How much have you do you spend on clothing?

**imagine** · 06-29-2009, 11:43 AM

Zen therapy's post had me thinking about what I bought. Now I'm wondering how much everyone spends especially with growing children.

I started tracking this year what we bought.

Hubby and I have changed sizes so Hubby and I basically stated with nothing. and we have two growing children ( 12 yr boy and 8 year old girl)

So since January 1 we have bought
Hubby:
2 packages of underwear
1 package of undershirts
3 t -shirts
4 dress shirts (for work)
3 dress pants ( for work)

Son:
Gym shorts (on school supply list for PE)
Sneakers
Flip flops
One button down shirt ( He found it second hand and loved it)
(and my mom bought two summer outfits -Easter present)

Daughter:
4 pair long shorts
gloves
1 pair of capris
1 skort
1 short sleeve top
3 long sleeve shirts
3 skirts
a pair of dress shoes
2 packages of undershirts
(my mom bought 1 summer outfit and a swimsuit - Easter present)

ME:

5 short sleeve shirts
1 3/4 sleeve shirt
1 modesty shirt
2 pair of jeans
package of underwear
4 shorts
1 swimsuit
package of underwear
and my mom bought me 3 bras

Total spent $358.48
Averages to 89.62 per person
or 59.75 a month
14.93 per person per month average

That seems like more then I thought it was once it was written down and added up.

What do you spend?

**savvy_sniper** · 06-29-2009, 12:31 PM

We spend very little on clothing.

Hubby's job provides his uniforms and he has TONS of clothes that he is wearing until they fall apart. We have his boots resoled instead of buying new. His underwear and t-shirts are bought on sale at Target or Big Lots.

I work from home. My everyday attire (all year long) is shorts and t-shirts. I bought two pair of sandals two summers ago on sale that I wear in the summer, one good pair of sneakers that are three years old (bought on sale) and tons of dress shoes and clothes if and when I need them (from when I worked in corporate America).

I go to the department store and try on bras when I need them, write down the maker, model, style, size and then buy them on eBay. I bought EIGHT of the same style and size just in different colors brand new in a lot for $36. They would have cost me over $200 at the department store.

I also hit the thrift stores when and if we need something. Anything bought new is bought on sale, with a coupon, etc. We NEVER pay full price. We don't impulse buy either. Anything we purchase is well thought out and planned for. Of course, just staying out of the stores takes care of the impulse buying.

We live in the south; so we have little need for heavy clothing. We have coats, jackets, sweaters, etc. that we have had forever and wear on the rare occasion we need them.

I bought my Harley boots on eBay for a total of $36 - regular price over $125. We bought hubby a leather vest at a local shop on sale and with a coupon. Hubby wants riding leathers and we have shopped around and found the ones he wants. NOW we are waiting on a sale.

I bet we NORMALLY don't spend much over $200 a year. Hubby got the Harley in February so there are certain items that are needed. But we have shopped around, bought on sale, with coupons, bought used, etc.

We don't look like homeless people either!

**nuisance26** · 06-29-2009, 02:08 PM

~I pulled out my records for the last couple of years and we spent $354 in 2007($7.38 per month per person), $474 in 2008($9.88 per month per person)and $190 so far this year($7.92 per month per person).
Last year we stopped getting hand-me-downs, gifts of clothing from the in-laws and hardly any good thrift clothes for ds so we spent a bit more.
Most of this year's expense so far has been replacing all my unmentionables(some were 12 years old

) and swimsuits.
I budgeted $600 this year($12.50 per month per person).
I try to keep our wardrobes simple and generally only have 5 of each item type(pj sets, tees, pants, dresses). DH has more items because he's hard on his work clothes.
I shop yard sales, clearance racks, thrift stores and online. I love Ebay for kids' shoes!
Every year I try to sew more clothing items than the year before. In past years I've made tops and dresses for me and dd and pj pants for ds. This year I'm sewing boxers for ds and bloomers for dd. Ds is also getting homemade jeans and sportswear. He needs a coat too but I'm not sure if I'll make that or not. Depends if I find a great one under $5 or not.~

**monkeywrangler71** · 06-29-2009, 02:35 PM

This year I bought 6 tshirts, with a gc that my mother got me for my birthday, and about $5 extra from my spending money.
I got 3 pairs of pants for $4 each. I have trouble finding pants, so bought more than I really needed.
I bought a spring jacket, mine was way too big and wouldn't come clean anymore. I think it was $23.
I bought casual shoes for about $20 because I had nothing but ratty sneakers and dress shoes.
I will need sneakers, but probably nothing else this year.
So that's about $60 on me so far this year, much more than usual but it was just one of those years when everything needed replacing.

The kids got tshirts in the spring. 4 each, $4 per shirt.
My son needed a new jacket, i think it was $18.
$50 total for the two of them. I will go through their coats/boots/clothes again in September and probably spend about the same.

We spend between $500-$1500 a year for my husband's clothing. He goes through a lot of dress shirts and socks, occasionally needs a new suit or shoes, this year needed a winter coat as well. Aside from the occasional souvenir, I don't think he's ever bought casual clothes in the 11 years we've been together, he doesn't get to be in them often enough to wear them out, plus he gets a lot of tshirts and sweatshirts from work events. I

**JanieD** · 06-29-2009, 02:36 PM

Well, I've purchased quite a bit since January for myself (no kids to shop for). Most purchases are replacing worn out items. $90 spent so far, but I'll probably spend around $250 this year. I save hundreds by shop at thrift & consignments shops or waiting for sales.

Second hand items:
4 pairs of jeans, capris, 2 cotton skirts
2 sweaters, 2 button front shirts, 2 other shirts

New items:
Keds, capris, cotton shirt, 3 tees, 2 tank tops

Currently I'm shopping for sandals since my old ones are coming apart after 5 years. I've found some really nice ones for $20-25, but not the perfect pair. Since my old one are leaving bits of rubber sole here & there, I've decided not to wait for the end of summer sales. I love end of season sales though. I know several there at FV shop these for their kids (buying the size they'll need for next year) & save a ton!

**imagine** · 06-29-2009, 03:15 PM

Originally Posted by savvy_sniper

We spend very little on clothing.

Hubby's job provides his uniforms and he has TONS of clothes that he is wearing until they fall apart. We have his boots resoled instead of buying new. His underwear and t-shirts are bought on sale at Target or Big Lots.

I work from home. My everyday attire (all year long) is shorts and t-shirts. I bought two pair of sandals two summers ago on sale that I wear in the summer, one good pair of sneakers that are three years old (bought on sale) and tons of dress shoes and clothes if and when I need them (from when I worked in corporate America).

I go to the department store and try on bras when I need them, write down the maker, model, style, size and then buy them on eBay. I bought EIGHT of the same style and size just in different colors brand new in a lot for $36. They would have cost me over $200 at the department store.

I also hit the thrift stores when and if we need something. Anything bought new is bought on sale, with a coupon, etc. We NEVER pay full price. We don't impulse buy either. Anything we purchase is well thought out and planned for. Of course, just staying out of the stores takes care of the impulse buying.

We live in the south; so we have little need for heavy clothing. We have coats, jackets, sweaters, etc. that we have had forever and wear on the rare occasion we need them.

I bought my Harley boots on eBay for a total of $36 - regular price over $125. We bought hubby a leather vest at a local shop on sale and with a coupon. Hubby wants riding leathers and we have shopped around and found the ones he wants. NOW we are waiting on a sale.

I bet we NORMALLY don't spend much over $200 a year. Hubby got the Harley in February so there are certain items that are needed. But we have shopped around, bought on sale, with coupons, bought used, etc.

We don't look like homeless people either!

You bring out a point I hadn't thought about before. The need for or lack of need for different seasons clothing. That would affect how much needed to be spent. We have three very different seasons here and temp range from negative double digits in winter to triple digits in the summer. Definitely can't wear the same stuff year round.

**imagine** · 06-29-2009, 03:23 PM

Originally Posted by monkeywrangler71

This year I bought 6 tshirts, with a gc that my mother got me for my birthday, and about $5 extra from my spending money.
I got 3 pairs of pants for $4 each. I have trouble finding pants, so bought more than I really needed.
I bought a spring jacket, mine was way too big and wouldn't come clean anymore. I think it was $23.
I bought casual shoes for about $20 because I had nothing but ratty sneakers and dress shoes.
I will need sneakers, but probably nothing else this year.
So that's about $60 on me so far this year, much more than usual but it was just one of those years when everything needed replacing.

The kids got tshirts in the spring. 4 each, $4 per shirt.
My son needed a new jacket, i think it was $18.
$50 total for the two of them. I will go through their coats/boots/clothes again in September and probably spend about the same.

We spend between $500-$1500 a year for my husband's clothing. He goes through a lot of dress shirts and socks, occasionally needs a new suit or shoes, this year needed a winter coat as well. Aside from the occasional souvenir, I don't think he's ever bought casual clothes in the 11 years we've been together, he doesn't get to be in them often enough to wear them out, plus he gets a lot of tshirts and sweatshirts from work events. I

When men have to wear dress clothes to work that is expensive. That is one reason they changed the dress code at Hubby's work from suits. Hubby now wears dress shirts Long sleeve button shirts and dress casual ( dress dockers) and dress shoes. He has chosen to wear these all year round. So he currently has three pants (1 black 2 khaki color) and four shirts. I do lot sf laundry but that is okay because I only have three bras so it works.

When we were shopping for Hubby he found four shirts he liked, then he noticed he had only three pants and said he needed to put a shirt back. I told him it was okay to have four shirts even though he only had three pants. move variety.

**imagine** · 06-29-2009, 03:27 PM

Originally Posted by nuisance26

~I pulled out my records for the last couple of years and we spent $354 in 2007($7.38 per month per person), $474 in 2008($9.88 per month per person)and $190 so far this year($7.92 per month per person).
Last year we stopped getting hand-me-downs, gifts of clothing from the in-laws and hardly any good thrift clothes for ds so we spent a bit more.
Most of this year's expense so far has been replacing all my unmentionables(some were 12 years old

) and swimsuits.
I budgeted $600 this year($12.50 per month per person).
I try to keep our wardrobes simple and generally only have 5 of each item type(pj sets, tees, pants, dresses). DH has more items because he's hard on his work clothes.
I shop yard sales, clearance racks, thrift stores and online. I love Ebay for kids' shoes!
Every year I try to sew more clothing items than the year before. In past years I've made tops and dresses for me and dd and pj pants for ds. This year I'm sewing boxers for ds and bloomers for dd. Ds is also getting homemade jeans and sportswear. He needs a coat too but I'm not sure if I'll make that or not. Depends if I find a great one under $5 or not.~

If your blog is the one I thinking of you are quite a seamstress and very creative.

**Shelli_wnj** · 06-29-2009, 09:54 PM

I have spent exactly $39 since January on clothing. We are very fortunate to get hand-me-downs for all three kids. Also, when people ask me what we want for birthday/Christmas I tell them clothing and give sizes. I know we will get toys from some people, so clothing is the logical thing to ask for. For myself, I have purchased a few things from the Salvation army this year. My unmentionables are the same ones I have had since forever. If a pair rips, I will go out and buy one - that hasn't happened yet this year. The key is to take extremely good care of what you have and only buy clothes that don't go in and out of style. I have a pair of Adolpho jeans that I got off of ebay 4 years ago for $15 including shipping that I am still wearing. Hubby needed 2 new pairs of shorts this year, both purchased at $4 each at salvation army. I needed a few pairs of shorts and a few shirts - some stains just don't come out and my daughter went through a tough year medically, you don't really want the details. Anyway, all were bought at the salvation army. You would be suprised what you can find there, some things still have their tags on! If you go on "family day" almost everything is marked down by half.
Shoes last because we each have a few pairs that we rotate. I feel shoes last longer this way, maybe it's just that the 2 pairs last 2 years rather than each pair lasting a year, but who knows? Shoes are always bought new, that's where the bulk of the cost comes from. We have an outlet here for stride rite, we usually have coupons or go on "friends and family" day, we don't know any of the workers personally, but usually they advertise it and they will let you purchase that day.
As I said, I really think the key is taking good care of your stuff for adults, and finding a network of people to pass clothes to and from for kids is the way to go

**Bellaboo** · 06-30-2009, 11:40 AM

Sadly where I live there is only one thrift shop and it is WAY overpriced. I wish we had a good one because I LOVE thrift shops.

I do a pretty good job finding sales. Just yesterday I bought 3 shirts for $1 each brand new organic cotton, swim trunks for DS next year for $3 and a shirt with a toy attached to hanger for $4...Gotta love walmart!

We are lucky that I get nice hand me downs for my DDs and rarely have to buy them clothes.

For the most part if it's not on sale then we don't buy it unless it's something that we must buy like school uniforms for the kids.

**peanut** · 06-30-2009, 11:59 AM

We've spent a lot. We include haircuts in our clothing budget.

Total spent: $414.51

73.50 Haircuts
186.75 DH's clothes
154.26 My clothes

DH is tall and skinny. We rarely find anything that fits him at the thrift stores. He needed new pants and shirts this year.

I am a very short, very rotund petite. Most people do not carry size 18 petite...including thrift stores. I had to buy exercise pants and jeans new at Pennington's this year ($93.48). I did make a run to the thrift store to pick up clothes this spring ($29.35), but they are mostly too large for me now.

**strezzed** · 06-30-2009, 06:19 PM

Looking back at my tracking, we've spent just over $180 this far. This includes shoes. I'd like to stay under $450 this year.

**frugalwarrior** · 06-30-2009, 06:27 PM

i think we spend a lot on clothing-a little bit at a time.
-prom dress,homecoming dress and accessories
-4 wardrobes for me more or less since march from sz. 3x-lg and sz. 24-18.
-Michigan has 4 seasons also
-DD chef uniform for high school and soon another for college
-DS is rough on clothes
-Dh needs both casual and business wear as well as true suits for europe and Asia.
Most things I buy used and we don't garage sale after so probably $100. per mo. incl. shoes for 4 people.

**frugalwarrior** · 06-30-2009, 06:33 PM

Peanut, I was getting 18w stretch short/petite at k-mart. Also,meijer if your over here. Gloria Vanderbuilt (amanda) jeans stretch well and come in petite. I pay about $21.99 a pair w/o sale. I've had good luck w/ riders at Salavation Army in 18w petite. When K-mart discontinued I caught new ones for $5.00.
Sorry to Hijack.

**frugalfranny** · 06-30-2009, 06:51 PM

I spend very little as I don't have a family to buy for.....BUT

I wanted to post this website for those that have kids and larger families, in case you use 'just regualr plain' t-shirts. They have other stuff too but I have ordered their t-shirts when I can't/haven't found a certain color that I wanted at the thrift shops. Be sure to check out the 'shipping special' if you go to it......get some friends and reach the amt. and get reduced or free shipping. www.jiffyshirts.com

I have ordered all sorts of t-shirts and been very pleased. Got the 100% cotton ones. Also ordered their totes to decorate and they were great.
And super fast shipping. Think my order was here on the 3rd day.