NH, much of New England spend among least on clothes, report finds

With the Consumer Price Index for clothing increasing rapidly over the past few years, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on the State's Where People Spend the Most and Least on Clothes to shed light on where Americans are having the most trouble affording apparel.

To determine where consumers spend the most and least relative to their earnings, WalletHub analyzed the average prices of a men's dress shirt, a pair of boys' jeans and a pair of women's slacks in each of 50 states, then compared them to the median household income.

Expert Commentary

What tips do you have to help people avoid overspending on clothes?

"Opt for classic, versatile items that pair well with your existing wardrobe and are durable enough to last. By avoiding trends that come and go quickly, you can maintain your wardrobe longer and reduce the need to constantly replace items. Give yourself time to decide. If you see something you want, step away before making the purchase. Online, this could mean closing the tab; in stores, it might mean leaving and doing something else for a while. Creating a waiting period can help you determine whether you truly want or need the item... Beware of marketing tactics that create urgency. Marketers often use sales, limited-time offers, and promotions to encourage immediate purchases. Stick to your budget, and remember: if an item is '50% off,' you are not actually saving money unless you intended to buy it at full price."
Christian P. Barney - Assistant Professor, Georgia Southern University

"I try to assign a pre-determined amount for 'clothes shopping' every month or two months (depending on the frequency of purchase) - and I really try to evaluate anything I want to buy once I have exceeded my budget. When tempted to splurge on an unplanned purchase, I first try to think about whether my main expenses for the month have been covered. I have unsubscribed from mailing lists of my favorite stores. Email reminders of sales and new styles from my favorite brands are temptations I try to avoid. I have deleted shopping apps from my phone - they are seriously dangerous to my wallet. I try not to click on any ads for fashion on my social media feeds. I try to schedule my 'big' shopping and major consumption events to coincide with semi-annual sales at my preferred stores. I try to never go online to my favorite clothes websites when I am feeling blue or bored - retail therapy does not work well for my wallet. I try to assign one or, at most, two credit cards specifically for clothes shopping and avoid using others."
Priyamvadha Rangan, PhD - Associate Professor, SUNY Brockport


How important is budgeting when it comes to saving money on clothes?

"Budgeting is essential for saving money on clothes. Setting a clear plan for how much you can - or should - spend within a specific timeframe helps ensure you get the items you truly need while avoiding unnecessary expenses. Your clothing budget can be based on a monthly, seasonal, or any other time period that works for you, but having a plan in place is key to maintaining control over your spending."
Christian P. Barney - Assistant Professor, Georgia Southern University

"A monthly budget is critical when it comes to allocating money for clothes! Spending too much money on clothes (whether from H&M or Hermes) can make for a difficult time toward the end of the month and when credit card statements come due. Even if you are not able to meet your monthly clothes budget the first few times, it is okay - be kind to yourself for the odd splurge. However, make sure to check your expenses tab every week. That way, you will know when you need to conserve financial resources for other important expenses."
Priyamvadha Rangan, PhD - Associate Professor, SUNY Brockport


How do you think the current social and economic environment is influencing household spending on clothes decisions?

"Social and economic factors almost always influence household spending and purchasing decisions. As prices rise, consumers are likely to reduce their clothing purchases and shift toward more affordable retailers."
Christian P. Barney - Assistant Professor, Georgia Southern University

"I have tried to shop less over the past few months. Everything is expensive today - money simply does not last as long. This has had a definite impact on my clothes budget."
Priyamvadha Rangan, PhD - Associate Professor, SUNY Brockport


Tips for Saving on Clothing

1. Take advantage of sales and coupons: Clothing is typically sold at a very high markup from what it costs companies to make. During sales, you can often find deep discounts, paying nowhere near the sticker price. Many clothing stores offer coupons, too, so you'll just need to seek them out and apply them to your purchase.
2. Budget carefully: If you know how to budget well, you'll have a good sense of how much money you can afford to spend on clothing and can avoid purchasing too much. When you create your budget, some clothes can be added as a "need," while any luxury items should go in your budget last when you add your "wants." You also don't necessarily need new clothing in your budget every month.
3. Buy used: Thrift stores or consignment shops often have tons of clothing available for low prices. The quality will vary, but you should be able to score some great finds if you take the time to look.
4. Join local community groups: Local community groups on social media, such as "Buy Nothing" groups, often have people giving away used or even new clothes for free.
5. Limit your designer clothing purchases: Two shirts of similar quality can be tens or even hundreds of dollars apart in price just because one has a designer name slapped on it. Avoiding big clothing brand names can save you a ton of money when you're shopping.