What Should Spring Workwear Actually Cost?
You should always budget for your professional wardrobe, but not everyone’s shopping and spending formula is the same . . .
How much should you really budget for spring workwear? Natalie gives you tips on how to create a plan that works for you. We'll walk through a real scenario using the cost per wear and the Strategic Shopping List framework to help you spend intentionally, prioritize what matters, and avoid chaotic seasonal shopping this spring.
Episode Notes & Resources:
Revisit episode 32 of Wear Who You Are: "How to Calculate Cost Per Wear to Shop Smarter"
Read more on the BU Style website: "How to Apply the Cost Per Wear Formula"
Join BU Style Circle to get more style resources, live Q&A sessions with Natalie, and more
Submit your style questions to be answered in a future Nat Chat
Read the full& Raw Episode transcript:
[00:00]
Hello, hello, spring is here, April is here. We had a very long winter in New York, so I am thrilled about these pops of nice days. I hope you are too, wherever you are. Today we’re talking about spring, and today’s Nat Chat. I’ve really appreciated all of your questions coming in, this is so fun for me, and I hope it’s been worthwhile for you too.
[00:28]
Our question today comes from Ashley S. in California. “How much should I set aside for spring workwear?” This is such a good question, and honestly one I get all the time, especially from new clients when we first start working together.
[00:44]
And I know this is a very annoying answer, but the answer is, it depends. But I’m not just going to say “it depends” and peace out, that’s the episode. Let’s actually walk through how to figure it out.
[00:58]
The first question to ask yourself is, are you replacing things or are you expanding your wardrobe? And before you can even answer that, have you done your closet audit for spring? We are in spring, so ideally you’ve gone through your closet to understand what you’re replacing and what you love but maybe needs a “wardrobe friend” to complete it.
[01:21]
This is where your Strategic Shopping List comes in, the thing I talk about all the time. That list should be based on a real closet edit. Shameless plug, we have an entire Closet Clarity Series inside BU Style Circle that walks you through how to audit each category. I even did it very extensively for myself this season because I was feeling a little lost going into spring.
[01:45]
Doing this audit helps you understand, again, are you replacing something that’s worn out or not quite right anymore, or are you expanding your options to mix and match? Maybe your role has changed, maybe you want to uplevel your presence, or continue building your style identity.
[02:04]
Now, of course, we have to talk about cost per wear. Let’s say a new blazer is on your list. A blazer is typically a hero piece, a workhorse, so you might spend a bit more. But the question is, do you want one blazer that can do five different things, or five blazers that only work one way? I will always suggest one that can do five.
[02:27]
If you’re going to wear that blazer 50 times this spring, your cost per wear is actually lower than something cheaper you only wear once or twice. So that’s how I want you thinking about budget, item by item.
[02:44]
Once you’ve identified your pieces, whether it’s blouses, shoes, or accessories, assign a budget to each one and tally it up. Then ask yourself, am I comfortable with that total? And also, do I want to spend it all at once?
[03:02]
This is where your shopping strategy comes in. You don’t have to buy everything at once. In spring, you’ll see more transition pieces first, lighter knits, jackets. But things like dresses might not be worth shopping for until later in April or May. So you can spread your budget out and shop more intentionally instead of doing one big, chaotic haul.
[03:26]
As a general framework, you might allocate something like 50% of your budget to foundational pieces and refreshes. Or maybe this is the season you invest heavily in one hero piece, like a leather jacket, and keep everything else minimal, maybe just replacing basics like socks or sneakers.
[03:48]
Think about what you actually need and where you want your money to go. Identify your priority pieces and your “nice to have” pieces. That will help you stay focused and make smarter decisions as you shop.
[04:04]
And then, hold yourself to it. Or, if you find something incredible, revisit cost per wear and decide if it earns a little flexibility.
[04:14]
Inside BU Style Circle, we have tools that help with all of this, including a Strategic Shopping List that calculates your budget for you. But either way, the goal is the same, come in with a plan, know your list, assign your budget per item, and make sure the total actually makes sense for you.
[04:33]
You can always adjust and refine as you go.
[04:38]
Thanks so much, and we’ll see you on the next Nat Chat of Wear Who You Are.