A typical yearly budget for teen clothing is approximately $1,000. That breaks down to between $50 and $100 per month.
In the event you are wondering why it is so high, keep in mind that a teenager is still a growing person. Therefore, their old clothing no longer fits them.
It is important to get teenagers on, and teach them about, a budget. This includes staying informed about money spent on their clothes.
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It is possible to spend a lot
If your teen has a penchant for clothes, they will want more of them. Girls are generally more interested in clothing than boys are.
They need everything on a frequent basis, from underwear to slacks, tops, and jackets. And don’t forget shoes and boots.
Although boys are not as into clothes as girls are, they will still need replacements for pants and shirts and everything else.
Boys are always growing, too. This means they will quickly grow out of their clothes and need them replaced.
Most teens have some sort of job. Therefore, they will require additional clothing for that. It is typical for them to need uniforms, appropriate work shoes, and often, hats.
It is rare that those will be supplied by the employer. So, the monthly clothing budget for a teen will include items for their uniforms.
It is possible to spend less money on clothes for teens
If your teen attends a school that mandates uniforms in lieu of traditional clothing, it is likely they will spend less money during the month.
Keep in mind though, the uniforms are not free. Plus, your teenager will outgrow them. So, figure that into their monthly allowance for clothes.
If your teen does have a job, he or she can spend their own money on clothes instead of yours. It is still a good idea to help them stick to a budget though.
You might want them to pay a small portion of their earnings to you for their room and board. In order to afford this, they must spend less on things like clothing.
If they are not that into clothing and only want a small wardrobe, you will spend less money on it.
If this is the case, they will only require replacement garments when they grow out of those they have.
Allow for inflation in your teens’ clothing budget
Inflation? Simply put, clothes cost more today than they did years ago. As you well know, the cost of everything has gone up. This includes clothes.
Unfortunately, pay raises from employers have NOT gone up along with the cost of living. So, more money per month will be coming out of your paycheck for your teenagers’ clothes.
It is more critical than ever to teach your young person about managing their money. This should include lessons on how to make the most out of the wardrobe they have.
Teach them how to mix and match their outfits and how to cut their clothing costs further.
Buy clothing from a discount store
This is one way to save money on your teenager’s clothes. Go to your local big-box discount retail store.
Stores like this often have plenty of nice outfits and pieces that the kids can mix and match.
Have your teens try on the clothes before purchasing them to ensure they fit properly. Wash these clothes thoroughly prior to wearing them.
When buying shoes or boots, try them on first as well.
There is a wealth of discount clothing stores that only sell clothes online as well. Once your teen knows their current size, buying items online is totally feasible.
Try buying clothes from a second-hand store
This is a way to get some unique garments into your teenager’s collection.
If your teen shops in second-hand stores, they’ll likely be wearing unique pieces, unlike the trendy clothing that their friends wear.
As long as you check the items for defects first, it is possible to buy some nice specimens at the local second-hand store.
Of course, try them on prior to purchasing them. Many second-hand stores have special discount days as well, so going on these days will also help you to save money.
If you are worried about the stigma associated with wearing used clothes, there are things you can do. One of those things is to just not let people know where you bought them.
Only you and your kids know the truth. Nobody else has to know the exact source. But wearing second-hand is quite popular these days as people try to save money and lower waste, so it’s likely no one will care.
Teach your teen ways of saving money on their clothing purchases
These include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Avoid expensive designer brands
- Buy the store-brand of clothes
- Buy items you can mix and match to make many outfits out of a few individual pieces.
- Only purchase a few items at a time, since they will soon be too small.
- Try them on first so you don’t wind up throwing away garments that don’t fit.
- Visit the store when they have sales
- Buy most of your clothes online as they are typically cheaper than in a physical store.
- Avoid impulse purchases, instead only buy items you really need
Age makes a difference
An annual budget for clothing for a teenager can usually be based on their age. An older teen will require different clothing than a younger teen.
Their tastes in fashion will change as well.
When a person is still a young teenager, their bodies have a lot more growing to do. Therefore, it is pointless for them to have an excessively large wardrobe at any one time.
Talk about money wasted! If your teen wants more clothing, have them use their own allowance or paycheck on it.
Once your teenager gets a job, they can buy their own apparel. Then your annual budget for that will decrease.
Once they reach 18, you can insist they pay for all their own clothing and accessories. That is up to you.
The back-to-school clothing budget
According to the National Retail Federation, most families in America will spend just shy of $300 on clothes for the new school year.
Depending on where you shop for the clothes, that figure could be more or less. Some good advice is to spread this amount out over the course of the year.
Instead of blowing an entire year’s clothing budget in one fell swoop, stretch it out. Only buy a small amount of apparel at a time.
Then return to the store when the season changes to buy more. This is practical advice since your teen will be growing out of their clothes rapidly.
Generally speaking, if your teen attends a private school where uniforms are worn, you will spend less on clothing.
You will still need to pay for the uniforms, but overall your child’s clothing costs will be reduced.
Many teenagers just want to look nice
Like most individuals, teenagers just want to look nice.
Whether they are going to class, to work, or out on a date, they care about their appearance. So, they need to have a functional wardrobe to accomplish these things.
No matter the size of their wardrobe, make sure your teen realizes they will be outgrowing their garments over time.
That means most of the money they spend on clothes now will be wasted. If they can handle that and wish to use their own money, then that’s their choice.
In summary, teenagers and a large clothing budget are practically synonymous.
Be prepared for this as you raise your family and do whatever you feel is best. Enjoy watching your teen look nice when they leave the house!
