldn't want my kids to go to a school where the teachers place any importance on expensive brands. Especially with girls who are getting a little older and more interested in fashion. They shouldn't aspire to own Mulberry handbags until they're old enough to earn their own salary.

Sorry, Elle but I think that's ridiculous. I bought my mulberry with my salary - I work hard and I can buy what I like. I don't think it's immoral to have nice things or to show children that you can grow up, get a job and have nice things if you want them - am I not allowed to use an iPhone / drive a nice car to work either in case I make the children shallow?

It may surprise you to learn that the focus of my classroom is the subject material I am teaching and on the kids learning effectively, not on my handbag which is usually on the floor under my desk.

But maybe I should go and get a tesco carrier bag and use that, if that will make me a more worthy teacher...

Flaunting was just a turn of phrase.

^ You've slightly exaggerated what I've said. But anyway. I stick to my opinion, that I don't want designer bags paraded in front of young girls. You can wear them in your spare time. At school, you can dress nicely - in fact you can look fabulous - without wearing anything expensive. I wouldn't want a teacher to show off his iPhone or iPad either.

Well luckily the SMT in my school care more about the staff delivering outstanding lessons rather than being fashion police deciding what arbitrary amount it is permissible to spend on one's handbag, shoes or phone.

I don't parade, flaunt or "show off" any of these things - I just use them...at work...where I go every day. As do the vast majority of the other staff.

Do send me a list of the socially acceptable accessories - could I have a nice leather bag, or is that showing off too?

Actually don't bother - Im hiding this thread. I'm way too old to put up with this snobbish judging

Well I'm not putting myself in the position of the school, just in the position of a parent. You can choose what to wear, and I can choose where to send my kids.

And I'm not trying to "police" your wardrobe. And if you keep your valuables hidden then that's fine with me. My opinion is simply it's not good for kids to see expensive things shown off (and I'm not accusing you personally of showing off.) Simply because a lot of kids will want these things but be unable to afford them. If kids get teased by other kids for not having fashionable trainers, I don't think a teacher can be helpful if she herself puts too much focus on her possessions.

Oh wow, that's really sensitive. Sorry I offended you.

Another professional services gal here. I spend a fair whack on my workwear but then I spend plenty on my casual stuff too.

Labels I wear to work: DVF, Equipment, McQ, VW, Baukjen, Me&Em, Whistles.

Shoes are generally pricey - Choos, Loubs, Gucci, R&B

Bags: Balenciaga, Phillip Lim, Mulberry, Alexander Wang, Anya Hindmarch.

Spend probably £500+ a month on clothes but not sure of the split between workwear and casual. Just about to take a career break for a year so I guess I'll be spend more on jeans and sweaters!

GP here. I don't spend a huge amount on clothes - I'm trying to build up a capsule wardrobe of smart trousers, tops and dresses.

Before I had my DD I was a bit of a shabby mess TBH as I think GPs can get away with wearing anything. When I got back to work after mat leave I was a shabby flabby mess!

I had my colours done and a style analysis and like to think I look miles better now. And I feel a lot more confident for it. Mainly shop at John Lewis, M&S, Next and White Stuff.

Single best purchase ever has been a very good watch - dresses everything up and although it seemed an eye watering extravagance at the time it's holding its value and still looks beautiful.

Amber, I'm very (but in a good way) of your budget!!! Had a look at McQ's pre-season and now I want this dress. Not that I could take it to work

I really don't get your view Elle. I would expect most teenagers to see adults with more expensive stuff and think, if I work hard perhaps I'll be able to afford that bag/ipad one day. I would be truly surprised if their default was 'mum - buy me that now because Miss X has it'.

No Because! Don't waste your money :(

I believe that dress would never be a waste . Now, where is that lottery ticket I have to check...