Image courtesy of Greater than Rubies.
Earlier this month, I decided to drastically alter my spending on clothing, buying only one item a month. Of course, there were a few exceptions as well, including this one:
Any income I make from selling clothing or accessories I no longer want, I can use to purchase something else, or put it towards the cost of my one item.
That said, this month was an unusual one in the fact that I did clean out my closet and earned some income with which I purchased a few things, including new running shoes (hey, I won a $50 DSW gift card and it expired this month) and Hunter rain boots (I sold my bright glossy coral pair on eBay and opted for the adjustable version in a more neutral olive color.) I also found some fleece lined socks on eBay so I can wear them to/from work and while running errands in this nasty snow slush.
I kind of feel like I’m cheating already, but technically, I haven’t spent ANY money out of pocket this month. Nada. Zero. Zilch! That’s progress! (And honestly, I doubt I will sell much else in the coming months so I won’t have any additional “buffer” income to work with.)
The one item I did end up purchasing this month (actually, last night to be exact) was a North Face Metropolis Parka from eBay.
Why I added it: Chicago has had a brutally cold winter this year and I didn’t own a coat that kept me warm enough. I have a couple dress coats for work (read: cute, not practical) and a Columbia coat, but it stops at my waist and I wanted something long and insulated and longer. These coats are a major investment and I didn’t want to pay full price so I had been checking out eBay. Luckily, I ended up being the high bidder on a gorgeous olive green one! I hope it fits. It can’t come soon enough!
Here are the items that I have on my list moving forward:
1. Booties (not sure if I want black or tan yet)
2. Gingham button up shirt
3. White lace tank or tee
4. Colored denim
5. Spring/summer dress for special occasions
6. Floral, patterned or fringe scarf
7. Spring coat (perhaps a trench?)
As part of my challenge, I’ve decided to allow myself to replace worn out or ruined things outside of my new additions, but since I don’t even have 12 pieces on my list, I may count them. {Right now I’m looking to replace my navy striped top that is really worn out.}
Check out some other fabulous bloggers who are also doing the one-item-a-month plan and cheer them on!
–Greater than Rubies
–Tucker Up
–Work Clothes I Suppose
How did you do this month?
Linking up with Franish and her budgeting bloggers! To view my past clothing budgets, click here.
Well done this month! A good winter coat is such a necessity. I’ve been wearing my J.Crew cocoon coat and it’s been surprisingly warm enough for the harsh Wisconsin winter. I really didn’t think it would hold up, since it’s on the dressier side.
If you’re interested, you can enter my current giveaway to win a delicate sterling silver arrow necklace from Chloe + Isabel!
Thanks for reading Jessica! Where in Wisconsin are you from?
I live in Madison.
Why did you get rid of your bright boots? I swear I remember you posting about those last year… or am I losing my mind?
You should come shop my scarves. I have a zillion! I bought myself the same scarf organizer I got Erin, so maybe I will have a scarf post coming soon. It’s getting out of hand…
Yes- great memory Kim! :-) I got the glossy coral non-adjustable ones but found they were too “loud” to wear to/from the office and were a little too snug if I wore pants with them. Instead, I got the adjustable dark green color and it is much more of a neutral tone so I can wear them a lot more!
I can’t wait till I have this baby and I can start shopping for normal clothes again, haha! :)
xo, Yi-chia
Always Maylee
Wow, this is an intense budget!! I could not handle it. I’ve been thinking I need a longer coat, Chicago has been soooo cold this year!! Something ankle length is sounding really nice haha ;)
Kristina does the Internets
My trip to Disneyland has been a great motivator to not spend any money on clothes. I haven’t bought anything in almost 2 months!!!!!! Good for you Valerie.
Agi:)
vodkainfusedlemonade.com
I have one of those coats and it is the best thing EVER for the commute to/from work on cold days. I wear mine to Seahawks games too and having it cover my butt and protect me from the cold seats! And thanks for linking to me – I can’t wait to write my budget post for the month and share my one item idea!! I’m only committing to the first quarter of the year to see how it goes, but I love it so far!
Yay! I’m glad you found a coat. I’ll be looking forward to your thoughts on it.
Definitely! I should be getting it in the mail on Monday…hope it fits ok. Otherwise, I just saw a great sales price on an UnderArmour parka that looks quite similar in which case I may do a review/comparison and return/sell the one I don’t care for! (We’ll see if North Face can live up to the polar vortex…mwa ha haaa!)
I bought an investment pair of leather black riding boots this month. I had been eyeing them and they were on sale for $130 from $230 so I jumped on it! I also got some new workout clothes from Old Navy with a giftcard when they were on sale for 40% using a giftcard from Christmas. So, I’m counting this as buying on thing this month!
Oooh those sound fantastic and will last a long time–good for you! Don’t you love Old Navy workout gear?! I swear by their 3/4 length compression capris! Keep it up!
Shoot, I think a parka in Chicago is an essential survival item regardless of cost! ;o)
This is such a brilliant idea and definitely inspiring. I’m not sure if I could make this commitment right now since I’m in the process of transitioning my wardrobe and adding some “needed” pieces, but this is certainly a great challenge and a great way to save!
Wow, this is such a good idea! I feel like I am trying so hard to purge my closet, that adding so many items each month (even if they were a great deal) is making my life more difficult. How do I join this purchase once a month thing? What are the rules, can you spend as much as you want on the one item? Or do you all set a certain budget. Let me know I am very interested! ALSO I think this purchase was a fantastic idea!
That is exactly how I was feeling too Rachel. I originally saw this idea from Sarah at Tucker Up. She mentioned she was going to host a monthly link up for the one item she bought, but I haven’t seen it yet and continue to link up with Franish to keep myself accountable! I outlined the rules in this post: http://the-style-files.com/im-cutting-myself-off-my-updated-clothing-resolution/ Let me know if you have any other questions on it though- happy to help! Let me know if you plan on doing it…we can cheer each other on!
Oh my gosh, I feel like this would be a tough challenge to take on! Living just north of you in Milwaukee, warm coats are definitely a necessity! I have a couple wool dress coats that work well, but for those darn polar vortex days I might have to look into a longer North Face coat! Good luck with your challenge!
Thanks Laura- and I didn’t realize you were in Milwaukee- small world! I’m basically on the border of IL and WI- not too far away!
I love that you are doing this, Valerie. I think it is such a good idea! I have had similar budget ideas in my head, but I have never put them out there – I’m afraid I won’t be able to do it hah! I love that you found the coat you needed on Ebay – and that jacket will last a long time!
Question – what made you decide to get rid of your bright Hunter boots? I bought a pair this summer (I went with shiny gray) and I had the hardest time because I loved the bright green. I ultimately decided that it would be easier to wear the gray ones to work. Is that what led your decision? I’m just trying to see if I made the right choice :)
Yeah I was a little apprehensive taking this on but now that it’s out there, I need to hold myself accountable! It really is crazy how much stuff I have in my closet- I am really going to try to remix items I already have and not focus on the trendiest next hot thing or the next big sale, etc. It just took too much time (and money!)
I had the shiny coral boots that were not adjustable. I found that I wasn’t wearing them that often because they were a little tight in the calf with pants on and the color was so bright. Instead, I went with a non gloss dark green and got the adjustable version. SO much better and I think I’ve already worn them more than the coral ones! I plan to wear mine to and from work (and then change into my heels at my desk) and I wanted something that was a neutral color so I think the gray is going to be PERFECT for you if you are looking to wear this to work! Can’t wait to see what you think of them!
Man oh man, I’ve been lusting after a long, puffy coat like that for ages! (How sad is that? Haha this winter’s been brutal in central Ohio, too!) I didn’t even think of checking eBay…thanks for the smart tip :)
Ooh, I have heard great things about that coat! I have a really similar one made by Spyder that I have had for 3 years now. I’ve literally never been cold wearing it, and I live in Minnesota!! I hope it works out for you :) I really like that you’re doing the one-item thing, too. It sounds like a great idea!
I love the idea of only 1 item a month (barring replacements). I hope to do this next year! This year my goal was 45 or less, which is more than half of what I estimate I bought last year. I’m tackling replacements, upgrades, and waedrobe holes with those 45. Once I have things situated 12 a year sounds perfect- a ‘pick me up’ that is carefully thought out, and not in mass quantity, is a great idea! The benefit is you can afford to spend more on that one item if you choose because you’te purchasing so few things. Even the ‘5 piece french wardrobe’ is 20 items in a year/5 a season!
I love that coat! I seriously considered that same one for a while, but that was mostly just the Polar Vortex making me feel like I needed it… living in Nashville, you don’t need the full length coat as much! I ended up purchasing a Carhartt down jacket (stops at waist) that will be on my roundup for February. Great find!