This is a guest post from The Frugal Duchess, Sharon Harvey Rosenberg. Rosenberg writes a column for the Miami Herald about saving money. Her new book is The Frugal Duchess: How to Live Well and Save Money.
Almost every year for Rosh Hashanah — the New Year according to the Hebrew calendar — my family buys new clothes. With a few new tags, we make symbolic and fashion statements. And the same message is delivered during the fall back-to-school shopping season: Our new clothes represent a fresh start for a new year.
But this year was different, and not just for me. For example, at a gathering of family and friends, old clothes provided the newest fashion statement. Here are the trends I spotted at recent parties, family dinners and other celebrations:
- Closet vintage clothing: My friend Ellen recently stepped out in a navy Alfred Nipon suit — a classic — purchased for a family celebration in 2004. Four years later, the suit is still stunning.
- Borrowed clothing: Monica — a neighbor — showed up at a dressy dinner party wearing an outfit borrowed from her adult daughter’s closet. I was tempted to ask if I could borrow the same outfit for another event.
- Favorite classics: At a recent gathering, my friend Ahava wore a 20-year-old black and white skirt. She dressed it up with newer accessories, but the old skirt was the centerpiece of her outfit.
- Thrift-store specials: One friend proudly sported a designer shirt (Givenchy) purchased from $2.50 at an area thrift store.
As for me, I’ve been shopping in my own closets and cupboards. Shopping at home has several advantages. For example, I’ve re-discovered at least three skirts and several jackets that were forgotten.
When confronted with the large volume of skirts, shirts and jackets in my closet, I actually feel ashamed about wanting new items. (I really, really don’t need new stuff!). Modeling my own wardrobe provides a sense of gratitude and pride.
As an added bonus, while rummaging through my closet, I find purses, jackets and suits that would look great on a friend or would work well in the window of an area thrift store.
For more on this subject, please read:
- Recycled Cinderella: Same outfits, different holiday balls
- Angelina Jolie’s $26 dress, and my best cheap fashion tricks
- Five reasons I have no new fall clothes
Recycling old clothes renews my creative spark and prompts me to examine my closet and my life with fresh eyes.
Sharon Harvey Rosenberg, the Frugal Duchess of South Beach, is a write-at-home mom with three kids, one husband, one dog, and five blogs. She has fine tastes and a small budget, which she explores in her Miami Herald column about saving money. Here fashionably frugal attitude is “Live well, find meaning and stay on a budget.”
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This article is about Choices, Clothing, Frugality
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A friend of mine recently hosted a clothing swap. She invited a group of about 8 friends, all similarly sized, to come over and bring clothes that they no longer wear but are still in good shape. They had racks set up to hang everything and then they were able to “shop”. I came away with a great vintage cocktail dress that I will wear to an upcoming wedding and felt good that some of my things went to new homes. Whatever was left was donated to Good Will.
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That was a good post, thanks Sharon. I’ve always liked those handy thrift stores. I’ve seen $100 shirts and jeans there for $5 or less. Thanks for the tips to stay frugal!
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I don’t agree with with wearing used clothing from some other individual who gave it away. Let’s expand our thinking here. Instead of buying other people’s hand-outs why not figure out a way to become better off or just like them? Sorry, it’s wearing some rich womans castoff’s my style? No. Let’s think about making money so WE can buy nice things that are brand new too.
http://www101WaystoMagnetizeMoney.com
Christine Groth
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re: Christine’s comment
I think that people forget that one person’s trash is another man’s treasure. For some people, it’s not about a good offense (making more money), it’s about a good defense (spending less money). I think that thrift shopping is a very good way to spend less money, especially for those who don’t mind buying used clothes. It’s important to remember that not everyone gets to the top of the mountain on the same side.
Caleb
http://www.mefinanciallyfree.blogspot.com
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WHile there is some truth to both above arguments (making more and spending less) if we view our personal finances as a business, we should strive to do what all businesses do.
BOTH – Find ways to earn more and spend less at the same time.
Just my $0.02.
– Tyler
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I recently took a pile of clothes to the tailer. I’ll admit to not be handy with a thread or needle, but after getting a pile of old shirts and pants hemmed, buttons re-sewn, and holes patched- I have a lot of “new” clothes. Granted these aren’t fashionable, wear-around-town clothes, but this saves me from buying new work clothes or relegating a good pair of jeans to yard-work-only status.
Ian
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I think almost everyone has to admit that there closets have “plenty” of clothes. It is hard for us to look at what we have and be satisfied with it. Look at it this way, it is paid for and owes you nothing, it gives you a new way to love your clothes that you already have. Just like loving your used paid for car.
Your clothes are not “who” you are and neither is your car. They need to cover a basic need. Clothing: cover you up, keep you warm/cool, be clean and fit well. Cars: reliable transportation.
Our society likes to judge people by what they wear or what they drive. Crazy!
http://downwithdebt.today.com/
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This subject has been on my mind a lot lately. Though I spend a lot on certain aspects of my life (food, for example), I don’t spend much on clothing. When I buy new, I buy at Costco. But often, I buy used.
I’ve written before about how Kris and I enjoy shopping for clothes at thrift stores and consignment shops. I agree with Sharon — you can find some great stuff there for cheap. And the variety is astounding.
It’s true that there’s also a lot of junk at thrift stores and consignment shops, but those items are easy to sort through.
I don’t think shopping for used clothing is something everyone can do — just as not everyone can grow a garden or give up commuting by car. But I do think used clothing can be an excellent option for some people looking to cut back on spending.
Also, I really love Sharon’s point about learning to look in her own closet for clothes. As Ruth says, if it’s paid for, it owes you nothing. I own several shirts that I’ve barely worn in the past. Instead of buying new ones, I should make a point of wearing these.
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Christine, your comment made me chuckle. I’m browsing in a Goodwill store as I write this, with a lovely pair of black wide leg pants by Ann Taylor sitting in my cart. They’re only four bucks. I’ll gladly take some rich woman’s handouts * any* day and tuck away the $ 90+ I’ve saved and watch it grow.
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Caleb and Tyler and I could get along soo well — talk about hitting the nail on the head!
I really can’t add to that, except to say that I think most women have a certain clothing / fashion gene that science hasn’t entirely identified yet. I am thoughtful to the penny about how most of my $$$ is spent — especially on myself. Yet jump at the new shoe/clothing/accessory catalogs and salivate over things I know I would only get a few uses out of.
Thankfully, I put them down (and out of sight) before picking up the credit card, but it is still an ongoing battle, so I hope someday a pill will quell these urges so I can make peace with my clothing budget once and for all!!
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Christine, your comment made me chuckle. I’m browsing in a Goodwill store as I write this, with a lovely pair of black wide leg pants by Ann Taylor sitting in my cart. They’re only four bucks. I’ll gladly take some rich woman’s handouts day and tuck away the $ 90+ I’ve saved and watch it grow.
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There is something to be said for buying clothes as an investment, isn’t there. If you spend money on simple classics they will last, whether you buy them at a dept store or Goodwill!
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I just had a baby girl and gladly accepted hand-me-downs from my friend’s 4 year old. The clothes are on their fourth recipient and still in good shape (my friend let her best friend’s two daughters use them before they came to me). Most of the clothes are gently worn–it’s 2008 and most of the GAP clothes say they are from the fall 2004 collection. I don’t care. My little girl doesn’t know the difference and I might as well take advantage now before she does know (junior high, or maybe sooner).
If I can just find someone who could benefit from her clothing when my baby is done with them.
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Christine’s comment is interesting, and I’d like to hear more about where she’s coming from: “Instead of buying other people’s hand-outs why not figure out a way to become better off or just like them?” I guess that’s part of her definition of being “rich”? I think “rich” means having the choice to shop at thrift stores or at Bloomingdale’s.
Having a closet full of expensive, fashionable clothes is pretty far down my list. I have a few nice pieces I wear whenever I need to. Otherwise, I buy fashion-neutral Lands End clothes at the back of the outlet stores and wear them until they’re unwearable. I seem to have missed out on the girl clothes gene (although DD has it!). I have to take DH along to pick out nice girly clothes when I need them.
I find thrift clothes shopping extremely frustrating, because I don’t have a good eye to pick out the needle in the haystack, and I don’t sew to alter clothes to my short buxom frame.
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Overall a good artical, but there seems to be an assumption in both the artical and the comments that we don’t *need* to buy more clothes. But what if we do? I lost just enough weight over the past year that I cannot wear anything that I owned. It was only 30 pounds, but I went from slight chubby to borderline skinny and that was enough of a difference that now my dress shoes don’t even fit!
Thift stores? I love them for basic shirts, but finding a pair of nice, well cut, well fitting pants for my super short self is more than a needle in a haystack.
I’m usually not such a “if only”er but the clothes thing has been frustrating and this artical didn”t really offer any new insight.
What would be helpful is tip on where to find well made clothes that might not be the absolute latest, or advice on when to shop to get the best deals, or even information on the best type of neighborhoods to go thrift storing in (makes a huge difference, actually).
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@Jessica
If you know what brands fit you and look good on you, ebay might be a good option. I often search for larger lots of clothing in my size and find great deals. Or if I have a pair of pants that I love and fit well, sometimes I can find the exact same pants on ebay (I’m the type that when I find pants that fit, I buy multiple pairs of the same one). To find larger lots of clothing for cheap, search “lot clothing” and then narrow it down by category and size. I find that people don’t really bid on clothing that much, and you can often get a good deal (even factoring in shipping). This only works if you are sure that size in that brand will fit, since you of course can’t try the clothing on. This also works for shoes.
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Definitely a great post and nice to know that I’m not the only one out there whose quit spending $$ on new clothes!
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A timely article on a day when it’s been reported that Sarah Palin’s wardrobe upgrade cost campaign donors a reported $150,000.
On another note I’m constantly amazed at what I find at the back of my closet or bottom of my drawer. Hand me downs are great and have helped my wife and I save a bundle on baby clothing!
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I love shopping at thrift stores – especially in seasons like this where I can’t find anything appropriate in regular stores! I found a 3 piece suit for $10 once – best fitting suit I have. The only thing wrong with it was it was missing a button -so for another $10 I bought brand new buttons to update the look of the suit!
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@Jane
I completely agree with you about investment pieces. If I need an item, I’ll look for it in the off-season on clearance, and buy it for next year. You can easily score $300 cashmere sweaters for $50-60 this way.
I totally second the online shopping option if you know your sizes.
At the petite end of the spectrum, it’s easier for me to buy new at deep discounts online or somewhere like Marshalls, because secondhand stores don’t usually have much in my size– and the small and large sizes are usually the ones that don’t sell out and go on clearance later. I’m willing to spend a little bit more for classics, and update my wardrobe every season for about $15 (total) from forever 21 or H&M.
If you know where/when to go to look for deals, you can score big.
http://renaissancetrophywife.wordpress.com/luxe-for-less/
Case in point: entire outfit, including shoes, for < $100
http://renaissancetrophywife.wordpress.com/2008/09/27/date-night-outfit/
I try not to shop very frequently, but when you need something, it helps to get a stellar deal on it!
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I like to consider clothing my budgeting success item. It’s just not really my thing and outside of when I began working, once in the spring and once in the fall, I really don’t buy many clothes. I do, however, budget 40 dollars a month to it and if I find I need an item I can get it; otherwise it’s “suprise” savings at the end of the month but I shop so infrequently I find it almost cheating to keep it on my list.
It’s also my number one clutter victory. Everytime I switch clothes from summer to winter or winter to summer, anything that hasn’t been looked at or touched that entire season – goes to goodwill (exceptions of course for suits, dresses or other rarely worn but needed to have items).
Now if I could just harnass that into food I would be way ahead of the curve
. I can’t seem to resist the nice dinner out or the splurge to feed my Chicago Style Hotdog craving even if I’ve been good and brought my lunch!
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One thing to remember in saving money on clothes–try really, really hard never to buy anything that requires dry cleaning. You can’t do that in some categories, but it really runs up the cost of an item, especially summer things that you have to clean pretty much every time you wear them. And eat carefully
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@Christine: Maybe I’m just not getting it, but I don’t see why wanting to save money on clothes isn’t compatible with trying to grown your wealth. I’m all for spending your money on classic items that will last a long time, but if you can find something equally great that was worn once or twice and costs 90% less, what’s the big deal? I think that’s a no-brainer!
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There are so many clothing games you can play to make your wardrobe more interesting.
#1: Go into Gap, Old Navy, Br — and study the color scheme. Go home and only hang clothing of that color. You’ll feel in fashion.
#2: Hide any clothing that is not with the season. Pack it up and store somewhere, marked Fall, Summer, etc.; bring it out when the new season arrives. New clothes!
#3: Give yourself two weeks to get your any clothing repaired or cleaned. If you don’t, toss.
#4a: Take inventory of what cornerstone pieces you think are missing from your closet — ie. black moccassins — and give yourself examples of how this “new” piece you want to buy will pull together 10 new outfits you’ll wear.
#4b: Now start a “clothing money jar” with the list of items you want and drop loose change into it.
#5: Master the art of clothes purging. Everytime you bring in something new, pack away something old — hold onto it until you have a Clothing Swap.
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Well — I can understand what Christine is trying to say although maybe I’d say it differently.
I have no issue with people who like thrift store shopping. If it works for you do it.
As for myself, it wouldn’t work. I’m not comfortable with the idea of buying used clothes (actually, I don’t like buying anything used).
The reason being that it would — to me — mean that I didn’t feel like I was valuable enough to insist that I be able to buy new.
That doesn’t mean I am opposed to bargains. Just this past weekend, in fact, I scored a huge bargain when I found brand new T-shirts — in my fav colors — on sale for $5 at WalMart. I bought 4. I will wear them for years. They are replacing T-shirts that are really looking scraggly now.
It also doesn’t mean I spend a lot on clothes. I have a very simple wardrobe and only buy clothes when something else is worn out — I don’t worry about fashion; I only shop to fill a gap in my current closet.
In fact I really need to replace my winter coat which I bought on sale 10 years ago for $35 dollars (down from $125). It’s starting to look a bit worse for wear, yet I can’t find anything I like better to replace it.
I’m just unable to wear what somebody decided they don’t value anymore. I can’t stand wearing somebody else’s castoffs.
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I find it really interesting that this should come out on the same day as suddenly people are making so much of a certain VP candidate’s clothing expenditures. Which I don’t think is really a party issue, but just a general issue of how many people in the US just plain don’t realize that you can look nice and put-together on almost no money at all. As Palin demonstrates, outside of any political consideration at all, clothing can certainly get incredibly expensive if you show no concern at all for price or durability. There are a lot of reasonably-high-income people out there, women especially, who drop way more on clothes than they can afford. What good does it do to aspire to be rich if, at that point, you’ll be in the latest fashions but still struggling to pay bills?
When you learn the secrets of frugal shopping before you make it, you can be sure that later all those extra bucks will result in the maximum possible bang!
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I’m not a fashion maven, but I can count on at least 50% of my wardrobe not fitting at any given time. I only gain and lose weight on my backside, so five pounds completely changes my options. It’s so frustrating being a pear shape.
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There are some things that can pretty easily be economized and clothing is one of them. When I was unemployed and had 4 foster children I could get plenty of clothes from the local thrift shops and tag sales. It was even easier for myself since I don’t change size (much). I’ve even seen people with fashion sense (myself not included) find ways to make very nice outfits from thrift store buys.
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I think clothing costs are overrated. I think a guy at least can dress really well for say $1,000/year (better than 98% of the population – at least around here), which is a fraction of what most guys spend on home, auto, etc. The key is to focus on quality instead of quantity, and constantly update. Personally, I notice a sharp-dressed guy from a mile away – it projects such confidence and manliness, and much more so than say a nice car, at least for me. It’s tough to put a price on it.
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Nothing beats knowing someone working in retail who can offer you employee discounts (depends on how much). Even when the store doesn’t have a sale, you can still get the item for less.
I don’t believe in paying full retail price. I also agree with Frugal Bachelor: Quality over quantity. I spent $100 (was $250) on a cashmere sweater 3 years ago, still stylish and comfortable to this date.
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@Kate,
What an awesome idea. I don’t know how many females I know that are my size, but it seems like a great way to meet other women as well.
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Christine Groth has been spamming her link to that weird Psycho-Financial website all over Get Rich Slowly lately. I’d just like to say: Christine, here at Get Rich Slowly you have about the LEAST likely audience to fall for such silliness. You should go where less financially-savvy people hang out. (Not that she’s likely to read this comment, unfortunately, since obviously her only intent is to get enough of the gist of one of JD’s posts to make it look like her comment has some relevance, and then dash off to find somewhere else to spam that silly link.)
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@ Kate:
Thanks for your comment!
That clothing swap sounds great. I have had informal swaps with friends in which we have passed around bags of clothes. Swappers have the option of pulling out items from the bag or adding to the collection before passing along the bag.
I like your swap party and it sounds fun and productive.
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@ Ryan McLean Says:
Thanks for your kind words about the post.
It looks as if you have also found great deals ($100 garments for $5 each at thrift stores)!
Take Care,
Sharon
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@ Christine Groth:
You raise valid points. It’s a familiar conflict: cut expenses vs. earn more.
Personally, I believe in a mixture of both.
I have some very wealthy friends, who have amazing clothes in excellent condition. Their hand-me-downs have helped me to build a stunning wardrobe, which in turn has helped me to earn more money.
Thanks for your note. It means a lot.
-sharon
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@ Caleb Nelson:
Great point: “I think that people forget that one person’s trash is another man’s treasure.”
So true! And you’re right: We all have different paths (defense vs offense-based strategies) in our push to improve our personal finance.
Thanks for the comment!–
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@ Ian
You are so right. Taking clothes to the tailor is a frugal way to get more mileage out of your clothes budget. Thanks for the comment!
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@ Ruth:
Your summary is great: “Look at it this way, it is paid for and owes you nothing, it gives you a new way to love your clothes that you already have. Just like loving your used paid for car.”
That’s a great anology! I wish I had thought of that. I appreciate your note.
shr
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I think Christine’s post shows that she’s a spammer. If you are “up” on spam, you can tell based on her link. (It was a very well-written post though, so hard to see.)
The basic point that hits home for me is how incredibly wasteful it would be for 7 billion people to buy new clothes and throw them out. What kind of drain on the environment would that be?
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Thrifts stores are gold. Not only can you get quality cheap, but it’s nice sometimes not to be wearing the ‘newest, best clothes.’ It helps you stand out a bit more from everyone else and their very similar shirts.
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This is indeed a frugal idea and I also like the idea of the clothings swap.
Still certain cultures (Asian mostly) believe that new clothes are a must for the major festivals, like Chinese New Year, Eid etc.
For our family with our 5 kids, this item of new clothes is a major expense.
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