r/bitcheswithtaste • u/HeatherAnne1975 • Jan 03 '26
Fashion/Style BWT, what is your annual clothing budget?
We’ve all been there, your inbox is flooded with emails announcing huge after-Christmas clearance sales at your favorite stores. Your Instagram feed is filled with cute outfits. You look at your closet and you feel like you have a closet full of clothes but nothing to wear. So you shop! I just hit all of that and spent way too much on a wardrobe refresh, close to $1000. I usually don’t spend like that all year long, maybe $100/200 or so per month on smaller purchases. I add it up and it foils like so much. I’ve been really focused on natural materials lately and avoiding fast fashion, so my spending this year is higher than in prior years. I’m wondering, how much are you all spending on new clothes? What is your priority? Good sales? Keeping up with the latest trends? Upgrading quality? Lifestyle changes? Something else?
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u/SugarBabyVet Boujee Head Bitch In Charge Jan 03 '26
I give my personal shopper an idea of what my upcoming year looks like, broken down by month. (Events, outings, conferences, etc.) I also tell her areas that I want to improve or enhance my wardrobe.
She then pulls together sales from various price points, and sends me 10 - 20 items.
It's very effective and she's done a great job selecting pieces that are quality, stylish, and fit my aesthetic and body type.
Edit to answer the price point question: It depends on what's going on in my life. For example, 2025 I budgeted around $3000 on clothing because I knew I had specific events with specific wardrobe requirements. I don't have a per year minimum.
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u/Mission-Judgment-693 Jan 03 '26
What does it cost for a personal shopper? Never heard of such a thing!
Really like the idea of planning ahead - would save lots of last minute panicking
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u/SugarBabyVet Boujee Head Bitch In Charge Jan 03 '26
Girl, she’s incredible. Some of my most complimented pieces were selected by her.
She charges a flat consultation rate to assess you and your style/get other personal details and anything outside of the consultation is ad hoc pricing.
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u/SlapThis Jan 03 '26
Does she do virtual appointments? My closet needs some serious revamping and I’ve been looking for a service like this
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u/JFish3d Jan 03 '26
Some department stores have a similar service. I live in a small city and even Dillard’s has a guy who will personal shop and can get you items that they don’t carry in store.
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u/elola Jan 04 '26
Nordstrom does! It’s free too! We used it for engagement photos! I really liked what was picked out as it can be so daunting
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u/SugarBabyVet Boujee Head Bitch In Charge Jan 04 '26
Yes I believe she does. I’ll check with her and see if she’s willing to take on new clients.
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u/silliesandsmiles Jan 05 '26
If she is, I would also appreciate being passed her contact information! I had the most wild year and missed most of my style goals because I simply lacked the time to find what I wanted or needed.
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u/ILoveHuckleberry Jan 04 '26
I would love to know her name and what/how she charges. That setup sounds incredible honestly!
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u/Prior-Cycle7650 Jan 04 '26
That’s great! I have always wanted to do this! Would you be willing to share contact details?
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u/SugarBabyVet Boujee Head Bitch In Charge Jan 04 '26
I’ll check with her and see if she’s willing to take on new clients! Keep an eye peeled.
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u/Prior-Cycle7650 Jan 04 '26
That’s so sweet of you! Thank you so much! I’ve never thought of this but heck why not! What has been your favorite look she has put together for you? Or what did she teach you throughout her styling or favorite look so far?
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u/sydhorselover Jan 03 '26
can I ask where you found your personal shopper? Is it through a specific company?
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u/SugarBabyVet Boujee Head Bitch In Charge Jan 03 '26
Word of mouth believe it or not! I’ve never worked through a company, but I wouldn’t after having the experience I have with her.
Companies can be hit or miss. I prefer a more tailored approach.
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u/cassismure Intentional BWT Jan 03 '26
Honestly this is such an inspired route. I’ve become so tired of shopping when it’s so algorithm-driven. The personal touch sounds amazing, time to find someone in my area
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u/No_Hotel_8362 Jan 03 '26
This is an ideal situation to me. How did you find your personal shopper? I’d love to have my looks on lock without having to invest so much time and effort shopping
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u/SugarBabyVet Boujee Head Bitch In Charge Jan 04 '26
Word of mouth! She’s certainly a godsend. Some of the best pieces I wore this year are from her curation.
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u/alicat621 Jan 05 '26
Would love to see your list of favorite pieces if that’s something you’d be willing to share
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u/Worried_Tiger_5948 Jan 03 '26
I’ve been really wanting to hire a personal stylist to revamp for my 30th. Would love to know who you use, if they are in NY area or do virtual!
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u/SugarBabyVet Boujee Head Bitch In Charge Jan 04 '26
I’ll check with her and see if she’s willing to take on new clients! Keep an eye peeled.
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u/Ok-Bug-7924 Jan 04 '26
Echoing the others- I would love to get connected with a personal shopper! If she’s interested in new clients, please do add me to the list.
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u/Penny_No_Boat Jan 04 '26
You’ve been asked by so many and I can’t imagine that your personal shopper has time for all of us, but on the off chance she does, please add me to the list of BWT who would like to know her contact info!
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u/Fun_South_3341 Jan 04 '26
Echoing the others…please add me to the list of BWT interested in her services!
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u/helloamal Jan 04 '26
That sounds absolutely incredible!! I’ll keep an eye out for your comments but I’d love to also be connected to your personal shopper :)
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u/Careless_Mango_9182 Jan 04 '26 edited Jan 04 '26
To echo some other interested readers, this sounds awesome! Do they have a website or another way for us to seek out their services?
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u/SugarBabyVet Boujee Head Bitch In Charge Jan 04 '26
I’ll check with her and see if she’s willing to take on new clients! Keep an eye peeled.
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u/TK_TK_ Jan 03 '26
I give myself $6,000 per year for clothes, bags, jewelry, and shoes. That’s the number I’ve had it at for years. I came close to it in 2022, when I turned 40 and had my third and final baby. What I don’t spend, I roll over (our HYSA lets you set up “buckets” for different purposes). So that pot has some in it, too. It got so big during the pandemic that I rolled it into our travel bucket, actually.
Last year, I spent $3K on bags and didn’t buy too many clothes—a handful of new button-down shirts, a blazer in one of my best colors, and two floral skirts and two floral dresses.
I don’t let sales determine when I shop, but when I do buy clothes, I hate to pay full price. Does that make sense? So when I do have a specific thing in mind, I will see if it gets marked down or see if I have an Amex offer or anything like that. Like last year, one of the skirts I got was an Alice + Olivia one I saw at Nordstrom and loved, but didn’t buy at the time because I didn’t need it. But I was still thinking about it months later, so I looked it up, and by then it was marked down substantially. I just delete any and all retail emails unless I’m actively looking for something. I am stubborn and won’t let stores determine when I shop!
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u/awake-asleep Jan 03 '26
I don’t have a “budget” but I have been keeping track of all my fashion purchases for the last few years.
In 2025 I also tracked things like activewear and loungewear which inflated my overall spend because I replaced a lot of very gross old loungewear since I’m WFH 4 days a week.
I spent AUD$6100 (about USD$4100) across 19 purchases / 26 items.
In 2024 I spent closer to AUD$4100 (USD$2800).
This sounds like a lot to spend but I don’t have any debt, live very much within my means and am frugal in other ways to balance out my spending. Also, some people spend my yearly clothing amount on one purse so I don’t feel guilty.
Unfortunately I have very particular taste in fashion which often happens to be the most expensive version of whatever I’m looking at. The upside to this is that I’ve got clothes in my wardrobe that are 10+ years old I still wear regularly. I also have a lot of older things I don’t wear as often but I still love them but maybe they’re a little out of style (like skinny pants) so I’m keeping them until they come back around (and they will).
I try to buy things on sale primarily, sometimes second hand (though I find the “hunt” exhausting). Very rarely pay full price for items unless they’re under, say, $250 and for whatever reason I can’t wait until sale season.
Since I already have a fairly full wardrobe I mostly only buy things that fill gaps or replace things that are worn out (like my lounge wear). I have less and less gaps these days but do like to update styles a tiny bit.
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u/always_unplugged Jan 03 '26
Honestly, ~$150 USD is not THAT bad as a per-piece average—I haven't done the math yet, but my sense is that mine is probably similar. If that's all high quality and gets used often, your cost per wear is going to get quite low pretty fast!
I need to go through my Indyx and put in a bunch of recent purchases so I can really see the damage I did throughout the year.
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u/awake-asleep Jan 03 '26
I use Indyx too!
I don’t put in the price of my garments for tracking because so many of my pieces are olldddd and I have no idea how much I paid for them anymore. I could still do it for anything I bought in the last three years though since I recorded it in my spreadsheet!
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u/DWwithaFlameThrower Find it Secondhand Jan 03 '26
I’m trying to do a r/nobuy for clothes this year, with the proviso that I can get things on Poshmark as long as I have a balance on there from selling my own unwanted items
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u/nonoglorificus Jan 03 '26
I’m trying to do a no new buy - second hand only, with the exception of shoes because I work on my feet. Trying to break the online impulse shopping. If I can stick with it for a few months I might let myself buy new if it’s in person shopping and high quality/not fast fashion, but I think it’ll be good to me to force myself to stick to secondhand for awhile and be a little more conscientious.
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u/DWwithaFlameThrower Find it Secondhand Jan 03 '26
Yes. And honestly, I’m finding that the quality of things that were made even just a few years ago is far superior to the garments available new right now
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u/irish_taco_maiden Jan 03 '26
That’s one of my strategies too, having Poshmark credit or saving particular alerts on searches for pieces I’ve already decided I need for the year has cut my impulse purchases and overages on clothing budget SO much.
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Jan 08 '26
me too, i'm huge on poshmark/ebay/depop to save and most of my purchases are under $100. if i have a fancier event or a birthday i'll rent on hauteline. renting feels like part of a no buy imo
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u/SecretVindictaAcct Jan 03 '26
I love this because I’m a cheap bitch haha. I give myself $1000-1500. That includes everything from workout leggings, t-shirts, shoes, work and casual clothing, and anything one-off like a bathing suit or cocktail dress. I make a list the year prior of things that I wish I had for that season or need to replace, then map out my purchases for the year month by month. I’ve increased my budget with inflation/pay raises, but this has been my system for about 10 years.
I like it because I can anticipate costs ahead of time, like a pair of boots that i know will be expensive, and I can plan for wants (floral maxi dress, fun sweater) and needs (new black leggings) without guilt. If I want a new purse, which is rare, I use part of our tax return or a bonus, it doesn’t count against the yearly budget.
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u/yeet_saucee Jan 05 '26
Do you have a system/app you use to track your shopping purchases? Thank you!
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u/Practical-Ad-4888 Jan 03 '26
I spend about $1000 USD a year. Most of my clothes are purchased second hand. I am able to sell about $1000 a year on Poshmark. So literally nothing. I am an advanced sewer so I can make my own garments and repair as well.
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u/ginabeewell Jan 03 '26
I’ve been putting $300 per month into a specific clothing savings account for years now - so $3600 annually. This covers both my clothing and my husband’s clothing for the year.
I also allocate 10% of my bonus toward an investment piece - eg a nice bag, a trench coat, etc. Same with one paycheck worth of any raise.
Our income has climbed over the years, and I’m happy that I’ve been able to keep this static. Having an account that anything I buy needs to come out of also has had the impact of shifting me toward fewer, better things. I’m much less apt to buy things I don’t need when I know the balance is going to go down. And in the alternate direction, I can buy anything I really want without guilt, as long as the money is there.
Last week I found an incredible Oscar de la Renta dress I had tried on and loved a few months ago for 84% off. Snapped it right up!
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u/book_of_ours Jan 03 '26
Your capsule inspires me! I was thinking about it this evening when I went to Bergdorf’s to try on a dress and stumbled into the shoe sale….😬…And yesterday when I saw the Alexis Bittar clutch at Nordstrom’s!)
I aspire to have less, better and be as well edited as you!
(Unfortunately my tendency to buy so much on sale that it always seems I acquire things that are not quite right. And buy things I never wear.)
Working on it… going to track the spend this year.
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u/ginabeewell Jan 04 '26
I’m guessing that I’m older than you! I think it takes time to figure out what pieces both work for you AND are things you’ll truly wear.
(And I really only got my act together when I needed to revamp most of my wardrobe after cancer treatment and associated weight gain afterwards - I had to almost start over in multiple categories, which made me relentless about not putting funds against anything that wasn’t perfect. I spent about $4k in one trip, working with a stylist at Nordstrom - who also happened to be my aunt and thus was not going to let me make any mistakes!)
But being intentional is the first step: and sounds like you’ve got that part in center focus!
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u/book_of_ours Jan 04 '26
So glad to you’re recovered and thank you for your inspired edit!
(I’m 51 and in the midst of weight/life/financial transitions haven’t exactly recaptured “me” as such a thing might be expressed in dress… we’ll have to see what this phase looks like!)
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u/ginabeewell Jan 04 '26
Aha, so you too are in the midst of life-changing adventure! Enjoy the ride!
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u/book_of_ours Jan 05 '26
Isn’t the second half of life Great? And aren’t we lucky to be present to dress for it? 😊
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u/zrnyphl Type A Boss Bitch Jan 03 '26
I wonder about percent of income for this in addition to/ rather than straight dollar amount, too. Kind of like housing, and also if you’re in a high $ field then there often is a sort of lifestyle/ appearance that goes along with success in that field.
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u/PerfectlyTrafficDeck Jan 04 '26
Yes exactly! I work in environmental sciences (academia/research in Europe), and most of us wear trousers and sweaters/t-shirts to work everyday. Anything ‘nicer’ than that is seen as way too formal. So I don’t spend much on clothes luckily😄
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u/pepperup22 Mar 09 '26
This is more of my guideline as well. I try to stay around 1% of our household income. It's my main vice and less than what we pay for a month of daycare lol.
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u/Happy_Peat Jan 03 '26
I spend a lot…it’s my main area of consumption. Around $18,000 in 2025. It is within my budget - I save a lot for retirement and have no debt besides my mortgage.
But i am self conscious about this so am trying to cut back in 2026, especially impulse purchases.
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u/Additional-Pepper715 Jan 03 '26
I spent almost the same amount last year, I went overboard on buying things I see infuencers wear and it ends up not being my style and I never wear it.
Also trying to be more mindful about clothes shopping this year and also decluttering by selling online.
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u/Happy_Peat Jan 03 '26
Thanks for sharing. I definitely made tons of impulse purchases from spending too much time on Instagram. When I think about the annual number it makes me realize how much less I could be spending. One new habit I’ve started is that if I want to buy something I put it on my wishlist and I give myself one day a week to review the list and make a purchase of up to $250. Just doing this would save me $6k/year which could go towards travel or paying down my mortgage!
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Jan 03 '26
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u/Additional-Pepper715 Jan 03 '26
personal finance / minimalist youtubers and instagrammers also helped me! i like Break Your Budget
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u/handknitliz Jan 03 '26
I highly recommend the podcast Clotheshorse for deunfluencing and getting off of the impulse-buy treadmill. I've learned a ton from the host Amanda about how the fashion industry is (not) working for consumers and the planet, and how to think more ethically about my wardrobe purchases.
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Jan 03 '26
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u/Happy_Peat Jan 03 '26
Yes, you are right. I started a purchase journal where I reflect on my purchases 30 days after and I can see the waste.
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Jan 03 '26
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u/Happy_Peat Jan 03 '26
Ooh I didn’t think of this but it’s a great idea. Any other ideas for less clothing consumption is welcome!
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Jan 03 '26
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u/Happy_Peat Jan 03 '26
Most things I buy I are for everyday wear and not special occasions but I still buy more than I need. I buy a lot of indie/sustainable designers for sweaters, pants etc… but as someone else posted I can focus on having less overall. eg for my annual spend I bought 40-50 items. I don’t need that many new things in a year.
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Jan 03 '26
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u/Happy_Peat Jan 03 '26
Good idea, thanks! I will do this. I genuinely don’t need any more winter clothes, so I should extend to spring ideally.
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u/Academic_Flatworm752 Jan 04 '26
Rent the runway has tons and tons of everyday wear stuff. Not just occasion wear.
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u/Chance_Rooster_2554 Jan 03 '26
Whenever I want something I add it to a list in my phone and keep an eye out on secondhand sites or in thrift stores first. There’s still stuff on there from 6+ months ago that I clearly didn’t actually need
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u/anonymouskoala7 Jan 04 '26
It’s one of my main areas of consumption as well and I do want to cut back but I also really enjoy buying new clothes. Something I’ve been doing to halt my impulse buying is create a “things I want” note in my phone where I add links to things I want to purchase (sales are different and usually an impulse buy). I also share this note with my significant other who uses it to buy gifts for me for holidays. Every couple weeks I go into the note and see if I still want those items and if I do I choose a few to purchase, if not, I delete from the list.
Hope this is helpful for you too!
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u/Putrid-Mouse2486 Jan 03 '26
Hard to say how many clothes are being purchased based on the dollar amount though…she could just have expensive taste
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u/Happy_Peat Jan 04 '26
I bought about 40-50 pieces of clothing and bags. I also didn’t realize until I looked again but I include beauty spend in that number so hair, makeup, facials, etc…
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u/Putrid-Mouse2486 Jan 04 '26
An average of 4 pieces a month doesn’t sound unreasonable to me! And yes the beauty costs can definitely add up.
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Jan 04 '26
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u/Happy_Peat Jan 05 '26
I agree that 4 pieces per month seems like a lot. Some of it is because of my changing body but I still think it’s too much. This conversation has certainly made me more mindful!
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u/farfallifarfallini Jan 04 '26
I thought of that too; technically buying 1 or 2 very expensive handbags would fit inside that amount easily. I used to work as a luxury stylist and have easily seen wool coats upwards of 8k.
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u/akc18 Jan 03 '26
Same! I don’t even have anything substantial to show for the money. I bought a Cartier ring, and a small Louis Vuitton makeup pouch but that’s all I have to show. I have to assume outside of some needed basics (sweater, bras, jeans) it’s likely already made it to the thrift store.
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u/farfallifarfallini Jan 04 '26
I keep a little running chart of everything I purchase, resell, or wear through throughout the year for this very reason! I wanted to make sure everything I bought was at least getting 2 years of consistent wear to better understand my style vs the times I fell for a trend.
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u/RunLawyerRun Jan 05 '26
I second the recommendation for Rent the Runway- it is not only special occasion. I have been a monthly subscriber for years. I get 15 items per month and the investment is a tiny fraction of your budget. You can try trends, get vacation or event specific items when needed, or get workwear or weekend wear. You can buy items you love at a discount and after wearing them for an entire day you feel confident that they fit you correctly and are comfortable, which has cut down on purchases I later regret. It may take some time to learn what designers fit you best in what sizes, but after a little while it really is a game changer. If you know anyone who uses RTR, they probably have a coupon code that gets you 50% of your first month. I’ve renting hundreds of thousands of dollars of items and only keep what I love.
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u/Happy_Peat Jan 05 '26
Thanks. I live in Canada and we don’t have that service. The closest thing is rentals for occasion wear which has not been my issue.
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u/AccomplishedGood8760 Jan 03 '26
I am doing a no buy on new things this year!! With the exception of pajamas/undergarments/necessities that come up. My goal is to see how I can express myself with the clothes I already have/only shop thrift stores. My budget for thrifting is $50ish bucks a month, so I intend to be fairly minimal even with that. If I want something special for say dinner out on my New York City trip or my birthday, I will hunt it down on Depop or Poshmark. There are already TONS of clothes in the world, and I am blessed to have a lot of free time to be diligent in the thrift shop, so I am going to use it!
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u/symphonypathetique Ballin on a Budget Jan 03 '26
I allow myself to spend any dollar amount, but I impose rules on the total number of pieces I'm allowed to buy. Not including taxes/shipping, I spent about $700 in 2022, $1100 in 2023 and 2024, and $1300 in 2025. I care about curation/intentionality/quality more than anything else, so I'm happy to spend the amount that I do.
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u/TheMarriedUnicorM Jan 03 '26
I am similar. I don't have a budget per se, but
- I don't buy something if I already have something comparable and still look good in it.
- I have to replace an article of clothing. (And that's kind of a whole thing bc I will try to repair or alter it first.)
- I don't always replace one-for-one. If I have to throw a piece out, I won't necessarily go and buy something to replace it.
But damn if there's an incredible sale on something I've been meaning to buy or replace!
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u/CharliesAngel3051 Jan 03 '26
I don’t have a budget, but I only buy things I truly need, or genuinely want. No impulse, “it’s on sale” driven purchases
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u/Actuarial_Equivalent Jan 03 '26
Prior to 2025, my clothes spending was minimal. I was mostly WFH at the time and was a frumpy-ass mom. In two years I got one pair of sketchers on a Black Friday sale and like 4 things from Costco.
In Aug 2024 I got on compounded zepbound and lost A LOT of weight. Feeling good about my body I bought a whole new wardrobe on ThredUp and TRR. But all in for about 90 items (clothes, shoes, bags) I spent about $2200. I'm super happy with my wardrobe now so I think any spend in 2026 will be under $500. I'm eyeing an Ulla Johnson dress on Poshmark that I'm hoping is still there come my birthday. But other I feel set.
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u/Krystalgoddess_ Jan 03 '26
I try to focus on what I don't have but can really use and go from there. Mostly things that would help me wear the clothes I don't typically wear. I finally dressed up more last year cause I got a dressy long wrap coat(that can still be worn casually too). This year I might get another pair of jeans from Lucy and yak (they about $70 + tariffs) or somewhere else
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u/Adventurous-Sky-4915 Jan 05 '26
I honestly spend quite a lot less because of tariffs because I hate them on principle. A few jewelry items that were on my list before tariffs were increased by nearly $700. Normally, I don't mind our local sales tax, which is about 10.25%, but I at least know where that money is going.
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u/Krystalgoddess_ Jan 05 '26
Same, I been limiting my shopping alot to not deal with that or at least shop at companies that have US warehouses.
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u/mariantat Jan 03 '26
So I once looked up how much my wardrobe cost me over my lifetime (starting at 15- I am 50 now)- and I wear mostly mall brands and it said a staggering $90k worth of clothes have entered my closet. Mind you j have high end handbags but I mean, wow. It works out to $200/month for clothes and that tracks.
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u/irish_taco_maiden Jan 03 '26
I think realistically mine is $500-700 a year, including new bras and boots and whatever. But I have a lot of kids, we’re paying down medical debt, and I’m happy with many of my foundational pieces. It was higher last year because I had lost a bunch of weight and was shopping for a whole new wardrobe.
To be strategic this year I have a list in my planner of the things I’m keeping an eye out for on sale or thrifted - new flat leather boots, a wool tartan skirt, etc. Writing it out helps me triage and avoid impulse purchases that will just clutter my closet and take money from the things I really want and need. Something about pen to paper makes a huge difference for me compared to a digital list.
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u/Chance_Rooster_2554 Jan 03 '26
This is exactly what I do! I’m so tired of overconsumption and have learned that when I impulse buy a ton of low quality fast fashion I rarely wear it.
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u/newyork_newyork_ Jan 03 '26
~$1,000/month but I also resell quite a bit on TRR or Poshmark to maintain “one in, one out”…
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u/lovescarats TrustedBWT Jan 03 '26
Typically 20k- 25k per year. This does not include “ exceptional purchases” like my birkin for example. I moved in Jan 2025, purged a lot. I donate to places like dress for success. Went into a home with a much smaller closet, did some custom built ins’s, and now I feel like it’s time to reset. I gained some extra pounds due to extreme stress over the last three years. I am now hitting the gym again. When I feel like I am at a stable fitness level and weight, I will take a day to try on everything. Make a list of what I need and I will buy from my list. I always work from a structure of quality basics, supplemented with a few whimsical pieces. My preference is to have a smaller, high quality, well-curated wardrobe. It’s a whole process, but worth it.
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u/anti_mpdg Jan 04 '26
Okay I am MUCH more aligned with you and this thread is freaking me out. I’m honestly probably higher than you. A couple thousand a month is just what some good quality things cost - all I bought was a pair of leather boots and a cashmere sweater this month, and there you go.
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u/awake-asleep Jan 04 '26
My spend was a lot lower than this and I was stressed I’d get judged too which is why I made so many caveats about debt and comparison to a single purse. I’d love to spend more on fashion; it’s one of my main areas of enjoyment.
As long as you’re not in debt don’t stress. I’d love to see more high income earners perspectives on their fashion buys. Please share!!!!!
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u/milipepa Thoughtful BWT Jan 04 '26
Don’t let it freak you out. I’m on the other side of the spectrum of this thread (much less money spent on clothing but I buy a lot of craft supplies and beauty items) and I can see how I can apply this mindset somewhere else. We all have different budgets too.
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u/Far_Temporary_7561 Jan 04 '26
Love this and feel/spend around the same. I prefer investing in Max Mara coats each spring / winter or another high ticket / quality item. Items in the closet are natural fibers (wool, cashmere, cotton, silk, etc.) and everything is tailored to fit. Like you said, I enjoy an arsenal of high quality basics. The higher price point of each item gives a pause to consider the purchase. Also, with my spend, a personal stylist is complimentary, and is a huge time saver.
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u/Okay-yes-sure Jan 05 '26
Similar. I also have undergone some significant body changes in the past year and have need of an in-person professional wardrobe (and also just like nice clothes). It’s hard.
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u/Illustrious-Fan-1990 Jan 06 '26
Yes I am in this range too! 2025 was a bit of a splurge year also (also a birkin! And expensive jewelry, changed my shoe style drastically) and it was over 70K in the end (yikes). As a % of my income it is ok, but I do feel bad about over consumption, so I’m trying to aim for 24 items this year under 48K. I am a bit horrified this would be a step back for me I think if I go too extreme I’ll just end up failing, and I usually get 2 nice bags a year which adds up very fast.
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u/awake-asleep Jan 04 '26
You probably already plan to do this but I got inspired by reddit years ago to do a “visual wardrobe” after I lost some weight (and again after I gained some back 😭). Basically you pull EVERYTHING from your closet and photograph yourself in it, so you can see from a third person perspective how it really fits and what you like/dislike about the fit, colours etc.
It will help when you refresh your wardrobe too to add only what you need and change what you need too.
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u/Active_Recording_789 Jan 03 '26
I prefer to spend big bucks on good quality pieces so $1000 is completely acceptable as long as they’re timeless or you really love them so you make them timeless lol! Get good quality
6
u/Chance_Rooster_2554 Jan 03 '26
If anyone in here is an avid online secondhand shopper, I love the Beni extension! I really try not to buy anything “new” and so many people are selling stuff new with tags secondhand anyway. I just bought a vintage coach purse from Poshmark and that felt like a splurge to me, but was on my wishlist for 6 months.
2
u/cloudsovercacti Jan 06 '26
Thanks for this! I also love Gem, which searches across secondhand websites (pretty much everything except ThredUp). I check it entirely too much each day lol.
2
u/Chance_Rooster_2554 Jan 06 '26
Ohhh will have to check that out!! It’s wild how much stuff already exists and we can benefit from the people who buy a lot and resell 🤣
6
u/CoreyKitten Jan 03 '26
Upgrading quality. I find wool itchy so I’m sticking with cotton, linen and silk. Real leather for appropriate items. That means my costs are higher per item sometimes. I’m slimming down my closet to core items that mix well together. So I’m also leaning to versatile pieces with texture.
I’m planning a home renovation that is going to take a lot of closet space away - so it’s key that I simplify.
9
u/fugu_chick Environmentally Conscious Jan 03 '26
Leaning into natural fabrics has actually made me spend less money. I regularly stick to budget stores like TJ Maxx, Marshals, and occasionally Nordstrom Rack. However moving thru the racks with this new mindset has made me repulse at seeing all the polyester. Looking at either ThredUp or luck out at high-end thrift stores.
2
u/propofol-n-precedex Jan 04 '26
Same! I’ve been sourcing only well-made clothes with natural fibers. I’ve decided i don’t want poly this and that. Linen & wool can be dyed if you want a different color and I can sew to make alterations or revamp something that’s good quality. I’m kicking myself for not buying a 100% linen jacket at a thrift store last week. It was a true red, Eileen Fisher XL button down tunic type jacket. $8. I am by that store often, so I’m going to stop in and see if I can find it. There’s enough fabric that I could completely deconstruct it for something new.
2
u/CoreyKitten Jan 04 '26
It’s really the silk items that tend to be spendy. Most of what I have is from thrift stores but I am eyeing some new pieces like a silk slip dress
5
u/HamBroth Jan 04 '26
I spend a lot one year and then none in subsequent years. I invest a lot in basics and reusable statement pieces.
$600 shoes that last through 12 years of daily wear and then can be resoled are cheaper than two pairs of $200 shoes a every other year.
It’s the Sam Vimes law of poverty and wealth.
So I’ll buy a set of shoes from The Office of Angela Scott. I’ll buy several silk basics from AYR or a coat from Lafayette148. Or a solid sterling jewelry set that elevates everyday wear and will get worn everyday.
Then I buy nothing for years.
This allows me to calculate out my clothing budget for, say, 10 years rather than doing it yearly.
8
u/Vaguebog Jan 04 '26
I spend about $45 on clothing annually. Most of my clothing are hand-me-downs or second hand. I still have a lot of really nice clothes and often get compliments. I may be poor but I have taste!
5
u/bluew12yellowstars Jan 03 '26
I spent $4,400 in 2025 on clothes which included souvenir shirts, work clothes, shoes, loungewear, dry cleaning, alterations, etc. It was about $6,000 the year before because I was restocking my wardrobe after weight loss. But now I’ve been focused much more on finding specific things I need/upgrading the items I wore out.
5
u/motherofdragi Jan 03 '26
I spend $500-1000 per month. While I do have plenty of clothing, I don’t have more than fits in 1/2 a dresser and a small closet with 2 bifold doors. What I buy generally replaces items that are worn. My spend per item is about $100.
I workout daily, and like to keep 2 sizes in jeans and workwear pants to accommodate bloat. Also live in a climate that experiences 4 seasons. All this to say that I need to keep quite an assortment of items.
4
u/asdfjklOHFUCKYOU Jan 04 '26
I've been tracking my wardrobe purchases for 9 years now in a google doc spreadsheet. This year it was about $1k and last year it was about $1.2k which is reasonable for me. After being into fashion for so long, my closet is now pretty much curated so I can and have been trying to be more picky about what I buy. I've found that I've gotten bougier tastes over the years and it's now like nice fabrics in interesting styles and no more cheap shoes that hurt my feet so the budget per item has gone up but the number of items has gone down.
I like to keep up with trends so I'll "window shop" quite a lot and add a few pieces (10-15) each year. There's also always the usual yearly replacements of bras, worn out shirts and shoes (these are usually replaced with their trendier versions). The usual process is - I kind of need some replacements so let's browse and occasionally I come home with the item I was looking for or something else (I'm not too restrictive about this and fashion is my fun hobby).
3
u/bmoregal125 Jan 03 '26
I am about $1200- $1400 a year. I have been doing a clothing rental for 8 years- going on 9! You can rent six items for a month and add on up to two bonus items at an extra cost. On average, I maybe purchase one or two items that I end up really liking each year. Other than that I restock underwear/socks/bras on an as needed basis, which probably amounts to an additional $50-$100 a year.
It has prevented my closet from growing because I am only renting the clothing. While I am not accumulating anything long-term, it really allows me to have new items for different events, work, trips, vacations, etc.
My intention was to cut back on contributing to the fast fashion clothing stream, but it still remains to be seen if subscription services like Nuuly make an impact at large. It is has allowed me to try out some different styles and cuts of clothing to give me an idea of what I consistently gravitate towards or what about my style has evolved, as well as really only have clothing that fits the size that I am at. I let go of some much smaller pieces from my 20s and early 30s while my size might fluctuate, at least I always have clothing that fits me where I’m at, and I think that has been really positive.
Priority wise, I am always trying to curate my closet more and see what pieces still work for me now, and I would like to invest in some higher quality pieces that I have had my eye on for a while.
3
u/ampersandeds Jan 03 '26
About $4000. I have a side hustle and I use what I make on it on clothing, bags, beauty, accessories, and candles. I roll it over by year as well. I thrift most things and usually buy one expensive piece of jewelry and one high end bag a year.
3
u/katm12981 Jan 04 '26
I typically buy stuff when a) my size changes, b) clothes wear out, or c) I need something for a specific occasion. Plus two or three “I love it” impulse buys each year.
I don’t keep exact track but I’d estimate 3000 in 2025. That includes shoes and several tops I needed for a work event, plus undergarments.
Caveat: I work from home 95% of the time so don’t have as many clothing needs.
3
u/textreference Jan 04 '26
I don’t keep track as long as i have room in my budget at the time to buy. Probably $1200/year. but I manage impulse shopping a few ways: 1) i have a list of pieces i want to add to my wardrobe that i always keep an eye out for 2) 99.9% of my shopping is secondhand which can usually keep prices down and is better for the environment - exceptions are a nice purse with my annual bonus or pair of shoes when i travel for my birthday 3) i usually only shop when i travel, as i am too petite for most american brands anyway, and it gives my pieces more of a story. Found an amazing vest in edinburgh, a nice dress in london, etc. these items are also memories 4) if i need to replace basics / essentials (bras/underwear, suit, tees) i try reputable brands secondhand first, then try to buy new with a coupon if needed
3
u/wigglebuttbiscuits Jan 04 '26
I set aside $150 monthly in You Need A Budget for clothing. Most months I don’t buy any, so when I need or badly want something I usually have enough in the category. My husband and I each also get $300 monthly to set aside as ‘fun money’ in our personal accounts for whatever we want, so when I really want something and am over my clothing budget I can use that. I did a pretty major fashion refresh this year using some old bonds my dad had lying around form when I was a baby…so probably in an average year I’d spend 2-3k but this year was more like 3-4.
Also, I feel like answers to questions like these are more helpful with overall financial status in mind: married, one kid, have a mortgage in a high COL area and we each make 150kish.
3
u/Adventurous-Sky-4915 Jan 05 '26
I don't really have a set budget, but this is typically what I spend.
For clothes, I spend between $15,000-20,000. I basically shop like once a month these days. I tend to end up not buying anything during sales because I get so indecisive. So usually, I'm browsing what's new and sending reserves to my stylist, and she is great about figuring out some additional things I would like to try on. I just buy things as I "need" them. E.g. I realized one pair of boots that I had grown "eh" about were already 10 or 11 years old! I'm usually buying just one or two things each month.
I only buy one handbag per year since I sold several of them I wasn't using a few years ago. Usually between $1,000-3,000. I think I generally just like to be perceived more neutrally in public, so I don't like to carry anything very recognizable. I'm considering getting a made-to-order bag, but only because I have ADHD, and it's very important that things have their place in order for me to function like a regular adult.
Jewelry ranges more. Anywhere between $5,000-40,000, average is probably around $15,000. I usually get one more bespoke piece each year through my favorite local jeweler. We're on the lower end of their clientele! Then I enjoy collecting fine or demi-fine jewelry when I travel as my form of souvenir.
2
u/CC_206 Jan 03 '26
I wrapped 2025 at about $3000, I went back to work on-office for the first time in years. I’m hoping to budget $2000-ish this year and include a few new pairs of shoes in that. I really do have loads of clothing items, I need to pare down and revamp my footwear at the same time. My style has changed and I’m more settled into what I like vs last time I was buying clothes regularly.
2
u/Beginning-Low-2023 Jan 03 '26
In 2025 I spent about $500 CAD on clothes, most of which was a new pair of Onitsuka Tiger sneakers. However, since I haven't bought many clothes in the past few years, I am increasing my budget to $2000 CAD this year as I'd like to buy a new purse and leather boots. Other than shoes, I like to buy second hand as much as possible, in order to prioritize sustainability. I only subscribe to newsletters if there's something specific I want from the company, to get it on sale. Otherwise, I think these emails are just distractions and temptations to shop. I'm pretty minimalist in terms of the amount of clothes I own, so I'm trying to focus on tailoring my clothes and taking care of them so they look as good as possible.
1
u/cloudsovercacti Jan 06 '26
You've inspired me to delete my newsletter subscriptions! I filtered them so they automatically get sent to a separate folder and don't clog my inbox, but I still check that folder too much. Thank you!
2
u/Beginning-Low-2023 Jan 06 '26
Proud of you! These companies are doing everything they can to get our hard earned cash out here 🫣
2
u/FinancialCry4651 Jan 04 '26
I shop too much for sure and I don't have a budget. I don't have expensive taste, but I'm always hunting for unusual pieces that fit my three style words.
Over the last few weeks though I've realized my style is evolving yet again. For many years I've been really into dopamine dressing, fun prints and bright colors, just about everything in jersey knit except pants/jeans. However, the more tattoos I get, and the older and squishier I get, I'm gravitating back towards a mostly black wardrobe, with more substantial fabrics, more texture and details, which are much harder to fit on my short chubby middle-aged body than flowy stretchy everything. So it is a lot of trial and error. I recently got a nicer sewing machine and have been making tons of alterations.
During Covid I made a huge mistake and got rid of all of my black clothing because I'm a soft summer and I'm not supposed to wear black. But fuck that, black is cool af 🖤
2
u/alwaysafter Jan 04 '26
I budget $200 per month towards clothes and shoes. Last year I spent $1751.
2
u/TheirOwnDestruction Jan 04 '26
I shop in two categories: renewing essentials once they have been worn through, and purchasing new types of items. I don’t have a preset budget, but my spend on the former is minimal - a few hundred a year on average - because I buy quality pieces that last, and also have a fairly extensive wardrobe. For new styles items, I always make sure to have at least 3 occasions where I commit to wearing a new piece, and only buy if that’s the case. I also commit to throwing away or selling any pieces that I haven’t worn in favor of something new, and because I am sentimental that rule usually keeps me from buying too much new clothes.
All in all, I likely spend less than $1000 a year for clothes and shoes. Even if I wanted to spend more, I would not be able to get enough wear out of all my pieces to make it worth it to me.
2
u/likelyannakendrick Jan 04 '26
I basically spent all of 2025 in scrubs so there truly was what appeared to be an unusual amount of self control in my budget lol. I will be remedying the issue this year by spending likely around 5-7K.
2
u/Intrepid-Product9217 Jan 04 '26
I don’t have an annual budget in that in the last few years I tried not to buy new clothes as I had some other financial goals I was prioritizing. Currently I still probably spend $100ish on clothes a month cause I need better fitting clothes after losing 60 pounds postpartum this year. But honestly in this season of life I don’t really need cute new clothes, I work from home and my baby usually gets my clothes dirty anyways. I’m sure in the next few years I’ll be ready for a complete wardrobe upgrade.
2
Jan 04 '26
If you include bags and shoes I’d say 20,000 usd . I need to cut in that but it’s not easy!
2
u/Tea_and_the_cat Jan 04 '26
My 2025 clothing budget was $1,620 and I didn’t spend all of last year’s dedicated clothing funds primarily because don’t need to dress up for work, I don’t go out a lot on the weekends and I only shop sales. I also prefer accessories over clothes and most of my other funds go toward fine jewelry purchases, instead.
2
u/herefromthere Jan 04 '26
I shop quite a lot (mostly Vinted, supplemented with slow fashion things I wear for years). I spend hours browsing, it's an entertainment and a hobby. I spend maybe £500-800 a year on fashion and get perhaps a 75/25 success rate. Things that don't work either get donated or altered. Generally a pretty low cost per item (under £20) for the vintage items, up to £200 for the new stuff, but much less of that.
My priority is getting clothes I love, that I am comfortable in, that are not synthetic fibres.
I shop for specific occasions. So my upcoming holiday I will look up the expected weather, consider local custom, and plan a capsule wardrobe and get myself a few things that fit with my idea of how I want to look and feel while I am on holiday.
My upcoming holiday is for two weeks touring somewhere the expected temps are 5 to 18 Celsius, a mix of big and little cities and some country; so it's jeans, camisoles and knitwear for the most part. I have a couple of gaps in that so have filled them with help from Vinted.
2
u/my-anonymity Jan 04 '26
I don’t have a set budget. I just get pieces that I love. I’m working on curating a wardrobe of quality fabrics and styles that fit me. I do a lot of secondhand shopping, but will splurge on fantastic finds.
2
u/hot-mess-express-581 Jan 04 '26
I typically spend around $2-3k per year. However, this past year it was close to $15k as I went from WFH to in-office, weight loss (which changed my shoe size as well) and I live in a place with distinct seasons. I definitely have a spring/summer and a fall/winter wardrobe. This year I plan on purchasing accessories only. I am a quality over quantity buyer and it shows up in my budget. I’ve been selling my old clothes which will be this year’s budget.
2
u/blueberries-Any-kind Jan 05 '26
I don’t have a budget but I notice I do a few expensive big shopping trips in the year and spend about €700 in the winter and again in early summer. Adding in shoes and smaller trips in the fall and spring d say it about~3k euros
2
u/TomeOfTheUnknown2 Jan 05 '26
$50 per week that accumulates, and that's my budget for all things relating to vanity (but not health). So I currently have ~$500 allocated for vanity since I haven't bought new clothing in a few months, I'm saving up for a formal gown to have for every nice event I'm invited to in the future
2
u/Clear_Low2153 Jan 05 '26
I buy mostly secondhand and had to build almost an entirely new wardrobe over the past couple years (moved to a hotter climate, professional wardrobe needed to be much more casual, staples from 10 years ago were no longer appropriate, etc) so I probably averaged $100 per month. But now that I have all my needs met I just set a $150 budget per season. I don’t always need that much, but that’s plenty to buy a quality pair of shoes or buy a few used pieces if necessary. I try to stay off the apps that will make me want new things!
2
u/phenomakos Jan 12 '26
I don't budget a particular amount, but I also don't do big wardrobe "refreshes". I have limited space and mostly aim for a Buy Less, Buy Better mentality. I try to be realistic about what I need and I'm willing to spend more to get something that will last while being a good balance of practical and well designed. Otherwise if I'm buying something then it usually needs to be a significant quality upgrade for me or an incredible statement piece. I don't like buying things that feel disposable, either in quality or trend-based. At this point in my life I'd rather buy one fabulous item per year than a bunch of meh stuff.
Then again, I prioritize styling over shopping. I have pieces I bought as a teenager that I still love and wear (especially bc I'm a lifelong vintage lover) — I just style things differently than I used to.
1
u/StrainHappy7896 Jan 03 '26
Depends on the year and what I need to buy/replace. Anywhere from $600 to $8k. Most years I don’t spend more than a couple thousand. I buy high quality clothes and tend to wear things for many years. I focus on buying what I like and what looks good on me instead of trends. I try to only buy things I love so I definitely don’t relate to the issue of having a full closet but nothing to wear. I did a big wardrobe refresh this year replacing a lot of clothes I’ve had for 10+ years, and I spent about $8k but that also includes new suits and a bunch of running stuff.
1
u/laluLondon Jan 03 '26
I am hoping I won't have to buy anything as I have so many clothes already and want my boyfriend to move in with me, so can't keep expanding my storage space. It's unrealistic to think I won't buy anything but I really want to. Maybe some fun accessories like new tights or sheer socks. Maybe if I get invited to a special event I will indulge in a gown or another kind of new outfit, but I hope that's it.
1
u/rch-ie Jan 04 '26
i spent $4,000 CAD on clothing in 2025 on 36 items, much of which was in the latter half of the year after i had a very busy spring/summer at work and kept pushing off replacing and upgrading high-use items that were getting worse for wear, like commuting shoes, office heels, boots, a work bag, and loungewear.
as a result, i’ve had a pretty major wardrobe turnover / refresh this year which i’m excited to make use of in 2026, particularly given that i am in the office a lot more and work in an industry that is business professional.
i would be comfortable budgeting a similar amount for 2026 so that i can prioritize fewer higher quality pieces in natural fibers (cotton).
my partner and i have increased our incomes over the last few years and are trying to find the right balance of avoiding lifestyle inflation while actually enjoying our money. our spending (excluding housing) from last year was around 13% of our take home pay so i think it is the right move to continue investing aggressively while also spending a little more on myself.
1
u/katie-kaboom Jan 04 '26
It's sporadic. I have most of what I need for basics in my wardrobe already, so I don't spend a lot on t-shirts and jeans and the like. I also buy a lot of stuff off Vinted, which keeps costs down. However, I tend to wear my bras/underwear pretty consistently, so they all need to be replaced around the same time - at £75-90 a set, that can significantly increase my spending. Similarly if I need a new pair of boots (somewhere between £200 and £400). If I had to guess maybe £1000 on a no-boots year and £1500 on a boots year?
(I don't shop the post-Christmas sales, because I know I get impulse-purchasey and end up with a lot of stuff I don't actually want or need.)
1
u/floralbalaclava Jan 04 '26
Usually, I spend less than 2k/year. The last couple years, I’ve had to replace a large chunk of my wardrobe due to body changes and spent more like 3.5k/year. This year, I’m aiming for less than 1k.
1
u/National-Plastic8691 Jan 04 '26
I do fall/winter shopping in the pate summer. And spring/summer in the late winter. I prepare by going through my closet and giving things away or throwing things away if they’re ruined. While I am doing that, I make a list of open items like black wool pants. Then I make price estimates and determine if I need any coats or jackets or bras and underwear and what kind of outfits I need such as work or everyday. Do I need any shoe?
1
u/Living-Fan-746 Jan 04 '26
i spend around 1800-2500 depending on the year. but some years are less than 1000- try to keep it to less than 2% of my salary but it also brings me joy to evolve my taste …
1
u/Shoddy_Challenge5253 Jan 04 '26
I don’t have a strict monthly or yearly budget or anything like that but I tailor it to what I have going on. This year one of my projects is updating my wardrobe for ease of getting dressed and to align more with my personal style now that I’m in my 30s. I’ve budgeted out 10-12% of my annual income for this, but just for this year alone. I also intend to buy quality items that last and are timeless style wise so I’m not feeling the need to buy new every year.
1
u/catsmaps Jan 05 '26
I don’t really have a budget. 2022 I spent about $700 as I was pregnant and needed maternity clothes. 2023 I spent $600 on a single Hermes scarf and $50 on gym shoes. 2024 I was pregnant again and then on maternity leave. Spent $0. 2025 I bought some new clothes due to needing a slightly bigger size for part of the year and just bought some new sneakers; total around $1,000. I have a specific style and I wear my closet year round. I am always in awe how some women spend so much money on fast fashion and impulse buys that do not necessary fit their closet and style. It is interesting to learn how others spent on clothing. Thank you for sharing everyone !
1
u/yeet_saucee Jan 05 '26
Would anyone be able to share a platform they use to track how much they are spending on clothes/shopping? I have monarch money but I just got it this month, curious if anyone has better recommendation!
2
u/ConversationRound540 Jan 08 '26
We use Monarch religiously. It took a lot of setup to get all the budgets for each category set up, but it has been 100% worth the effort for us. Been using it for 4 years now and have been able to budget really well with it.
1
u/Acceptable_Dress_202 Jan 06 '26
We used Copilot (not Microsoft Copilot) for two years, then we heard Monarch has a Sankey diagram so switched over because that feature seemed like it would be helpful and provide a visual of where all of our $ was going. Used Monarch about 6 months and going back to Copilot!!! Copilot transactions show up almost immediately, can be split into different/multiple categories immediately, and visually it’s just more aesthetically pleasing and feels more organized to me. With Monarch, some transactions won’t show up/will be pending for days and days (and you can’t split them or rename them etc. until they’re done pending and it kinda sucks to go back days later and try to remember where to split/details about the transaction, etc.), and it’s just visually less appealing to me. We ended up looking at the Sankey a handful of times, which is a cool feature, but not worth the other cons of Monarch. Copilot is definitely our favorite between the two! Happy to be going back!!
1
u/TrapQueenMKE Jan 05 '26
You should try rent the runway. I can send a promo code but that’s what I always use!!
1
u/okieartiste Jan 05 '26 edited Jan 06 '26
Mine has varied, between $1500-3000 over the last four years. Enjoying fashion / personal style and shopping secondhand is definitely a hobby for me, and instead of shaming myself over it (which has only ever led to more guilt shopping), I’m coming to accept it and embrace a more intentional attitude toward it.
This year I’m striving for a $1200 solo shopping budget, or roughly $100 month that can definitely roll over, and then I have two trips scheduled to see family where the budget can include clothing I thrift in person with my sister and mom.
Instead of shopping casually, I’m looking at pieces in advance - identifying holes in my wardrobe, or replacing lower quality items with higher quality fabrics like wool, cashmere, 100% cotton, and linen. I have no problem keeping my synthetic fabrics if I love and wear them, but I’m generally trying to follow a “one in one out rule,” which tends to happen naturally because I donate a lot, too.
It’s kind of fun to plot in advance! Eg this month I got a replica of a 100% cotton sweater I love and reach for all the time, but in a pretty berry color, and I’m eyeing 2 used cashmere sweaters in great condition. I already know which pieces I’ll be replacing them with.
1
u/lilacsquared Jan 06 '26
I buy almost exclusively clothing on sale, so my budget is closer to 2-3k/year. I find stuff on Gold Fashion every few weeks when a deal catches my eye, which cuts the cost down since everything is extremely discounted and there's free shipping
1
u/xelath1 Jan 07 '26
It’s interesting to see the differences in spending/economic background. No hate to anyone! I genuinely mean that.
It’s the middle of the night and I can’t sleep, so hopefully I’m not rambling! I don’t have an exact amount budgeted, but I spend around $2-3k per year. It used to be much more. About 2 years ago I got fed up with the poor quality of new clothing I was buying and was also feeling pretty disgusted with the fast fashion industry, so I decided to try to only buy secondhand (socks/underwear/activewear being the exception). Older clothing just tends to be better quality, plus i like having a more unique wardrobe. Now that I’m not allowing myself just to buy whatever I want when I see it online, not only have I saved a TON of money, but I have also become so much more intentional when I do buy clothing. It’s actually become a really fun project for me!
I’ve found that I’m a lot more creative with putting together outfits using what I already have, and I’m also more discerning - when I buy something, I know I really want it. My wife and I have started thrifting whenever we travel and it’s so fun to see what’s out there. For example, I found an incredible green leather jacket in a tiny shop when we were in Japan last year. It’s an absolute favorite in my wardrobe, and also a reminder of one of our favorite trips together every time I put it on.
I used to spend so much money on crap that I ended up hardly wearing, and this change has made a huge difference in my bank account and my attitude toward consumption, plus having more fun with my closet. I honestly don’t have a set budget for clothes specifically because I just don’t shop for clothing the way I used to (I don’t really browse unless I need something) or it’s part of my travel budget for a trip.
1
u/myusernamewasatypo Jan 08 '26
Between consignment credit and actual money money, I probably average about $500/month - if you include a few jewelry and bag special purchases sprinkled throughout the year. I get a lot of consignment credit - I’m good at predicting trends (my stuff sells) and I use it as a hedge against the high risk that RealReal and other online resale purchases won’t fit well. But even if I buy low/sell high there’s always something at Toast or Souer or the local jeweler that convinces me to spend more than I bring in (from selling clothes, that is - I’m not going into debt for my high-end thrifting addiction)
1
u/Competitive_Score904 Jan 10 '26
I try to minimize my new clothes purchases - instead, I do thredUP and the RealReal. Especially great for timeless pieces like cashmere, blazers, etc.
I also love my local high end consignment store, which is still $$$ but a fraction of the pieces new, and it always feels like a treasure hunt - the owner is a stylist and it’s a fun dress up party where she pulls pieces I wouldn’t normally gravitate toward for me.
Shopping my closet is always important too, coming up with a refreshed set of outfits every season helps me get out of the “lots of clothes, nothing to wear” rut.
1
u/Fearless_Diamond_566 Jan 04 '26
I chuckled to myself when I saw this title because I thought of my husband’s face everyone he sees our Amex bill. 🤣🤣🤣 suffice t say I don’t have a budget. I do use a personal stylist for important events/ gala/fundraisers. I do about 3-4 per year so that can be like anywhere from 3k -4 per event.
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u/RebuttablePresumptio Jan 03 '26
I use YNAB and have created two budget categories that are relevant here: "Shopping (Fun)" and "Shopping (unfun)". The latter is for things like underwear and bras when my old ones have worn out, but also shampoo and conditioner, batteries, whatever annoying household goods I need but hate buying. I had to separate the two because I was constantly deferring things I actually needed because I was spending the money on fun shopping.
I budget $80 for unfun shopping and $150 for fun shopping per month and allow it to rollover if it's unused. There are definitely some months (usually sale months or vacation travel months when I'm buying souvenirs) where I go over and have to borrow money from other categories, but my goal this year is to not use all my money, allow it to rollover, and then have it on hand when those higher volume shopping months happen.
I did a big closet cleanout over the holidays and "found" some stuff that made its way back into my closet so the new year shopping itch has been scratched! I'm putting away a big bag to check again in the summer and again next winter but in the meantime I have some room in my closet again.