What does it cost to start dressing

[Carol Esme]

A recent article on-line says Target and Walmart may not be the best value places to buy many things BUT they are good for clothes and shoes. What else do we need?
Seriously the cost of what we need spread over time and shopping sensibly should be a lot less than a GG spends. Unless you are 24/7.

[Ralitsa]

Well in general I would say that Walmart and Target are not really good values for clothes either. I never buy anything at Walmart if I can get it somewhere else, and only rarely find things at Target that I think are worth it. The prices are low, but so is the quality. And this is probably fine when buying clothes for your kids who are going to outgrow them before they wear out anyway.

But I can find much better quality, and not much higher prices in other places. Of course, I only shop the sales, I never pay full price And then there is always the thrift shops!

[Diana Michelle]

The monetary costs are high as living as a woman is far more expensive than it is a man. But what about the other costs? Alienation from friends and family? The hiding for fear of humiliation? Aren't those costs as well? When you consider the emotional baggage many girls carry the money is a small price to pay for happiness.


Kelly has put the dollars and cents into real world terms here. For any of you just consider this your hobby. I play golf, I bought a new driver last year and that was over $350!

[Ms. Erin]

Yes life is expensive.

My model railroad hobby is expensive but the cost have stopped, except for the maintenance.
My photography business expense is now down to operating cost. (memberships, insurance, taxes, advertising etc.)
My feminine expenses will be shifting from male to female clothes. Except for makeup and accessories, that males don't use as much, although male beauty products are coming.

At the present time I buy one outfit per month I think. Until I run out of walk in closet space.

edit... lets make that 2 outfits...

[SharonRose]

My wardrobe is a mix of thrift and department store items. Thrift stores are an especially good place to shop when you are still finding out what you like and what looks good on you. I spent more on basic items like a wig and breast forms that you will need each time you go out. Think of the cost per wear.

[Carol Elizabeth]

For me, it's not "What does it cost to start dressing..." it's, "What does it cost to not dress..."

There is a sense of well being that I have when I am dressed in feminine clothing that I don't have when dressed the way society dictates. It is an intangible value that I lose when dressing according to the norms of our society.

As far as financial costs ... I have seen far too many people go without all their lives only to have their wealth taken by doctors, hospitals, nursing homes, lawyers, and kids who don't appreciate what these people sacrificed their lives for. (Ever seen the bumper sticker that reads, "We're spending our children's inheritance?")

Life is to be lived ... there is value in being happy while we live it and if clothes make our lives happier ... then there is another value that can't be measured in monetary terms.

[Heather W]

I don't know about WalMart for clothes, the only girly things I have bought there was a pair of jeans and ended taking them back because dumb me didn't try them on! I do like WalMart for cosmetics, I find they have the best everyday prices although if you shop for sales you can beat those prices. As for Target I love a lot of their clothes! I have bought a lot there, very fashionable and good prices. I generally will buy the things I figure are just a fad as why spend twice as much at Kohl's or Macy's for something am only going to wear a couple of times?? For the more classic styles I will pay more! I did just get a pair of black suede riding boots at Target for $35! I saw a similar pair at Macy's for a $100 so I figured that was a good deal. After all as most of you know maintaining 2 wardrobes can be expensive and Heather would love to become a high maintenance girl!

[KymmieL]

I think you can start was cheaply or as extravagant as you want. I have yet to pay over $30 for any feminine item. A good majority of my items are from Ebay. While it all adds up you don't have to start with everything all at once.

Kymmie

[SilverLady(SO)]

Well, this high-maintenance GG has yet to buy 'new clothes' from any store in more than 3 years and I am very picky on my clothes. Yes, I shop the local "GW Boutiques" - more commonly known as Goodwill - as well as the Salvation Army store, and I have found new - and almost new - clothes with designer labels. The only items I would always buy at a 'real store' would be my undergarments, shoes or boots.

At our local GWs, most shirts/blouses are $3.75, jeans/slacks are $4.50, shoes are $3.50, belts $1.00. The higher-end clothes will be individually priced but they are usually no higher than $15.00. You just have to take the time to go through the racks and know what will look good on you.


- SL