Shopping

jkleeh
jkleeh Posts: 108 Member
in Chit-Chat
So I am 7 pounds away from my Pre preggo weight ( Happy Dance!!!) So my husband wants me to start thinking about how much money I will need to buy clothes that fit. I know I need all new pants pants and shirts, but I when I do go shopping I need to be able to buy pieces that can take me through each season, because this probably be the only "Big" shopping trip I get. For everyone who has been shopping to re fit your self How much did you spend or if you haven't really kept track How much do you think you have spent?

Thank you for any help you can give!

Replies

  • Eleanorjanethinner
    Eleanorjanethinner Posts: 563 Member
    I see you're in the USA so us foreigners won't be able to tell you about how much your clothes cost but I'm intrigued by 'this will probably be the only big shopping trip I get.' Why is that? That and the 'my husband wants me' bit makes it sound like the two of you may not be sharing responsibility for finances. I do hope you have some money to spend each month that's 'yours' even if it's only a tiny amount and that you get an equal say in how your finances are arranged.

    Personally I've never in my life done a 'buy all my clothes at once' type shopping trip. I make lists (on paper or mentally) of what I need and buy a few things each month when I find the right thing. And I keep an eye open for something excellent in the shops that I hadn't thought of but would use and enjoy.

    With clothes, you can pretty much spend as much as you want. I buy on special as much as possible from mid-level stores, with the occasional good quality thrifted item. I try very hard to only buy something if it's just right - fits right, right colour, right fabric, will go with other clothes I have etc. (I don't always suceed!).

    Another thought - did you get rid of all your pre-pregancy clothes? 'Cos if not, you can go through and have a good look to see what could be tidied up and used again i.e. dry cleaning, small repairs, hemming etc. and where the gaps are. Sometimes an accessory like a belt or a statement necklace can pep up a boring but otherwise useful piece of clothing.

    I'd have a good hunt around online (there are excellent style blogs if you find the right ones) to find a tool to plan a new wardrobe that will be appropriate for the new you (and especially for moving from 'stay at home mom' to 'mature student'). For example, http://www.wardrobeoxygen.com/2009/09/how-to-be-stylish-mom.html (this is one of my favourite blogs and she's a working mother). And http://www.alreadypretty.com/greatest-hits this one has masses of ideas on styling, building a wardrobe, working with your body shape and loads more.

    Best of luck and enjoy!
  • jkleeh
    jkleeh Posts: 108 Member
    Sorry I didn't mean to make it sound like my husband dictates our money lol. We just don't always have a lot of money and we are coming in to birthday season ( 3 kids!) so I have a hard time spending money on myself when I know they will be having parties and presents. I say my one big shopping trip because once we get our tax money it will be the only time I will be able to do something like replace all of my jeans at once lol.
    For a long time I did hold onto my pre preggo clothes and then out of frustration a few months ago I got rid of them thinking I would never get back there again.

    I like the idea of hunting for style blogs because I am just lost when it comes to that stuff.

    Thank you!
  • silversociety
    silversociety Posts: 222 Member
    thriftshop - macklemore & ryan lewis *starts singing*
  • lovelyMYlovely
    lovelyMYlovely Posts: 1,066 Member
    it cost me about 1000 to 2000 to get a whole new style as I grew out of a teen and into a adult haha!! i slowly got stuff but thats the minimum...

    I got alot of cheap stuff! im a baragin shopper although i like buying new.... and my style looks like i spent about 200+ but in reality my 1 outfit probably only cost 40$ lol....

    the trick is... get alot of accessories such as sunglasses/ hair accessories/ scarfs/ ear rings AND SHOES! with these you can make a plain black shirt with a pair of skinny jeans look WONDERFUL!! lol...
  • curejenn
    curejenn Posts: 70 Member
    I agree with both the previous posters! I look at style blogs for ideas and then I go to thrift and consignment stores and find items similar!! I have no idea what your style is (mine is all over the place!) but the girlwithcurves site is a great place to start because her style is really easy, approachable, budget friendly. Also mom friendly (lots of casual ideas that still look really pulled together and you can personalize to your own individual style!) Congratulations on your weightloss!
  • jkleeh
    jkleeh Posts: 108 Member
    thriftshop - macklemore & ryan lewis *starts singing*

    Hey I woulda been naked as a kid without the thrift store lmao!
  • jkleeh
    jkleeh Posts: 108 Member
    it cost me about 1000 to 2000 to get a whole new style as I grew out of a teen and into a adult haha!! i slowly got stuff but thats the minimum...

    I got alot of cheap stuff! im a baragin shopper although i like buying new.... and my style looks like i spent about 200+ but in reality my 1 outfit probably only cost 40$ lol....

    the trick is... get alot of accessories such as sunglasses/ hair accessories/ scarfs/ ear rings AND SHOES! with these you can make a plain black shirt with a pair of skinny jeans look WONDERFUL!! lol...


    Thanks! I am bad at accessories so I will add them into my budget!
  • jkleeh
    jkleeh Posts: 108 Member
    I agree with both the previous posters! I look at style blogs for ideas and then I go to thrift and consignment stores and find items similar!! I have no idea what your style is (mine is all over the place!) but the girlwithcurves site is a great place to start because her style is really easy, approachable, budget friendly. Also mom friendly (lots of casual ideas that still look really pulled together and you can personalize to your own individual style!) Congratulations on your weightloss!

    I will look up that blog!
  • learning2fly4
    learning2fly4 Posts: 303 Member
    Congrats!

    Haven't hit any major weight loss goals yet, but I do buy new work clothes often.

    For Dressier items, check out Ann Taylor loft sales. They usually have Great sales on shirts that can go dressy or jeans for lunch with friends. They wash great ( no iron necessary).
    Believe it our not, Old navy jeans are fantastic and cheap. You can get most pairs for 20-25 bucks, and they are flattering because of the number of styles they have, or look for the $15 dollar sales.
    I also buy a ton of stuff at Banana and GAP. I have a suit from Banana outlet and got it 40% off outlet price.
    You can get nice long term pieces for cheap if you do a little check/digging and looking for coupons.

    Retailmenot.com has coupon codes posted and there are some other great sites to, if you want to order stuff online vs in store shopping.

    Zappos is great for shoes!
  • jkleeh
    jkleeh Posts: 108 Member
    Thanks! we actually have an outlet mall near by with all of those stores! I will be checking them out!

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