Clothes and Shoes

Just went to Stein Mart and picked up a sweater for $29.99 today. That was pretty much the budget I wanted. I m not big on shopping and didn't have a lot of time, so I went in with a mission to pick one top and keep it under $40 if possible.

I am happier getting my hair cut, but am not big on keeping those scheduled appointments. I let my hair grow out until I can't stand it any longer and then go in. I get a hair cut about 4x's per year and my hair stylist thinks that is not enough.

I don't do manny/peddy appointments either, at all.

I probably have about 15 tops and 10 bottoms that I can where on a day to day basis. 5 good sweaters, a few good dresses and one skirt suit. I try and go through my closet every time seasons change to get rid of clothes I don't wear frequently.
I buy new clothes when I see need to, sometimes that means a store is having a sale sometimes it means something needs to be replaced.

My wife is very different. She has two pairs of jeans and her work suits, one formal dress and her snow gear. She is a minimalist, she will plan her shopping out for twice a year, typically fall and spring and may spend $400 or $500 at a time to replace most of her closet.

I tend to buy quality over quantity. I have invested in about seven outfits to wear to work for winter, seven for spring/fall, and a few for extremely hot weather. I've gone to simple colors for shoes that complement the majority of clothes to avoid having dozens of pairs of shoes. I have two pairs of jeans and four pairs of shorts and four winter nightgowns. The biggest update I have made is I bought quick-drying hiking and travel clothes because we went to Europe last year and only took one piece of luggage as we traveled by train. I do have a bit of choice for nice tops for work, somehow, over the years, so I've stopped buying clothes except to replace my neutral turtlenecks that go underneath most of the outfits.

I just took inventory over the summer with an eye on the environment. Less is more. Just one look at resale shops, Value Village donated clothes shops and articles on the internet about what happens to T-shirts that are donated to charity organizations in the US and then are sold and sent to Africa to be sold there, and any thinking person also becomes minimalistic.

My hub buys his work shirts second hand because they'll get dirty anyway, and his job is tough on his shoes, too, but those are important for safety, so he buys those new. Dress clothes, he has had clothes for twenty years. Luckily we bought classic styling so that they can still be worn.

Now my 8-year-old. . .buying clothes to keep up with growth spurts has been a good time. I cannot believe how much bigger she is this year from last year.

I want to be 70 miles or more from Wal-Mart, you lucky person!

Happy Thanksgiving.

I love this question. .I am not a fashion is ta and it does me good to hear people say they buy more frequently I need to allow myself to be ok w that. I usually pick up 2-3 new shirts a year, those I get just when something is the right price or catches my eye. Shoes only when absolutely necessary. ..jeans and dress pants the same. Dresses for weddings or special occasions every few few years as the occasion comes up...I usually do a few events before I feel like I need something fresher.

I have three thrift stores in my neighbourhood that I like to frequent when my schedule permits. I pick up clothes and shoes here and there as I come across things I like, but I spend very little. When I do need an item for my wardrobe that I haven't found second hand I will take a trip to the mall or Old Navy and look for what I need, but usually I can find everything I need second hand.