My Monthly Purchases: February 2014

About mid-way through the month I decided to change the way I think about my clothing budget. Sticking to a monthly budget is a way to avoid overspending, but I often feel limited by my goal of $140, especially when it comes time for buying bigger ticket items (handbags, shoes, coats, etc). I don't want to "cheap out" on these types of items in order to stick to my budget, because inevitably I may up picking something of lower quality, which means I'll have to replace it sooner.

I'm going to see how I do with a seasonal budget instead. And I'm going to give myself a little raise.

My new goal is $500 per season, and each season will be divided into three months. That way if I want to spend $250 on a handbag, I won't feel guilty for blowing my monthly budget, and I'll still have some wiggle room to buy other things.

I'll still do my monthly breakdown, and at the end of the third month I'll share how I've done for the season.

Earrings: Joe Fresh (not available on-line)
Discounted from $8 to $4
I'm not going to bother with a photo of these. They are a three-pack of studs in gold, hematite, and rose gold. I've worn them a lot already. They're cute and understated - great for when I'm wearing a chunky necklace.

Sweater: Old Navy
Discounted from $33 to $12
This was a great way to satisfy my craving for all things nautical. I wore it here.


Tights: Old Navy (not available on-line)
Discounted from $8 to $5
A nice basic pair of navy tights.I wore them in this post.

Dress: Peter Pilotto for Target
Marked as $30 (mistake on tag, was supposed to be $40- yay)
I wasn't quite as excited for this Target collaboration as I was for 3.1 Phillip Lim. I was really hoping to love  the napkin skirts in this line, but they just didn't flatter my shape. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I loved this dress though. I am hoarding it...maybe for a spring wedding, maybe for my birthday, maybe both! I also have my eye on a trumpet skirt from the collection which I will pick up if it goes on clearance.


Vest: Vero Moda via Envy (can't find this on-line)
Discounted from $60 to $25
I haven't worn it yet as it hasn't been warm enough, but it was on my list of things to buy and I love it! It's a army green utility vest and has a detachable faux-leather panel.

Riding Boots: Call it Spring
Discounted from $150 to $50
I've never actually owned a pair of riding boots. When I saw that these were real leather and only $50, I ordered them on-line. I've worn them around the house and they're really comfy. They're different enough from my other brown boots that I can justify keeping them. My other ones are darker and cone-heeled.


Skirt: Club Monaco
Discounted from $140 to $17
OK, I just realized that this is new stock, so I have no clue why I got it for the ridiculous price that I did. I assumed it was from last year or something, but nope, it's on the website for full price! The shopping fairy was on my shoulder that day.





Jeans: Cambio via Foreign Affair (can't find them on-line)
Discounted from $295 to $50
I haven't worn these yet. They were bought on a whim on what might have been the most expensive lunch hour ever (same day I bought my wedding shoes). I'll be sure to wear them soon and take some photos. They will replace my grey Old Navy skinnies. Cambio is a German brand and they were apparently featured as one of Oprah's favorite things. I'm so glad I walked into Foreign Affair on the day they did final markdowns!

Total spent this month: $193
Total value of the items:$734
I saved 74%.

Based on my new "seasonal budget", I have $154 to spend in March to complete my Winter season. I'm excited for another Target collaboration that I just found out about a few days ago. This one is with an emerging Canadian designer, Sarah Stevenson and the previews show some gorgeous floral prints. I'm noticing an absence of red tops in my closet, so I might try to find one.

Do you budget your monthly clothing expenses? How did you do in February?

XOXO
Glitterary Girl