I have limited myself to a budget of £100 a month which amounts to £1,200 per annum. I am a stylist (though not for much longer way hay) and I do top up my allowance by selling items on ebay and thereby indulge in neutral shopping. I also, and this is occasionally get free items. One year a PR company insisted I choose some Falke socks from their supply. This was not only very handy but turned my head as Falke socks and tights are lovely. Apart from being given a Viktor & Rolf dress once, I don't get biggies or that much for free. I have been loaned items which is nice.
The allowance has to work hard but I was caught up in an endless cycle of buy, sell, buy, sell and worse over it! I began to find the high street items too costly for the quality of the garment. I knew quality is key but even so called quality brands weren't living up to the hype.
So far so good. I have bought three items, a Valentino skirt from the Outnet for £136.
A Calvin Klein dress for £49 from TK Maxx
And a Pringle jumper again from TK Maxx for £39.
Over a three month period I have spent £224 and have £76 left over which goes back into paying off the MA debts. I will wear the jumper to death over the spring and summer. I haven't felt able to wear it yet as it is so bright I might even give myself a fright.
It is really nice to be under budget and also not to have bought anything from the high street whatsoever. Having stepped away I look at clothes more dispassionately as I am choosing personal style and things I love over what is in. I love to know what is in as I think you can emulate it without actually needing anything new. I feel impressed with my sticking to budget and hope to keep up the good work. I know I could be doing better so next month I will only look for designer items in charity shops, saving me even more money.
Cor. I'd love someone to force designer on me!
ReplyDeleteI tend to find my designer bargains at Bicester Village, TK Maxx and second hand! I heart ebay!
Hi there-yes, funny enough my outing in London yesterday did not turn my head for bags or clothes, I enjoyed looking at them but did not feel tempted in the slightest, as I look forward more to my visits to the charity shops and boot sales for that wow find. Well done for being under budget, look forward to seeing your charity shop buys too! x
ReplyDeleteI love that jumper - it really will be a great piece for the spring! Well done on sticking to your budget! I've given up shopping for 6 months, but the freebies definitely help ease the pain :)
ReplyDeleteKate you should go shopping with 'my style' Sharon nobody is better at the designer charity shop find!! Ebay is always the best for me, is there anything specific you feel you need to hunt out?
ReplyDeleteInteresting challenge! If I was sticking to only designers, I wouldn't be able to buy anything!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on coming in under your budget! I'm definitely interested in how you will style your pringle jumper and looking forward to seeing what gems you pick up at the charity shops next month.
ReplyDeleteUnder budget, well done! And all three are classic beauties. I just sold a heap of designer on ebay but Jan was probably the wrong month for it as I didn't get nearly as much as I wanted, sob!
ReplyDeleteOh that's a hard budget to stick to! Not the amount to spend, but the fact that you're not rolling it over month to month. Good way to get the debt down though.
ReplyDeleteGet that jumper on now! It's so grey and miserable that we need some sunshine.
Ooh, I have that exact same CK dress in purple, also from TK Maxx. Looking forward to seeing what you wear it with
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to invite you to join the third annual capsule wardrobe challenge. Details posted on my blog today.
ReplyDeleteJane X
I haven't bought any fast fashion for about two years and I think it has saved me money. Instead, I've bought vintage and, occasionally, "designer." However, in the designer category, I am very picky. This has as much to do with quality as it has to do with not wanting to support sweat shops or line the wallets of CEOs who do all their production in China to exploit cheap labor. I just want to know that a decent portion of the money I am paying for something is going to support properly unionized workers who work reasonable hours and get good holidays. The is not the case for the majority of factory workers in China. There are certain brands that I won't buy because of that-- Acne, Alexander Wang etc.
ReplyDeleteOf course, the worst are those supposedly "heritage" brands that now import nearly everything. Like Barbour, for example. I noticed the basic Burberry trenches that cost $1000 are also now Made in China.
Dear Kate, you've done very well there. I think I need a budget... not that I'd probably stick to it. I went mad on Ebay on Sunday - a full length faux fur coat, ridiculous costume jewellery, a Betsey Johnson bright orange marabou cape, all sorts of bits and bobs. I need to stop NOW! They were bargains, which of course I can't resist xx
ReplyDeleteYou have done really well and I love the pieces you have bought!
ReplyDeleteMaybe a bright sweater is just what is needed to cheer up a winter day!
ReplyDeleteSuch gorgeous pieces and under budget, too. Such a brilliant achievement.
ReplyDeleteI love a bit of virtual shopping, browsing the sale sites, popping everything in my basket and then emptying it all out telling myself that a month in India in April is far more fun. xxx
I know that I have said it before but you are REALLY inspiring me to approach my new skinny wardrobe in a totally different way. I am committing to only buying the best I can afford and only buying enduring/classic pieces. I am going to write about it on my blog soon and about how you have inspired me. I can't wait to show off my Kate Spade LBD. I couldn't love it more and that is part of my 2011 wardrobe plan. I am ONLY buying what I love. Thank you for being an inspiration.xoxo
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of such challenge, this is a kind of challenge that makes me think I would love it! Well apart from not having any money! :) But recently I bought my FIRST pair of designer shoes, valentino, so I'm thirlled! It is so different though once you wear designer, then you just don't want the crap quality of the high street, and primark ( i think that should be two categories :P).. But people only see short term- this costs 3 pounds, this 300 , but the first will last 2 washes, the second you will give to your daughter :P That's at least how I will justify my buying designer in the future! :)
ReplyDeleteI very often find that if I get given freebies (esp beauty ones) I soon become hooked on said product and end up investing my own money in them. The only exception was Creme de la Mer lip balm. I got it as a freebie and then was devastated when it finished but could no way justify £30 for a pot of lip balm. Back to the Carmex then. Haven't been on here for yonks Kate, my bad :(
ReplyDeleteI need to do this challenge. I've weeded certain stores out of my wardrobe, mostly apparel from F21 and UO (though UO shoes are okay). I don't know how I would do on spending budget of $200 a month. I'm not quite sure I'm ready to give up H&M forever (I love it too much). But I do think I could do $200 a month and make it work. Maybe that will be my spring resolution. And anything sold on eBay can be spent on new apparel. Thanks for the tips!
ReplyDeleteI wish I could get away with a sweater in such a fabulous colour - great finds! xx
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