The closet may be the most expensive room in the average American home – not because of what hangs in it, but because of what hangs in there unworn.
Americans will spend an average of $2,001 on apparel and services in 2024, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics. And the open secret in personal finance is that a huge chunk of that money is paid for clothes you’ll wear two or three times a day — if at all.
Need proof? US Environmental Protection Agency report Landfills swallowed 11.3 million tons of textile waste in 2018. It’s not random debris or worn-out clothes. There are some clothes that people bought, regretted and threw away.
Here are 10 types of clothes I refuse to buy. I think you should do the same.
1. Anything that says ‘dry-clean only’ on the tag
I have a beautiful silk shirt which was a birthday gift. I like it and I never wear it. Why? Because every time I do that, it costs me $10.
Dry-clean-only clothing isn’t a one-time purchase. This is a subscription.
Each trip to the cleaners will cost you $5 to $25 per item, depending on the size of the garment and where you live. Wear a blazer twice a month, and you’re spending an extra $300 a year to keep it presentable.
The solution is simple. Before swiping the card, check the care tag. If you don’t see “Machine Wash”, put it back. There are plenty of great clothes that don’t require a chemical bath every two weeks.
2. Fast-fashion race
I have received the appeal. You put $80 on a Shein box and walk away with 12 items. The math seems pretty good until the third wash, when the stitches fall out and the fabric becomes lumpy like a sweater that lost a fight with a cat.
A $9 shirt you wear three times costs $3 per wear. If you wear a $40 shirt 50 times, that’s 80 cents. The quality is cheap. Always.
Buy less things. Buy better things. Wear these for a long time. (There’s more on how to shop smart in “11 Pro Tips for Finding Quality Clothes at Thrift Stores.”)
3. Fantasy-own clothes
These are the clothes you buy for the version of you who hosts dinner parties three nights a week, goes to yoga at 6 a.m. on the weekends, and works in the kind of office that requires real suits.
That person doesn’t exist. Or, more accurately, maybe four days a year that person is you. Buy clothes for the life you actually live – not the life you imagine you’ll stumble into.
If you work from home in sweats, the answer isn’t another blazer “just in case.”
4. Goal-weight wardrobe
Wearing jeans that haven’t fit in five years just because you’re going to wear them back out is not a savings plan. It’s a guilt trip to the hangar.
Bodies change. If you’ve lost weight, celebrate by buying clothes that are new to you. But if you haven’t, don’t try to squeeze anything out of 2019. Sell or donate goal-weight pieces, pocket whatever cash you can, and stop staring at clothes that make you feel bad.
Here are tips for selling old clothes on consignment if you want top dollar.
5. Designer logo pieces
I don’t care if it has a red sole or letters attached to the chest. Logo-driven luxury is one of the worst financial businesses I’ve seen in my decades as a consumer reporter.
A designer handbag that sells for $3,000 often resells for a fraction of that within a few years. If you bought a stock that declined 70% in 24 months, you would destroy the brokerage statement. Don’t do this with your wardrobe either. (Learn more about why luxury clothing is a bad place to stash your cash.)
Quit immediately – Most internet financial advice comes from people who weren’t alive during the last recession. I’ve been writing about money for over 35 years. Do you want concrete advice? Sign up for the free Money Talks newsletter. It takes 10 seconds. No sparkles. no spam.
6. Formal wear for an occasion you can rent
If you only need a tuxedo for one wedding, don’t buy a tuxedo. Rent it. The same goes for bridesmaid dresses, prom gowns, and any other celebration-ready dress you’ll wear once in a while.
A rental can range from $80 to $150. A tux purchased with change easily ranges from $400 to $1,200. Unless you have three black-tie events a year, every dollar over the rental price is wasted.
Ask yourself: When will I wear this next? If you can’t respond with a specific date, rent it out.
7. Bargain-Bin Shoes
Shoes are one category where being cheap can actually cost you. A $25 pair that makes your feet sore is replaced in three months. A $120 pair that you wear comfortably for two years costs $5 a month.
What’s worse, bad shoes can lead to real medical bills. Podiatrists love cheap shoes – it keeps them in business. If you have to be frugal somewhere, don’t make it your feet.
8. Anything itchy, scratchy, or downright uncomfortable
We have all done it. You try something on, it looks great in the mirror, and you think, “I’ll get used to this.” You won’t.
That sweater that itches in the dressing room will itch on your couch. A blouse that pricks under the arms will continue to prick. Clothes that don’t look good never get worn – which means 100% financial loss as soon as they cross your door.
If it’s uncomfortable in the fitting room, put it back. Duration.
9. Trending Pieces of the Month
TikTok once told you to dress like a “tomato girl.” Then it was “Mob Wives”. Who knows what will happen next.
Microtrends have a shelf life of approximately six to 12 weeks. You’ll wear that head-to-toe trendy outfit exactly twice before it starts looking old. Save the trend for inexpensive accessories — a $12 scarf, an affordable bag, costume jewelry — and let your main garment remain timeless.
10. Another pair of black leggings
Open your drawer right now. How many black leggings do you have? five? Seven? be honest.
The same rule applies to white tees, plain hoodies and blue jeans – any basic items you already have in bulk. Once you have those three things, the fourth is luxury. Seventh is a problem. Audit before buying.
bottom line
A well-edited closet saves you money in two ways. First of all, stop wasting cash on clothes you’ll regret. Second, you actually wear what you already own – reducing your per-wear costs per piece.
I’ll end with the advice I’ve been giving for over 35 years: Don’t buy clothes for the person you want. Buy clothes for the person you really are. Your wallet will thank you. So will your wardrobe also be the same?
For more information about what Other To stop wasting your money, take a look at “17 Purchases People Almost Always Regret”.