These Women Spent $500 Or Less On Fashion In The Last Year—Here’s What They Loved & Regretted!

Mind Your Hard Earned Money Series:

Exactly What Do We Invest In Fashion?

Ever wondered how your chic acquaintance spends on fashion every year? Or dwelled about how much you “should” or “should not” be spending? We requested our readers just how much they allocated to fashion previously 12 several weeks, also it was exciting to listen to much more about the things they needed to say. We requested regarding their planned wardrobe investments, impulse buys, as well as their favorite and least favorite purchases. What we should uncovered was an array of values and feelings surrounding fashion.

We celebrate alongside ladies and non-binary people whose purchases have helped them feel well informed at the office-and much more comfortable within their physiques. We hold space for budgets large and small, knowing that every one people includes a different experience and relationship with fashion. And, obviously, we’re feeling the frustration (and share the laughs) that a few of these unlucky purchases bring.

This piece pulls some insightful responses from ladies and non-binary individuals who spent $500 or fewer on fashion within the this past year. Begin to see the other pieces within this series below!

  • They SPENT $1,000 Or Fewer ON FASHION Within The This Past Year
  • They SPENT OVER $1,000 ON FASHION Within The This Past Year
  • Nonprofit Program Coordinator & Educator
  • Austin, Texas

“My buddies and that i have curated pretty great closets through the years, then when you want to eliminate things, we provide these to one another.”

  • Age 24
  • Earnings $35,000

Just How Much You Allocated To Fashion $50

An Order You Planned Since I’ve gone zero waste, I do not really buy clothes any longer. My buddies and that i have curated pretty great closets through the years, then when you want to eliminate things, we provide these to one another. It’s the easiest way of obtaining new clothing, in my opinion.

An Impulse Buy There’s an example purchase in New york city I’ve been likely to since i have is at junior high school. I hadn’t experienced years-until this summer time, that’s. I purchased a skirt, shirt, and pants for as many as $50. I hadn’t bought clothing shortly which space is special in my experience. I doubt I’ll buy something more for many years.

Your Preferred Purchase Most likely individuals three products. They’re actually are awesome and, since they’re samples, pretty unique.

An Order You Regret Honestly none. My natural impulse to become a Scrooge with money as well as the zero waste movement has truly left me intentional with my purchasing.

  • An Order You Regret Not Making Never!
  • Start-Up Affiliate

Brooklyn, New You are able to City

“I wound up buying a set of casual summer time slides that are presently my signature shoe within the last two seasons. They’re very versatile-I put on the right results and also to camp upstate constantly.Inches

  • Age 25
  • Earnings $52,500

ALSO READ : Fashion With Compassion: Mata Traders Is Creating Global Impact With Vibrant Design!

Just How Much You Allocated To Fashion $75

An Order You Planned This past year, I understood I desired one solid dress for weddings approaching. I purchased a classic one in one of my personal favorite thrift stores in Williamsburg, Brooklyn known as Woke up Vintage. It had been $60 that was pricey, but it’s this beautiful floor length flower-patterned dress. It is ideal for casual put on having a sweater and athletic shoes, or heels for any wedding. I really used it to my cousin’s wedding, as well as in between your ceremony and reception, I put on athletic shoes and visited CVS to obtain some cough drops (an excessive amount of woo’ing!). Among the store people emerged in my experience and goes, “I am so sorry. This really is weird, however i LOVE YOUR VIBE.”

An Impulse Buy I did previously live a couple of blocks from your Everlane store. The lines would continually be out of the door with vacationers. Eventually, I required an individual day for any doctor’s appointment and became of walk by mid-day. There wasn’t any line and so i sprang in. I finished up buying a set of casual summer time slides that are presently my signature shoe within the last two seasons. They are very versatile-I put on the right results and also to camp upstate constantly.

Your Preferred Purchase Aforementioned slides!

An Order You Regret I interviewed at an attorney last summer time (quite different from my startup career). For that interview, I purchased a set of nice slacks and loafers. I regret the loafers since i think I have only worn them two times! I certainly have to challenge myself next fall and alter some trendy socks and loafers combinations.

An Order You Regret Not Making Surprisingly, our desire purchase from Everlane! I am debating buying another pair in the finish of summer time in order to possess a newer pair for next summer time too.

  • Volunteer at National Program
  • Texas

“I found my personal favorite piece, an Iron Maiden tee, for maybe $1 at Goodwill.”

  • Age 22
  • Earnings $12,000

Just How Much You Allocated To Fashion $100

An Order You Planned The final planned item I purchased would be a small mix-body bag from Target. The bag was $20, compensated for with a pre-balance credit cardOrmoney combo. Within my year in Texas, I travel a great deal, which is easiest (and safest) for traveling an off traffic bag.

An Impulse Buy Earlier this fall I purchased a classic floral dress from the sprawling antique store. It had been $10! I still need take away the shoulder pads.

Your Preferred Purchase I discovered my personal favorite piece, an Iron Maiden tee, for maybe $1 at Goodwill.

An Order You Regret In Feb, my lengthy-distance boyfriend and that i spent a weekend together, and that i bought lingerie the very first time. I purchased it on the internet from the fast fashion site, and that i got things i compensated for-cheap, ill-fitting clothes. That cash might have been better spent. Lesson learned!

An Order You Regret Not Making Better footwear! I’ve been putting on exactly the same $2.50 Old Navy black switch flops for a long time and wish to treat myself to some nice set of sturdy sandals. Plus, my work flats and running footwear are actually failing. I ought to have upgraded lengthy ago but keep putting them back because good footwear are extremely costly.

  • Digital Marketer
  • Southeastern USA

“I am carrying out a #NoSpend19-ant year (to lessen waste, impulse shopping, and budget spending).”

  • Age 27
  • Earnings $38,000

Just How Much You Allocated To Fashion $120

An Order You Planned Black wide-leg pants. I fortunately got these special gems on purchase for $40. They are top quality, structured well, and comfy for work!

An Impulse Buy I’m carrying out a #NoSpend19-ant year (to lessen waste, impulse shopping, and budget spending). At the outset of the entire year, I set expectations of the items I desired for that year as well as for what season I will have to purchase. Although it has not been totally perfect due to other products that needed replacing, my one impulse buy to date would be a black chenille sweater. It had been $6, however i contemplate it my impulse to date, since it wasn’t a product I’d already considered needed or was replacing a worn-out item.

Your Preferred Purchase Certainly my black wide-leg pants! I’d put on them everyday if nobody would notice.

An Order You Regret A Barbour Beadnell Jacket. Not due to the product, though. Mostly because My home is the Southeastern USA… when did I believe there’d be appropriate weather to put on?

An Order You Regret Not Making No. I provide a couple of days and that i go on.

Interior Designer & Mother

Virginia

“I had my attention with an alpaca sweater from Everlane for any couple of days before it grew to become available. I loved the cut, how soft it looked, and also the concepts that Everlane means.Inches

  • Age 26
  • Earnings $70,000

ALSO READ – 4 Ways I Learned To Save Money And Still Be Fashionable!

Just How Much You Allocated To Fashion $150

An Order You Planned I’d my attention with an alpaca sweater from Everlane for any couple of days before it grew to become available. I loved the cut, how soft it looked, and also the concepts that Everlane means. I’ve been attempting to make more ethical fashion purchases which means this hit several markers, and that i splurged just a little on myself for Christmas. I spent $95.

An Impulse Buy Just today I purchased a maternity shirt from the popular store. I’d been requiring some shirts but hadn’t looked seriously, which one caught my attention when i walked past. It had been the final within my size and that i didn’t wish to spend a lot of cash on clothes I’d only put on during pregnancy. I spent $22.

Your Preferred Purchase N/A

An Order You Regret I got myself a white-colored t-shirt having a lining around the recommendation of the friend. I did not wish to have to put on an undershirt each time I used a black bra within white-colored shirt, and thought this could work great since my pal loved it. Well, if this came, it had been about two sizes too large, although the tag stated “small.” It began pilling almost immediately, and try to looked wrinkled. I had been very disappointed.

  • An Order You Regret Not Making N/A
  • Yoga Teacher
  • Brighton, England

“Since the start of June, I’ve taken the Extinction Rebellion challenge to purchase no new clothing for any year just vintage and secondhand.”

  • Age 48
  • Earnings £25,000

Just How Much You Allocated To Fashion £150

An Order You Planned A palm print jumpsuit for £40-I spotted it miles off within the shop and merely understood I needed to get it, despite the fact that I was searching with my daughter.

An Impulse Buy That might be the product above-totally unplanned.

Your Preferred Purchase An attractive floral lengthy-sleeved blouse in vibrant blue and pink, that we put on for work.

An Order You Regret A set of skinny jeans.

An Order You Regret Not Making Always, it’s tough. Forever of June, I’ve taken the Extinction Rebellion challenge to purchase no new clothing for any year just vintage and secondhand.

  • Disability Leave
  • Canada

“Honestly, I do not buy lots of clothes, and that i put on all things in my closet. As Madonna once stated, ‘Absolutely. No. Regrets.’”

  • Age 37
  • Earnings N/A

Just How Much You Allocated To Fashion $300

An Order You Planned A jeans jacket for $40. It’d embroidered cherries onto it, and my dog’s name is Cherry… I couldn’t resist!

An Impulse Buy I introduced a lot of my dresses to some consignment store and wound up purchasing this forest eco-friendly dress. I purchased it due to the way the skirt swings, which appears like an attractive flower petal after i twirl!

Your Preferred Purchase Jeans jacket with embroidered cherries.

An Order You Regret Honestly, I do not buy lots of clothes, and that i put on all things in my closet. As Madonna once stated, “Absolutely. No. Regrets.”

  • An Order You Regret Not Making No.
  • Production Affiliate
  • Little Rock, Arkansas

“If I spend sufficient time considering a bit to regret not purchasing it, I generally helps you to save the cash from another a part of my budget to go forward and purchase it.”

  • Age 26
  • Earnings $39,000
  • Just How Much You Allocated To Fashion $400

An Order You Planned I planned to purchase some vintage jeans. I spent $70 in a local vintage store-I selected them simply because they were spacious coupled with deep pockets and they’re ideal for my job your wood shop.

An Impulse Buy I purchased a linen shirt for $5 on thredUP. I decided it since i thought it might be a pleasant shirt to possess for that summer time. I put on it once per week now.

Your Preferred Purchase I purchased some men’s climbing pants impulsively from my local climbing gym and they’re my absolute favorite pants. I even put on them after i don’t intend to go climbing on that day.

An Order You Regret I purchased a made of woll jacket from the Goodwill without giving it a go on. After I got home, I recognized it did not fit well and that i never used it.

An Order You Regret Not Making Not necessarily. Basically spend sufficient time considering a bit to regret not purchasing it, I generally helps you to save the cash from another a part of my budget to go forward and purchase it.

Communications Coordinator

Washington, Electricity

“[On the regretted purchase] It’d great reviews and looked cute online, however when it showed up, I had been left thinking, ‘This could it be?’”

  • Age 34
  • Gender Identity Non-binary
  • Earnings $45,000
  • Just How Much You Allocated To Fashion $400

An Order You Planned A $50 versatile dress that may be combined with a blazer for work or any other accessories for an evening out.

An Impulse Buy A set of $5 pants in Cambodia. I loved the pattern and also the material a lot.

Your Preferred Purchase Two pairs of earrings from the South African artist. They’re gorgeous and that i put on them the majority of the time.

An Order You Regret A travel pocketbook/backpack. It’d great reviews and looked cute online, however when it showed up, I had been left thinking, “This could it be??!” It looked more adorable on screen than IRL.

An Order You Regret Not Making A very awesome patterned skirt that wasn’t exactly my size, however i thought maybe I possibly could have it tailored. But that might be an excessive amount of work and cash, so just no way and discover your size later. Irrrve never found my size and that i still consider that skirt.

Climate Policy Research Fellow

La, California

“There will be more items to buy and wish than you could ever have, and I’m attempting to focus less on products and much more on existence.”

  • Age 27
  • Earnings $25,000

Just How Much You Allocated To Fashion $500

An Order You Planned A lengthy, heavy coat. I will be relocating to Boulder, Colorado in August for school, and that i don’t really own lots of cold-weather clothes. I purchased a lengthy camel coat for $129 from Zara (although nearly all my purchases this season happen to be from sustainable/ethical trade brands) simply because they had the precise style I had been searching for, that is both professional and incredibly warm-also it was affordable.

An Impulse Buy The majority of my impulse shopping happens at REI. My newest purchase would be a matching yoga pants/sports bra combo produced from recycled materials by Threads 4 Thought. Both pieces were on purchase for as many as $71.68. I really like patterned leggings and put on them constantly. These ones possess a really awesome moonlight palms pattern. I could not resist.

Your Preferred Purchase I purchased my first set of Chacos for light hiking. They’re so comfy.

An Order You Regret I purchased a couple of fast fashion pieces for act as I’d my first formal office job this season and that i felt like I desired more pieces to appear professional. These were cheaper products which were not high quality. I will be relocating the autumn and will probably be donating all individuals pieces since i have did not finish up putting on them that frequently.

An Order You Regret Not Making I play the role of as minimalist as you possibly can. I generally choose my pieces carefully and do not really regret not purchasing products. There’ll always be more items to buy and wish than you could ever have, and I am attempting to focus less on products and much more on existence.

  • Student
  • Ames, Iowa

“[I got myself] blue light blocking glasses. I had been obtaining a little tired from searching at computer screens inside my job and so i figured these glasses is needed.Inches

  • Age 21
  • Earnings $4,500

Just How Much You Allocated To Fashion $500

An Order You Planned Jeans for $50-normally this can be a little full of cost for me personally because I am students, however i already had a set of these jeans, and that i loved them and used them until they broke. Which means this cost would be a bargain, given they’d serve me well.

An Impulse Buy Blue light blocking glasses for $65. I had been obtaining a little tired from searching at computer screens inside my job and so i figured these glasses is needed. Also, there is a beautiful boy within my office and that i thought glasses helped me look cute, and so i bought them. 🙂

Your Preferred Purchase A flowery spring dress from Old Navy.

An Order You Regret Sports brazier which were designed to fit me however they did not! And, obviously, since i have bought them on the internet, there wasn’t any way I had been motivated enough to come back them.

  • An Order You Regret Not Making No.
  • Chef
  • Miami, Florida

“I love Chukkas and it was searching for something durable from your eco-minded brand.”

  • Age 26
  • Earnings $35,000

Just How Much You Allocated To Fashion $500

An Order You Planned Timberland Chukkas for $80. I loved their values and it was searching for brand new hiking and work boots. I really like Chukkas and it was searching for something durable from your eco-minded brand.

An Impulse Buy An outfit from Lucky Brand for $50. I simply desired to test the fit and find out body, but when I first viewed it, I couldn’t leave without them.

Your Preferred Purchase These flats from Hiptipico, hand crafted in Guatemala. I recieve compliments constantly and that i love body.

An Order You Regret This dress from the thrift store on a car trip which i bought for the the memory. I did not love nor did I want it.

An Order You Regret Not Making This skirt I saw a few days ago I’m attempting to cut back and steer clear of fast fashion however i can’t stop considering it.

Researcher

Nottingham, United kingdom

“[With an impulse buy] I’ve never owned a maxi dress before, however this one demonstrated off my curves and makes me feel happy!”

  • Age 23
  • Earnings £30,000

Just How Much You Allocated To Fashion £500

An Order You Planned A jumpsuit! I selected this piece because the weather in England is very hit and miss… even sunshine can be very awesome, so a jumpsuit gives that summer time vibe but doesn’t cause you to feel the nippiness. It’s certainly commonplace with this summer time.

An Impulse Buy A lengthy maxi dress yourself in burnt orange from River Island. It had been on purchase for just £12, and I’m tall, so it’s an ideal length. I’ve never owned a maxi dress before, however this one demonstrated off my curves and makes me feel happy!

Your Preferred Purchase Certainly a (very costly!) Jaegar coat in crimson. It’s so sophisticated.

An Order You Regret I finish up delivering a lot of clothes back, as I’m an uncomfortable pear shape. But no regrets this season, thankfully!

An Order You Regret Not Making Yes! A silk slip dress from River Island in mustard… it continued purchase however i overlooked!