I am making it public. I fully intend to go TWELVE SOLID MONTHS without purchasing any articles of clothing. It's by far the most intriguing, challenging goal I've ever set for myself (as sad as that might be, I'm pretty sure it's true).
The funny thing is that before I started tracking my spending on Mint, I didn't think I spent much money on clothing. I don't shop for fun, I rarely visit the malls, and I have no problem wearing the same outfits over and over again. I've never been trendy, and I don't really have any friends or coworkers who shop a lot.
But I also have no problem justifying a major clothing purchase that I "need" for one reason or another. And I prefer to spend a lot on a few high quality, classic items than to buy a heap of cheaper clothes that I'll want to replace in a year. Additionally, I have been consciously building my wardrobe over the last 18 months since I moved and was promoted to a new position.
The numbers are indisputable: I have spent an OBSCENE amount of money on clothes during that time.
- I had a few good suits when I started in Fall 2006, but I needed quality blouses and shoes. So I bought them (Pink shirts at $180 a pop, $60 cufflinks, a $120 cashmere vest; 2 pair of Kate Spade pumps, and a pair from Stuart W).
- This past March on an especially meaningful volunteer trip to Peru, I bought myself $400 topaz earrings - my birthstone - as a symbol of my beauty, independence, and worth.
- The next month I purchased my first spring cocktail dress for an out of town wedding ($280) along with a cashmere cream colored wrap ($200?).
- Oh, and I spent part of my bonus on $500 Dolce & Gabbana metallic sandals (a seriously 1-time "I've arrived" purchase which I refuse to regret).
- This past summer it was 3 summer day dresses (Banana Republic, Theory, Hugo Boss--average $100 each).
- Then this past fall it was a professional shirt dress (Hugo Boss - $495)
- And a black cashmere party dress for all the Holiday events (Hugo Boss $500).
- Throw in a few workout clothes, socks, and necessary lingerie...
I remember each of those purchases and when they were made because they were each so important and exciting and meaningful to me. I'd never shopped much at all really, and in the wake of my graduation and the launching of my career in a new city, I was for the first time deciding who I wanted to be, how I wanted to dress, and in what ways I wanted to express myself.
Additionally, I maintain that I needed the items I purchased--or at least truly wanted them. I literally didn't have closed-toed work shoes, any summer dresses, quality lingerie and work out clothes, or appropriate attire for grown-up weddings and Holiday parties. Certainly, I did NOT need to spend over $5,000 to fill those voids, but I'd been living in my college wardrobe, I wanted to look classy and professional, and I had the money to shop.
I never intended my periodic shopping sprees to become part of my regular annual budget. Each of those purchases should last and last--it's not as if I'll be buying the latest work shirts every fall or the latest wrap every spring. To be fair, I actually do wear clothes that I have owned for almost a decade. Also, I never spend money I don't have (though I have had to raid my EF to pay off my Nordstrom card once or twice).
But I also no longer need nor can I attempt to justify further clothing purchases. I've built my wardrobe, I still managed to save and invest, and it's time to move on before this shopping thing becomes a habit. I should no longer be tempted or feel required to purchase any clothing or accessories for at least a year...right?
Well-Heeled is considering a similar resolution and has a trick to talk herself out of temptation when/if it springs to life. I'd do well to have a similar plan.
17 comments:
How are you planning to handle items that need to be replaced? Much of my clothing budget this year went to replacing key items like my flip flops that broke, a winter coat that had seen better days, jeans with a hole in the knee and new running shoes. Any contingencies in your goal?
Just consider buying less expensive clothing :D not everything has to be brand name! There are quality knockoffs everywhere!!
$5k is the amount they give the fashion victims on What Not To Wear to replace their entire wardrobe after its been thrown away by Stacy and Clinton. I'd say it's fair ;)
If I were you I would make an exception for basic undies and socks. There is nothing more demoralizing (to me) than a drawer full of holey socks and ratty knickers.
Don't forget you need to replace bras every six months. It makes a world of difference. If you get headaches regularly, go buy a new bra. It'll help!
Wow! I don't think I could handle that! I plan on not shopping in January, but I don't think that I could even go two months! :)
I really don't expect anything to need replacing anytime soon. Obviously if I lose some bags while traveling or if the heels start to break on my shoes or something then I may have to reconsider. Still, I really should be fine in all categories.
The only true exception will be if/when I lose enough weight to warrant the purchase of a new bra or two. Also, I happen to have three little sisters who all wear roughly the same size as me. If I really get desperate I plan to start demanding we do some clothing swaps. :-)
Also, I really only get tempted to buy clothes when I really want to look good (read: better) for a particular event. I splurged on a dress for a wedding/trip with my BF, on another dress for my birthday dinner (again with the BF...a pattern perhaps?).
If I can maintain my weight effectively this year, then I really think I'll feel good in the clothes I have (and in some that haven't fit in a few years...) and I can avoid the temptation to try to look better through spending.
So when I'm tempted to hit the mall, I'm going to make myself hit the gym instead!
Wow!
As a mom I am forced to live a financially disciplined life. I lack shopping time and knowing what to buy is sometimes a challenge. I recycle what I can when I can and very seldom buy new items. It seems that when I do shop though it is in spurts. I buy several summer pieces every other year it seems but I DO NOT spend that kind of money. I guess I don't really have anyone to impress. : O
Good for you setting a goal!
I agree with some others that discipline seems to be the problem here, not necessarily the shopping period. You should be okay to buy clothes when you need them, but there is no reason to get top of the line name brand items when there are plenty of quality options at more affordable prices.
Meg...congrats on the goal!
I believe you are an individual that can do whatever she sets her mind to do!!
Good Luck and God Bless in 2008!
Try Saks Off-Fifth Avenue or Loehmann's - I found a gorgeous Theory shirt-dress that was orginally $280 marked down to $89 at Off-Fifth (which I resisted!!). There are also cashmere sweaters for around $100. At Marshall's I found a Calvin Klein leather clutch marked down to $40.
Shoes can be found for 50% off retail price at DSW, Loehmann's, or Marshall's. Your selection of brands or styles might be more limited, but if you find a classic style such as black sling-back's, they should last you.
Good luck! And I'm drooling just reading about your buys. :D
Thanks for the encouragement, all! I was worried about being blasted for my (admittedly excessive) spending.
True, I could justify more reasonably priced purchases as a substitute to the brand name stuff--which is what I plan to do when I ultimately return to the retail market.
But first I must go on a year-long clothing fast in order to decrease my average monthly clothing expense. That $5,000 over 18 months will then become $5,000 over 30 months. Much more reasonable.
What a great experiment. You will learn so much about your consumption.
But what about going to, or organizing, a clothing swap? We do one here where the admission is $20 to go to DarfurAlert, and my favorite finds come from this annual event. I totally look forward to it - both getting rid of my mistakes and picking up lovely "new" to me clothes.
You can read about it here:http://moneychangesthings.blogspot.com/2007/03/clothes-swapping-quite-hoot.html
Wow, wow, and wow! This IS a bold resolution. I'd fail miserably. But then again, it sounds like you have a fabulous wardrobe already. With Dolce and Hugo keeping you warm, who needs anything else? LOL
And this...
"I bought myself $400 topaz earrings - my birthstone - as a symbol of my beauty, independence, and worth."
Love it! Good luck with your goal!
I'd second well-heeled in that you can get really nice clothes for a lot less. In addition to already mentioned stores - I used to shop a lot at Lohemanns, SYMS often has brand names for less as well.
Also, Ann Taylor as well as department stores like Macy's occasionally have really good sales. I once bought a really gorgeous cachemere sweater at Ann Taylor - not a simple one, but very pretty design and with a silver thread - for $40. I bought shirts at Macy's for $20, skirts for $40. But when shopping in these stores you really have to resist buying at full prices. With these cashemere sweater, I first noticed it when it was $120, waited while the price dropped to $90, then to $70, then to $60. Each time there were fewer of them left. But I always have a very clear idea of how much I am willing to pay for what, and if it is above, I walk away. If the item disappears - great, I saved money. For the record, I wouldn't go broke if I had spent $5000 for clothes, not with my 100K salary and paid mortgage, but I just don't see the reason. Especially when planning to loose weight. I lost 18 pounds a few years ago, and every time your size goes down, you have problems. Even 3 pounds matter. Additionally, once you loose weight, you want different clothes to show off your waist. Lately I gained 3 pounds, and I stay completely out of clothing stores until I am back to size 6.
Of course, I am a software engineer and we don't get that much pressure to dress up as people at other jobs do.
As a future lawyer I spend gobs and gobs of money trying to impress my office full of women...It is refreshing to hear someone feels they have the same problem with clothes as I do. I wish I had the self-control to not buy anything for a whole year, but I think instead I'll try to restrict my spending to a budgeted monthly allowance for clothes.
Holy cow. That's a lot of shopping. I probably spent 1/5 of that on clothes last year. I love to shop and I probably couldn't go 12 months without buying new clothes, so good luck! I shop at Goodwill for professional clothing (I bought a very nice pinstripe skirt suit at Goodwill for $3.39 and it cost me $4 to dry clean it when I got paint on it) because its oh so cheap!
Btw, I found your blog through an post/comment on The Simple Dollar. I saw "Meg" and I'm like, "I didn't post that! Oh wait, another Meg on a PF blog? Suh-weet!"
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