Clothing budget

Bargain_Rzl

Hi all,

Thanks for all the great recent suggestions about bras

Profit-slayer wrote:

Hopefully with the warm weather coming you can wear tops instead of Bravissimo shirts, which should be a lot cheaper.

I popped into Bravissimo yesterday (had 20 mins to kill in Covent Garden) and they had a beautiful new wrap top, in pink or green with a ribbon tie. I tried the pink one on but didn't buy it :j Feeling very smug

Profit-slayer wrote:

In london there are places that you can get a made to measure shirt for about £30 should you need one- this could be a good option for you.

Can you tell me anywhere specific, Profit-slayer? That would be really useful.

TOBRUK wrote:

It does sound as though you do like chothes shopping - correct me if I'm wrong.

Not quite true. I like finding nice things, but I don't really enjoy shopping very much. The one thing I really hate is HAVING to buy something (like if my only coat/jeans/comfy shoes have just fallen to bits) and having to traipse around the shops until I find something suitable (often when the main sales aren't on). So my usual strategy is to make a list before the January sales and again before the July sales of what I'll be in need of in the next few months, and then have a nose around every so often until I happen upon something suitable - which makes shopping a pleasure rather than a chore because there's no pressure. I am getting back into doing a lot of this in charity shops (I was a real charity shop queen a few years back!) rather than in sales.

TOBRUK wrote:

Once you have done your 'big shop' (you stated in another post) on the things you say you 'need', why don't you stay away from the clothes shops and put say £30 a month in a pot, and when you 'need' something take money out from that pot - which will be your allowance! At the same time, when you then go clothes shopping only take the money from the pot and leave ALL your debit/credit cards at home. That way you will have to stay within your budget!

Thanks for the suggestion but that wouldn't work for me. I don't use cash pots cos I prefer all my money to be in my account earning me interest Anyway, it's not that I'm worried that I'll bust my budget (I'm really self-disciplined with my spending) - it's just that I didn't quite know where to start with trimming down my clothing "needs" - IYSWIM

Thanks again for all the suggestions - they've all been great!

mandi

Bargain_Rzl wrote:

Hi all,

Thanks for all the great recent suggestions about bras

I popped into Bravissimo yesterday (had 20 mins to kill in Covent Garden) and they had a beautiful new wrap top, in pink or green with a ribbon tie. I tried the pink one on but didn't buy it :j Feeling very smug

Can you tell me anywhere specific, Profit-slayer? That would be really useful.

Not quite true. I like finding nice things, but I don't really enjoy shopping very much. The one thing I really hate is HAVING to buy something (like if my only coat/jeans/comfy shoes have just fallen to bits) and having to traipse around the shops until I find something suitable (often when the main sales aren't on). So my usual strategy is to make a list before the January sales and again before the July sales of what I'll be in need of in the next few months, and then have a nose around every so often until I happen upon something suitable - which makes shopping a pleasure rather than a chore because there's no pressure. I am getting back into doing a lot of this in charity shops (I was a real charity shop queen a few years back!) rather than in sales.

Thanks for the suggestion but that wouldn't work for me. I don't use cash pots cos I prefer all my money to be in my account earning me interest Anyway, it's not that I'm worried that I'll bust my budget (I'm really self-disciplined with my spending) - it's just that I didn't quite know where to start with trimming down my clothing "needs" - IYSWIM

Thanks again for all the suggestions - they've all been great!

Hi bargan,

You said in you last post trimming down your clothing " needs".. so do you really " need" to buy anything at all.. look in your wardrobe for things you havent worn.. ( bet theres something in there). ..Is it a clothing "need" or a clothing "want, must have, latest fashion" .. bet you can manage every other month on £ 50.00. if you try... and think of all the money your saving........ :T

Bellie_2

Bravissimo has a sale on just now of all last seasons underwear, swimwear and clothes!!!! Really good prices. I am away to check it out now, needing a few essentials and a vest top. :j

Bargain_Rzl

Hi mandi,

As I've touched on in earlier posts, I'm pretty aware of the difference between needs and wants now. Until very recently I haven't had much reason to scrimp on clothes - it's only since I started saving super-hard for my flat fund (see my sig) that I've wanted to cut down on my clothes expenditure. I think the fact that this decision has coincided with a point in time when I do have some genuine needs (coat = current one doesn't fit, and although I do have a fleece, this doesn't fit over work jackets; bras = bought my last batch two years ago so they're all falling to bits simultaneously; shoe repairs = well, I've now had these done, but I literally had no work shoes with an intact set of heels; pants and socks = because I buy multipacks I tend to get to a situation where they all need replacing at once, albeit v. cheaply from George) has meant that I'm seeing my current need to spend a good £150 in 2 months, and worrying that that's going to be the same every two months. Of course it isn't

I think the only things I really need for my working wardrobe this summer are a couple of multipacks of tights (I wear trousers more than skirts, not just because it saves on tights but because I find them more comfortable than skirts in summer). I may also look round a few charity shops for a pair of black trousers in a light fabric, because although I have five pairs of work trousers, three are in heavy "winter" fabrics, and the other two both match the same jacket and I really, really don't want to wear exactly the same grey suit, day in, day out. I certainly don't need any new tops for work this summer - there are plenty in my wardrobe to keep me going - and I think I'm OK for shoes (both work and casual) for the foreseeable future too.

mandi

Hi Bargan,
Thanks for your post, seems like your doing all you need to do, I dont have a budget, simply because I cant afford one, but youll find loads of different ways , as Im sure you already have, to dress up older outfits, and I bet you will look just as smart..But if you need to buy, dont ever feel guilty,even if you are saving...

hope your saving loads..... :j


Mandi

maxiscot

I find wearing high heel ankle boots with my trouser suits really saves the tights/pop sock hassle in the morning, it also elongates the leg and takes off a few pounds. Once they have gotten a "bit past it" for formal wear I then wear them with my jeans and get a new pair which I have usually bought in the jan sales for 50%+ off. Have just decided to retire a pair after 6 years, reheeled and resoled twice. As I only wear trousers at work I always wear boots or in summer high heeled sandals with long cream wide legged trousers. For casual I have pink casual shoes, my old formal ankle boots and old gym trainers - do the same with my trainers as I do with my boots. i have one pair of court high heels if I ever have to wear a skirt.

sarahspain

If anyone is a huge Next fan, some of the stores have their stock deliveries come in, in the evenings. So if you are looking for a bit of extra cash and 25% discount on their clothes this might be for you.

I work 3 nights a week 7.30-11.30pm, I hate the work but the discount is great and you get 1st picks of the sales.

You'll only earn about £23-25 for a 4 hour shift but that equates to £300 a month for me.

LizD_2

Hi, thanks for the tip!

I really like Next stuff, so will look out for a vacancy near me!

culpepper

I havent read all this thread as its so long..
My mum used to keep her tights (all same colour)when one leg was laddered,wait until she had a pair with the other leg laddered then cut the damaged leg from each pair ,hem the cut edge and wear the 2 good legs together. She also kept a bottle of clear varnish in her bag so that if a ladder started she could quickly paint it with the varnish and it would dry and not ladder any further.
My dad always bought 2 pairs of shoes and wore them alternately. He used to take them straight to the cobbler and they would be soled and heeled over the original sole and heel so that the original was always good and could be resoled or heeled over when needed (not sure if they were leather soles though).

angelatgraceland

I always buy the males in my hous 6 prs of identical socks. That way, when one gets a hole in, there are always plenty to match up with. They do last ages, as Im throwing away one sock at a time, instead of a pair!