How much should I spend on clothes?

There is no right number; a commonly quoted guide is around five percent of take-home pay, less if you are saving hard. Cost per wear is more useful: a 2,000 rupee shirt worn fifty times costs 40 rupees a wear, while a 1,000 rupee top worn twice costs 500 a wear. Spend more on what you wear every week, like shoes, jeans and work basics, and less on trend pieces.

Also asked as: Monthly clothing budget

Updated 20 October 2026