It's that time of year when I look back and conjure up some percentages relating to this year's clothing purchases. In a previous post I shared every item I purchased in 2017, this is the annual breakdown.

Overall I spent £663.03, which is over my £600 budget but it's still eighty quid less than last year, and my lowest spend since I started a tally in 2012. I'm chalking this up as a success, especially when I think about the fact I spent £1,250.86 in 2015, and £1751.00 in 2012!

How many items did I buy?
83 items in total - 40 new and 43 pre-loved. This is my third highest number of purchases, but because I purchased more pre-loved items it's my lowest spend.

What percentage of items purchased were pre-loved?
For the first time I purchased more pre-loved than new - 52%

What percentage of items purchased are still owned?
85% which is the same as last year - the highest since records began.

Total of discarded items
£88.14 - this figure makes me all the more determined to sell the items I'll never wear, perhaps I can make a good chunk of this back?

What percentage of items purchased remain unworn?
19% - this seems a little high but some of the items in this are maternity bits that I didn't get to wear, and some are new purchases that just haven't been worn yet, but most definitely will.


What was the most expensive item?
My green skirt at £25.60, was the most expensive, and definitely my most worn item. I was really surprised by this, this seems like such a small amount, last year my most expensive item was £95.00, followed by a cardigan at £40.00.


What was most expensive pre-loved item?
My bargain £24.99 burgundy boots! This might be my most expensive pre-loved item but it's still a bargain price for leather boots in really good condition.

What was the cheapest of both categories?
New flip flops for 90p, that I wore all summer long, and 99p for a pre-loved maxi skirt from ebay.

I buy a lot of pre-loved items but discard quite a high number of them. This is because I got out of habit of trying things on in charity shops, and made too many ebay purchases that I had no option of returning, so I'm stuck with items that don't fit or I don't like. You don't get this problem with a new purchase, but it won't put me off buying pre-loved.


What were my clothes related resolutions for 2017?

For 2017 I wanted my spending to be lower than 2016, which it was.

I wanted to wear items purchased in 2016 that I hadn't worn.
This had some success. I had eight items on the 'Unworn' list. One item was donated, one still needs altering, three items were added to capsules and worn a number of times, and three items still need to be worn (or donated / sold). Although one of these items is a dress that makes me smile so I'm pretty sure that even if I don't wear it, it'll remain in my wardrobe. I will wear it, one day. Probably.

Have another ban on buying PJs.
I didn't buy any PJ bottoms but I did have the need for a few new vest tops. I bought three and put some old ones, that I'd had for years, in the rag bag.

I need to alter items in a more timely manner
I have altered / mended a few things during 2017, but there are still way too many items needing my attention. I've put 'Mend' on my winter to-do list. Although I'm doubtful that it'll have the desired effect.

Sell the things I no longer want, or that don't fit.
I didn't sell a single thing. I always say I'm going to sell things but it all ends up in a pile in the spare room and gets forgotten.


My 2018 Resolutions (at the risk of sounding like a broken record)

Reduce the number of clothes I buy overall
Buy more pre-loved clothes than new
Reduce my overall spend again, I'll try for £600 and see if I can make it this year!
Alter / mend all items that need it
Sell all the things that don't fit or I no longer wear. Anything not sold by the summer will be donated to charity.
Reduce the percentage that I buy and then donate / sell / pass on.

I think that having a seasonal capsule wardrobe and taking part in A Buyer's Archive has made me more aware of the amount I spend, and what kind of clothes I like to wear. Over the years I've stopped buying things that I like but don't fit in my wardrobe. If I can't think of three ways to wear something I don't buy it.

Now, if I can just break those other annoying habits...

Do you keep a tally of your spending?

Links to previous years - 2012   |  2013  |  2014  |  2015  |  2016