2017 | Clothes

Wednesday, January 10, 2018

It's that time of year when I look back and conjure up some percentages relating to this year's clothing purchases. In a previous post I shared every item I purchased in 2017, this is the annual breakdown.

Overall I spent £663.03, which is over my £600 budget but it's still eighty quid less than last year, and my lowest spend since I started a tally in 2012. I'm chalking this up as a success, especially when I think about the fact I spent £1,250.86 in 2015, and £1751.00 in 2012!

How many items did I buy?
83 items in total - 40 new and 43 pre-loved. This is my third highest number of purchases, but because I purchased more pre-loved items it's my lowest spend.

What percentage of items purchased were pre-loved?
For the first time I purchased more pre-loved than new - 52%

What percentage of items purchased are still owned?
85% which is the same as last year - the highest since records began.

Total of discarded items
£88.14 - this figure makes me all the more determined to sell the items I'll never wear, perhaps I can make a good chunk of this back?

What percentage of items purchased remain unworn?
19% - this seems a little high but some of the items in this are maternity bits that I didn't get to wear, and some are new purchases that just haven't been worn yet, but most definitely will.


What was the most expensive item?
My green skirt at £25.60, was the most expensive, and definitely my most worn item. I was really surprised by this, this seems like such a small amount, last year my most expensive item was £95.00, followed by a cardigan at £40.00.


What was most expensive pre-loved item?
My bargain £24.99 burgundy boots! This might be my most expensive pre-loved item but it's still a bargain price for leather boots in really good condition.

What was the cheapest of both categories?
New flip flops for 90p, that I wore all summer long, and 99p for a pre-loved maxi skirt from ebay.

I buy a lot of pre-loved items but discard quite a high number of them. This is because I got out of habit of trying things on in charity shops, and made too many ebay purchases that I had no option of returning, so I'm stuck with items that don't fit or I don't like. You don't get this problem with a new purchase, but it won't put me off buying pre-loved.


What were my clothes related resolutions for 2017?

For 2017 I wanted my spending to be lower than 2016, which it was.

I wanted to wear items purchased in 2016 that I hadn't worn.
This had some success. I had eight items on the 'Unworn' list. One item was donated, one still needs altering, three items were added to capsules and worn a number of times, and three items still need to be worn (or donated / sold). Although one of these items is a dress that makes me smile so I'm pretty sure that even if I don't wear it, it'll remain in my wardrobe. I will wear it, one day. Probably.

Have another ban on buying PJs.
I didn't buy any PJ bottoms but I did have the need for a few new vest tops. I bought three and put some old ones, that I'd had for years, in the rag bag.

I need to alter items in a more timely manner
I have altered / mended a few things during 2017, but there are still way too many items needing my attention. I've put 'Mend' on my winter to-do list. Although I'm doubtful that it'll have the desired effect.

Sell the things I no longer want, or that don't fit.
I didn't sell a single thing. I always say I'm going to sell things but it all ends up in a pile in the spare room and gets forgotten.


My 2018 Resolutions (at the risk of sounding like a broken record)

Reduce the number of clothes I buy overall
Buy more pre-loved clothes than new
Reduce my overall spend again, I'll try for £600 and see if I can make it this year!
Alter / mend all items that need it
Sell all the things that don't fit or I no longer wear. Anything not sold by the summer will be donated to charity.
Reduce the percentage that I buy and then donate / sell / pass on.

I think that having a seasonal capsule wardrobe and taking part in A Buyer's Archive has made me more aware of the amount I spend, and what kind of clothes I like to wear. Over the years I've stopped buying things that I like but don't fit in my wardrobe. If I can't think of three ways to wear something I don't buy it.

Now, if I can just break those other annoying habits...

Do you keep a tally of your spending?

Links to previous years - 2012   |  2013  |  2014  |  2015  |  2016

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9 comments

  1. I’m definetly determined to track my spending more this year! Last year I seemed to be in a restrict and binge cycle with my clothes and so I’d ban myself from spending for a few weeks then the urge would get too much and I’d completely go mad buying everything I saw in my size in my favourite charity shops.

    This year my goals are to keep a log of everything I wear on my Instagram so I can see what I’m wearing lots, be more selective of what I buy and take part in the buyers archive! So far this month I’ve spent £1.80 😂

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    1. I was EXACTLY the same Charlotte! I did a Lent van/fast on clothes and went completely insane post-Lent for the rest of the year!

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    2. Complete spending bans don't work for me either. Just go mad when they're over.

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  2. I think you did very well. I have similar resolutions!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you. My resolutions seem to be the same year on year - one day I'll break these bad habits!!

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  3. All things considered, you did very well. I'm pretty amazed that your most expensive item was £25.60! I don't really make resolutions, especially not on the clothing front, which doesn't mean I think I should be a bit more restrained. I can't pass up a good vintage frock, but often realize too late that I already own something similar. xxx

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    1. I'm pleased with the outcome. I don't take resolutions too seriously, but making them and writing them down makes me aware of changes that would be good make. I'd like to keep all my resolutions but as I've been making the same ones since 2012 I have to wonder if I'll manage them all!
      I went through a stage of buying similar items, feeling like one wasn't enough, but taking part in A Buyer's Archive helped to quash that. That said you can never have enough lovely dresses :)
      xx

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  4. It's really interesting looking at things broken down in this way. I think you've done really well with your clothes buying this year. The green skirt has been such a good buy and I really like the California T shirts.

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    Replies
    1. I really enjoy putting this post together each year. As a lover of a challenge, and a list it ticks both boxes, and to a certain extent it helps curb spending, encourages second hand shopping and breaks a few bad habits.
      I blinkin' love that green skirt!

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All products that are featured on Hazel’s World of Joy have been purchased by me unless otherwise stated. Any PR samples, items that have been sent to me for review or similar will be declared as such at the end of the post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.