Do you have a set clothing budget?

[KiteflyingKat]

I’m currently trying to do no/low spend on clothes, although I admit I have bought a couple of bits, although I try and buy second hand where possible.

In the longer term, I’m wondering whether I should have a set clothing budget. Either monthly or annually.

I was just wondering how other people operate, do you have a set budget?

I have a good wardrobe of basics, I shouldn’t need any new expensive items (eg coat, handbag, boots) for the foreseeable future. I have access to good charity shops so can get a lot of stuff second hand. I’m happy to use eBay too. So I’m thinking my budget shouldn’t need to be very much.

Would be interested to hear what other people do.

I might ebay some old clothes and use the proceeds as a clothing budget for this year. This will incentivise me to get rid of stuff that I'm not wearing and reduce my wardrobe.

I definitely have too many clothes.

Watching with interest as I’m determined to set a budget and stick to it. I’m trying (and so far failing) to cap my clothes spending at £100/month as I have more than I need but LOVE clothes/shoes and shop when I’m stressed which is most of the time My efforts to buy fewer but higher quality items (preferably second hand/vintage) haven’t made much of a difference to the amount I’m actually spending so I’d love to hear others’ tips!

I haven’t set a budget as such, but I have drawn up a quite specific shopping list of about a dozen items that I would like to purchase this year. I’ve also decided that if I really love something in the shops which is not already on the list, I’m only allowed to purchase it as an extra on a ‘one in, one out’ basis to keep me focussed!

I try and think of it as specific items where I've identified a gap in my wardrobe rather than a set budget. Atm I have no gaps therefore am staying away from shops!

No, but I should. I was supposed to do no-spend this quarter, but have failed miserably. I did sell a load of stuff on eBay though, so offset that against it. I tend to shop with a specific thing in mind often - eg, my last buy was a black funnel neck jumper from &otherstories, and I had a mental picture of the exact thing I wanted. I also know my “trigger point” is a Sunday evening, idly roaming the Internet.

I’ve signed up for a no-clothes-for-Lent challenge on Instagram. I did it last year and lasted the full 40 days. When I started I desperately wanted a trench coat I’d seen in Topshop, and promised I would get it at the end. I didn’t want it by then, which showed me what an impulsive shopper I can be!

I limit my clothes spending not because I think I should but because I don't want to end up the best dressed person in the homeless shelter. I think about ethical and environmental issues, buy mostly second hand, put away and recycle my clothes and, when I do buy new, I try and support independent or local businesses. But basically clothes give me a huge amount of pleasure and I don't feel any more guilty about that than I do about owning a lot of books.

No. I buy what I want or need when I want or need it.
That said I’m not that bothered about fashion or new clothes. I like hardworking, comfortable practical clothing most of the time so my wardrobe is mainly items over ten years old. I have standard work clothes that have a timelessness about them, so they are just replaced if something is damaged or too worn to be tidy.

I buy underwear and tights more regularly - a bulk buy a couple of times a year. Shoes and handbags are where I do occasionally treat myself as they are how I brighten dark work clothes.

I implemented a one in one out policy a little while ago, which worked quite well until I decided I wanted something and didn't want to get rid of any more of my existing clothes. In terrible for buying things just because they're on sale and pretty, so end up with lots of clothes that I don't wear because they either don't suit me or I just don't have occasion to wear them.

If you're just buying frivolously, rather than because you need things, a monthly budget could be a good idea, with the ability to carry anything you don't spend over to the next month. Only being able to buy a limited amount of items might help focus the mind as it were and stop you buying things you don't really want in the spur of the moment.

You can also think in terms of longevity. So every time you buy something, think if you have something similar, where you'll wear it, what it will go with that you already have etc. And if you'll still like it next year. My aim is to wear everything I own as much as possible.

Oh I've seen a tip as well to only buy an item if you can think of three different ways to style it.

Yes I try to be much more mindful, since having a baby my lifestyle and body have changed so I try to shop for my new body and lifestyle and have had a wardrobe overhaul.

I no longer allow myself to buy nice dresses and high heels, as although I love them, I have very few occasions to wear them now, and I already have enough for those few occasions. Now before I buy anything it has to pass the “could I wear this on a regular weekend?” test.

I like the list ideas. Selling on eBay doesn’t work for me as I lack the time and there is no post office where I live - not worth driving to the next town and paying for parking unless I was selling loads in one go which I don’t have time for.

I don't have a set clothing budget but do have a wardrobe inventory (part of Household inventory) with date and price.

I embraced the less is more philosophy and keep it simple with a small planned wardrobe. which is based on one weeks worth of complete outfits, give or take.

In financial planning 5% of you net income can be used as a guideline.

I am trying to buy less, and better, I have to many clothes, I do sell on Ebay but it's a slow progress, I will try car boots this year to sell some. Sometimes when I shop for pleasure I see things and think I have similar but better at home, I have to really love it before I part with my money and give it 8 or 9 out of ten and it must go with at least 3 items I already own.

I'm around £150 a month. Sometimes I buy nothing. Think I've spent £15 since new years sometimes I have a binge shop.

I 'allow' myself £200 for clothing and wellbeing - so it includes haircuts/eyebrows/reflexology etc.

The only time I ever spend it all is if I buy shoes or boots. Any left over at the end of the month gets moved to savings for a holiday so that's quite a good incentive not to spend it all.

I'm trying to buy less but make sure the things I buy are good quality (and second hand where possible)