My mom gave us each $100-200 (depending on age) for back-to-school (that included shoes and school supplies), and another $100-200 for spring clothes (in March or so). That. was. it. She was strict about it, too. In 5th grade I blew most of my $150 on this awesome outfit (hammer pants, a sweet red rayon top and a blazer... stylin'!) and I had like 3 outfits total. Another year, I spent $45 on a Guess? denim skirt that I basically had to wear 2-3 times per week. Most of the time I shopped at Mervyn's or Target (this is before Target was cool).
Anything beyond our budgets was either a b-day or Christmas gift, or something we saved for ourselves, even if we'd outgrown all of our clothes before then.
In retrospect, it was a little less than it should have been (it's hard to do back to school, supplies included, for under $200, especially when you're still growing). However, she really taught me to be budget-conscious from an early age.
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"We live in an age where unnecessary things are our only necessities." --Oscar Wilde
kisa wrote: I used to think that 70 - 80$ was expensive for jeans, and 40$ was expensive for a purse...if I only knew.
hahah I still think that, which is ridiculous because I wear jeans almost every day - i should be willing to spend more than my $40 limit
The most I have ever spend for a pair of jeans was $86 and that was half price on some Sevens. I am still choking over that. I think $40 is my limit too on jeans. Also, $99 is my limit on shoes, which is crazy since shoes are my favorite clothing item. I guess I can get more shoes that way, though.
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Some people collect stamps and coins--I collect shoes.
I was clueless in HS. Completely. CLothes Budget? I don't think they was one. I remember a trip before school would start. I was a runner so I always remember getting new running shoes and running shorts.
I do remember my mom buying me 5 Lacostes once and a bunch of Espirt another time. Other than that....it was Sears, Dress Barn and Marsalls. Painful.
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There are many languages, but laughter sounds the same in every one.
My budget was probably around $200 for back to school shopping when I was in high school. My mom was really good about getting me and my sister stuff through out the year too though. I wasn't necessarily trendy (we shopped at gap, mervyns, dillards, sears) but I don't remember ever feeling out of place or anything. My mom has always loved to shop though so we would go every couple of months and get a couple of new things.
Like Kitty, I was in HS when grunge was big, and I wore flannel shirts, corduroy pants, and brown boots a lot. I remember wearing some American Eagle, J. Crew, & Abercrombie...but I don't remember spending much. I worked part-time so I paid for it mostly. I also see teenagers in expensive clothes head-to-toe...designer shoes, jeans, handbags, etc....it's crazy! BTW, Kurt Cobain made $50 million dollars in 2006 (Forbes.om)!
I think the only thing that has changed from when most of us were in high school is the abuse of credit cards. That is why a lot of teens today are toting around expensive bags, shoes, and clothes that you would never had seen 10 years ago.
In high school my mom only gave me $100 to buy clothes for the start of school. When you have 3 other siblilngs you have to get by with less! So I was wise with what I picked out, I easily could get two pants, shoes, and 4 tops to add to my wardrobe.
For my senior year of high school I had my own money because I had a summer job so I could get whatever I wanted. I thought spending $55 on a pair of platform Skechers was splurging! I got a lot of my stuff from catalog shopping (Alloy, Delia's, Girlfriends LA) which was so fun for the UPS truck to deliver my packages!
Cortney1982 wrote: I think the only thing that has changed from when most of us were in high school is the abuse of credit cards. That is why a lot of teens today are toting around expensive bags, shoes, and clothes that you would never had seen 10 years ago.
I think this is probably right.
My mom hates to shop, always has. She abhors trends and so, by association, I did to, because I wanted her to think I was mature and to be proud of me. Plus our mall totally sucked, so most of my clothing came from a few places:
1) The clearance rack at NY&Co. 2) Wal-mart 3) Goody's (a southern clothing chain, pretty cheap stuff, although they did sell Levi's) 4) The clearance rack at Maurices (although it was called "The Closet" for a long time at my mall)
I was well into my twenties before I really understood what "style" meant (i.e., that it wasn't just mimicing trends but choosing clothes that complimented your personality and your figure). I still appreciate a good bargain, but I'm willing to spend more money on things that have a really low cost-per-wear.
For that reason, I have no problem with spending a lot of money on designer jeans, because Sevens are the only ones that fit me, and I have tried them all.
I wore uniforms and I literally wore the same skirts and blouses from 7th-12th grade. I loved my uniform and am so glad my school had them... it made everything so much easier. Paired with my peter pan collar blouse and grey wool skirt, I'd wear either a J. Crew Pea Coat or Patagonia fleece and that was my extent of making any sort of fashion statement. So I really never had to buy back to school clothes. For weekends and after school clothes, most of my stuff was from BR, Gap, J.Crew....where I still shop. I also shopped at Limited, Express and Abercrombie... which I have since outgrown. I don't remember any set budget, but I would pick up stuff as needed. Since most of my time was spent at school, I didn't really have to spend a ton "normal" clothes.