I share my clothing budget here every month. My budget per month is $350, which may seem like a lot to some people or a little to others, but for me feels just right. I include all of my clothes, coats, shoes, and accessories in that budget, but not athletic gear, pajamas, or intimates.
I always sit down to write my monthly budget posts like, "oh, I didn't buy anything this month right?" and then there are like 10 things sitting on my budget Pinterest board. But like, really, I think because we went out of town twice this month, I totally blacked out on everything I bought in July.
The standouts though are definitely the ruffle tank and these jeans! I got the ruffle tank in black and white, and I basically wear both of them once a week. So cute with skirts and pull-on shorts! And then the jeans. Omg the jeans. They might be the perfect skinny jeans. They stretch, they're amazingly comfortable, but they don't stretch out. Just calling it now, I will wear them every day this fall.
For August, I'm going to be shopping the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale with (hopefully) a bit of restraint. I mostly have my eye on these booties, this dress, these sneakers, and this (splurge) bag. I get access on Monday, so cross your fingers for me! If you aren't familiar, the sale opens based on your Nordstrom status on four different days, and then to the general public on 8/19 - full details here.
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Every month I post about my clothing budget. My budget per month is $350, which may seem like a lot to some and a little to others, but feels just right for me. You can read my thoughts on my 2018 budget here.
Bye July! I'm especially sad this month is over, because it means I just have one more month of maternity leave! Wah, where did those months go?! Mia started daycare this week (she had to start early to hold her spot - stupid competitive city daycares!) so it's been an emotional rollercoaster, and it's making the end feel all the more real.
For all of the shopping I thought I did in July, there are actually surprisingly few items on this list - so I'm slightly worried I'm missing something and actually dropped a ton more cash somewhere that I'm forgetting. Not that that's ever happened ;) But really what happened is, I still am confused about what size I am and am still feeling big from the pregnancy so I placed a couple of orders where everything was two sizes too big. Whoops! A lot of fail on my part.
Four of these items are from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale which ends on Sunday (!!!) so if you're thinking of making a purchase remember to snag stuff now before the prices go up on Monday. My full try-on post is here. (Psst I'm still deciding whether or not to keep the pants so they may appear in August's budget, and I don't count sleepwear or winter coats towards my total).
Here's the damage for July:
Halogen Pleated Shift Dress - originally $99.00, on sale $65.90. So excited to wear this once we hit fall, it's that perfect dress that can work for basically any occasion! J.Crew Factory Eyelet Peplum Tee - originally $45.00, on sale $22.50. I literally bought this because I wanted more items to wear with this bag 😂but it's been great to have in my closet! It's really just a tee but feels more fun than your basic crewneck. BP Miniskirt - originally $49.00, on sale $31.90. I used to have a bunch of skirts like this in my closet but somehow they all disappeared. These little miniskirts are weirdly the most flattering skirt shape on me, and I love how versatile they are! BlankNYC Moto Jacket - originally $88.00, on sale $58.90. This was my biggest impulse buy of the sale, but I remembered that this spring I was always trying to figure out a little jacket to wear during weird Chicago temperatures and I kept wishing for a leather jacket. This one is vegan leather so it's really light and stretchy, and the draped front is oh so flattering. Caslon V-Neck Hi-Low Sweater - originally $59.00, on sale $38.90. This is a great basic for basically year-round in Chicago haha. I love the rounded hem, it's perfect for wearing with leggings! J.Crew Knit Dress - originally $128.00 on sale $76.80. I wasn't really sure of this and almost didn't order it, but I'm really glad I did, I've gotten a ton of wear out of it so far! It's a slip dress covered by an open crochet knit. It's breezy and fun, but can easily be dressed up too. I've worn it here and here.
Total Spent: $294.90
Total Saved: $173.10
I've been feeling better about my spending lately - I feel like I'm finally starting to figure out this whole budgeting thing! Only been writing these posts since 2014 hahaha. But really, I haven't had a "go crazy" month in a while. I say that because I was looking at my July budget post from last year and I bought about four thousand things. I finally have a handle of what's in my closet and what I need.
I'm not really looking for anything specific at the moment besides maybe some new booties. And I've also been trying to convince myself that I definitely don't need this bag ;)
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Every month I post about my clothing budget. My budget per month is $350, which may seem like a lot to some and a little to others, but feels just right for me. You can read my thoughts on my 2017 budget here.
...So, you think I bought enough this month? Lol! I'm actually a little embarrassed - turns out in July I shopped a lot. I returned a lot, but I seem to have kept a lot too.
This is always the month where I start shopping for fall (thanks Nordstrom Anniversary Sale!) and I'm really pumped about my fall wardrobe so far. I freaking love that fuzzy pullover - I saw it on repeat last winter but never bought it because the sizing made it seem like it would be way too small. I ordered a large, and it actually fits great. I ended up wearing it over the weekend on our trip to Michigan and it was so soft and cozy. I'm also weirdly psyched about the tee shirt dresses from Old Navy. They were incredibly inexpensive and are so comfortable and versatile - definitely layering these with all of my cardigans and scarves come fall!
So, here are all of my purchases for July. Just a note, I am holding off on sharing a few of my #nsale purchases that I'm not 100% about keeping yet - the rest will be included next month!
Halogen Tee - originally $39.00, on sale $24.90. This is the perfect layering piece, tried on here. J. Crew Rainbow Stripe Tee - originally $42.50, on sale $29.75. This tee is so fun to wear, especially with white shorts! Old Navy Flag Hat - originally $16.99, on sale $10.00. I snagged this for the Fourth of July, how freaking cute! J.Crew Factory Pom Pom Trim Tee - originally $44.50, on sale $18.00. I literally forgot I bought this because I wore it for about an hour and immediately spilled on myself. But, it seems to have come through the wash alright and I rediscovered it this week. The pom pom detail makes it so cute for summer! BP Plaid Poncho - originally $39.00, on sale $25.90. So cute for fall but sadly already sold out! Adidas Sneakers - originally $85.00, on sale $63.90. I have such picky feet, even when it comes to sneakers, and I was so happy to discover these are so comfortable! They're a sock style shoe that slips on and contours to your foot, and you don't actually have to wear socks with them. Love love love. Halogen Cardigan - originally $79.00, on sale $42.90. This was a late sale purchase for me after I didn't love a few other cardigans I tried, and I'm so excited for this one! It's really soft, I love the length, and the green color will be so pretty for fall and the holiday season. Old Navy Tee Dress (purchased in black and gray) - originally $26.99, on sale $10.00. BP Pocket Plaid Shirt - originally $49.00, on sale $31.90. This was another late sale purchase, I love that there are only buttons on the top which gives it a great fit. RETURNED!! I never wore this so I ended up taking it back. It just didn't quite work for maternity. J.Crew Factory Chambray Shorts - originally $34.50, on sale $19.50. I ordered these kind of on a whim after trying them on here and not being wowed. And have basically not worn another pair of shorts since. They're so comfy and go with everything! Sole Society Tote - originally $64.95, on sale $42.90. I loooove this bag, it's super high quality for such a good price. Packed this as my personal item for my flight out to San Francisco this morning! J.Crew Factory Sandals - originally $59.50, on sale $19.50. I honestly bought these because the price was so good, which is not a good reason to buy something. But I love the calf hair leopard print, and have worn them a few times (though not nearly as much as my TKEES!) so I'm getting that twenty bucks out of them! LOFT Cardigan - originally $49.50, on sale $29.70. I'd been on the hunt for a summer weight cardigan, and this one fit the bill. It's really soft and comfortable, perfect for all that air conditioning! Thread & Supply Wubby Fleece Pullover - originally $78.00, on sale $51.90. In case you haven't figured it out, I love this. Got a size large and the fit is perfect. LOFT Eyelet Top - originally $59.50, on sale $35.70. I love a good white blouse for summer, so sad this is now sold out!
Total Spent: $434.55
Total Saved: $311.37
Whew, so just a little bit of spending, right?! So, for August I can really say I'm not shopping for anything in particular, and will be attempting to hold myself back. Wish me luck!
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Every month I post about my clothing budget. My budget per month is $350, which may seem like a lot to some and a little to others, but feels just right for me. You can read my thoughts on my 2016 budget here.
I did a ton of shopping online this month thanks to the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, but the majority of it is actually going back so this budget post feels a little empty considering how much I bought. I did get the faux-leather leggings in the mail as I was pulling stuff together for this post, and they're so good I had to add them in. I also ended up buying these booties since I decided to return the other pair I bought (waterproof, but the stitching rubbed my ankles too much to ignore) but they haven't come in the mail yet, I'll let you know what I think once I get them!
Yahoo, under budget! You may have noticed this pair of flats was excluded from my list, it's mainly because I'm still not 100% I'm going to keep them. I haven't found a reason to wear them yet, and if that continues they're going back.
I really can't believe we're getting into August now! I don't really have any big holes in my wardrobe at the moment, although I am still looking for a new winter coat. I'll keep you posted!
Did you budget in July? How did you do?
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Every month I post about my clothing budget. My budget per month is $300, which to some may seem like a lot and to others a little, but feels just right for me. You can read my thoughts on my 2015 budget here. July is almost over, can you believe it?! I bought kind of a lot at the end of the month (ahem #nsale) but it all hasn't arrived yet, so I'm only counting the stuff I definitely decided to keep. It's funny to see the shift in my purchasing habits this month. Basically from January to June I was buying mostly summer items, and now it looks like I've moved on to fall/winter. I've been needing a new pair of jeans, so I was excited to find another pair from Madewell in a tall and on sale (which seems to never happen!). Unlike the last pair I bought from there, which I said seemed a touch too big in the knees and calves, this pair fits like a glove. Done and done. I shared a bunch of stuff on Snapchat (Missed out? Follow me @kristinadoes) on Tuesday that came in the mail this week. While I kept everything I found at J.Crew Factory, there were a couple of purchases from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale that are going back. First are these faux-leather leggings - the fit was fine in the waist, super baggy in the crotch, and incredibly tight in the knees. No thanks! I also am sadly returning the Halogen lace-up flats that seemingly everyone bought - the nude color is oh so pretty but the toebox was just too narrow for me, they pinched my toes in a way that other lace-up flats haven't. So anyway, here's what I bought in July:
Every month I post about my clothing budget. My budget per month is $300, which to some may seem like a lot and to others a little, but feels just right for me. You can read my thoughts on my 2014 budget here.
I get a lot of questions about my budgeted dollar amount per month - i.e., "doesn't it seem like a lot?"
It's always weird to talk about money, but I thought I'd share how I make it work. I don't talk about it here a lot, but I work basically all the time. When I'm not at my 9-5, let's just say that every day I'm hustlin (wow that was embarrassing to type and I'm not even drinking wine!). I make a tiny, tiny bit of money from this blog space, but I have another side hustle too - I do freelance graphic design and build websites in my free time, which is where my entire clothing budget comes from each month. #bosslady
That being said, another month done! I feel like I finally met my goal of buying fewer, higher quality items. Of course, I mentioned I actually picked this dress up in June but didn't count it last month because I thought it was going back, so really I only bought two things (erm, and like, 10 more that I returned). But still, progress! We're still in summer, but I had to pick up these rain boots for Fall when I saw them in the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. I love the look of my Hunters and Sorel snowboots, but I never actually want to wear them because they're so big and bulky. Even though it snowed so much last winter I still only pulled out the snow boots a couple of times. So here's hoping I actually wear these!
I really held it in this month after going a little crazy in June, and as more Fall clothes start arriving in stores I'm sure I'll have a hard time holding back next month. But for now, I'm feeling pretty good ;)
Did you budget in July? How did you do?
P.S. Today is the LAST DAY to complete my blog survey and enter to win a LOFT giftcard - enter here!
So I was doing pretty good at not spending too much this month, and then the Nordstrom Anniversary sale happened. Whoops. I was going to just buy a job interview outfit, and now I own some killer ankle boots instead. Although the other pieces I bought were filling some holes in my wardrobe (except for the pineapple shorts, I don't think anyone has a pineapple shorts hole), since I somehow didn't own a white button down and my jean jacket no longer fit. Oh well, I may not have come in way under budget, but at least I'm under $300!
