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How much do you spend on clothes?
Old 08-23-2009, 10:32 AM   #1
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How much do you spend on clothes?

Just wondering what other "young" people spend a year on clothes. For me it's typically about $200 per year. I have to wear business casual at work but have found that my pants/shirts last a long time so I usually only buy a couple things related to work each year and then everything else is "casual" wear - ie stuff I could wear out to a pub or bar. Also I usually get a couple shirts at Christmas/my birthday through the year.

I only ever buy things on sale at Christmas time sales or end of season sales. Also, you can find some good deals on the net....for example I just bought two pairs of jeans from American Eagle on line for $60 including shipping. Oh, I'm a male....I'm sure it would be a lot more for females and this doesn't include shoes. Just wondering how I compare to other people on here.
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Old 08-23-2009, 10:36 AM   #2
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As an older person (61), I am wondering if you expect *young* people to spend more, or less, than older people?
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Old 08-23-2009, 10:53 AM   #3
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As an older person (61), I am wondering if you expect *young* people to spend more, or less, than older people?
I would think we spend more...especially those of us who are single....we have to dress to impress.
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Old 08-23-2009, 11:23 AM   #4
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So far this year, DW and I spent over ah hem... $2,700 on clothes. That's very unusual.

First, in a few weeks, we are attending a swanky wedding (and rehearsal dinner) with a strict dress code. So DW had to buy a couple of outfits and I a couple of suits. Second, the house is now fully furnished so we have more disposable income to blow on clothes and we took advantage of that boon to refresh our wardrobes.
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Old 08-23-2009, 12:03 PM   #5
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I recently moved and lost weight, so I've spent more than usual on mostly replacing my wardrobe over the last couple of years. I'm mostly a T-shirt and Jeans guy, and that outfit only costs me about $50 altogether; I've got about 5 copies of that outfit. But I'm finding myself wearing jackets more often and I've gotten probably 6 new jackets averaging about $70 each for various situations, and three new pairs of shoes averaging about $70/pair. Add in miscellaneous yoga and sports wear, and I've probably spent $1000 over the past two years on clothing.
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Old 08-23-2009, 12:42 PM   #6
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$200 is about what I spend on a pair of shoes. Even a decent pair of trainers costs $100+ so not sure how you get thru a year on $200.

I am not sure what I spend per year, however I do know this year has been unusual as I have spent very little. I would say that combined we have spent about $500 this year, however last year I would expect the figure would easily be above $3,000.
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Old 08-23-2009, 01:45 PM   #7
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As an older person (61), I am wondering if you expect *young* people to spend more, or less, than older people?
I would say, generally speaking, younger people spend more on clothes because they are more concerned about appearance. I couldn't care less. I've spent about $30 this year on boxers and socks. That's all i'll spend this year on clothes. Last year I bought a $15 hoodie, $5 winter hat and $10 for boxers for a total of $30. I average under $100/yr on clothes. I get 1 free pair of shoes per year from work so I haven't paid for shoes in 10 years.
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Old 08-23-2009, 01:56 PM   #8
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I'll say I'm still a "young people" at just weeks away from age 51.
Post-FIRE, I am still wearing my collection of business casual (ladies) clothes acquired over 18+ years. I always bought good quality, and always on sale, primarily online.
I'll guess I spent maybe $150 on clothes so far this year, because I needed some new swimwear and tankini tops for a cruise.
Usual spending pattern, post FIRE, is maybe $100 per year. Maybe.

OP - You might want to check the Overstocks tab at Land's End online sometime. I find that LE has very good quality clothes, and if you get on their email notification list, you can catch the "liquidations" and really save a lot on men's clothes. The sizes are often limited for these specials, but sometimes you catch great deals offered in all sizes.
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Old 08-23-2009, 02:32 PM   #9
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Just wondering what other "young" people spend a year on clothes. For me it's typically about $200 per year.
Chronologically I'm probably considered "youth challenged" but mentally I'm still in my 20s. However I've never been accused of dressing to impress.

In just over seven years of my ER, my spouse and I have spent a combined total of $1700 on clothing. My share of it comes to $675, but at least $150 of that was spent on walking/running shoes. Call it about $75/year in shorts, t-shirts, & slippers, whether I felt that I needed them or not.

To be fair, spouse spent a substantial percentage of her share on "casual business attire" for all those official Navy trips to Thailand.

I've been invited to a dinner party next month where I'm afraid I'm going to have to wear not only pants but socks, shoes, and a jacket. (If it required a tie then I wouldn't be going, even if both Wolfgang and Nigella were cooking.) I'll have to phone the restaurant to inquire about their dress code.
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Old 08-23-2009, 02:37 PM   #10
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I have no idea what I spend on clothes but I know it is higher than $200 and lower than what Paris Hilton spends on purses . I'd say somewhere in the $2,000 to$3,000 range .
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Old 08-23-2009, 03:31 PM   #11
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Since 2006 we have averaged 125$ a month. Including shoes. Main cost was a new suit and DW got a couple dresses.
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Old 08-23-2009, 04:09 PM   #12
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Quicken reports $226.07 since 6/1/2006. I'm 40 and am strictly in the "not dressing to impress" camp.

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Old 08-23-2009, 04:19 PM   #13
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Almost nothing. However I have noticed that stuff tends to disintegrate after 15 or 20 years.
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Old 08-23-2009, 04:22 PM   #14
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This year total so far spent on clothing...$168. Last year it was $1005...due to leather purchases.
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Old 08-23-2009, 05:45 PM   #15
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I have no idea what I spend yearly, but I can tell you that I'm glad I saw this thread. My FIRE budget for clothes can now be hammered down by a couple thousand bucks. The budget is really high because I haven't tracked real spending. I do know that I spend a couple thousand a year on business suits, shirts and ties each year...but I am still working. When I FIRE, I probably won't have to buy a suit for at least 5-7 years, unless I lose weight, and then it will only be one, for church and other dressy stuff like weddings.

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Old 08-23-2009, 05:58 PM   #16
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Uh oh...I just read this thread again. I'm not sure how young I am at 51.
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Old 08-23-2009, 06:28 PM   #17
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Uh oh...I just read this thread again. I'm not sure how young I am at 51.
Three years less young than me!
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Old 08-23-2009, 06:46 PM   #18
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Three years less young than me!
I love the term "less young"...it doesn't make me feel like a fossil...
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Old 08-23-2009, 06:48 PM   #19
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I love the term "less young"...it doesn't make me feel like a fossil...
I don't know about you kids these days.
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Old 08-23-2009, 07:53 PM   #20
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I don't know about you kids these days.
My humble apology to anyone older than 51.................
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