by Hope
I stumbled upon this article this week regarding a woman who has created and wears a uniform to her office job every day. I could totally relate. For years now, I have worn the same style outfit on a daily basis with the exception of church and client meetings. Ok, sometimes even to church because I don’t think God cares what I wear but on occasion I worry about other people’s thoughts.
But here’s the issue. My clothes are now getting worn out…literally holey. And as comfortable and un-caring as I am about my daily appearance, umm, well I’m not going to look “shabby chic” with holes in my clothes. So I’m going to have to break down and buy some new clothes and unfortunately, due to my size, the thrift shop is just not an option. Ugh!
I’m trying to decide how to fit this in my extreme budget as it is going to have to happen sooner rather than later. I have two thoughts:
- Use some of the “extra” income I have made from little side jobs to finance the new clothes.
- Wait until July when my consumer debt is paid off and reward myself with new clothes from my existing income.
- Or ???
We are in midst of switching our closets from our winter to our summer clothes so it’s been a good time for me to take inventory. And if you haven’t figured it already, I am not a clothes hog at all. But thus far this is what I think I need.
- 1 pair of jean shorts. I currently have 1 pair that is in serviceable condition and I wear them 2-3 times per week during the warmer months. Would be nice to have another.
- 2 pairs of long pants. I currently have 3, but two are in really bad shape. I could probably get away with 1 for the summer months since I will really only wear them for client meetings or church.
- 1 pair of short pants. I currently have 2, but both are really close to be un-wearable. I wear them when we go in public, somewhere where I don’t think wearing shorts is the right option. I’m sure some women can relate.
- 4-5 shirts. This is wear I’m really hurting. I don’t know if it’s the tussling with the dogs or just the age of the shirts, but my shirts are in really bad shape, and they are one thing I won’t wear multiple times between washings. Gross! So really need almost all new ones.
In looking at this list, I think I can easily get everything for less than $200. So I’ve got some figuring to do. I just hate to spend money on clothes because as long as their are clean and serviceable, I truly don’t really care. Fashion has never been my thing, I’m definitely more into comfort and when I do have extra money would much rather spend it on traveling rather than trendiness.
Hope is a creative, solutions-focused business manager helping clients grow their business and work more efficiently by leveraging expertise in project management, digital marketing, & tech solutions. She’s recently become an empty nester as her 5 foster/adoptive kids have spread their wings. She lives with her 5 dogs in a small town in NE Georgia and prefers the mountains to the beaches any day. She struggles with the travel bug and is doing her best to help each of her kids as their finish schooling and become independent (but it’s hard!) She has run her own consulting company for almost twenty years! Hope began sharing her journey with the BAD community in the Spring of 2015 and feels like she has finally in a place to really focus on making wise financial decisions.
Do you ever wear skirts? They’re my favorite in warmer months because they’re super comfortable, cool/breezy, and cheap – plus they always look presentable. I like to buy the stretchy kind (not the kind that are fitted with zippers). I usually pick them up at Old Navy and they’re super cheap there. That might be an option, too? I feel like they tend to be cheaper than denim or pants, so maybe they could get you through until your consumer debt is paid and you can invest in a more suitable wardrobe before the cold-weather months roll around? Just an idea.
Have you ever gone to a clothing swap? My friend held one at her house. Basically, you have several people of varying sizes bring over clothes in good shape that they’re willing to swap. You can try on everything and take whatever you want. I came away with several outfits, two pairs of shoes, a purse, and two watches – and it cost me $0!
This might be something you can do at your church. I bet a lot of people would love to participate. Anything leftover can be donated or can be given back to whoever brought it.
Here are some links that might help.
http://www.moneycrashers.com/clothing-swap-party-exchange/
http://www.realsimple.com/holidays-entertaining/entertaining/everyday-celebrations/host-swap-party
http://www.oprah.com/style/Clothing-Swap-How-to-Host-a-Clothing-Swap/1
old navy. they have great stuff in all sizes and they run sales all the time. there’s basically no reason to ever buy anything full price from there. i think a nice pair of khaki shorts would be just as wearable as denim shorts. but honestly check them out- i do all my ordering online and then return what i don’t like (i hate trying things on in the store). also always check their clearance sections. i have found great stuff for practically nothing!
Have you spent any time browsing online to see if there’s anything that catches your eye? If you find something you really like, check RetailMeNot or other coupon sites to see if there are any discounts that might apply. I think if you set out with a mentality that you’ll spend a maximum of $20 or $25 per item, you’d come out within your budget. Some of this might just take some time searching and looking for good deals on the clearance rack.
I’d say pick the things you NEED to have before July and get them. Put the rest on hold to treat yourself to some more new clothes after the debts are gone this summer.
But then again, I’m still a shopping addict… So if I were actually in your position I’d probably buy everything on the list now.
Ashley is on to something. I almost only wear dresses and skirts in the summer. People always comment how nice I look. However, the jersey material for my skirts and maxi’s makes me call them my “summer sweatpants” because they are super comfy. If I know I will be playing with my nephew or the dogs, I just throw on a pair of bicycle shorts underneath. Old Navy always has good sales on their jersey knit skirts – pretty sure I own three of the same color in multiple colors (yes, a little ridiculous, I know).
Also, check your winter wardrobe and see if you can grab some good steals in last years clearance. I just picked up a few pieces for less than $30 total, all brand new.
For shirts,
Don’t you have any plus-size consignment shops in your area? I live in a small city in a southern state and we have two or three good plus-size consignment shops. That might be a place to try to get good quality basics.
I have had good luck on a website called ThredUp. They always have promotional deals for shipping and such. The best part is you can return items if they are not right. Another feature I like is when you are searching items you can look to see what other clothes came from this person. This website brings the thrift store to your home 🙂 Oh and you can search just like a department store site by size, brand, style…very well put together site.
JC Penny usually has good plus-sized clearance racks and I’ve had luck finding good deals on Old Navy’s website. They regularly run 30% off sales.
I agree with the JC Penney’s advice…..they have nicely made, reasonably priced women’s sized clothing and if you wait until about 3-4 weeks after the new season starts, JCP will start putting everything on sale….plus online coupons from retailmenot.com and you can get some great items for under $20 each.
And great news on the two new jobs!!!!
Old Navy almost always has good coupon codes that also work on sale and clearance items and they have a wide range of sizes online. I also love that I can return things to the store if they don’t work.
Why can’t you buy your clothes at a thrift store? If you are an uncommon size, there might be a smaller selection there, but unless you are really on the extreme end, there is likely to be something, especially if you keep looking regularly.
Why don’t you find a few thrift stores in your area, and take a look at them. Find the sections for the clothes you are looking for and see what there is. Then stop in there once a week or so until July when you have cleared your debt, and then buy new what you didn’t find at the thrift stores. I’m guessing you will find at least a few things, saving some money in the meantime.
Thrift stores are also a great place to find barely worn kids clothes for great prices, even if you don’t find anything for yourself.
You might check out Vee’s plus size closet on facebook. It’s a closed group but just ask to join. She sells all kind of plus size clothing on consignment and the prices are VERY reasonable. She is in Washington state, but ships anywhere. Just a thought… 🙂
Oh and if it’s already nice in your area it’s got to be almost garage sale time. Often you can get great deals on clothes. I have to say I do love shopping the clearance racks at JCPenney’s. Often I get mailed a coupon for 10$ off a purchase of $10 or more, and I make it a game to see how close to $10 I can get. Often you can get 2-3 things for less than $5 with this coupon.
Oh and congratulations on your new jobs!
Lands End is a great place to shop too. They have very stylish plus size clothing too. You can order a basic, classic wardrobe from them that will give you a lot of mileage. They run sales all the time (30% off) and a couple times each year have a really good sale where it is 30% off even sale stuff. Returns are very easy, even if you order from a catalog. Just bring it back to one of their stores or to a Sears, which carries their brand. Also, if you place your orders from the store, you will never pay shipping on orders that are less than $50. I love their quality clothes. They hold up well and last a long time.
Do you have a Salvation Army near you? The ones around me have a huge selection of clothes in ALL sizes. You should be able to get at least a few things there. I can walk away from mine with a bag of clothes for $20 or less… and I am picky and will only buy the items that look to be in brand-new condition.
By the way, congratulations on the two new jobs!
In my area there are A LOT of pages on Facebook that are rummage sale sites. I have sold a lot of plus size clothes this way for very cheap. Most blouses $1-$5. I just meet the buyer at a local gas station. On Facebook type in the name of your city and “rummage” or “resale” or “garage-sale” or “plus”. My town of about 20,000 has about six pages! Two are specifically for plus sizes.
I do’t care about clothes much either. I too need to buy a pair of shorts (have none that aren’t for the gym). Your debt story isn’t about consumer debt, with your clothing as described it seems like your personal needs have been on hold for a long time. I came to realize that every adult needs something to wear to a wedding, a funeral and a job interview and enough presentable clothes to get through at least week between laundry, in each season. Figuring out what that is is no harder than writing out a grocery list. And while you are working hard on your debt, there’s no need to be a martyr. It’s holey, not holy! I say spend half the new income on clothes until your wardrobe is serviceable, then figure out what you need to spend on maintaining it, rather than lurching from clothing crisis to crisis. It is a budget need, not a frivolous expense to maintain the basics. I hate shopping, so I tend to do it seasonally. Shoes are the hardest, but a few pair of spiffy, quality shoes can change up the basics from interview to party wear without any further expense. And buy quality, it really does save money in the long run.