Friday 1 January 2021

2020 Fashion Spend Wrap Up and Yearly Budget For 2021

Happy new year! Keeping with the spirit of 2020, my fashion spend for the year was unexpected! I was proud of how little I spent last in 2019 but also thought I wouldn't spend so little again. Then of course the pandemic happened and we learned 2020 was the year for surprises! Today I'm sharing what I bought last year, how I tracked against my budget, and what my spending goals are for 2021.


Here's What I Bought In 2020:


waht i bought in 2020 fashion spend and budget and goals for 2021 | away from the blue blog


Bags:


Other Accessories:

  • Fashion Scarf Girl colourful print scarf in green
  • Fashion Scarf Girl lush forest scarf
  • thrifted blue statement beaded necklace
  • thrifted gold and cream multi strand pearl necklace
  • thrifted gold and marble statement necklace
  • Thrifted Adidas Superstar sneakers

Tops:


Kimonos/Jackets:

  • Jeanswest Melanie floral kimono
  • Jeanswest Kensley tie dye summer poncho kimono
  • thrifted black Emerson anorak
  • thrifted digital print no label kimono
  • thrifted Supre black sheer floral kimono

Dresses:

  • Kmart short sleeve tiered jersey dress in amber
  • Kmart short sleeve tiered jersey dress in Fuchsia
  • thrifted Kmart white and navy long sleeve stripe tee dress

Bottoms:

  • Jeanswest harper skinny pant in Russet
  • thrifted navy viscose no label maxi skirt
  • thrifted Tree of Life ochre maxi skirt



Most Worn: the Jeanswest Melanie floral kimono (last worn here) was worn 8 times in 2020, but I did buy it in the January sales right at the start of the year.

Least WornCotton On The One Deep V tee in marle nep white body black has only been worn once, because I bought this right before Christmas so haven't had much opportunity to wear it yet.

Best Deal: The $3 Adidas Superstar sneakers, a lucky opshop find, are probably the biggest bargain of the year!




Fashion Spend For 2020 - Under Budget!


This was the lowest spend year since I've been tracking my fashion spending! I spent a total of $483.59 this year, on 27 fashion items. That works out to an average of $17.91 per item, or slightly more than buying a new item every two weeks. The $483.59 total includes a $134.99 gift card spend, so $328.60 without including the gift card spend.

In contrast I spent $633.18 in 2019, including gift card spend, on 43 items. Despite being sure I wouldn't spend less than that, I managed to this year! I'm pleased to see I spent less than intended this year as one good thing to come from 2020. I also bought fewer items as well that helped keep the cost down.

Even when I did 7 months with no fashion purchases back in 2017 I spent over $1,000 that year so I'm really pleased to have spent less than $500 this year.

One thing to note is that I didn't include the $88 New Balance sneakers in my spend for this year. I class them more as a medical choice than a fashion choice as if I didn't have my knee injury I wouldn't need or want to buy these, and from the Instagram poll most people agreed. I am still under budget even if you include these but just wanted to disclose why they weren't part of the total or in the list above.




How I Stuck To My Budget:


I think that reduced fashion spending isn't anything ground-breaking for most people this year. It hasn't been a year that has called for a lot of new outfits or necessitated buying new things. Hubby and I were luckily able to keep our jobs and work from home in 2020, although I know others weren't as lucky and restrictions and lifestyle changes are still in place in other countries and even in other parts of Australia. Here's how I spent less this year despite being lucky to still have an income:

  • Staying home more and working from home means more pyjamas and loungewear (and I certainly didn't need to buy any more of those!) and less wearing of actual clothes, so while I have bought new things now and then it hasn't been the big hauls of the past. 
  • There has been less window shopping as we have been shopping in person a lot less. I did notice an uptick in spending in the later half of the year when we were out of Iso and I started going to shops again though. 
  • I've spent less time browsing opshops (thrifting) too which has resulted in less clothes for myself, due to a lot of my favourite stores permanently closing after Iso or changing opening hours so they are harder for me to get to. I've also gotten back into reading this year thanks to my neighbour starting up a virtual Iso book club so I focus on the book section instead of clothes or accessories when I do venture into an opshop.
  • Most of my online ordering through the year was essentials, treats for the boys or Christmas presents and while I occasionally added an item or two to an order for myself I rarely did that. 
  • When I did buy, I made the most of sales and rewards. When I was buying things for the kids if I got a rewards voucher I would sometimes use that towards something for myself. Cotton On is good for this where you get a $10 voucher after spending $100. It brought things like my $20 tee on sale for $13 down to just $3 after applying the $10 voucher. I also got quite a few rewards vouchers as bonuses from David Jones this year which made the already massively reduced Rebecca Minkoff bags I bought even more affordable. (For example, the Rebecca Minkoff Leo envelope clutch in champagne gold was on final sale, reduced from $140 to $34 and that was without rewards vouchers.)

All that combined lead to a year with less spending without a lot of conscious effort on my part, just a reduction in shopping opportunities, and less interest in shopping in general with so much going on in the world. I know from my previous 6 months without shopping challenge that browsing less and occupying my time with other things is the most effective way to help me shop less, as I don't suddenly see things I "need". I'm also willing to wait until the final reduction days of sales before I buy, as if things sell out it just wasn't meant to be!



Goals And Fashion Budget For 2021:


I'm not feeling confident about setting a goal for 2021 as we all know nothing is guaranteed! I'd like to have another under $1,000 fashion spend this year though. To help achieve this I'm going to continue browsing fashion stores less. While there have been no cases here for over 104 days in Queensland I am still preferring online shopping as we don't have a vaccine available in Australia yet. I have been visiting shops a little more regularly the past few months with life returning to normal, but nowhere near as much as I used to.

I'm mostly hoping that I can buy fewer clothes this year to help keep the spend down, focusing on achieving my 30 wears posts by rewearing more of what I already have until I achieve 30 wears with more things in my wardrobe. If I can buy less than the 27 items that I bought this year in 2021 I'll be really happy, this is my main goal.

I got some new clothes for Christmas that helps with my "buy less goal" too, I have lots of new outfits I want to wear heading into the new year without much January sale shopping. I have spent some Christmas money and gift cards in a couple of boxing day sales though, but nothing has arrived yet to know if it's a keeper to include in the budget.



Did you spend less on fashion in 2020 too? Have you set any fashion spend goals this year? 




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56 comments:

  1. This pandemic has helped me save some money because I hardly buy anything for myself. I didn't even need to apply lipstick because of the face mask. Happy New Year to you!

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    Replies
    1. Yes I don't think I would have spent so little without all the craziness of the year!

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  2. Super cool..
    Wish you a happy new year filled with joy, happiness and the best things
    for you

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  3. It's great that you can stick to a yearly budget for clothes. I've never tracked that sort of thing. Happy New Year!

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    Replies
    1. Fashion is where most of my fun money goes so it's been interesting to start tracking it over the past few years!

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  4. Hi Mica,
    We, here in Portugal are in lockdown, thanks for your comment on my blog, I wish you a happy new year and vaccines for all of us!
    xoxo

    marisasclosetblog.com

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  5. Woohoo for spending less this year!! I spent a lot less too since I had no reason to really shop. The few times I did shop it was for sales and because I had a shopping itch that needed to be scratched, haha!
    https://www.closet-fashionista.com/

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    Replies
    1. Yes it's been strange having less interest in shopping! Understandable given world events though.

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  6. Oh wow. I love that you calculated everything and ended up coming in under budget. That is fantastic! The fact that you are so thoughtful about everything you add to your wardrobe is inspiring. You are definitely someone I admire in terms of style! Happy new year <3
    the creation of beauty is art.

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    1. Thank you! I'm pleased I hit my goal this year!

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  7. You certainly were very thrifty and made the most of your purchases. Congrats!

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  8. I don't spend much at clothes but I really like shopping! I thing I stopped myself in the time of purshase clothes. Happy new year! <3

    www.pimentamaisdoce.blogspot.com

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  9. Super-impressed by your tracking, Mica! I would not have counted the gift voucher/gift cards/gift money in the spend, personally, as that's someone else's cash spent, but you still did amazing!

    I spend money on clothes, but I don't have a problem with that. I don't have kids and I don't have any hobbies - I don't own a car (the car is L's and he pays for everything, I don't even have a license!), we don't travel much, so shopping/clothes IS my hobby. I don't spend more than I can afford either, and I like that I'm supporting local shops. I have tried not to spend online at all, as the shops here have stayed open during all the pandemic lockdowns, and I've been trying to support local as much as I can.

    I posted only 5 times fewer in 2019 than in 2020, so although I didn't get dressed for work as much, I was still keeping up with my usual posting output. I'm hoping that I go back to a 5 days a week schedule by the end of the summer (and therefore increase my outfits!), but I'm still trying to get dressed up in my 'real clothes' as much as possible.

    I love your 30 wears series, and you definitely were one of my big inspirations for doing my Flashback series, Mica! Thank you for such an awesome blog over the years, and for your lovely comments, my dear friend. One of these days we'll meet in person!

    Hugs to you and here's to a better 2021!

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    1. I am so glad I inpspired you for the flashback posts, I really enjoy those! I would like to go back to wearing regular clothes more often and posting as often as I did before but I'm also treasuring the benefits of working from home so much! :) I love how you shop so thoughtfully too, I need to do more of that in 2021, I go for convenience and online ordering a lot!

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  10. I dread to think how much I have spent on polishes in 2020 haha! Well done and happy new year Mica :-D

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  11. Thank you so much Mica!! I'm so glad that you liked my new ins! I also find your post very interesting. It's a good idea to do this kind of reflections at the end of the year! Happy 2021 to you too! ;)

    ♥ ★ ♥ GINGER COLLAGE ♥ ★ ♥

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  12. oh wow this is AMAZING! I'd love to spend that little on clothing, but it's such a vice of mine xx

    mia // https://beautiful-inspiring-creative-life.com/

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  13. Loved seeing all that you bought this past year, Mica! You always have such pretty pieces and bags. I'm so thankful we are closing the chapter of 2020, and I'm praying we are onto a brighter year with 2021! Wishing you the most amazing New Year, my friend!


    Make Life Marvelous

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  14. You did great, Mica! Love your 2020 finds! :)

    http://lizzyslatest.com/

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  15. You did an awesome job this year on your spending.

    http://www.amysfashionblog.com/blog-home

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  16. This is so inspiring! You're so good at finding great deals and sticking to a budget. Hope you had a wonderful New Years and cheers to 2021!

    Eileen | yesmissy.com

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  17. wow, no cases for 104 days??? I cannot imagine. I don't think we have had a single day without a case since our first case in early April. I need to have a real heart-to-heart about a lot of the things in my closet. And big a number of things adieu. And then not go whole hog spending this year. Shopping online became a favorite past time in 2020. But one I can't afford to keep up. I remember your great opshop purchase and the steal on the Adidas. Love that you find so many darling things at Kmart.

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    1. Good luck with editing your wardrobe! I really struggle with letting things go once I've bought them so I need to focus and stop buying things to help balance out how rarely I remove things from my wardrobe, ha!

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  18. Wow it is so amazing that you stayed under budget! I need to start keeping track of my fashion and beauty purchases. It is a little easy to go crazy especially when we're stuck at home all the time. Those pop up ads get me lol. Happy new year by the way! I hope you had a great celebration :)

    Jill
    https://jilliancecilia.com/

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  19. What a great roundup! I never set a fashion budget but I definitely should! I love the idea of aiming for 30 wears too!
    Happy New Year, Mica!
    Julia x
    https://www.thevelvetrunway.com/

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    Replies
    1. 30 wears has made such a difference for me! I buy a lot more basics now and really think before I buy!

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  20. Interesting and inspiring post! I should take A look at my closet and my clothes budget. Most of my clothes are from second hand😉

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    1. It's the best way to shop and still stick to a budget! Opshops are great for lucky finds at bargain prices!

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  21. That's incredible! But the pandemic has really helped me save this year too when it comes to clothing. I haven't really done anything since March so other than a couple of earlier in the year purchases and essentials, I haven't bought much at all this year. I'm actually hoping to up my spend a little in 2021 as that means the world will be opening up again x

    Sophie
    www.glowsteady.co.uk

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    1. Yes it will be so nice when everything opens up again! :)

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  22. Yes, it is so hard to think of goals for 2021, when we just aren't sure what this year will bring. I spent a lot less in 2020 on clothes and makeup, too! I do think you are right in that with less window browsing there is less shopping, too. Happy New Year!

    Carrie
    curlycraftymom.com

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  23. Oh wow! I can't believe you spent below 500 with 27 items!?!?! That's fantastic, Mica! Honestly, even though I didn't buy any shoes/clothes/bags this year, I feel like I spent more on other stuff:( Sigh....here's hoping 2021 is the year, but as you said, who knows what the future will bring?

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    1. I definitely spent more on toys and games and educational things for the kids, especially during lockdown! I completely understand that!

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  24. I don't think I bought more than a handful of clothing items for myself in 2020. Working from home allowed me to wear joggers and t-shirts mostly, and shorts in the summer. Not sure about 2021, we'll have to see how things pan out!

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  25. I haven't bought a single clothing item since March thanks to the pandemic.

    It is so amazing that you stayed under budget!

    Happy 2021! Mica!

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  26. Well done, Mica, even if it wasn’t for the happiest reasons. Being under budget without a struggle is a hugh accomplishment indeed.

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    1. Yes hopefully I can do the same in 2021 even though life is more normal!

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  27. 2020 was definitely a great year to save up money and stick to the budget. I actually spent more money on home items and a lot on food! xx

    Elegant Duchess xx
    https://www.elegantduchess.com/2021/01/02/international-giveaway-win-a-5-days-stay-for-two-in-rhodes-greece-with-atrium-hotels/

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  28. Ooh those Minkoff bags were a brilliant buy!

    xx

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  29. Wow, you did extremely well in staying wel under your budget, Mica! This might be due to the pandemic, but I do know quite a few people who made up for not being able to shop in person by comfort buying loads online! I've never been buying online as a rule, and this year hasn't been different in that way. But, although our shops have re-opened and I went charity shopping a couple of times, I only visited my beloved vintage shops, Think Twice, two times in 10 months! Normally, that was my average per week, as browsing those shops was a regular lunchbreak pastime. So, although I didn't keep any records, I'm sure I am WAY below my usual spend! xxx

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    1. I think if I hadn't tackled my shopping habits a few years ago I might have done that too, but having my 30 wears goals and wanting to wear everything I buy twice in the month I buy it has really slowed that habit!

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  30. To acquire 27 pieces for under $500 is quite impressive. I'm in the process of doing our financial review for last year and I'm pretty sure we came under budget in general due to the pandemic and not going out much. I think most of our spending was on food and household items. Hope you and your family had a lovely holiday. Happy new year Mica!

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  31. That's so awesome that you stuck to your budget. I need to do that. Happy New Year!
    xx- Nina
    http://www.stylingwithnina.com/2021/01/happy-new-year-5-year-blogiversary.html

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  32. Wow you did so well! I need to do this with my beauty/cosmetics spending a bit more seriously this year i think! xx

    Danielle's Beauty Blog 

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  33. Interesting post my dear, thank you for sharing ) 

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  34. Happy New Year! You did great sticking to your budget! I really like how you have an annual goal rather than monthly. The bags you added to your collection are gorgeous!

    Jill - Doused in Pink

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  35. Great collection hope you and yours had a great holiday

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  36. This is inspiring! Good job staying under your budget! Good luck with your goals for 2021!
    xoxo
    Lovely
    www.mynameislovely.com

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  37. I definitely did not stick to my 2020 budget when it came to clothes and accessories - being home all day just made online shopping a little too easy for me. Here's hoping I do a bit better in 2021!

    Courtney ~ Sartorial Sidelines

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  38. What a great post Mica! While I don't shop for clothes as much because I don't work outside the house, it's so easy to get persuaded sometimes by what I see while browsing online shops. Honestly there is not a single thing I need to add to my wardrobe so I'm hoping for 2021 I'll do more thrifting and less buying new. I have a son who is going to college this year and a daughter that maybe wants to attend a ballet summer intensive and really shouldn't spend any money on clothes.
    Love how you've set yourself these goals! Thanks for sharing!
    Ellibelle's Corner

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  39. You have incredible self control! Even if I'm staying home I shop, shop, shop. I've never set a budget and really need to. Well done, Mica!
    xo,
    Kellyann

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    1. I used to shop like that a lot, it's different now I'm only working part time, haha! :) I do miss the days of splurging on luxury bags multiple times a year...but wouldn't trade what I have now for the world and I make the budget work for me! :)

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  40. I am amazed how well you plan everything. 2020 was all about essentials and no unnecessary spending for me either. I most of the time do my shopping when we go for our vacations, but we had to cancel.

    Via | https://glossnglitters.com

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  41. I never finished my 2019 closet expenses.... I will do a 2020 one though. I wonder what it's like, I am certain i spent very little too. You did very well Mica.

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    1. I'm sure you did spend so little with all the restrictions sadly :(

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  42. Thanks all for your thoughtful comments and kind words for me sticking to my budget for the year!

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