At the moment, I’m doing a lot of enquiry calls with potential new clients, and am consistently being asked about what their budget should be. As you can imagine, it’s actually a question that only you can answer really. I can tell you what I think you should spend, but ultimately it’s your choice.
To guide you a little, however, I’ve got some pointers below:
When writing my book, the general consensus I came across is that, in terms of your image and style, you should be investing around 5% of your net salary. Particularly where it concerns your work wardrobe. The total 5% can account for anything your image is made up of - whether it be hair, nails, grooming, general self-care - not just buying clothes.
Again, what people have got to spend is totally personal. People’s outgoings and values are going to be completely differing, but it’s good to consider what that number that would look like for you and your salary.
But really think about what 5% would be for you, and be realistic about what you currently invest. See if you’re spending way over, or falling far short. If you’re really far from that amount, it may be a clue that you’re underinvesting in yourself. It’s not set in stone, but it’s a great indicator.
The next thing to do is to really look at where you are in your career. A lot of women I work with are looking to invest in their wardrobe, as they see it as a career move. It helps with their confidence which will, in turn, help them position themselves better at work. Whether they’re looking to be promoted, or already have been, they want to prove they are ready for the new responsibility; using their clothing to signal so.
Another thing to consider regarding budget, is to see where you’re currently spending your money. If my clients have a good salary and budget, but are buying low high-street, I challenge them on this. It’s not about how much you spend, but how much you invest. When doing a wardrobe review with a client who’s existing wardrobe is very high-street based, it’ll often require a more significant budget than someone who already has invested in pieces at a mid-range level; as then we can just supplement.
If you find you are severely underinvesting, have a think about whether you could take some money out of your salary or savings to rectify this in the long run.
I divide shopping into three levels:
Basic High-Street,
Quality High-Street/‘Midrange’
Quality brands
When you know what your price point is, you can then look at what level you can invest in your wardrobe. If it is on the lower end, and you need to focus on high street, you can pinpoint what would be clever pieces to invest in at a midrange level. Certain items, such as coats, are worth the investment as they’ll last so much longer. Whereas basics, with no ‘wow’ factor, can be bought on the high-street.
Do your research. It’s worth finding out what the different price points are for different items. For example, a silk shirt on the high-street could be between £40 at H&M - £70 at & Other Stories. If you were to go up a level, into quality high-street, that price would jump up to £100-£150. Whereas something higher-end, such as Joseph or Boss could be £250+. This knowledge will work in conjunction with your budget and determine where’s best to invest.
Finally, throughout this blog, I have referred to ’investing’ rather than ‘spending’; something I urge you to also do. A lot of women have resistance on this front, often due to their upbringing or background, whereby they have been taught to buy clothes frivolously. But I urge you to put that to one side. If you are buying clothes you love and are confident to wear, it’s an investment in your career and in yourself.
But also, I see that when people have clothes they value and care for, they look after them more. They hang them up at the end of the day, wash them with care, make things last longer - which is beneficial for everybody, including the environment.
I hope you find this useful! If you have any questions, let me know. There’s much more information on this subject in my book - so check that out here. But also, I’m here to help 1-1, so don’t hesitate to get in touch!