[Updated to include the entire year and notes on whether or not I made good choices]
Last year around this time I turned over the finances to my husband. In 14 years of marriage I have aways managed the money but a new level of soul searching and letting go led me to “try” something new. We don’t have an unusual amount of conflict around spending—just the normal amount. 😉 But when we look at where we’ve been overspending it’s almost always the same: clothing, dining and recreation. We set a budget and go over that budget. And, honestly, the clothing category is all me. So, all this to say, I had to start being “good.” For the last year I was given a monthly cash allowance of roughly what I should have been spending all along. Allowance is for anything outside of the budget. Oh yeah, “Clothing” ceased to be a category. My “mad money” was to pay for clothing, make up, hair, nails, etc. But, it gets tricky when ordering things on-line. I have to use a Credit card and then pay it back with cash. It got pretty confusing and so I kind of gave up keeping track. I honestly didn’t know if I had been good. I mean, I kind of knew I wasn’t when the Nordstrom sale came around in the Spring. (Stitch Fix also contributed to my downfall.) A lot of what I bought has been underwear and workout-wear which I don’t think should count toward “additions to my closet” but whatev. I’ll also mention that I justified overspending by selling clothes on Poshmark. I made about $225 from Postmark sales.
The following is what I added to my wardrobe this year:
January $143
Gap – bras & undies $94 – Excellent additions!
J. Crew – Shirt-jacket in buffalo check $43 – I LOVE this jacket and get lots of complements!
Stitch Fix – Mavi jeans $6 (w/ giftcard) – Mistake, have since donated them.
February $174
Old Navy – gray hoodie $28 – I wear this ALL THE TIME.
Old Navy – gingham shirt $20 – Never wear.
LOFT – boho print dress $36 – Mistake, wore twice. Donated.
DSW – Puma sneakers $50 – Great purchase.
Poshmark – J Brand army shorts $14 – Meh.
Poshmark – Gap jeans in black $26 – Great purchase!
March $119
Gap – Sports Bras in black & gray $24 ea. – Wear all the time.
Gap – Workout tank in white $16 – It’s okay.
Asics – workout tank $13 – Have worn a few times.
Poshmark – J. Crew straw market tote $26 – Perfection.
Poshmark – NB workout tank $16 – Never wear. Donated.
April $106
DSW – nude ballet flats $40 – Not sure I needed these.
Poshmark – Madewell heels $66 – I like but rarely wear.
May $415
Banana Republic – Camisole $25 – Don’t wear much but think it was a good purchase.
Banana Republic – Striped tank $25 – Wore SO MUCH this summer.
Stitch Fix – Joie tee $148 – I don’t wear it much but don’t regret it. It’s lovely.
Nordstrom – Amour Vert long sleeve striped tee $88 – Excellent addition!!!
Nordstrom – Vince Camuto sandals in red $53 – They were my go-to all summer.
Nordstrom – Topshop cigarette pants $38 – The jury is still out…
Poshmark – Gap workout leggings $19 – Good choice.
Poshmark – Madewell tank $19 – Mistake.
June $139
J. Crew – denim shorts $56 – THE PERFECT CUT-OFF JEAN SHORTS. Why am I shouting?
Gap – long sleeve striped tees in gray/white & navy/white $11 ea. – Probably the best staples in my closet.
Gap – tank top in gray $15 – Yes!
Gap – undies $16 – Yes.
Athleta – bikini top $30 – So pretty!
July $100
Famous Footwear – Nikes $75 – Absolutely great choice/needed addition.
DSW – Roxy flip flops $25 – Essential.
August $45
Athleta – bikini bottom $21 – Love it.
Snap back hat – $24 – Needed it. Love it.
September $152
Nordstrom Rack – Steve Madden flats in black $50 – Not sure I needed these.
Banana Republic – A-line skirt in olive $39 – Nice. Can’t seem to choose skirts over jeans.
J. Crew – A-line midi sweater skirt $63 – Never worn, but not sure I regret it.
October $125
Gap – Vintage Wash Short Sleeve Tee in “Glass of Water” blue $10 – I wear this more than any other tee.
Troentorp – Da Vinci Clogs in dark blue $99 – I have to force myself to not wear these every day.
J. Crew – High-Rise Jegging in blue indigo wash $16 – Great choice!
November $129
Lucky Jeans – Hayden High Rise Skinny Jean in Farolito $129 – I bought to replace the jeggings and then kept both. Look great. Kind of tight.
December $0
So that’s the extent of it. I know that may seem like a lot to spend to some people (or very little to others) and I hesitated to include prices but for me it’s important to drag it out into the light of day. To be true to myself. Throughout the year I bought and returned quite a few items. I knew they weren’t right, that I wouldn’t wear them. Some of what I bought (and kept) turned out to be great decisions, and others were not. Live and learn, I guess. It makes me see that I can stand to be a lot more intentional in my buying process. To my credit, I tend to pin things to a wish list board and then wait a while before pulling the trigger.
My ultimate goal is to enjoy what I wear, how I look and then get on with it. You know? I hope somebody somewhere gets some inspiration from this, on how to have fun with clothes, but, like in a grown-up-y way.
