How much money do you spend on clothing annually?

[MossLover]

I see some people out there paying over £100 for a single item of clothing, whereas if I come away from a shopping trip with 8 items for that price, I feel guilty for it… Most of the time, I only get clothing as gifts during, but every other year or so I’ll go out and get new warm weather clothing and new sports bras, if they’ve shrunken in the dryer too much.

But I also grew up with a struggling single mum who commented on how expensive everything we bought was, so I came out pretty frugal.

I’m curious: how much does everyone spend on clothing annually?

I've no idea but apart from a pair of shoes and my running trainers, I've never spent more than £100 on a single item of clothing. I'm very much a supermarket / M&S type level of shopper. My winter coats pre-date lockdown in 2020 and they'd probably cost £100+ to replace now.
So far this year I've bought a pack of 3 vest tops, 2 bras and a pair of PJs from M&S, a pair of boots for work (in the sale), a pair of jeans, and a blouse from Sainburys (with 25% off), so probably around £200 so far.

I've been making do for the last 17 years, as a single mum. This year I have returned to working in an office after 5 summers wfh in shorts and t-shirts. I'm expected to dress professionally, so I'm rebuilding a work wardrobe.

I've also acquired surgery scars from breast cancer so can't wear low necklines anymore. I'm developing a new style.

I've allocated £150 a month from Jan - June, to buy decent quality summer work clothes. It feels very self indulgent, but also not easy. I'm 5'8" and a size 10. The British high street cuts for 5'4" so I've struggled with dresses. I also want natural fabrics because polyester makes me itch, but it's nice to have a challenge.

So far I have

• a pair of navy wide cut cotton chinos
• a heavy cotton Chanel-style jacket
• 2 x cotton short sleeve blouses
• a linen blouse
• a maxi length pleated linen skirt
• a cotton sateen midi dress
• a fit & flare maxi linen dress
• 3 x t-shirts
• a cotton pointelle sweater

I need some sandals, maybe some wide leg linen trousers and I'm done. The prices are eye watering compared to the last time I went serious clothes shopping. 😮

I’d say no more than £1000. I shop pre-loved through to designer. However, I recognise that have the luxury of having sufficient basics so that I can afford to upgrade when I see the perfect item. I would never go out and buy 8 items at once but I might spend more than £50 on each item. I definitely over analyse and procrastinate over my prospective purchases!

Does it really matter what other people spend, though? After all, clothes are only one of the things we pay money for as adults - mortgages or rent, cars or other transport, holidays, school fees, wine, sports kit, gym membership, books, football season tickets, dentistry, restaurants, jewellery, Botox, etc, gardening, house maintenance, art, haircuts, drugs, rehab, horses, musical instruments, gambling, theatre tickets, groceries. Every single person will make a personal judgement on how they allot whatever money they have to different purposes.

Maybe when I’m buying a coat I’m aware that someone else is spending a week on the Costa del Wherever for the same price. I have friends who travel endlessly - but they only ever buy charity shop or the cheapest High St clothes. Plenty of people ask here about clothes for the most significant and expensive events of their lives - but want a luxury dress for £50. We all have different priorities.

I do get the problem with guilt if past or current circumstances cause a person to doubt their own value or fear the reaction of those close to them. But, assuming you are not starving your children or stealing from shops, there is nothing inherently wicked about buying, wearing and enjoying nice clothes.

I would also argue that it’s particularly important for women living with male partners to actively model equality in relationships for their children. Because sometimes it seems as if a good third of posters are sitting at home in rags with three tiny children, wondering how to stretch £17 for a week’s meals - while The Man of The House is away for yet another long weekend on his gazillion dollar touring bike, wearing £3k worth of kit …

This is one area of spending where I have no idea how much I spend in a year. Like no idea. I just did a quick calc of spend so far in 2025 (probably missed a few things) and it comes to >$1,000. This is before any shopping for summer clothes or bits for an upcoming spring holiday. It’s more than I thought. I don’t really budget anything but perhaps clothes is one area that it’s worth considering a budget for.

About £500? Maybe up to £1000. Not sure what you are buying that you can get eight things for £100! I do keep things a long time - I have clothes I was wearing 15 years ago.

I am regularly flabbergasted at the price of clothing tbh. The higher-end high street stores especially. £50+ for one top?! £60+ for jeans? I genuinely can't get my head around it (and I'm probably out of touch - are those prices current?) 🤣

But I've always been a charity shopper, pretty much since I was old enough to shop for myself! I had a few teen years where I went to the 'cool shops', but outside of that I've always happily bought used. Buying at 'new' prices is almost unthinkable to me now - it's become such a habit!

(The problem with this it when I need something new I reeeeally struggle to justify it!)

The only items I've ever spent over £100 on have been walking boots and a decent coat. And the coat won't be repeated!

I'd say I usually spend £3-5 for basic tops, perhaps £10-15 for something more special. Maybe £25 max for a dress or coat. I bought 3 pairs of new jeans last month for an average of £10 each (M&S and New Look styles).

Wool jumpers and cardigans are my weakness but again, you can get lovely items for a fraction of the new price.

I'm reasonably fussy about buying brand/items that are high quality and last well. But I have time to browse and am usually happy to wait, which is the biggest factor in this, I think, and not something everyone has.

I'd say my biggest spend these days is shoes. (I only buy 'barefoot' styles and won't compromise on this. They can be pricey new, but there are bargains to be had!)

I spend very little as I shop second hand always. So far this year I've spent about $15 (in US) on a shacket and a pair of jeans.

@ExcellentLawnOrnament
I feel the same when I see the price of brand new clothing.

I've been lucky in my thrift shopping and have a great pair of coats, one formal and one down filled one for everyday winter use.

I'd say £300-500 a year including shoes. I don't think that's many items. So far I've bought 4 tops for £90, socks and knickers for £30, so that's already £120 without any big items.

I haven't checked my summer stuff yet so it depends what I need - but I definitely need new sandals and or light trainers as last year's sandals literally wore out.

I don't think you'd look at me and think I'm well dressed, really, more presentable. I wear mid quality clothes (Marks, Seasalt, nothing cutting edge!) with decent quality shoes and coats. I'm size 22 so definitely feel it's harder to look good in cheaper clothes.

Not actually sure, but guessing a couple of hundred a year at most (my dh may disagree!). Usually only buy sales, and Next clearance site (online). Rarely pay full price.

We spend about £600 each

Honestly I spend lots, too much, probably circa £6000 a year. Gosh that’s shocking isn’t it!

I tend to buy higher quality items, and have had some weight changes so needed to buy things that fit. But yes, pretty shocking. I’d spend £100 on an item without ever worrying about it .

It's tricky. I do love a bargain but sometimes the cheapest clothes aren't the best quality. I've been trying to buy less but better quality (I don't always succeed!).

Not a clue but quite a lot so far this year because I’ve lost a lot of weight and my old
clothes were falling down.
i reckon I’ve spent about 2K this year so far replacing favourite things in smaller sizes and underwear etc aswell as just completely new designs/styles.
I never add up anything I’ve spent, be it Christmas shopping or food shopping so I really don’t know.
I’m not averse to spending £300 on a dress but anything more than that would have to be something really special and would make me think twice.
We have a good disposable income and this year a good amount of mine has gone on clothes. Dh probably spends 2K over a whole year on clothes, he gets himself a summer wardrobe and a winter one, just replacing T-shirts/shirts/jeans etc from one year to the next. He cooks a lot and never remembers to get changed so ends up staining stuff all the bloody time and neither of us seem any good at getting stains out…
whereas until now I had the same ‘summer holiday’ stuff for a few years, maybe adding one summer dress or something every now and then.

I don't buy many clothes, but when I do, I like to buy good quality in the expectation they will last several years. This year I have bought 3 light weight jumpers and a pair of linen trousers, probably a total of about £600. But, I doubt I will buy any more this year.

About £250. Shop mainly on vinted, supermarket bits, I do spend money on nice boots though as walk a lot. Can often find these half price on Amazon warehouse.

I honestly have no clue. I have spent £1000 on Whatnot so far this year, but I've made more than double that selling it on eBay and VINTED and from that I have stocked my spring and summer wardrobe and give loads to my SIL. I've spent £10 on a bra from eBay and £80 on Vinted. Charity shops I find really expensive and I can't imagine buying anything new, maybe knickers. This morning I bought 7 pairs of m&S returned shoes for £7 so that should be summer sorted for me and sil.

A lot - probably 4-5k. I have an addiction I think

No idea as never counted and it can be a bit sporadic, I’m guessing around €1000 though between clothes and shoes…..I really hope it’s not much more than that

I tend to buy fewer but more expensive items these day, I’m 49 though

ok i don’t need work wear and wear generally comfy clothes 24/7 at home (often pyjama like things!)

2024:
£18 fatface sale jumpsuit
£17 thermal leggings (Xmas market holiday)
£17 socks x2
£9 socks
£10 vinted jumper (£90 new)
£9 flip flops at airport as mine broke en route
£15 vinted cardigan

2025
£23.50 new trousers m&s
£22 vinted jumper (£90 new same brand as above jumper)
£11 vinted fleece
£8 socks

I’ve just spent £800 in one go but that’s because I’ve dropped five dress sizes and needed new stuff! I’m trying to buy less but better, so I have some jumpers that are around £80 each, jeans are £50+ etc. I used to go into Primark and come out with an entire new wardrobe for £100! But I’m at the stage where I want nicer stuff that will last.

I’m not sure what it will be annually, probably £600 or so when I’m in the kind of general maintenance phase of having a wardrobe that fits, so replacing stuff that is old and the occasional new item? But I could be totally off base!

I do love buying clothes now though I’ve lost weight so I fear it may become an expensive hobby.

I don't really keep track, I've not bought much this year but I'd think nothing of dropping £100+ on a pair of shoes, £80 on jeans or maybe £30 on a tshirt, then I'll also buy a load from M&MDirect or Vinted. I'm fortunate to not really have to stick to a budget but I only buy what I like.

I also sell quote a bit on vinted. I used to buy lots of cheap stuff but I now try to just buy decent stuff, either new or secondhand. I've just had 6 bags of rubbish collected by a charity and am having a bit of an overhaul!

I buy about one new item each winter and summer and replace things that have disintegrated so In the winter I bought a pinafore and replaced 2 long sleeved TShirts and several pairs of long wool socks.I have just bought a pair of loafers in the sales to replace my normal every day work shoes. I have several serviceable dresses for the warmer weather but might get new sandals and a jumper or cardigan. I might spend £100-£150 on a dress , coat or shoes but I have very few clothes and I expect them to last me for years.

8 items for £100? Well they'll fall apart surely in 6 months unless that's 8 minor items.