How Much Do You Spend On Clothes/Shoes/Handbags per year?

[fionas]

So as the title says, how much d'you reckon you spend per year?

I wouldn't say I've been spending too much but last year I bought quite a lot of stuff that I didn't wear enough. So I've tried to do a capsule wardrobe instead - the idea is that you mix and match stuff and don't buy anything that doesn't go with what you've already got. Makes getting dressed much easier - it now takes me two minutes to decide what to wear rather than a huffy puffy 15 mins some days. So my staples are leggings (surprise!), tanks, merino scoop neck tops, waterfall cardigans, a couple of shirts and a few tunics. I really need a good pair of jeans (I've got loads but they're all not quite right).

I'm so delighted that I might try to give myself a limit this year on what I can spend. I like a challenge. The weather here is VERY variable - very cold in winter but still hot summers.

Just interested in how much other people reckon they spend.

[MissEm]

Not enough!

[Amity]

Far, far, far too much.

My shoes are ridiculously expensive and I love them.
I am, however, expected to have a certain "standard" of attire for work. My suits regularly cost me $1000 each and I usually buy 2-3 each year.
Blouses, stockings, shoes...
Oh and don't forget that ridiculous wig and gown! You don't want to know how much they cost! Fortunately it's a one-off... although the dry cleaning bill is horrendous!

And that's just work stuff. Personal clothing - I have no idea!

[Purple Penguin]

I don't buy myself much at all... however I am in the process of slowly updating my wardrobe so will probably spend a little bit more but I like the sound of the capsule wardrobe. I do need a new handbag though, mine is getting a bit tatty.

[Sopdet]

Last year, lets just say it hit 5 figures.

This year I'm not spending that much!!!!!!! I have a list of things I need to get, a list of things I would love to get. Of course if I keep on losing weight the way I am, then I might be in for a new wardrobe.

[krysalyss]

Not much. I don't buy too much stuff, generally shop at a normal department store and atm can still go to work in thongs. Wait till I have a real job and that will change.

Divvy - I totally want to know how much the wig and gown cost!

[Astrid]

No more than $1000 including bras (these are not cheap for me) last year (this is just a good guess). I will have a better idea this year as I am tracking expenditure, but I suspect my budget will be similar.

Love the concept of a capsule wardrobe, something I need to do and plan to do. Have already narrowed down my base colours (black/charcoal based, not navy) to coordinate with. Wanted to do it in the past year, but I was desperate for work clothes and basically grabbed what was on special as it was what I could afford. Thankfully this year (well later in the year), I will have a bit more room to spend and can be more choosy.

I can wear what I want to work, I choose to dress a bit nicer. I refuse to do the standard ill fitting black trousers with the pin stripe shirt that seems to be standard work wear down here. Am going for more dresses and skirts. Want to be more 50's and 60's inspired, but would need to increase my budget for that.

[Beach Mama]

Not much, I will spend on the kids, but for me will spend $20 on ballet flats at Rubi shoes, live in thongs in summer, cheap Target, Cotton On, Kmart clothes(although their quality has gone waaay off the radar). As for make up I go through phases but have my staples I always buy but again they are cheap Australis bronzers and foundations etc. Nothing extravagant here! I got vouchers for Christmas and bought a $90 pair of bathers and a $60 Jag bag - would NEVER do that unless I had vouchers!

I tend to accessorise for work with scarves in winter and summer, cute earrings and jewelly and getting lots of style tips from styling you on FB - I love Nikki and she has lots of ideas for people on a budget!

[~ Zarava Flutterby ~]

Hmm i would be lucky to spend about $200 on myself over the course of a year, maybe a little more.... i very rarely by myself new clothes or shoes, i'm still wearing things i've had since before Miss A was born

[Ca Plane Pour Moi]

I'm wearing a skirt and blouse right now I had before I got married, let alone before I had Liebs. I don't think I even knew DH when I bought this skirt...

I don't really buy clothes that don't suit me, so it's hard to get rid of stuff unless it breaks. I tend to get 2-3 new pairs of shoes a year (mostly as replacements), a new bra a year, maybe 2, pants as needed, clothes when I see something that suits that's in the sale - £18 for a brand-new fauxfur coat this month. I recently bought some gorgeous gowns that Liebs found that look amazing on me - he is my personal mini-Gok.

Do need a new handbag though... hmmm...

[JLeigh29]

$1000 is our whole family's clothes/shoes budget, so maybe $400-500, depending on what I have to buy. Last year was new bras after finishing being and I do need some new work clothes this year, but since I'm only doing two days max, I can pretty much wear the same couple of things. I don't spend much on any one item and like to mix and match too.

[Beach Mama]

he is my personal mini-Gok.

I need me a Liebs - I LOVE Gok and just 30 mins with him would be amazeballs.

[sloane]

nowhere near as much as i used to!

in the last year i bought maybe 1 handbag, spent about $75 on shoes ( which these days is about 3 pairs), and maybe $250 on clothes. although i did spend a bit on top of that for some new maternity clothes.

divvy - i've always wanted to know whether the wigs are itchy. they look itchy!

[Blixie]

I haven't had a handbag since before DD1 was born. If i buy shoes they're usually $2 pluggers cos shoe shopping frustrates me as i have a wide foot. And clothes.... i'd say $50 tops but i feel guilty spending money on myself. I'm working on this cos i desperately need clothes and bras that fit well

[Nai]

I have a clothing allowance for work, so I don't spens a great deal. Although I am struggling to find some thing to wear today so maybe I should spend more!

[Sopdet]

I need me a Liebs - I LOVE Gok and just 30 mins with him would be amazeballs.

Try Divvy's youngest The stuff he has picked out for me has been awesome. I am glad I've never taken him to Chaddy to shop

[Starfish]

I've never actually added up what I spend, but I try to shop at Op shops as often as I can. So how much I spend depends. A lot less if the op shops have good stuff.

[fionas]

Thanks guys - hats off to those who spend under $500 per year. I think I could easily do that if the winters here weren't such a killer. You really do need good quality winter coats, jumpers and boots and none of those are cheap unfortunately. I also found that the coats and boots that I wore for work in the city just weren't that practical for a SAHM here in the country. Example - knee length boots, I have a few pairs but the soles are all very slippery. Not good in this town where the footpaths are always wet and slippery. Sounds pedantic but when you go slip sliding around pushing a pram, you really want non-slip soles. Same with coats - need furry linings and pockets if you're out for hours, not just walking to the office from the train.

Astrid - check out Vigorella - some of their stuff (they have black even though their website looks fluoro) is well-suited to a smart/casual office environment and you can dress it up or down. I've found them very comfy and versatile. Unfortunately you have to email them for local stockists, their website is pretty useless but you can look at the pics.