How often do you buy new clothes?

I am still working but I don't really shop that much. I have always hated shopping. However, I am part of what I call a "clothes exchange" with other women at work. I have a co-worker who has a friend that works at a clothing store and gets her clothes dirt cheap. This woman buys a ton of clothes and when she gets tired of them, she will give my co-worker her clothes. My co-worker will then let me pick what clothes I like. I will also bring some clothes I'm tired of but that still look good. Luckily, we are pretty much the same size. I also do this with jewelry.

Just love my "clothes exchange". I get some really nice clothes for nothing.
 

Uptosnuff... that reminds me of a few exchange shops we have here. One that I know well is called ''Change of A dress''.... it's not a charity shop so they only take high end clothing, and they sell it for you, while taking a percentage...
 

hollydolly said:
Uptosnuff... that reminds me of a few exchange shops we have here. One that I know well is called ''Change of A dress''.... it's not a charity shop so they only take high end clothing, and they sell it for you, while taking a percentage...
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We have those here too, Holly, but we call them "Consignment shops". Change Of A Dress is a cute name.
 
I buy clothes wherever I feel like doing so, usually T shirts and trousers, I rarely wear a dress or skirt.
 
I remember seeing a report, a couple of years ago, done by the US Chamber of Commerce. In that report, they said that, on average, a person will spend $3 for every minute they are in a store. I can believe that. Going to the store, with a specific list in mind, getting those items, then getting out, certainly is the most efficient and cost saving way to shop. Milling around the store for an extended period of time, and putting "impulse" items in the cart most certainly adds to the price at the checkout.
 
I used to like shopping for clothes a lot more when there were malls that I wanted to go to. Unfortunately, a lot of the nicer ones have closed, probably driven out by all the online shopping, which I don't enjoy at all.
 
I didn't purchase anything new for a few years after I retired. I would wear a pair of raggedly jean shorts with a tank top for most of my outings. I do have a couple of dressier stuff to wear to nice places for meals. And I bought two new outfits last year for a work reunion and my high schools reunion. I have lately purchased some nicer fitted jeans with some nice tops in the last year. Since leaving work where there was always so many treats to eat I lost those last irritating pounds and have also gone down some more pounds lately. So, I had to buy new things that fit better.
 
CeeCee said:
I wear dresses in the summer, it’s just cooler than shorts and a top. Comfy dresses though.
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I think you've seen pics of me in summer dresses...I agree nice cool, dresses, usually knee length and sleeveless .. not maxi dresses... I'd look like a munchkin ... :D
 
I don't have to go far to do my clothes shopping; we have boutiques that come here to the residence
every Thurs. Some are better than others, there are 2 or 3 that I really like, so always go to them.
And yes I'm a shopaholic, can't resist something I like.
Going to go through my clothes this weekend and decide what to give away.
 
tortiecat said:
I don't have to go far to do my clothes shopping; we have boutiques that come here to the residence
every Thurs. Some are better than others, there are 2 or 3 that I really like, so always go to them.
And yes I'm a shopaholic, can't resist something I like.
Going to go through my clothes this weekend and decide what to give away.
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There's an old saying... one in 2 out....

It keeps stuff from overwhelming you..

I try to stick to that , but I'm weak... :eek:nthego:
 
I bought a swimsuit today, lol, got 20% off at kohl’s. I can’t swim but my husband wanted me to at least wade in the pool on vacation. The apartment we are moving to has a pool-good to walk in. I bought a two piece suit which hangs down to the middle of my backside and separate skirt for the bottom. I wish it covered my ugly swollen with arthritis fat knees, but you can’t have everything.

Easy to to put on.
 
My late mother loved dressing me up in pretty designer clothes as a kid, something I hated, I am still rebelling!:D I now dress to please myself, no one else. As long as my T shirts and trousers are clean and comfortable that is all that concerns me.
 
Don M. said:
I remember seeing a report, a couple of years ago, done by the US Chamber of Commerce. In that report, they said that, on average, a person will spend $3 for every minute they are in a store. I can believe that. Going to the store, with a specific list in mind, getting those items, then getting out, certainly is the most efficient and cost saving way to shop. Milling around the store for an extended period of time, and putting "impulse" items in the cart most certainly adds to the price at the checkout.
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Wow, I'm exactly the opposite, but I think that's just because I overthink everything!!! I'll often spend half an hour in a store and STILL leave with nothing!
 
I do most of my clothes shopping in Spring and Fall. Some in-store, and some online. I like to have something new for Summer and Winter. I've often gone shopping for something specific, only to come out empty-handed. More and more, I find I'm buying online from my favourite shop.
 
Being retired with no place to go, my shopping is fairly limited these days. But I seem to always find something, like a top or capris, that look 'so cute' that it nags at me to buy it. The ease of online shopping is the culprit for me.
 
The lock down has seen many retail outlets suffering from the pandemic I wondered if new clothes are even needed, I mean, for most there's nowhere to go to show off the finery.
Before the pandemic broke the only clothes that I bought retail was underwear, I include T-shirts in that. I wear V-neck T-shirts under my Aloha shirts.
The rest of my wardrobe comes from the skills of many talented hands. There are two tailors based in London that I use for made to measure suits. I use a milliner in Dorset for my hats and a cordwainer in Northampton who makes my shoes and, of course, my clever, skilled wife, who makes my shirts, pants and so much more.
Accoutrements, like ties and cravats, I source from the festivals and functions that we like to attend. My collection of tie pins, cuff-links, collar studs & stiffeners, really need a good sort out. How I miss the socialising, roll on freedom day.
 
It has been interesting to look back at this thread.

Before the pandemic, I used to go to several thrift shops each week when I was out running errands.

Now I do most of my errands on foot and only use the car once or twice a week.

This summer I started cleaning out my closet and dresser as part of an experiment with a limited capsule wardrobe.

I have kept a couple of outfits for weddings and funerals but everything else is very informal wash and wear.

Now most of my clothes fit into two dresser drawers. The laundry including sheets and towels can easily be done in one load each week. I still rinse out a few things and do an extra load of blankets or throws every now and then.

This little experiment is mostly due to my inability to lug around large amounts of laundry.

I’m still experimenting and shedding things but it is definitely making my life easier.

Less-is-more.jpg
 
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Like others, when Mrs. L and I were working we had a good selection of new clothes to wear in the office. Since retiring, many of these clothes have been relegated to 'everyday' wear and finally to 'workwear'. The only things I buy regularly are socks and underwear and maybe a couple of pairs of jeans every year.

I remember when I worked in Amsterdam, I bought a lot of clothes in C&A and Vroom & Dressman. This was fine as I went back to the UK at weekends and could launder my clothes there, but an American colleague who stayed in Amsterdam had a different approach. He would go to the street market in Albert Cuypstraat and buy 3 white shirts every week. He would wear these till they needed washed and then dumped them. It was cheaper than having them laundered.
 
This was an interesting read. What I did pre-pandemic and now are totally different. With no socializing, I rarely shop except for great jeans which are still illusive. My favourite shopping was/is thrift stores. The one store had lots of donations of European goods, the quality difference was measurable.

I do know when I’m feeling down, it’s obvious in the way I dress. Sometimes it pays to pull something nicer out of the closet even if I don’t feel like it.
 

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