Clothing expense - working versus retired - $300 men's dress shoes???? (55, gorgeous)

[greywar]

Originally Posted by eidas

why would a guy, in an office, need great shoes? does he walk miles to the train?

I work in a office. I walk about 1-2 miles a day. Im in a large office complex spread out over several blocks. Also I travel on occasion overseas, and walk through large plants.

So technically a office worker, but I do a LOT of walk. Back and forth to my lab as well. It all adds up.

For shoes? Rockports. They look decent, and are good on my feet. I've tried other brands and after I wear through them I've kept coming back to the rockports. They're not as well made as they used to be, but the comfort has stayed good so I keep buying them. I think my last pair were $120.

I've been considering trying something more expensive as of late as the Rockports quality has dropped. Dropping $300 on shoes would not be out of line for my position.

[LivingDeadGirl]

Originally Posted by in_newengland

That's very interesting. On the MA forum there are a lot of relocation questions from NYers moving to Boston. Same type of people in highly competitive careers, I guess.

Me, just plain middle class, born and raised. Not very competitive. Would have been a failure in that type of career and lifestyle. My cousins in Boston and Philly are like that though and they look down on everyone who isn't. Wonder if they're saving money on clothing now that they're retired!

It is amusing. I just happen to really like the feel of good quality shoes and clothing. But, I drive a Ford focus because for me, it is obscene to spend more than that on a vehicle when I drive only 3,000 miles annually. I don't feel like I have to show off or compete in terms of clothing/cars, or that sort of thing. I guess some people see those things as a symbol of their personal/professional/educational success. We all have our symbols: some folks hanging every certificate they ever earned, on their walls.

The people I know that really have money typically do not show it off but the interiors of their homes do reflect their wealth. Interesting contemplation.

[nightbird47]

I worked for a bank for about a year and a half. Since the office was always cold, I wore boots to work. With extra socks under them... Since we didn't work in the bank building nobody cared, but there was a strict offical/unoffical rule that unless a secretary you still wore a suit to work. All we did was sit at our desks online or working on programs, but we had to dress properly for the bank.

I was lucky that I was still living at home and dad didn't want money, since I had to venture into the world or women's suits. One cost 160 dollars, which put a chunk in the paycheck. But you *had* to wear the uniform.

When I quit working for them, I never wore those suits again. They stood for a cage I didn't want to be in. One other job resurrected them from the back of the closet, but my natural dressing manner is comfortable. Boots and jeans and a light top or a sweater does me fine. It was interesting when we'd have 'casual friday' several co workers went out of their way to look like they were heading out the garden as a personal statement. But I can understand why clothes for work, especially it its suits, is an expense most are happy not to have anymore.

I think the clothes issue, especially with cost, is one reason I didn't want to work in an office afterwards.

[minos16]

I'm not retired but my advice would be to using bespoke tailors overseas for shoes if your spending that much. I import/export clothing to/from Asia.

Once you start getting past the $300-600 price point per item, it's time to go made-to-measure or bespoke or at least a overseas wholesaler/supplier. Past a certain price point, your just getting hosed due to either the ceiling effect of quality and/or diminishing returns on shelf goods( can an off-rack shoe increase 100% in quality if 400% higher in price?). Granted, some clothing items are rare and super unique but they're an exception to the rule.

As for the value of those goods.....well worth it; if you wear nice clothes, people always mention it or say so behind your back. If taken care of, nicer items last longer.

[RiverBird]

Clothes in the workplace vary by style of workplace. We all know what the Bill Gates staff wear to work. Those in tech or behind the scenes can easily dress down and be regarded as OK. Those with high profiles and interfacing with the public would dress according to what their clients/public would want and expect to see. In the course of 12 hours I often went from jeans/Nikes to a tailored suit and heels. Now retired, I can do the same. I don't "dress up" conservative garb in classroom situations, that would show me to be a prude. A lot of it depends too on whether you live in a highly conservative or liberal area. Working for a publications dept in the capital of Missouri, which is conservative, I was really surprised to see folks at work in jeans and flannel shirts. If I wore a suit there no one could have related. Of course there's good style even within different "genres" of dress.

[Ariadne22]

Originally Posted by timberline742

I still understand the importance of looking good for a job. It DOES matter. When I was in academia the standards and expectations were different than when I was in finance, and that is understandable. The thing with the shoes thread is that you can pay 300-500 and have those shoes last 10-15 years, or spend 100 on some bostonians and they last 1-2 years. Which makes more financial sense? It's pretty obvious.

You're absolutely, right. It DOES matter - aside from the long-term economy of buying quality. High earners, professional people such as attorneys, finance people should dress well. Appearances matter in certain fields.

Originally Posted by augiedogie

But considering what women spend on shoes, clothes, makeup and their hair, I can't imagine why anyone would rant about men buying a good pair of shoes that will last years and are comfortable, or a $500 suit that he will wear likely for years. Some women will spend $300 just for a stupid purse.

Agree. Keeping up appearances for women can be very costly. I'm finally adjusting to the $300/purse mania. Women who can't afford these things are buying them. I've never understood it. Never spent that when I worked - and certainly wouldn't now. Rarely use a purse. Just take a couple of credit cards, and I'm out the door.

Originally Posted by in_newengland

not because it is a requirement to maintain their social position or job status.

In some social and work environments, it is necessary. People do notice. Highly-paid people in competitive fields can't afford to be indifferent about how they look - unless they are indispensable. Not too many of those.

Originally Posted by LivingDeadGirl

Retirement clothes/shoes VS working clothes/shoes. I don't know about anyone else but I really miss dressing up each day and coordinating my"outfits".

Now, I have a much smaller but more expensive wardrobe and yes I do buy $300+ shoes and clothes. How? On ebay. It is absolutely amazing what you can find if you are diligent.

Me, too, on the dressing up part. And, yes, I've found these $300-$500 bags on eBay. Sprung for one a few months ago for $70 just because I liked it. Still haven't used it, though. Not much of a need, these days. Haven't yet let go of the past, clearly.

Originally Posted by ABQ2015

However I don't consider $300 that bad for a high quality leather purse although I would try to buy it on sale.

Never in a million years would I have spent or be spending $300-$1,000 on a bag. However, back in the day - even 20-30 years ago - I was spending $100 on a pair of shoes - and would buy them 4-6 pairs at a time. And, it was always painful.

Originally Posted by in_newengland

Wonder if they're saving money on clothing now that they're retired!

Hardest part would be if they have no place to wear all that beautiful stuff. Although, if high-income, they may still have very active lives which require some of that wardrobe.

[biscuitmom]

I'd happily spend $300 and up for shoes that deliver quality, comfort, and durability. I'd never pay for trendy looks or labels. Loved it when Emma Thompson tossed her Louboutins at the Golden Globes!

When Manolo Blahnik's first became hot, I tried on a few pairs out of curiosity. yikes, those things hurt, they would have been a bad buy at any price.

[Travelassie]

Originally Posted by Escort Rider

There is an interesting current thread in the Fashion and Beauty Forum entitled "Men's dress shoes - how much would you spend. What an eye-opener for me! No wonder some people talk about saving money on clothes after retirement (something I never understood before). I just can't relate to spending $300 for a pair of men's dress shoes, but from the posts there apparently in some jobs that would be de rigueur and yes, people actually notice.

I come from a totally different set of experiences. During my working career I was practically a member of the permanent underclass (high school teacher). People like me have no conception of how normal people live. Just for clarity, I define normal people as doctors, lawyers, Ph.D.'s, CPA's, and middle and upper management (plus whatever else would more or less go with those categories).

Even though reading that thread makes me feel sort of embarrassed, I am actually glad that I have never had to be so amazingly wasteful as to feel required to buy $300 men's dress shoes. I just abhor waste. The differences which divide us are enormous.

Of course I am not totally alone in my sentiments on the matter; I've already had two positive rep comments on my post in that Fashion and Beauty thread.

I was there myself. My last job was 15 years for the State of Florida, and I figured they didn't pay me enough for me to spend $$$$$$$$ on clothing or shoes. Before that, I worked in several hospitals, and while we weren't required to wear uniforms, just required to wear lab coats, gloves for protection, I sure wouldn't have wasted money on designer or high end clothing or shoes there, either.

And now? It's basically jeans, capris pants, and T-shirts. And sandals or sneakers. Most from discount or outlet stores.

[Gandalara]

Originally Posted by Escort Rider

No wonder some people talk about saving money on clothes after retirement (something I never understood before).

Originally Posted by Escort Rider

I come from a totally different set of experiences.

Let me add a "Me too."

I worked for government at the beginning of my career, then managed a multimillion agricultural co-op, then back to government.

At work, it was Birkenstocks or tennis shoes.
Jeans or to-the-floor long skirts, and cheap tops or T-shirts.
I owned one pair of black dress shoes just in case. They were needed maybe twice a year.

I consider myself very lucky, since I cannot stand fancy clothes.

I haven't saved a penny on clothes in retirement

[nicet4]

Originally Posted by harpoonalt

Funny! A friend of ours always was a high flier. Always wore polo shirts, expensive shoes, etc. He'd comment on my suit, tie, shoes at functions like I was some sort of hillbilly for not wearing the "names". Personally I couldn't see the difference. Fast forward 20 years and I'm set for retirement in 5 years. He got laid off from his big job and had to take a giant pay cut. His Mercedes is falling apart, he has no money and his shoes aren't paying the bills.
What's that parable about flying too close to the sun?

I live in the far south where it's warm to hot for 9 months out of the year. When I retire my standard wardrobe will be shorts, tennis or deck shoes with white socks, a cheap button up short sleeve shirt and that is it except when it comes to church. 90% of my life I will be dressed like that because that is how am most comfortable and I could care less what anyone else thinks.