Getting and spending: Year-end clothes budget review
Even as sale offers populate like Monster Dough in a fridge, it's time to assess how I did on the clothes and accessories budget in 2011.
2011 report card
Spending: A-
I track every cent spent on clothing and accessories, and evaluate it yearly. For 2011, I came in at budget, including a spree in Paris. My self-set budget is kind of like Weight Watchers points: I always want more, but if I were super-disciplined I'd manage with less.
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| Wide-leg trouser jeans |
Finally, I slew the Sale Dragon, but I did follow Frugal Scholar's advice (for groceries, but you can apply it to clothes, too). I stockpiled sale-priced black jeans (worn almost every day from Oct. through April) from Talbots and department stores.
Busted myself down to a minus because I didn't save a penny.
Value: B+
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| Pink cardi blitzes winter blues |
I ruthlessly assess the ROI for every purchase. But, you've got to relax, sometimes, unless you want a wardrobe exclusively populated by sedate neutrals. Eric Bompard's Oleander pink cashmere cardi is worth every penny when days turn dark by 4:30 p.m., as is a less-costly black turtleneck from Lands' End.
Clinkers: Mauve mod-print summer skirt, bought on sale, goes with little. Sandals that turned out to rub after awhile. Marimekko summer dress that might step up to the plate next spring.
For 2012, I want that A! After three years of tracking and analysis, I hope I've learned something. I'd live with one mistake; perfection is a grim taskmaster.
Advice to myself:
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| Motion pants; Catherine Andri cardi |
1. Buy a dressy item that's perfect and a good buy when you see it, so you don't panic when an occasion arises and then spend way too much.
2. There's always a sale on jeans somewhere. Like cameras, you don't need this month's new model, and manufacturers discount last season's stock.
3. Drycleaning: evil hidden expense! These pricey pants, left, (from the boutique Motion, in Toronto) redeemed themselves: washable, no-iron, three-season. They alone saved at least $75 in cleaning bills.
4. To max value, the "'uniform'" approach (described in my "Simple Isn't Easy" post) cuts costs by at least 50%, once you get the uniform in hand. Not to mention doubles your closet space.
I haven't yet achieved that dream, simple, edited wardrobe. But I have disarmed the "I Like It, I'll Make It Work Somehow" trap.
Onward, to a new year!
Comments
Francie
(Now that I'm thinking about it, this is prompting a post of my own!)
Francie: Good for you! Just ordered sweaters from the Bompard and Brora sales too, and also wear theirs I've had well over a decade.
Louise: Suggest you read that "Simple Isn't Easy" post and see if you like the philosophy. A good trick is to turn the hanger of the clothes you wear the opposite way and after a month you will see what you do wear. Then sell or donate what you don't wear.
I too, need almost no dressy clothing.
been a great help in making my wardrobe more cohesive. I'm also going to trust my gut feeling about an item as I find that something that gives me butterflies in my stomach is my style rather than a basic that the "experts" say should be in every women's wardrobe. I'll trust my instincts more often.
Thank you. Love your blog
chicatanyage: Worn nearly every day is bound to be good value! A good coat is a great joy.
kathy peck: But then, a wedding rears its head! I dislike shopping when I *have* to buy something so try to have a few dressy-enough things.
Anonymous @ 9:42: I'm going to sound weird, but you asked. I not only carry a list in my bag of things I need or must replace, I have a Do Not Buy list. Otherwise, it would be one black skirt after another, or other duplicates. You would think I'd remember this when I am in a store, but I don't!
When trying on, I always ask myself, "Where am I when I'm wearing this?"
You sound like you have things well in hand!
emma: I include jewelry too and colour-code purchases that so I can quickly add it in its own sub-category. I also colour-code replacement items and gifts. (What did I do b/f Excel?) This year's jewelry expense was low, thanks to gifts.
frugal: Hmm, there's "best" and then there's "most-enjoyed"and sometimes it's hard to differentiate.
#1 to #3: Three cashmere sweaters, b/c in Montreal wear them from Oct.- May, even summer in country. Brora, Bompard, Land's End.
#4: A three-Tahitian-pearl pendant; goes with everything, stunning pearls!
#5.: Wolff & Descourtis fine wool shawl bought in Paris, light, colourful. I prefer shawls to jackets most of the time.
*tied with*
Black oxfords- but did have to take them to shoe repair to have one stretched to fit right.
I am very frugal now and consider each purchase. Gone are the days os spontaneous buying.
Cashmere sweaters make me feel dressed up everyday!
I have never needed or worn a power suit. But I do own 6 LBD's!
Value is another thing, although mostly I did really well with the bigger purchases, even a few statement pieces, managing to work them into my wardrobe in surprisingly varied ways. Where I fell short was in trying to fill specific gaps, or replacing things that were no longer the right size. Some of my experiments worked, many did not, and I need to pay more attention to what works for me and why in the future.
I'm looking at pink for spring. There are a lot of good pinks and greens for me this spring and I will need some lighter weight clothes for the longer warm seasons. I want to stick to a budget and proceed with some caution as I suss out my new environs. I don't really need suits or evening clothes, but my style here is already a little more "dressed" than in my previous abode.
LPC: You might just round the numbers if you hate precision :) Was quite surprised to see the actual figure after the first year... I had amnesia about certain things.
Mardel: What is it about doing that, that you hate? For me it is useful data. The value assessment ins more subjective but I can see where my money is going, a key tactic for any kind of financial management. And now that I am earning far less (in semi-retirement), want to be smart about the money that has to last 30+ years, I hope.
As we approach retirement, it makes sense to have a uniform and have fewer, but very nice things. I have sort of started that with some very versatile Eileen Fisher items this fall and winter.
But we too are retired, and I want to live on less, so it has proven helpful and shown me that there is lots of room for doing with less. I really don't want all that stuff, and last year I was on budget, but still spent too much on things that just got tossed. Granted they were inexpensive things, but the total added up to far too much. I want to eliminate that kind of waste.
I think your idea of carrying a list of what not to buy is brilliant and I shall copy you on that because without guidance I tend to buy the same things over and over. Faced with a store full of merchandise I forget what is waiting patiently at home.
C.
Your uniform is mine, too. As your opposite, tall and large, I adore thrifts but only rarely find something.
If a woman feels great in her jeans they are the right price!
Mardel: Yeah, hated it too, the first little while- like a food diary, nowhere to hide :)
I had too much; the move pared me and now must exert real intent to not build back up.
I like what someone said about learning to buy clothing for your own life. In years past, I've had some dressy casual items that just were not worn often enough. I don't need to dress up every day. What I really need is versatility and I'm learning how to achieve it.
On the bottom, dark, flat-front trousers/jeans/cords or a pencil skirt; on the top, a light-weight cardi or pullover -- or a knit top, if it's warmeer. I own exactly one collared blouse -- a white one from Lands End that fits like it was made only for me.
I bought a bunch of clothes in late summer, (rightly) reasoning that I wasn't going to want to buy anything in Spain except accessories. My two "think out of the box" purchases were a black/honey/cream tweed skirt and a camel cardigan. I look pretty darn elegant in them, if I do say so!
Terri: Big hidden expense! Once had a washable Agnes b. suit and wondered why can't all suits be like that? Now, rarely dryclean anything other than woolen winter coat or jacket.
JillAnn: My first thought is that you need a tailor to fit your pants to your figure.
A straight leg looks good on everyone; avoid a cut that narrows b/t thigh and ankle. As a woman with a tummy too, I forgo pleats and sew (side) pockets shut. (No pockets look best, hard to find.) You can also wear bootcut or wider legs, which also balance the pear.
Some pants are cut better than others; a tailor told me it is all about how the pant body hangs from the waistband. (It's a godsend when you find a brand who repeat a style and can keep buying it, like Banana Republic, Talbot's, Cambio.)
Rubi: Travel is the perfect occasion for deducing the 'uniform'!
Anonymous: "Stylish" is more about the cut and quality. I don't find pastels (peach, palest green or pink, baby blue) with black pleasing; the black overwhelms them. (But I look silly in candy-pastels anyway.)
A bit more saturation helps a colour "stand up" to the black.
Black with white is classically chic, and the neutrals (navy, grey, cream, taupe and dark brown) are couture favourites.
If you can wear the mid-saturated greens and blues (e.g., leaf, chartreuse, turquoise, Nile green, and their corresponding intensities in blues), you will see these look stylish. I find the jewel tones, such as Kelly green or magenta can look harsh on mature women. As for the reds, there is a red or pink for every woman, and it's fun to find yours.
Sometimes you need a third colour. For example, I rarely wear red with black unless I add some grey or cream.
If you wear scarves or jewelry you will find they bridge black with colour very well.
I also like a rich taupe on the bottom but it is hard to find.
I'll be posting more on black-on-the-bottom next week.
After having fully transitioned to gray hair, most stuff in my closet felt wrong. Although I don't have an ample budget for shopping, I made "tabula rasa" and kept only a few clothes I could identify with.
As a semi retired, it wasn't such a big deal.
I bought less, read your blog, and others, and learned a lot.
Living in a similar clime like you,
I wear cashmere sweaters, pants and boots for about six month of the year.
I'm greatful you introduced me to Eric Bompard, because of the excellent quality and superb colors. Right now I ordered from their Sale once again(amongst others the same cardi like yours).
Unfortunately the Kilimandscharo Tee was sold out.
On the topic Pants: Cambio offers a great selection and colors, even a rich taupe. The fabric comes from Italy and it's produced it Bavaria.
Maybe a bit pricey, but worth each buck!
Duchesse, thanks again for writing such an ingenious, witty and coevally pragmatical blog.
I adore!
I embrace the uniform concept and loved read that book Simple Isn't Easy.
Cheers,
Eleanorjane
PS - more blog posts please? I love reading what you have to say.
Susan Tiner: Some years require more spending, if one can- changes to lifestyle, moves (different climate), special occasions or weight change can all mean extra expense. Maybe they should reprint "Simple Isn't Easy".
EleanorJane: Hope you are successful. Sold some designer labels online, but most of the "semi-designer" did better at consignment shops.
I'm touched that you'd like more posts. For the moment, though, I want a life offline, too, so will keep this schedule. And if moved to do so, I'll occasionally post an extra.
Also try Not Your Daughter's Jeans (company was sold, so may not have the same fit this year).
Bompard does charge shipping, and you will see that clearly indicated when you order. However, you are exempt from France's value-added tax (VAT), so you save 19.6% right there.
To import your order, the Canadian govt adds taxes and duty, and a handling fee, usually $5 per order.
By my calculation this does not "double the price" (given that you are exempt from VAT) but I often wait for a sale, saving, typically, 20-30%. Here's the weird thing: sometimes my order arrives in the mail with *no duty*, and sometimes it doesn't. Go figure and I'm not asking.
So I guess you are planning to buy Canadian cashmere? You will not find anything close to these styles or colours *produced* in Canada.
If you buy your sweater at a store, and it was not made here, the taxes and duty are buried in the price tag.
As for the 2.5% foreign exchange fee the card company adds to your bill, you might get a US$ credit card and use that (last time I checked, they did not levy such a fee). If you use your $CDN card to order from any retailer outside Canada or use the card while traveling outside the country, same fees are applied.
The way I look at it is, that's the price of poker in this town.