The closet may be the most expensive room in the average American home — not because of what’s hanging in it, but because of what hangs there unworn.
Americans spent an average of $2,001 on apparel and services in 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. And the open secret in personal finance is that a huge chunk of that money pays for clothes you’ll wear two or three times — if at all.
Want proof? The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports that landfills swallowed 11.3 million tons of textile waste in 2018. That’s not random debris or worn-out clothes. Some is clothing people bought, regretted, and threw away.
Here are 10 types of clothes I refuse to buy. I think you should too.
1. Anything that says ‘dry-clean only’ on the tag
I have a beautiful silk shirt that was a birthday gift. I love it, and I never wear it. Why? Because every time I do, it costs me $10.
A dry-clean-only garment isn’t a one-time purchase. It’s a subscription.
Each trip to the cleaner runs you anywhere from $5 to $25 per item, depending on the garment and where you live. Wear a blazer twice a month, and you’re spending another $300 a year just to keep it presentable.
The fix is simple. Before you swipe the card, look at the care tag. If you don’t see “machine wash,” put it back. There are plenty of nice clothes that don’t require a chemical bath every two weeks.
2. Fast-fashion hauls
I get the appeal. You drop $80 on a Shein box and walk away with 12 items. The math feels great until the third wash, when the seams give out and the fabric pills like a sweater that lost a fight with a cat.
Cost per wear on a $9 shirt you wear three times comes out to $3. On a $40 shirt you wear 50 times, it’s 80 cents. Quality is cheaper. Always.
Buy fewer things. Buy better things. Wear them longer. (“11 Pro Tips for Finding Quality Clothing at Thrift Shops” has more on shopping smarter.)
3. Fantasy-self clothes
These are clothes you buy for the version of you that hosts dinner parties three nights a week, does yoga at 6 a.m. on weekends, and works at the kind of office that requires a real suit.
That person doesn’t exist. Or, more accurately, that person is you on maybe four days a year. Buy clothes for the life you actually live — not the one you imagine you’ll stumble into.
If you work from home in sweats, the answer isn’t another blazer “just in case.”
4. The goal-weight wardrobe
Hanging on to jeans that haven’t fit in five years because you’re going to get back into them isn’t a savings plan. It’s a guilt trip on a hanger.
Bodies change. If you lose weight, celebrate by buying clothes that fit the new you. But if you haven’t, don’t try to squeeze into something from 2019. Sell or donate the 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 interlocking letters across the chest. Logo-driven luxury is one of the worst financial trades I’ve seen in my decades as a consumer reporter.
A designer handbag that retails for $3,000 often resells for a fraction of that within a couple of years. If you bought a stock that lost 70% in 24 months, you’d shred the brokerage statement. Don’t do it with your wardrobe either. (Learn more on why luxury clothing is a terrible place to park your cash.)
Quick aside — most internet financial advice comes from people who weren’t alive during the last recession. I’ve been writing about money for more than 35 years. Want rock-solid advice? Sign up for the free Money Talks Newsletter. Takes 10 seconds. No fluff. No spam.
6. Single-occasion formalwear you can rent
If you only need a tuxedo for one wedding, do not buy a tuxedo. Rent it. The same goes for bridesmaid dresses, prom gowns, and any other gala-ready piece you’ll wear once.
A rental might run $80 to $150. A purchased tux with alterations easily hits $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 answer with a specific date, rent it.
7. Bargain-bin shoes
Shoes are the one category where being cheap actually costs you. A $25 pair that destroys your feet gets replaced in three months. A $120 pair you wear comfortably for two years works out to $5 a month.
Worse, bad shoes cause real medical bills. Podiatrists love cheap footwear — it keeps them in business. If you have to be frugal somewhere, don’t make it your feet.
8. Anything itchy, scratchy, or just plain uncomfortable
We’ve all done it. You try something on, it looks great in the mirror, and you think, “I’ll get used to it.” You won’t.
That sweater that itches in the dressing room will itch on your couch. The blouse that pinches under the arms will keep pinching. Clothes that don’t feel good never get worn — which means they’re a 100% financial loss the moment they cross your doorway.
If it’s uncomfortable in the fitting room, put it back. Period.
9. Trend-of-the-month pieces
TikTok once told you to dress like a “tomato girl.” Then it was “mob wife.” Who knows what’s next.
Microtrends have a shelf life of about six to 12 weeks. You’ll wear that head-to-toe trendy outfit exactly twice before it starts looking dated. Save the trend-chasing for cheap accessories — a $12 scarf, a thrifted bag, costume jewelry — and let your core wardrobe stay timeless.
10. Yet another pair of black leggings
Open your drawer right now. How many black leggings do you own? Five? Seven? Be honest.
The same rule applies to white tees, plain hoodies, and blue jeans — any basic item you already own in bulk. Once you have three of something, the fourth is luxury. The seventh is a problem. Audit before you buy.
The bottom line
A well-edited closet saves you money in two ways. First, you stop wasting cash on clothes you’ll regret. Second, you actually wear what you already own — which lowers your cost per wear on every piece.
I’ll close with advice I’ve been handing out for over 35 years: Don’t buy clothes for the person you wish you were. Buy clothes for the person you actually are. Your wallet will thank you. So will your closet.
For more on what else to stop wasting your money on, take a look at “17 Purchases That People Almost Always Regret.”
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