Clothes: How Much Of Your Income Do You Spend?

[Astrid]

Will need to check my spreadsheet, but it does combine all our clothes and shoes, plus I am sneaky and sacrifice part of my pocket money on some bargains. Guessing $1500 + in the past 11 months as a family.
I have had to spend a fair bit. I found after a few years out of the work force I really had nothing to wear, plus even my home clothes were suffering due to lack of money, so had to replace some of those. I do think though, I will probably be spending the same. Buying less items, just better quality.

[Bumperstump Cummerbund]

Hooley Magooley Div! Does that mean you can claim those things on tax?

I spend a tiny amount in comparison to all of you! Particularly this year. Thinking about it, it's probably less than $300 for the whole year, including shoes. If I was working, it would be closer to $1k.

[Jellyfish]

Not very much. I have the same shoes I've had since high school lol not a shoe person I guess and it seems unnecessary when my feet are the same size.

This past year I bought a special outfit for DD1 for when she met her brand new sister (who got all of DD1s old clothes lol terrible me, couldn't believe my luck in having two of the same gender), I bought a $5 dress at an OP shop for our family photos (stunning dress if I don't say so myself) as well as a headband for DD2 to wear which was $7ish (from some kids clothing shop) and we got DP some new work shirts for his butcher apprenticeship, plain black polos that were $7 each? Plus some boots that were around $30. So how much is all that um less than $100 in the last 12 months. Actually I did buy DP two for $30 shirts for Christmas but not sure if gifts count!

My mum however has spent a bunch on both the girls and me. I'm happy to wear the same stuff year in, year out and wore my usual wardrobe through both pregnancies. Most of my stuff has been in rotation for about 5yrs? Some dates back to high school like my shoes! My mum thinks I'm very odd and buys me a few new things every season so that is handy and I guess part of the reason I don't need to buy things myself.

I did see some leather sandals I fell in love with the other day that were $60 I think, so I downgraded my WoW Expansion (tomorrow wooo) from collectors to normal which freed up $80 but now I'm thinking hmm do I really want them? I'm terrible at spending money lol.

[nothing2lose]

I think Div is right. There are some professions where image (ie. the clothes you wear) is very important. If you are not dressed the part you won't get the part.

Mind you, I would hire Div if she was wearing Kmart leggings and a Big W halter top.

[Jellyfish]

That's true. For me as a stay at home mum the only thing I need to check with clothes is can I get my boobs out easily and can I bend over a bunch lol. Thankfully the wardrobe from my later teen years before children needed similar practicality.

[fionas]

Obviously, we all have different income levels - that's why I asked the question as what proportion of income.

Though you've made me feel much better about my spending Divvy

I honestly don't know if I'd be able to tell if a man/woman was wearing a $600 suit or a $2000 suit. But I've reluctantly come to the conclusion that grooming (hair, nails, make-up, polished shoes) can make or break an outfit. Not that I wear suits any more but when I do (again), I'm going to pay more attention to grooming. Hopefully.

[Astrid]

Obviously, we all have different income levels - that's why I asked the question as what proportion of income.

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Do you mean before or after tax? You own income or combined family income? Sorry accountancy training coming out in me now
4-5% of my after tax income.