Topic: Have you ever found it difficult to NOT buy some new clothes?

[ChrissyRyan]

Have you ever found it difficult to NOT buy some new clothes?

I must be crazy to want just a few more new clothes as I have enough and there are better uses of money for sure.  It is just as I shop, I seem to find more clothes that are appealing that are also priced reasonably.  It seems to be more fun now than ever to wear new outfits.

This is a want and not a need.  I have to literally force myself not to try some things on in the dressing rooms or to order online.  I find it hard to say “no” more than ever the longer I transition. 

I have had to remind myself that in few years I may need a new car or about some planned vacation time, then it is easier to say no. I am very good at sticking to a budget so if I exceeded the clothing budget and still want some new clothes, I have to see if it makes sense to slide some funds from another spending category to wardrobe.

How about you?  Have you experienced this?  Seems like a minor dilemma or nuisance but it is real.  Fortunately I can deal with it.


Chrissy

[Jessica_Rose]

Initially, if something fit and wasn't too atrocious, I bought it. I would 'raid' Ross, TJ Maxx, Nordstrom Rack, and Marshalls every weekend. Eventually I had enough clothing that I could be more discerning. Now that I have a better sense of style (some people question this), there are times when I will go shopping for clothes and return home empty-handed. Building a wardrobe isn't cheap, but eventually your purchases should taper off. However, even with a respectably-sized wardrobe you may often find yourself saying 'I have nothing to wear'. Moods change, styles change, seasons change, there is almost always a reason to bring home something new.

Love always -- Jessica Rose

[Kaleig_hC]

I don't have enough yet. I have no winter clothes to this point. I do have my misses coats. Even with those I want feminine colors so I may get another one this fall. Same with my pants and jeans no feminine colors yet. Most of my women's clothes are neutral male mode clothes since I am not out to my family. That won't survive the fall at the rate my transition is going. I have not had long sleeves in years since I gave away my old male clothes on my first transition. I am not to the point I have to rein it in yet. I still have no bras, no belts, and almost no shoes. I use a single pair of flip flops. I have only like 4 dresses and 3 skirts, 4 or 5 pair of shorts. Jeans is what I have the most of mostly in male mode colors. Many holes in my wardrobes. I have to sneak clothes home in my bag and put them away. I buy only a few things at a time or I can't zip up my bag to hide them.

[ChrissyRyan]

Initially, if something fit and wasn't too atrocious, I bought it. I would 'raid' Ross, TJ Maxx, Nordstrom Rack, and Marshalls every weekend. Eventually I had enough clothing that I could be more discerning. Now that I have a better sense of style (some people question this), there are times when I will go shopping for clothes and return home empty-handed. Building a wardrobe isn't cheap, but eventually your purchases should taper off. However, even with a respectably-sized wardrobe you may often find yourself saying 'I have nothing to wear'. Moods change, styles change, seasons change, there is almost always a reason to bring home something new.

Love always -- Jessica Rose

@Jessica_Rose

I think I understand what you mean by “you may often find yourself saying 'I have nothing to wear.’”
I am not sure by “often” but at times you want to perhaps wear something new.  This is hard to explain why if you have a nice wardrobe; but, it does happen.

I can say that I am fortunate that I am not into buying luxury designer labels for fancy dresses, purses, etc.
In fact, I have none.  I look for well made clothing though.

Chrissy

[ChrissyRyan]

@Jessica_Rose


I think what you have to do is to say to yourself that you are not going to buy anything, just shop.
Then leave!

But, when shopping, it is hard not to buy something that is just right for you.

So, just do not go shopping for clothes!  LOL.  At least, not often!


Chrissy

[Northern Star Girl]

@ChrissyRyan   @Jessica_Rose  @Kaleig_hC

Here is my answer to this thread's question:
     Have you ever found it difficult to NOT buy some new clothes?

While shopping can be addictive, especially clothes shopping... I think that
many NEWER transtioners can go shopping and see styles, colors and sizes
that they are curious about and want to buy them and bring them home....
Of course, in most department stores, the Women's section is 6 times the size
of the boring Men's section.... and Women's clothing choices are manifold... colors,
styles, variety. 

Speaking just for me... "it does get to the point of enough is enough" ... and particularly
in these difficult economic times I need to stop and think do I really need it, or can I afford
it or justify another purchase... and will it fit in my overfilled closet!!!!

I have way too many clothes and like some of you have mentioned for yourself, I have
been donating or even selling clothes that I no longer need or wish to keep... some of
them still have tags on them.

As time goes on and I become aware of the styles and fit that I like, it becomes more
common to come home from shopping empty handed as @Jessica_Rose mentioned.

Pre-transition, pre everything, as a man, I would go to a hardware store and buy
tools and other items that ended up filling my toolbox, workbench and pegboard wall. 

Men and Women do not necessarily have the same desires when going shopping!!!!!

HUGS,
Danielle

[ChrissyRyan]

@ChrissyRyan   @Jessica_Rose  @Kaleig_hC

Here is my answer to this thread's question:
     Have you ever found it difficult to NOT buy some new clothes?

While shopping can be addictive, especially clothes shopping... I think that
many NEWER transtioners can go shopping and see styles, colors and sizes
that they are curious about and what to buy them and bring them home.... 
Of course, in most department stores, the Women's section is 6 times the size
of the boring Men's section.... and Women's clothing choices are manifold... colors,
styles, variety. 

Speaking just for me... "it does get to the point of enough is enough" ... and particularly
in these difficult economic times I need to stop and think do I really need it, or can I afford
it or justify another purchase... and will it fit in my overfilled closet!!!!

I have way too many clothes and like some of you have mentioned for yourself, I have
been donating or even selling clothes that I no longer need or wish to keep... some of
them still have tags on them.

As time goes on and I become aware of the styles and fit that I like, it becomes more
common to come home from shopping empty handed as @Jessica_Rose mentioned.

Pre-transition, pre everything, as a man, I would go to a hardware store and buy
tools and other items that ended up filling my toolbox, workbench and pegboard wall. 

Men and Women do not necessarily have the same desires when going shopping!!!!!

HUGS,
Danielle

Danielle,

I can relate to the full closet.  Plus I think it has been about two weeks since I was really tempted to get something new.  That is good. 

Chrissy

[ChrissyRyan]

Sometimes it is better to wait until January to buy winter outerwear but I made a really good purchase on a nice coat.

I have now spent down my 2022 clothing budget to its last $45.  I hope to roll that over to 2023 as it has got to be a great buy to spend that in the few days remaining this year and I likely will not find one. 

Chrissy

[Northern Star Girl]

I am not very good about waiting for items to go on sale... if I want it, I buy it.
... as long as I have the funds available, I do not like to use credit cards for
impulse purchases.

Danielle

[ChrissyRyan]

I am not very good about waiting for items to go on sale... if I want it, I buy it.
... as long as I have the funds available, I do not like to use credit cards for
impulse purchases.

Danielle

I use credit cards for most everything so I do not have to carry cash, and for purchase rebates or other premiums which are given by the credit card.  But I always pay the cards promptly and follow a budget.

Chrissy

[ChrissyRyan]

I think I went a bit overboard so far this year with some clothing purchases, and it is just February.  Well I guess I just wanted to spend down these gift cards that have been received over the last few years, so that is my excuse!

My sweetie said that I may have more clothes than she does but I have seen hers and she has a nice big variety, that is for sure.  She is petite so we cannot really share our wardrobes but that would be fun maybe to do.

When Spring cleaning comes about I will do my best to give to a good cause some of my excess clothes.

Chrissy

[Dweia]

Yes.. Nothing to wear 

For me "nothing to wear" reminds me about journey to find who am I and how do I want to present Me to the world.

When I came to this forum I think I was a cross-dresser.
So I started to figure out how to be androgyne or some way to be feminine.

Now I think the best way I describe myself to be non-binary.
I'm on that journey to figure out who am I, but my gender expression is slowly moving to be quite feminine.

So yeah, nothing to wear as trying to figure out what to wear ...

[Maid Marion]

It was really bad for me transitioning from buying boys/young men's clothes where nothing really fit to buying XS/2/3 clothes women's clothes.  I'll buy stuff as soon as I see it in Target as the good stuff sells instantly.  But almost everywhere else I just wait for a sale.

My wife and I would travel everywhere.  I'd buy shirts at tourist places.  Then I'd go to places like Block Island and realized that I could buy really cute T shirts for women that fit me perfectly.

Marion

[ChrissyRyan]

I decided to buy a sleep shirt, although it is long enough to be a dress.

I will see how it goes wearing it to bed but I am washing and then drying it this evening before that.


Chrissy

[Northern Star Girl]

Even though I have a closet spilling over with clothes, I still like to look at the sales and new offerings and I end up buying more.   
From time to time I do weed out my closet and bag up what I have not been wearing and give those unwanted but in good condition clothes and shoes to the thrift stores.

[SoCal_Holly]

Fight the urge every single day. Makes me think I’m making progress.

But I usually control the urge for retail therapy, lol.

I have noticed the in male mode i dress very sharp with everything on point. By my female persona is completely the opposite. Im always in super casual beach wear and super low maintenance.

[JennyTG]

All the time, it's a problem.

[ChrissyRyan]

Yesterday I wore a new combination of top and bottom and it turned out well.  The only part of the outfit that was new was the white pants.  I am glad I bought them.

It was a dark pink top, you might call it hot pink, with sleeves coming down to a couple of inches above my elbow.  It is a clingy stretch top with a rounded opening at the collar (It does not really have a collar).  Wore a push-up bra to add some emphasis.  Plus a pair of white pants and a pink belt (although this outfit seems to looks good with a typical leather belt). 

I also had a pleasant walk in a nearby park in the early evening hours.  It was a nice day overall.

Chrissy

[Northern Star Girl]

@ChrissyRyan
Dear Chrissy:
I am glad that you found joy in your clothing choices.
It is nice to wear something that looks nice and is a pleasure to wear especially
when going out and about.... and being seen by others.

Hmm, a "clingy stretch top" and a "push-up bra"  ....
....that is a great way "to add some emphasis" 
Hopefully you were prepared for some lingering looks at you while you
were on your walk in the park.

Thank you for sharing and posting.
HUGS,
Danielle

Yesterday I wore a new combination of top and bottom and it turned out well.  The only part of the outfit that was new was the white pants.  I am glad I bought them.

It was a dark pink top, you might call it hot pink, with sleeves coming down to a couple of inches above my elbow.  It is a clingy stretch top with a rounded opening at the collar (It does not really have a collar).  Wore a push-up bra to add some emphasis.  Plus a pair of white pants and a pink belt (although this outfit seems to looks good with a typical leather belt). 

I also had a pleasant walk in a nearby park in the early evening hours.  It was a nice day overall.

Chrissy

[ChrissyRyan]

@ChrissyRyan
Dear Chrissy:
I am glad that you found joy in your clothing choices.
It is nice to wear something that looks nice and is a pleasure to wear especially
when going out and about.... and being seen by others.

Hmm, a "clingy stretch top" and a "push-up bra"  ....
....that is a great way "to add some emphasis" 
Hopefully you were prepared for some lingering looks at you while you
were on your walk in the park.

Thank you for sharing and posting.
HUGS,
Danielle

Danielle,

If I looked as nice as you and others, there may have been some eyes lingering.  I would say there were some glances as people passed by at the park but nothing out of the ordinary.  There were not many people out there, as it was supper time.

My sweetie, well, she likes the outfit.  I wore it today when I met her for lunch as I wanted to know what she thought of it, after washing and drying them last night to make sure they would smell and look fresh.

It is just nice to have so many colorful choices we women have. 

Sometimes, too many choices!

Hugs,

Chrissy


@Northern Star Girl