How much do you spend on clothes each month?

[IceLace100]

Just that really. How much do you spend each month or year on clothes relative to your salary?

Just spent £100 and was feeling guilty but then relative to my salary, maybe this is just "normal"?

After saving for a deposit for years and buying everything in charity shops / going without / borrowing from friends, I am unsure what is a sensible amount to spend.

Maybe I'm just trying to justify my purchases! 🤣😂🤣

@PegasusReturns

If we all restricted ourselves to what we need life would be far less joyful.

@54321nought I’m not going to jump on you but like others I find it frustrating that the focus when talking about environmental impact is on the excesses of women and doesn’t involve holding MNCs to account.

For my part I treat clothes in the way that some people treat their hobbies. I enjoy my wardrobe and what I wear. I want to look good and have to as part of my job, where there is still a mentality of “dress for success”.

Somehow, fashion, despite being dominated by men at the top of the industry, is used as a stick to beat women with and perceived as childish, shallow and frivolous at best. World ending at worst.

As long as you look good. Who gives a fuck about the planet and the poor kids making this shite.

Did you use to be Sooooo Much Fun?

You don't sound as though you are now.

sigh

This was such a nice thread. What happened?

Yeah - there's a good way to plop onto a thread to make a point, and that isn't it.

Just read the OP properly 0.66%. Therefore feel I have absolutely nothing to be concerned about and may well up it a bit as feel strongly empowered to do so by those who who have been negative. FWIW I try to buy natural fibres and leather rather than anything synthetic - largely on the basis that if something is killed for me to eat, I've no issues about using its skin for me to wear.

@BlairWaldorfLovesShopping

Yeah - there's a good way to plop onto a thread to make a point, and that isn't it.

Yup. Insulting people isn't going to win them over...

@PostMenWithACat

Just read the OP properly 0.66%. Therefore feel I have absolutely nothing to be concerned about and may well up it a bit as feel strongly empowered to do so by those who who have been negative. FWIW I try to buy natural fibres and leather rather than anything synthetic - largely on the basis that if something is killed for me to eat, I've no issues about using its skin for me to wear.

It's not the same cows for leather. Watch Earthlings.

Sorry your thread has been derailed OP.

I try to buy second-hand and spend around £300 per year on clothing, as an estimate. Recently bought a lovely smart coat on Vinted for £20.

@Iusedtobesoooomuchfun.

As long as you look good. Who gives a fuck about the planet and the poor kids making this shite

If that’s what you took from my post then you should try to think more critically, because your leap from me saying “I want to look good” to “fuck the planet” is quite something.

In terms of sustainability everyone has a different focus. I am going to bet that even if you don’t use a supermarket for produce yourself, you’re not hanging out on the food threads railing against posters talking about the delicious curry they’re making with out of season pak choi?! Or on the reading threads shouting at people for buying new books.

Perhaps you should question the internalised misogyny that means you get upset about people taking enjoyment from clothes whilst ignoring other environmental misdemeanours.

[quote PegasusReturns]@Iusedtobesoooomuchfun.

As long as you look good. Who gives a fuck about the planet and the poor kids making this shite

If that’s what you took from my post then you should try to think more critically, because your leap from me saying “I want to look good” to “fuck the planet” is quite something.

In terms of sustainability everyone has a different focus. I am going to bet that even if you don’t use a supermarket for produce yourself, you’re not hanging out on the food threads railing against posters talking about the delicious curry they’re making with out of season pak choi?! Or on the reading threads shouting at people for buying new books.

Perhaps you should question the internalised misogyny that means you get upset about people taking enjoyment from clothes whilst ignoring other environmental misdemeanours.[/quote]
I will. Thank you.

I'm really just trying to work out my budget.

I didn't anticipate people insulting each other about the environment!!!

Perhaps a new thread to discuss the environmental impact of clothing is needed?

The thread has been ruined by people spouting off about the environment. Of course we are all aware of where clothes come from, what goes into making them and where they end up 😬 but this thread was about “how much do you spend?”

People have a choice on what they buy, how much they buy and how much they spend.

I choose to buy clothes that I like, I don’t throw clothes away, they go on eBay or to the charity shop. If I want to spend £100 or £1000 on clothes then I will 😊

The environmental impact of clothing and excess consumption of fast fashion has been discussed at length on MN.

I'm firmly in the camp with the people who love clothes, view their appearance as a small daily contribution to making the best of their world and who derives a huge charge of energy from seeing people who look wonderful or different or "curated".

At the moment, I am not buying clothes because I am about to have surgery (medical reasons) that is going to change my body shape a bit. Most of my wardrobe will remain wearable but I may need to tweak my staples over the year ahead; however I have got clothes I acquired in my 20s and am now in my 60s so unlikely to be any big changes.

I don't actually think that spending more = spending less sustainably.

I spend quite a lot per item but I wear everything until it needs replacing, hence why I budget monthly but spend sporadically.

I've held back a bit because I spend a huge amount of money on clothes. Last month I spent 6k. Maybe 2k on average a month. I love clothes. Always have.

Clothes are not a priority for me at all. I hate shopping and I don’t wear clothing with visible logos unless it’s unavoidable, eg sportsware. I have spent less than £50 on clothes this year, but I have bought a decent pair of walking boots which cost £95.

Literally nothing. I'm short and thin. I've been the same size and body shape since I was around 14. I've never changed my style so fit into everything I've owned for years. I replace worn out shoes, knickers, socks and bras maybe twice a year.

I spend around £200-£300 a month. often more in transitional months like October/May. I'd spend more if my budget allowed! I tend to buy from high-end highstreet such as Jigsaw, Hobbs, Hush etc. I have far too many clothes because I don't really get rid of much unless it is worn out or terribly dated and I feel I'll never wear it again.

I don't buy every month, and I do try and buy second hand for some things or go to clothes swaps (which is free). I think I spend under £1k a year.

I think previous posters have highlighted the misogyny of judging women's clothes spending.

I have a very healthy income. I spend a lot of money on clothes. I'm not going to feel bad about it.

What did you get for £100 OP? I mean, I would never (personally) spend £100 on a t-shirt, but I have spent £90 on a jumper before (a few times...). If it makes you happy and you can afford it, why not?
If you got 3+ items for £100 then I'd think that was pretty good, not expensive at all! Shopping is expensive.
I used to subscribe to the idea of having a personal upper limit on different items (i.e. never spend more than £150 on a coat), but I think what's more important is: Does it fit properly? Will it last? Is it something you will use regularly? What is cost-per-wear looking like? Can I afford it and pay my bills this month? And, of course, Do you love it?
If to all of those is yes, then it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks!

I mean, having friends or relatives who are a similar size can be very good too That's how our local clothes swap started. And how I borrow or end up with clothes if we swap items! Then, you don't all need to have a full wardrobe of cocktail dresses and the like, which you only wear a couple of times before you want something "new".

I shop sales and actually, having got rid of half my wardrobe (and replacing bits along the way), I'm much happier with my clothes and try not to buy things that are just bound to disintegrate, bobble or fade quickly. My second hand Nike and Gymshark work out gear, for example, has taken a LOT of pounding in indoor sessions, outdoors sessions, out at sea , hiking, etc - still going strong and look new. It's made to last (not the shoes though!).

@ShrikeAttack

I've held back a bit because I spend a huge amount of money on clothes. Last month I spent 6k. Maybe 2k on average a month. I love clothes. Always have.

Oh wow this is a different response! Thanks for adding!

Would you mind sharing some of the things you bought? Do you work in fashion?

@Spongeboob

Literally nothing. I'm short and thin. I've been the same size and body shape since I was around 14. I've never changed my style so fit into everything I've owned for years. I replace worn out shoes, knickers, socks and bras maybe twice a year.

Wish I was the same shape as at 14! Thing is burgers and wine are too nice!

I buy nearly all my clothes in charity shops. I probably spend around £30 on average, which would include the odd new and expensive item such as boots or a winter jacket.