Ask the Readers: What’s your monthly spend on clothing?

June 19, 2012 · 21 comments

in Ask The Readers

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Hey gents,

So, an EG reader recently asked me if I knew how much EG readers spend on clothes on a monthly basis.

I thought that was a good question, so I wanted to open it up to you guys:

How much do you spend for clothing in an average month?

I think it’s interesting because we all have different tastes, preferences, and disposable incomes, and this answer will differ a lot among everyone.

I personally don’t spend that much in an average month. I have a feeling most EG readers don’t either. That’s probably because here at EG, we focus on classic, timeless style, and pieces that last years instead of fleeting fashions that come and go with the seasons. The majority of clothes in my closet were “in style” when I bought them years ago, and they are still relevant today.

If I do make a purchase, it’s usually for the basics, or for a big ticket item like a pair of shoes or a nice coat. The latter doesn’t happen very often, so it would be hard to average that in. At the same time, those purchases are often worth it, considering that they’ll last and I’ll get plenty of use out of them.

So what about you? How much do you spend? Do you like buying stuff that’s more classic and meant to be worn for years, or are you more of a buyer of what’s on-trend this season? Do you buy more stuff per month than the average EG reader?

There’s no right or wrong answer to any of these questions, of course. Just thought it would be cool to start a mini discussion on EG readers’ typical spending habits and amounts.

Let’s hear it below!

 

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About

Barron is the founder and editor of Effortless Gent, a site dedicated to helping dudes figure out what looks best on them. He also co-founded Fifth&Brannan, a menswear label based in San Francisco. Connect with him on Twitter and Facebook.

  • Kenneth

    Being a university student who’s still building on his essentials, I’m already having a really hard time getting money together for one or two pieces a month.

    Although, even if I had the money, I wouldn’t exactly be spending tons on garments. Maybe 100-150€ a month, if I felt like freshening up my wardrobe – not counting bigger investments like proper shoes or jackets/coats, which aren’t part of a regular purchase cycle.

  • Izukovskis

    Looking back at my spendings, I can’t say I spend much. I usually try to buy the essentials that last me long, so I don’t have to replace them often. Although, of course, there are months when I need to make a big purchase like new pair of shoes or a suit, but that does not happen often. 

    I’d say I spend around $100-$150 a month on average. Sometimes I don’t buy any clothes at all for a while as I simply don’t need any. 

  • student <25y.o

    $30 a month for 3 months
    $80 a month for 2 months
    $300-400 for one month (usually end of year).
    nothing for 6 months

  • Dan

    $50 or less most months, but maybe once or twice a year there will be a time where some extra expenses usually related to work, travel, weddings, etc, require a bigger expense of a couple hundred dollars.  

    Have also learned to strategically ask for wardrobe upgrades for holidays and birthdays which can go a long way toward reducing monthly costs.  Do you really need all five seasons of The Wire as opposed to a nice pair of dress shoes or a jacket?    

  • Jonathan

    I average $100 a month.  I budget it as a line item…and can add it up so when i want to drop $400-500 I have it in the account ready to go.

  • http://www.facebook.com/elliott.gilliam Elliott Gilliam

    I don’t budget for clothing at all. If I see a sale or the bug bites me I go. Some months its 200, others it’s 10 at the thrift store. I’m a big sale guy so that’t when I go. 

  • http://www.themodestman.com/ The Modest Man

    I agree…it’s more of a big ticket item a few times a year. The only regulars are tanks and undershirts, boxers, socks, etc. But even those, I have plenty to get me through a few months, at least. I’d say if you divided the big ticket items (fall coat, new suit, etc.) by12, it would come out to around $100/month.

    Glad to hear it’s not a bunch of big spenders on here!

  • Jon Helmkamp

     Right now I’m in a phase where I go shopping probably every couple months, just to add more basic, versatile pieces to my closet. For instance, my next trip will be to pick up another dress shirt, and two more ties. (I wear a suit 5 days a week and am just starting to build up my business attire). I’m not one to buy for the sake of buying. I need to know what it is I’m planning to get, if it’s an effective use of my money, and then shop around to try and find the best price or a sale. It’s all about being patient for the right cost.

  • Bo

    I would say it varies greatly for me, but in a typical month, definitely less than $100. However, for the past six months or so, I’ve gradually been revamping my wardrobe (getting rid of clothes that I don’t wear/don’t fit, and adding new, classic pieces). Because of this, I’ve gone shopping more–but only buying one or two pieces at a time, three or so times a month, and usually only if I can get discounts on them. With that being said, I’ve spent slightly more than usual, about $120-$150 a month. I do have my eye on a pair of expensive brown shoes though, so that’ll break that barrier later this  summer, probably. Definitely agree with asking for clothing upgrades around holidays, though–doing that, I was able to rake in a significant amount in terms of gift cards/clothing around Christmas and my birthday (about a month apart).

  • JP Harris

    Thanks to this website and others like it, I am spending less and less per month, and concentrating on collecting classic pieces that will be relevant at all times.

  • http://twitter.com/jprug Jason Prugar

    $25-$40 every other month.

  • TJ

    I don’t spend much at all, and it varies by month depending on certain factors. I do a lot of thrifting, which helps keep the spending down.

  • RJ

    I would say $75-100 bucks a month for me. Once or twice during the year I will drop $300-$400 to buy new shoes, jacket and such.

  • http://www.jessydiamond.com/ Jessy

    Probably more than I can afford right now. I’m still building my collection of shoes, shirts, pants and jackets, so I’m spending a lot to cover my bases. In maybe 6-8 months, I’ll hopefully have everything I need and will start spending my money elsewhere. 

  • J Gil

    I thought it might help to give this figure as a percentage of monthly income rather than a total number.  After all, $100/month means vastly different things to a CEO and a guy working hard to pay the bills.  That said, I’m currently spending about 5% of my monthly income on clothes.  It’s probably more than I would like but not crazy considering the circumstances. 

    With the help of EG and a few other sites like it, a few months ago I came to a realization… my clothes don’t fit.  I’ve always been style ‘conscious’, but as a product of hip hop culture in the 80′s and 90′s oversized/baggy was a way of life. Now that I’ve made the switch from an XL to a L, nearly my whole wardrobe (a considerably sizable one at) needs replaced!  Luckily, EG has given me an education on the types of clothes I should be restocking my closet with so the past few months have been spent collecting VERSATILE pieces that actually fit. 

    Thanks, B! 

  • Joe

    Very interesting to hear people’s monthly spend on clothing. I for one am guilty of panic buying often going for quantity over quality hence why my wardrobe contains items I never wear or have nothing to wear with. My usual routine is to take around 5-6 items of clothing into the fitting room spend around 2 seconds trying on each piece before convincing myself it looks great and i must buy it. Therefore because of this I would probably say I am spending around £130 (200 dollars) per month but in reality should only be spending at least half this. I’m sure by following rules detailed on this fantastic site I can start to behave myself when it comes to bulk buying which should make the following weeks from pay day a little more manageable! Keep up the great work Barron!

  • Richard

    i spend about 100 a month usually less, sometimes i dont buy things for months but ive been on a buying spree with recently sizing down in pants and actually no summer shorts fitting me

  • chris.

    less than $100 per month most months. I can go several months without buying now that i’ve covered my bases with basics, but if I find a great deal, I’ll pick up a piece. I’m about to drop $600 on a bespoke suit because I only have one right now and I’ll be starting a new job soon (hopefully).

  • Kevin H.

    I track all my spending and about 6 months ago I, like many of the commenters here, realized my clothes were either too big or too tight and I needed to graduate my wardrobe out of my late teen years. Here’s what happened in 2012:

    Dec: $80.19
    Jan: $21.20
    Feb: $0.00
    Mar: $54.61
    Apr: $283.28 (New AE shoes)
    May: $142.72
    Jun: $51.90

    I found J Gil’s comment pretty interesting with the percentage of income (because that’s a better way to see how you stack up with other gents) so the above figures are about 4-7% of my monthly income.

  • Jordan

    I budget for $200/month and sometimes spend more or (rarely) less than that.

  • PlusOne

    I do any where from 2-7% in my budget for clothing. Some months I do not buy anything and I just keep that money in my budget and add to it again next time.

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