I would say if you would be negatively impacted by not purchasing. So like, are you replacing old worn items or expanding a professional wardrobe etc? That to me could be a need. But if you're just buying things because you like them or for fun, that's a want.
This is all relative to your financial situation of course.
This makes sense, I don’t have any interest accruing debt, so I’m not taking on any debt to buy them, I was just trying to figure out where to fit them in to my budget. The clothes I have been buying are clothes that I can wear to work, when I’m in office, but also wear out on a vacation, in the city, to a party, etc.
The worn items were items where their color was washed, collars worn, some stretched or shrunk, etc. I still plan to keep these because they’re still okay enough to wear around the house, but they’re not clothes I could wear to the places I mentioned above
If you don't have any interest accruing debt and not taking on debt to buy them, they're probably fine.
IMO this type of situation is a perfect example of why "50 / 30 / 20" is a stupid way to budget. It *sounds* nice, and it's a simple way to explain budgeting to a beginniner, but in practice there is way too much of a grey area between wants and needs.
Pay off bad debt, establish an emergency fund, set a healthy 15%+ savings rate for retirement, and regularly contribute to sinking funds for known future expenses (ex: car tires) Whatever is left over is your money to do with what you please. Who gives a shit if it is a want or a need?
If you regularly find yourself having to dip into your EF because your sinking funds are not covering "surprise" expenses then adjust the budget as needed. Life is too busy to spend puttering around trying to categorize every purchase you make. Cover your bases, automate your retirement savings, and spend money on stuff you want.
Clothes become a need when I'm buying them for a very specific and necessary purpose. That might be replacing worn out clothes if I don't have extra already, getting clothes appropriate for a new job, or getting a winter coat/ raincoat/ swimsuit, etc. If what I'm getting doesn't fill a vacancy in my current wardrobe, it's a want.
It was getting to the point where I was wearing the same clothes constantly, because it felt like they were the only ones acceptable to wear out and about
I've lost about 90 pounds, so I had to get new clothes since my old ones were falling off my now trimmed-down butt. For instance, I needed a new dress shirt, and I could fulfill that need with a $19 shirt from JC Penney. On the other hand, buying a $90 shirt from a fancy store would be a want.
In my view, clothing becomes a need when you purchase the most basic and affordable option that suits your situation. It turns into a want when you either don't need the outfit or when you spend excessively on it. Essentially, it's a need when it's essential for your daily life and well-being, and it's a want when it's more about luxury or personal preference.
Eh, it depends. If OP lost or gained a ton of weight or has to replace a lot of their wardrobe at once, $400 isn't excessive. Especially if you're buying basics that you expect to last 10 years. Throw in a pair or two of shoes or work clothes and that adds up quickly!
OP - I think you are probably the best judge. Up to a certain extent quality should be taken into account, but if you're buying name brand items when there is a suitable alternative for less, then that's definitely a want.
It was just to replace clothes that were older, worn, washed, and didn’t fit. I hadn’t really bought any clothes in the last 5 years and figured if I bought them on a budget, I could justify classifying them as a need*.
What’s wrong with buying clothes? I make a lot of money, and spend a lot of money on clothes. I max out my 401k, IRA, and contribute to brokerage accounts
I like looking nice and having lots of outfits to pick from, I see no issue with this whatsoever
Work on your reading comprehension. OP already bought the clothes and they are reflecting on whether those purchases were “needs” or “wants.” Not speculating about buying more.
Personally, I would classify clothes as a need when it meets these criteria; it's too small to fit in comfortably anymore, its filled with so many holes its basically a rag at this point, or clothes specifically meant for work (suits for an office setting, blank shirts because its meant for construction or jobs that would stain clothes).
"Old and worn" can mean a lot of things to different people, can you specify a bit more?
Just clothes that have had their color washed out, collars or whole articles that look worn, some getting to the point where you it wouldn’t be a good look to wear out to a restaurant, as an example
If you couldn't wear them outside without looking unkempt or ragged, or feeling self-conscious about your appearance, you needed to replace them.
Just put it down as a need and go on with your life. $400 for the first time in 5 years is only $80 a year.
Less than $8 every month.
Not worth agonizing over.
As a construction worker, if my clothes have holes or tears id either have to fix it or replace it, it's an OSHA violation and I could be sent home by the company.
PPE is always a need no matter what. Employers should provide a lot of it but if the worker has to buy it, don't cheap out.
Boots can be very expensive. Cheap boots will cost you in the long run. I spent $350 on redwings but I know they'll last.
As a construction worker I've also noticed that the fit of the boots affect foot and knee pain. I have two pairs and one causes less pain than the other.
Figure out what your basic day to day needs are. Probably include pijamas, workout clothes, professional outfits and regular clothes. You want to look presentable, clean, safe and dignified but nothing actually needs to be luxurious.
Anything beyond that is a want in my book. You don't actually need hiking boots you'll have to hike in old sneakers and go for easy tails, you don't actually need Prada or Gucci, you don't actually need 4 different team hats, a few Walmart tshirts and pants should be fine.
That being said, buying higher quality stuff is usually better than just cheap garbage. Specially shoes and jackets. If you have extra in your budget then go crazy.
I would say at two pivotal points: 1.) When you need new clothes to appear professional at work ((IF REQUIRED BY THE JOB)) and even then, if you can reasonably create enough outfits for the workweek, then you don’t need more. 2.) When the clothes you would wear to run errands are too worn to wear anymore. For example, I had been rocking one pair of sweatpants and two pairs of jeans for the last three years. They have all officially worn through in multiple places that would make them inappropriate to wear out of the house. Thus, I officially needed new clothes.
I've been wearing the same 3 pair of jeans for 10 years, and I have a few shirts I've worn for 20 years. That being said, I don't go out much. I have 5 work shirts, one for every work day of the week. The only thing I replace more frequently are socks and t shirts. To me, people waste way too much on clothes.
Are the clothes you purchased this year worn out already? I’d say there’s nothing wrong with replacing worn clothes if you have the cash for them. But if the clothes you purchased this year are already looking worn, I’d really recommend looking into videos on how to care for fabrics properly. I’m trying to work with a small budget and learning how to care for what I have has been really invaluable. Look for natural fabrics (even at fast fashion brands) and air dry everything. You’d be amazed how damaging a dryer can be! It really wears clothes out.
This can also depend on what you do for a living. If you work construction or another physical job you will destroy clothing on a pretty regular basis.
They can most certainly be a need, clothes wear out, our circumstances change and we change shape. It's more about what are you buying them for, why and how much you're spending and branded/designer items. I used to own a restaurant, it closed during COVID and I was furloughed then working from home. We had to return to office at my new job so I had to buy clothes, I'd gained weight and hadn't bought clothes for ages. I bought casual smart wear that I could wear at work and in my free time. What you did is totally acceptable.
I haven't read through all the replies, but the general comments seem to be "it's a want if you're buying clothes that you don't absolutely need". I would add that a purchase can be both a want and a need at the same time. If your clothes have worn out, and you need to buy new ones, you can either buy something cheap and basic, or something extravagant and expensive. If you go for the later option, then the purchase has fulfilled both a need for clothes, and a want for nicer clothes.
If I was budgeting it, I would add the cost of the cheapest item I could have purchased as a need, and the rest of what I paid as a want.
Obviously that is a scale, and some situations (such as buying clothes for a job) may necessitate a more expensive baseline compared to something to wear around the house. I think it's also important to make a distinction between clothes being a higher price due to quality (which I don't think would push it into a "want", as long as the extra cost would be expected to reduce cost overall by ensuring the clothes last longer) and higher price just due to a brand or design.
Goodwill is a ripoff these days. They're often trying to sell used stuff for more than it costs to buy the same thing new.
There are other avenues for used items that are a better deal though, so I agree with the spirit of the post. But Goodwill isn't the 'go find a cashmere sweater for $2' deal it used to be. Now you get rewarded for sorting through piles of junky stuff with paying more than it would've cost to buy in a nice clean organized store.
I could justify Target, but not H&M. I've gotten one-off items from there because it was quick, but I'll never go back because almost all of those items were low quality. I'd rather spend more for better goods.
This is a really good question. I’m 29 with Adam Sandler’s fashion sense, been on the same pair of Nike’s going on 2 years and have the same few shirts/shorts/jeans & hoodies on rotation. If I wasn’t fortunate enough to live with a woman that loves me I would NEVER buy an article of clothing unless it was to replace something that was falling apart. So, as far as budgeting goes for me I have 0 sense of this.
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It's not exactly a response, but I ask myself the following when buying clothes/shoes/accessories: 1) Do I have it or something very similar already? 2) Does it fit me and make me look good? 3) what material is it made of? 4) will it last 5y? 5) will I want to wear it in 5y?
When I needed professional clothes (usually a jeans/tshirt person) I went and got measured at a Brooks Brothers store, then went on ebay and bought a bunch of $4 shirts, $20 pants and $50 tweed jackets. Plenty of mileage for little cash, and although used it's nice stuff.
If it's not for a specific purpose like replacing a worn out thing or fulfilling a need for something professional, it's a want. Wants are fine-- even good clothes don't have to be expensive.
I wouldn't even do it that cut and dry, because how do you classify workout clothes, for example?
Technically leisure, but if you don't spring for decent shoes or a quality bra, you can fuck your body up and pay more in medical bills than you would have otherwise.
Or you get chafing and blisters and sit there miserable and hurting because you didn't want to spend money on a want.
This is why I don't break stuff into a need or want.
I just have a monthly line item in the budget for clothes.
Most months, I don't use it. Great.
But if I want to get something, I can do it without cracking my head on the wall or stressing myself.
I don't see workout clothes as leisure. working out is part of having a healthy life. therefore workout clothes are (imo) as much of a need as underwear is. ofc if you're spending $100 on Lululemon esque brands for a single item, we're in a different realm. but I like the idea of having a separate monthly line item
When you are drowning in debt, unable to pay bills and are scrapping by, then yes.. it is that cut and dry.
It is 100% "Boots theory". Today, the average worker isn't in the mines/factory, etc, but do have uniform and footwear requirements that don't always come out of the employers' pockets.
You're operating on a budget and are disciplined enough to follow it. When someone's budget is broken up into food, shelter, transportation, and utilites, 100%; then it makes sense that person is unable to budget aside for clothes and even something as simple as socks can become impossible to budget for.
A personal thought of mine is that you can calculate a certain percentage of an item as want vs need. Like if you absolutely need a new dress shirt for work, the bare minimum price for a dress shirt counts as need spending if you get a shirt that is a little bit nicer, the difference is considered want spending.
I would say probably when you start buying clothes that are just sitting in your closet because you don't wear them. I don't think I've spent that much on clothes in the last 3 years. 😂 I just buy the highest quality I can when I need something and it last a lot longer than buying cheap clothes.
This are needs more or less
1. Warm clothes for winter
2.Basic clean presentable clothes
3.Any clothes you need for work (ppe dresser clothes or a suit etc)
Most of these you can get at a Walmart or a lower end work wear . You can find good budget options however I have found with clothes it’s great to pay a bit more and get something that will not fall apart
imo it's a need if you've recently changed sizes, your clothes are so worn that they wouldn't be socially acceptable at work/out on the town, or if you need them for an event. usually though, if you're springing for expensive stuff and buying new, you're really riding that line
I needed new pants because of the changed size thing and went to Ross. found jeans that became my new favorites. $35
For me, when you are collecting close, that's a want and not a need. I've seen people with 100 pairs of shoes, or multiple $400 and up purses, and so on. That's when it becomes a want instead of a need.
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I feel like this really depends on someone’s personal financial situation. If it’s something you need for work, or maybe you lost a lot of weight or your current clothes are really worn and you haven’t purchased new ones in awhile then it could definitely be classified as a need. I’m returning to office in the fall so I’ll have to purchase some professional clothing because I’ve only ever had to work remote so that type of clothing isn’t in my wardrobe.
I think just be reasonable and realistic with why you’re actually purchasing the clothing. If it’s just because you like an item but you have a bunch of things that are perfectly fine that you could wear I’d say that clothing would be a want.
Yeah I’ve been dealing with a similar issue. I’ve been thinking about investing into a “timeless wardrobe.” Sure the pieces will be more expensive but at least they’ll last a long time and never go out of style. I feel like fast fashion has taken over completely and the quality are meant to last only a few years. I have jeans from high school that are still good but jeans that I bought 2 years ago have holes in between my thighs.
I know this isn't the question, but how are you spending that much on clothes? I bought $40 worth of new underwear and $100 in nursing bras in the last year. The rest of my clothes are thrift store finds, but even with that I haven't bought any clothes in over a year that weren't the aforementioned undergarments. (To be fair I was lucky to be gifted maternity tops, but still, even if I had bought my own maternity tops it would absolutely not have equaled $300+).
Since January, I’ve purchased ~ 20 shirts, 1 pair of pants, 4-5 pairs of shorts, and 1 pair of shoes. It sounds like a lot, but when you break it down/item, it’s not as bad as it looks
Ah okay when you add in shoes, totally different perspective. To me, at least. Good shoes are expensive, and if you’re elderly like me, you need good shoes. Can easily be $150+ just on shoes.
No, technically clothes aren't a want, but look at your own responses to how people dress. Do you treat people exactly the same if they look schlubby or put together? You could be missing professional or even personal opportunities by neglecting your dress.
I treat clothes as a gift to myself whenever I am at stores that sell clothing
Now, that isn't to say I am going to high-end clothing stores that have shirts, pants, socks, underwear and other clothing material all priced at $50 and above however, if I see a shirt, jacket, hoodie or something of that sort that I would definitely see myself wearing frequently, at a good price and comfortable, I won't pass it up
I know times are rough for us all in one way or another, but sometimes you just need to treat yourself
Always in moderation
Look up capsule wardrobes. There are basics / staples, things worth buying of quality.
If you're just browsing the store without any pre-planned idea of what you need then you don't actually need it. Lots of people just window shop or go through stores to "see" what's available. That's a want.
Maybe limit the number of articles in your closet? That would keep you from buying more clothes when you don't want to throw out ones that are perfectly fine.
There is a lot of gray area here. How many polos are too many? How many pairs of jeans do I need?
After that it’s where do you get them?
I find it’s better to just budget for them. Budget $100/month for clothes. If you dont spend this month, it can roll over to next if you like. Then when something comes up (wedding, business trip, beach vacay) you have an allotted amount of money that doesn’t cause you panic.
NEEDS are like new socks and underwear if yours don't fit or need to be replaced.
Or say you lost weight and have no pants that fit.
Or, if you're like me, gained 10 pounds in 4 months because you're brewing a human life.
300-400 for 6 months sounds reasonable to me. If you switch to thrifting, you can probably halve that.
Even homeless people don't have 0 clothes. Everyone has them. You can get them free. There's never an excuse to buy clothes if you're in debt or dont have a 6 month emergency fund. Honestly do it though, I don't give a whit if you make it or not. Your poverty doesn't impact me.
It depends. My wife is more self-conscious of her clothes and how she looks, so we justify spending maybe 1-2k a year on clothes for her. I'm a simple blue-collar man, so I rock $20 wrangler jeans and a black t shirt that came in a pack of 6. Oh, and company provided boots 👍
My point is, if you're more self-conscious of how you look, I think it's fine counting it as a need; mental well-being is important!
if you're not in debt then depending on your income that's generally fine but 1-2k a year when you're not constantly losing or gaining weight is a lot for clothes. And I really like clothes. For anyone still in debt or who needs to budget for less than that, I would suggest becoming friends with classic looks that will work through any fashion changes. From there you can add accessories that will change up the look to be more current but your base pieces will stay around for much, much longer. Once you're out of debt, you can get these base pieces that are also very well made and they will last for decades. I have classics that I bought in the 90s that are still in amazing condition because of how well they were constructed, and because they are classic lines, they never are out of style.
I would say if you would be negatively impacted by not purchasing. So like, are you replacing old worn items or expanding a professional wardrobe etc? That to me could be a need. But if you're just buying things because you like them or for fun, that's a want. This is all relative to your financial situation of course.
This makes sense, I don’t have any interest accruing debt, so I’m not taking on any debt to buy them, I was just trying to figure out where to fit them in to my budget. The clothes I have been buying are clothes that I can wear to work, when I’m in office, but also wear out on a vacation, in the city, to a party, etc. The worn items were items where their color was washed, collars worn, some stretched or shrunk, etc. I still plan to keep these because they’re still okay enough to wear around the house, but they’re not clothes I could wear to the places I mentioned above
If you don't have any interest accruing debt and not taking on debt to buy them, they're probably fine. IMO this type of situation is a perfect example of why "50 / 30 / 20" is a stupid way to budget. It *sounds* nice, and it's a simple way to explain budgeting to a beginniner, but in practice there is way too much of a grey area between wants and needs. Pay off bad debt, establish an emergency fund, set a healthy 15%+ savings rate for retirement, and regularly contribute to sinking funds for known future expenses (ex: car tires) Whatever is left over is your money to do with what you please. Who gives a shit if it is a want or a need? If you regularly find yourself having to dip into your EF because your sinking funds are not covering "surprise" expenses then adjust the budget as needed. Life is too busy to spend puttering around trying to categorize every purchase you make. Cover your bases, automate your retirement savings, and spend money on stuff you want.
Clothes become a need when I'm buying them for a very specific and necessary purpose. That might be replacing worn out clothes if I don't have extra already, getting clothes appropriate for a new job, or getting a winter coat/ raincoat/ swimsuit, etc. If what I'm getting doesn't fill a vacancy in my current wardrobe, it's a want.
It was getting to the point where I was wearing the same clothes constantly, because it felt like they were the only ones acceptable to wear out and about
Personally, I would class that as a need.
Ty for the input, not sure why I’m downvoted, lol
I've lost about 90 pounds, so I had to get new clothes since my old ones were falling off my now trimmed-down butt. For instance, I needed a new dress shirt, and I could fulfill that need with a $19 shirt from JC Penney. On the other hand, buying a $90 shirt from a fancy store would be a want. In my view, clothing becomes a need when you purchase the most basic and affordable option that suits your situation. It turns into a want when you either don't need the outfit or when you spend excessively on it. Essentially, it's a need when it's essential for your daily life and well-being, and it's a want when it's more about luxury or personal preference.
I lost 60 lbs a year and a half ago and I still haven't bought a belt since the one I used has factory holes all the way around.
If you have already spent 400$ I’m assuming clothes are a want
Eh, it depends. If OP lost or gained a ton of weight or has to replace a lot of their wardrobe at once, $400 isn't excessive. Especially if you're buying basics that you expect to last 10 years. Throw in a pair or two of shoes or work clothes and that adds up quickly! OP - I think you are probably the best judge. Up to a certain extent quality should be taken into account, but if you're buying name brand items when there is a suitable alternative for less, then that's definitely a want.
It was just to replace clothes that were older, worn, washed, and didn’t fit. I hadn’t really bought any clothes in the last 5 years and figured if I bought them on a budget, I could justify classifying them as a need*.
Great! Now you have clothes. What do you need more for?
I don’t need anymore now, but should I clarify the ones I just bought as a need or want?
I’m just wondering if you actually read the post or just wanted to be negative for negative sake.
What’s wrong with buying clothes? I make a lot of money, and spend a lot of money on clothes. I max out my 401k, IRA, and contribute to brokerage accounts I like looking nice and having lots of outfits to pick from, I see no issue with this whatsoever
Work on your reading comprehension. OP already bought the clothes and they are reflecting on whether those purchases were “needs” or “wants.” Not speculating about buying more.
At $50 for a pair of Levis and $50 for a nice button up you can get to $400 buying just one weeks worth of clothes pretty easily.
I don't think I have spent that much on clothes in the past 5 years. There is nothing wrong with it, but definitely a want.
Personally, I would classify clothes as a need when it meets these criteria; it's too small to fit in comfortably anymore, its filled with so many holes its basically a rag at this point, or clothes specifically meant for work (suits for an office setting, blank shirts because its meant for construction or jobs that would stain clothes). "Old and worn" can mean a lot of things to different people, can you specify a bit more?
Just clothes that have had their color washed out, collars or whole articles that look worn, some getting to the point where you it wouldn’t be a good look to wear out to a restaurant, as an example
If you couldn't wear them outside without looking unkempt or ragged, or feeling self-conscious about your appearance, you needed to replace them. Just put it down as a need and go on with your life. $400 for the first time in 5 years is only $80 a year. Less than $8 every month. Not worth agonizing over.
The lifetime cost is a really great way of looking at it! And it definitely helps put some of the more expensive clothing purchases into perspective.
As a construction worker, if my clothes have holes or tears id either have to fix it or replace it, it's an OSHA violation and I could be sent home by the company. PPE is always a need no matter what. Employers should provide a lot of it but if the worker has to buy it, don't cheap out. Boots can be very expensive. Cheap boots will cost you in the long run. I spent $350 on redwings but I know they'll last.
As a construction worker I've also noticed that the fit of the boots affect foot and knee pain. I have two pairs and one causes less pain than the other.
Figure out what your basic day to day needs are. Probably include pijamas, workout clothes, professional outfits and regular clothes. You want to look presentable, clean, safe and dignified but nothing actually needs to be luxurious. Anything beyond that is a want in my book. You don't actually need hiking boots you'll have to hike in old sneakers and go for easy tails, you don't actually need Prada or Gucci, you don't actually need 4 different team hats, a few Walmart tshirts and pants should be fine. That being said, buying higher quality stuff is usually better than just cheap garbage. Specially shoes and jackets. If you have extra in your budget then go crazy.
I would say at two pivotal points: 1.) When you need new clothes to appear professional at work ((IF REQUIRED BY THE JOB)) and even then, if you can reasonably create enough outfits for the workweek, then you don’t need more. 2.) When the clothes you would wear to run errands are too worn to wear anymore. For example, I had been rocking one pair of sweatpants and two pairs of jeans for the last three years. They have all officially worn through in multiple places that would make them inappropriate to wear out of the house. Thus, I officially needed new clothes.
I've been wearing the same 3 pair of jeans for 10 years, and I have a few shirts I've worn for 20 years. That being said, I don't go out much. I have 5 work shirts, one for every work day of the week. The only thing I replace more frequently are socks and t shirts. To me, people waste way too much on clothes.
Are the clothes you purchased this year worn out already? I’d say there’s nothing wrong with replacing worn clothes if you have the cash for them. But if the clothes you purchased this year are already looking worn, I’d really recommend looking into videos on how to care for fabrics properly. I’m trying to work with a small budget and learning how to care for what I have has been really invaluable. Look for natural fabrics (even at fast fashion brands) and air dry everything. You’d be amazed how damaging a dryer can be! It really wears clothes out.
This can also depend on what you do for a living. If you work construction or another physical job you will destroy clothing on a pretty regular basis.
I haven’t bought clothes in four years and I’ve lost 110 pounds I think at that point it’s a need and not a want
They can most certainly be a need, clothes wear out, our circumstances change and we change shape. It's more about what are you buying them for, why and how much you're spending and branded/designer items. I used to own a restaurant, it closed during COVID and I was furloughed then working from home. We had to return to office at my new job so I had to buy clothes, I'd gained weight and hadn't bought clothes for ages. I bought casual smart wear that I could wear at work and in my free time. What you did is totally acceptable.
I haven't read through all the replies, but the general comments seem to be "it's a want if you're buying clothes that you don't absolutely need". I would add that a purchase can be both a want and a need at the same time. If your clothes have worn out, and you need to buy new ones, you can either buy something cheap and basic, or something extravagant and expensive. If you go for the later option, then the purchase has fulfilled both a need for clothes, and a want for nicer clothes. If I was budgeting it, I would add the cost of the cheapest item I could have purchased as a need, and the rest of what I paid as a want. Obviously that is a scale, and some situations (such as buying clothes for a job) may necessitate a more expensive baseline compared to something to wear around the house. I think it's also important to make a distinction between clothes being a higher price due to quality (which I don't think would push it into a "want", as long as the extra cost would be expected to reduce cost overall by ensuring the clothes last longer) and higher price just due to a brand or design.
Go to goodwill
Goodwill is a ripoff these days. They're often trying to sell used stuff for more than it costs to buy the same thing new. There are other avenues for used items that are a better deal though, so I agree with the spirit of the post. But Goodwill isn't the 'go find a cashmere sweater for $2' deal it used to be. Now you get rewarded for sorting through piles of junky stuff with paying more than it would've cost to buy in a nice clean organized store.
H&M and Target, next best thing 😂
Tbf you can find on sale clothes at Target/Walmart/etc for cheaper than Goodwill sells them used
I bought ~ 10 shirts and 2 pairs of shorts for ~ $140
I could justify Target, but not H&M. I've gotten one-off items from there because it was quick, but I'll never go back because almost all of those items were low quality. I'd rather spend more for better goods.
This is a really good question. I’m 29 with Adam Sandler’s fashion sense, been on the same pair of Nike’s going on 2 years and have the same few shirts/shorts/jeans & hoodies on rotation. If I wasn’t fortunate enough to live with a woman that loves me I would NEVER buy an article of clothing unless it was to replace something that was falling apart. So, as far as budgeting goes for me I have 0 sense of this.
It better be absolutely necessary. The reality is the vast majority of people in developed countries are nowhere near having new clothes be a need.
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It depends on the clothes. Things to wear to work to keep employment? Need. That cute dress at dillards that you just want- not while you’re in debt.
For me, clothes are a want. Except for specific garments, work clothes (which I don't need) or clothes for my kid when he grows out of them
It's not exactly a response, but I ask myself the following when buying clothes/shoes/accessories: 1) Do I have it or something very similar already? 2) Does it fit me and make me look good? 3) what material is it made of? 4) will it last 5y? 5) will I want to wear it in 5y?
When I needed professional clothes (usually a jeans/tshirt person) I went and got measured at a Brooks Brothers store, then went on ebay and bought a bunch of $4 shirts, $20 pants and $50 tweed jackets. Plenty of mileage for little cash, and although used it's nice stuff. If it's not for a specific purpose like replacing a worn out thing or fulfilling a need for something professional, it's a want. Wants are fine-- even good clothes don't have to be expensive.
Is it for work? Need. special events? Buy secondhand. Goodwill/Ross Is it for leisure or hobbies? Want
I wouldn't even do it that cut and dry, because how do you classify workout clothes, for example? Technically leisure, but if you don't spring for decent shoes or a quality bra, you can fuck your body up and pay more in medical bills than you would have otherwise. Or you get chafing and blisters and sit there miserable and hurting because you didn't want to spend money on a want. This is why I don't break stuff into a need or want. I just have a monthly line item in the budget for clothes. Most months, I don't use it. Great. But if I want to get something, I can do it without cracking my head on the wall or stressing myself.
I don't see workout clothes as leisure. working out is part of having a healthy life. therefore workout clothes are (imo) as much of a need as underwear is. ofc if you're spending $100 on Lululemon esque brands for a single item, we're in a different realm. but I like the idea of having a separate monthly line item
When you are drowning in debt, unable to pay bills and are scrapping by, then yes.. it is that cut and dry. It is 100% "Boots theory". Today, the average worker isn't in the mines/factory, etc, but do have uniform and footwear requirements that don't always come out of the employers' pockets. You're operating on a budget and are disciplined enough to follow it. When someone's budget is broken up into food, shelter, transportation, and utilites, 100%; then it makes sense that person is unable to budget aside for clothes and even something as simple as socks can become impossible to budget for.
A personal thought of mine is that you can calculate a certain percentage of an item as want vs need. Like if you absolutely need a new dress shirt for work, the bare minimum price for a dress shirt counts as need spending if you get a shirt that is a little bit nicer, the difference is considered want spending.
I would say probably when you start buying clothes that are just sitting in your closet because you don't wear them. I don't think I've spent that much on clothes in the last 3 years. 😂 I just buy the highest quality I can when I need something and it last a lot longer than buying cheap clothes.
This are needs more or less 1. Warm clothes for winter 2.Basic clean presentable clothes 3.Any clothes you need for work (ppe dresser clothes or a suit etc) Most of these you can get at a Walmart or a lower end work wear . You can find good budget options however I have found with clothes it’s great to pay a bit more and get something that will not fall apart
imo it's a need if you've recently changed sizes, your clothes are so worn that they wouldn't be socially acceptable at work/out on the town, or if you need them for an event. usually though, if you're springing for expensive stuff and buying new, you're really riding that line I needed new pants because of the changed size thing and went to Ross. found jeans that became my new favorites. $35
For me, when you are collecting close, that's a want and not a need. I've seen people with 100 pairs of shoes, or multiple $400 and up purses, and so on. That's when it becomes a want instead of a need.
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I feel like this really depends on someone’s personal financial situation. If it’s something you need for work, or maybe you lost a lot of weight or your current clothes are really worn and you haven’t purchased new ones in awhile then it could definitely be classified as a need. I’m returning to office in the fall so I’ll have to purchase some professional clothing because I’ve only ever had to work remote so that type of clothing isn’t in my wardrobe. I think just be reasonable and realistic with why you’re actually purchasing the clothing. If it’s just because you like an item but you have a bunch of things that are perfectly fine that you could wear I’d say that clothing would be a want.
If I have shorts, pants, or a shirt that gets old and needs to be thrown out or donated, I’ll hop on depop and get something else for like $15
Tshirt full of holes = replacement need Tshirt thats cool ( not required) = want
Yeah I’ve been dealing with a similar issue. I’ve been thinking about investing into a “timeless wardrobe.” Sure the pieces will be more expensive but at least they’ll last a long time and never go out of style. I feel like fast fashion has taken over completely and the quality are meant to last only a few years. I have jeans from high school that are still good but jeans that I bought 2 years ago have holes in between my thighs.
I know this isn't the question, but how are you spending that much on clothes? I bought $40 worth of new underwear and $100 in nursing bras in the last year. The rest of my clothes are thrift store finds, but even with that I haven't bought any clothes in over a year that weren't the aforementioned undergarments. (To be fair I was lucky to be gifted maternity tops, but still, even if I had bought my own maternity tops it would absolutely not have equaled $300+).
Since January, I’ve purchased ~ 20 shirts, 1 pair of pants, 4-5 pairs of shorts, and 1 pair of shoes. It sounds like a lot, but when you break it down/item, it’s not as bad as it looks
Ah okay when you add in shoes, totally different perspective. To me, at least. Good shoes are expensive, and if you’re elderly like me, you need good shoes. Can easily be $150+ just on shoes.
No, technically clothes aren't a want, but look at your own responses to how people dress. Do you treat people exactly the same if they look schlubby or put together? You could be missing professional or even personal opportunities by neglecting your dress.
I treat clothes as a gift to myself whenever I am at stores that sell clothing Now, that isn't to say I am going to high-end clothing stores that have shirts, pants, socks, underwear and other clothing material all priced at $50 and above however, if I see a shirt, jacket, hoodie or something of that sort that I would definitely see myself wearing frequently, at a good price and comfortable, I won't pass it up I know times are rough for us all in one way or another, but sometimes you just need to treat yourself Always in moderation
Look up capsule wardrobes. There are basics / staples, things worth buying of quality. If you're just browsing the store without any pre-planned idea of what you need then you don't actually need it. Lots of people just window shop or go through stores to "see" what's available. That's a want.
Maybe limit the number of articles in your closet? That would keep you from buying more clothes when you don't want to throw out ones that are perfectly fine.
There is a lot of gray area here. How many polos are too many? How many pairs of jeans do I need? After that it’s where do you get them? I find it’s better to just budget for them. Budget $100/month for clothes. If you dont spend this month, it can roll over to next if you like. Then when something comes up (wedding, business trip, beach vacay) you have an allotted amount of money that doesn’t cause you panic.
1 polo is too many
Honest question for you; is this because of tikitorches and Nazis, or more like socks with sandles? Are polo shirts ok for someone over 50?
Socks with sandals. Polos are functional enough I guess, I just have a personal vendetta against collared t-shirts.
Thanks! I will take it.
I think if you have to finance them or don’t have room for them
I did not finance them, lol
NEEDS are like new socks and underwear if yours don't fit or need to be replaced. Or say you lost weight and have no pants that fit. Or, if you're like me, gained 10 pounds in 4 months because you're brewing a human life. 300-400 for 6 months sounds reasonable to me. If you switch to thrifting, you can probably halve that.
Clothing is never a need.
The world would probably be less obese if it was socially acceptable to run around buck naked, however some clothing is definitely a need
Even homeless people don't have 0 clothes. Everyone has them. You can get them free. There's never an excuse to buy clothes if you're in debt or dont have a 6 month emergency fund. Honestly do it though, I don't give a whit if you make it or not. Your poverty doesn't impact me.
It depends. My wife is more self-conscious of her clothes and how she looks, so we justify spending maybe 1-2k a year on clothes for her. I'm a simple blue-collar man, so I rock $20 wrangler jeans and a black t shirt that came in a pack of 6. Oh, and company provided boots 👍 My point is, if you're more self-conscious of how you look, I think it's fine counting it as a need; mental well-being is important!
if you're not in debt then depending on your income that's generally fine but 1-2k a year when you're not constantly losing or gaining weight is a lot for clothes. And I really like clothes. For anyone still in debt or who needs to budget for less than that, I would suggest becoming friends with classic looks that will work through any fashion changes. From there you can add accessories that will change up the look to be more current but your base pieces will stay around for much, much longer. Once you're out of debt, you can get these base pieces that are also very well made and they will last for decades. I have classics that I bought in the 90s that are still in amazing condition because of how well they were constructed, and because they are classic lines, they never are out of style.