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Question of the day

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* We found out today that the Blagojevich family clothing bill was $400,000 between 2002 and 2008.

* The Question: What’s the most money you’ve ever spent on an item of clothing?

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 12:56 pm

Comments

  1. $500 suit for my old man’s funeral. Can’t wear it anymore; either it shrunk a lot or I’ve gained weight.

    Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 1:00 pm

  2. $200 for a suit..

    Comment by OneMan Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 1:01 pm

  3. Like the others, a suit for about $350 at Brooks Brother.

    Comment by Stooges Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 1:02 pm

  4. I like Armani suits. A few times, I’ve spent about $1,800 for one.

    Comment by Skeeter Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 1:04 pm

  5. $400 for a suit
    $140 for a Tommy Bahama shirt.

    Comment by He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 1:05 pm

  6. Other than my wedding dress - $375 for a pair of Anyi Lu specator pumps in chocolate and butterscotch - delicious to wear and look at and worth every penny.

    Comment by 10th Indy Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 1:06 pm

  7. The most I’ve spent is a few hundred for a suit, however I did once receive a custom tailored suit as a gift that cost about $1500 (rather wouldve had a new TV though)

    Comment by Downstate GOP Faithless Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 1:08 pm

  8. To bad “Robert Hall” isn’t around anymore.
    Most people can look good without $400K, but most people don’t have Rod’s ego.

    Comment by If The Shoe Fits Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 1:13 pm

  9. By the way, what cologne does Rod wear? Is his cologne on the list.
    Bet it smells like a million bucks.

    Comment by If The Shoe Fits Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 1:19 pm

  10. Besides a suit, $155 for a Mark Buehrle jersey. Best money I’ve spent.

    Comment by Pre Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 1:21 pm

  11. $400 for a Brooks Brothers suit …

    If Rod is unlucky, “We the People” will be payingfor his outfits for the forseeable future …

    Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 1:23 pm

  12. Probably the last new suit I bought about 2 years ago - it was an on-sale item and I also received another 15% discount, so I think it came to something like $110. I have never spent more than $45 for a pair of shoes, and I have never spent more than $25 for a dress shirt.

    Comment by Hunterdon Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 1:24 pm

  13. … $1,250 for a sweet pair of riding boots, horse not included.

    Comment by Giddy Up Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 1:25 pm

  14. $1,000

    Comment by Betsy Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 1:25 pm

  15. $80. for a dress once. It killed me.

    Comment by Say WHAT? Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 1:26 pm

  16. $750, evening wear.

    Comment by Amalia Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 1:27 pm

  17. I spent $300 on a suit right out of college only to have it eaten by moths a few months later. I haven’t owned a suit since.

    Comment by Old Shepherd Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 1:27 pm

  18. A suit for about $350.00, but to be fair I also spent $275.00 for my two piece insulated camoflage coveralls I use for ice fishing, snowmobiling, being in the woods, etc.

    Probably the most extravagant single item I ever bought was a silk tie for about $45.00 or a black beaver-felt fedora I spent about $125.00 on.

    Those items were rarities, my usual wear is F&F jeans and a t-shirt.

    Comment by Irish Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 1:28 pm

  19. $750 or so on a Brooks Brother’s suit.

    Comment by well Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 1:29 pm

  20. I spent a couple of hundred bucks on the suit I got married in 27 years ago. Wore it only one more time after that. Haven’t been able to fit into if for years. Anybody want it? I’ll sell it cheap.

    Comment by dupage dan Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 1:29 pm

  21. about $250 on a suit, or, in Rod terms, about .55% of a reasonable clothing budget.

    Comment by Montrose Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 1:33 pm

  22. I am sorry, that should be about .055% of a reasonable clothing budget.

    Comment by Montrose Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 1:34 pm

  23. Wow…nice to know I wouldn’t be the worst dressed at a Cap Fax convention…

    Comment by Leroy Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 1:40 pm

  24. Suit out of college. I think it was $250.

    Comment by How Ironic Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 1:43 pm

  25. I wear Earth shoes, which are spendy but comfortable and last a long time. I suppose I spend about $125/pair.

    Comment by Cheryl44 Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 1:50 pm

  26. $250 on a leather jacket. Which I still have and plan to be buried in.

    Comment by Aldyth Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 1:50 pm

  27. I’ve spent 1400 on my wedding dress and 290 for cowboy boots.

    Comment by November Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 1:57 pm

  28. About $500 for some ostrich leather boots.

    Comment by ShadyBillBrady Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 1:58 pm

  29. There is absolutely no excuse for spending that much money. Men’s dress clothing has been in a recession ever since Boomers discovered pleated Dockers and white running shoes twenty five years ago.

    Consequentially, men’s dress suits are a buyer’s market. You can actually buy an outstanding men’s suit for less than you can pay for those crappy distressed designer jeans and oversized logoed polo shirts that frankly no one should wear if they are not mowing a lawn.

    Thanks to the Internet, you can spend $250 for an imported first rate designer men’s suit. You can easily catch outstanding values in dress shoes, ties, dress shirts and other men’s clothing.

    Blagojevich spent money on this clothing, not because what he bought was so outstanding, he bought names and labels. He wears ties hand made in Paris, cologne imported from Europe, and suits that come straight from expensive fashion houses. There is really no reason for this.

    So, the most I probably spent was maybe $350 for what was origninally a $1200 suit on YOOX.

    Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 1:58 pm

  30. …and we taxpayers will have to pay for Blago’s Orange Jumpsuit!

    Comment by Me Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 1:59 pm

  31. I spent less than $300 on my wedding dress (mid-1990s; it was only semi-formal and had no train), and only $60 on my prom dress (early 1980s). I cannot remember the last time I spent more than $100 on any single clothing item for myself. JCPenney is as upscale as I care to get.

    Comment by Secret Square Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 2:08 pm

  32. Stick to the question, please. You can feel free to comment to your heart’s content on Blagojevich’s wild spending habits on the other post.

    Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 2:08 pm

  33. $6.95 for a three pack of underwear…

    Comment by Cincinnatus Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 2:10 pm

  34. Maybe 300 bucks for a new suit. That is likely a high estimate.

    Man, 400 grand?!!!!

    You could outfit a transvestite convention for that kinda dough. Not that I would know anything about that.(shifty eye thing going on)

    Comment by Irishpirate Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 2:12 pm

  35. A JC Penney suit that cost somewhere around $150, if I remember right, for my grandfather’s funeral.

    Comment by Liandro Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 2:31 pm

  36. $600 for a complete suit and shoes from Men’s Wearhouse about eight years ago. It (finally) got me my best job ever, and was well worth the investment. Since then, I shop used clothing stores and get a decent one for $15.

    Comment by Vote Quimby! Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 2:40 pm

  37. I bought a leather jacket in Florence, Italy that was listed at 700 euro (roughly $900) but the guy gave it to me for 350 euro if I paid cash so HE could avoid paying the taxes. Gotta love the european business model. Still think we need a VAT here?

    Comment by Masters Champ Phil Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 2:43 pm

  38. Dressin’ Up Is My Style! - Madonna, enhanced by VanillaMan

    We’ve got style, that’s what the felons say
    Clean used briefs and orange jumpsuits so fine
    All are washed in our sink when they’re dirty
    Here Ryan and I are considered like Einstein!

    Cuz my career is still my love!
    It’s not over, not over
    Quitting is not what I’m made of!
    I’m the workin’ classes’ buddy!

    Feel the silky touch of group showers
    They keep me looking so brand new
    George and I huddle there for hours
    When we get out of here we’re gonna stage a coup

    Cuz my come-back is what I dream of!
    It’s not over, not over
    All we have to do is rise above!
    I’m the voter’s love-guvvy!

    Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 2:44 pm

  39. $1.49 for my “Rod Blagojevich — the Guy We Can Trust!” t-shirt. Actually, the guy I bought it from had a buy one, get twelve free deal, but hey, there’s only so much space in my closet.

    Comment by Steve Downstate Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 2:45 pm

  40. I hate buying clothes. I especially hate it now that I have gained weight.

    When Bachrach was going out of business, I dropped about $500 to $600 on a couple of suits, 4-5 shirts and a few ties. Unfortunately, most of those clothes don’t fit anymore.

    My parents bought me an official CCM New Jersey Devils sweater in high school, and my wife has graciously bought me a few sports jerseys, but I never knew the cost.

    Comment by Team Sleep Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 3:01 pm

  41. about $550 for a suit but 1/2 off another. Still look at the suit and wonder what about it is worth $550. I can and have be happy w a $15 fitted quality garage sale suit…

    Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 3:06 pm

  42. I spent about $350 on a suit at a clearance sale at a real nice clothing store. Grandma-in-law spent $400 on a coat for me for Christmas that I have had for 10 years and it still looks nice. She passed away last year, God bless her, but the coat still looks nice…

    Comment by HoosierDaddy Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 3:08 pm

  43. I think I spent $400 on a jacket. I loved that jacket. Still do.

    My wife has a gigantic closet full of nice clothes, but I simply cannot imagine spending that kind of money on clothing. Amazing.

    Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 3:12 pm

  44. $800 bucks for a custom made Hickey Freeman suit 15 years ago….I have a half dozen $500 to $700 suits going back 10 years. I can’t imagine spending $40 thousand a year at Oxxford….

    Comment by Louis Howe Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 3:18 pm

  45. $200 on a suit.

    (When you’re as pretty as I am, you just look good in clothes no matter how little they cost.)

    – MrJM

    Comment by MrJM Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 3:20 pm

  46. I purchased a great looking Rolling Stones varsity jacket for $250 a few years ago. It’s a collectors item.

    Comment by Stones Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 3:50 pm

  47. it ain’t formal wear . . . but . . . I spent $400 once on a very sweet Gore-Tex jacket

    Comment by QC Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 3:51 pm

  48. About $450 for a US-made designer sport coat a few years ago. I still have it and it still fits.
    Great quality!

    Comment by Getting too old for this Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 3:57 pm

  49. Went to buy one nice suit several years ago. Got convinced to buy 3 when the discounts started climbing fast. Ended up with shirts, ties, belts, winter coats, suits at huge discounts. 4 pairs of shoes were $150 each at the rack. When they hit the cashier they dropped to $50 each. $800 suits went for $150. Still wear it all as needed and they look great. Must be a monster markup on clothes. Go back there regularly.

    Comment by zatoichi Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 4:18 pm

  50. $350 for a dress for my son’s wedding
    @Amalia-what do you do with your hand me downs? I am a 6. lol

    Comment by really?? Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 4:20 pm

  51. sorry really ??, still in my closet, still in use. besides, the
    price balances with my many finds in the 75% off rack,
    currently up at Target!

    Comment by Amalia Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 5:24 pm

  52. My “crackerjack” Navy uniform. Cost me 4 years of my life.

    Comment by Justme Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 5:39 pm

  53. Wedding dress. Dark blue silk. Couture. $3K. Insane money except it is still, ten+ years later, the evening wear item for all events. At this point, the per wear cost is maybe $30 and it’s still amazing.

    Comment by Indeedy Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 5:53 pm

  54. @ justme
    LOL!

    Comment by Conservative Republican Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 6:44 pm

  55. $600 for my wedding dress. Other than that probably suits and heels for court. Say $300 suit at Dillards and $125 for Dansko heels.

    Comment by Rayne of terror Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 7:14 pm

  56. $450 on a custom sized leather jacket … still wear it every winter.

    Comment by Retired Non-Union Guy Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 7:36 pm

  57. Since I have been married proabably Zero. I
    end up paying for it but my wife buys my clothes. She made me bring everything I bought back to the store. Not because of price, just bad taste.

    Comment by Been There Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 8:08 pm

  58. Masters Champ Phil, you must have been on the Ponte Vecchio! The bridge where Dante met Beatrice (Bee-ah-tree-che) is now an up-scale shopping mall!

    A limited edition scarf from Gucci, done honoring the Lyric Opera. $300. That was ‘then’ and this is now; now I shop at Sear’s Land’s End. :)

    Comment by HatShopGirl Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 8:31 pm

  59. $275 for a smoking jacket with Rich Miller’s face and WWW.thecapitolfaxblog.com bedazzeled on it.

    Comment by Wumpus Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 9:06 pm

  60. “Wedding dress. Dark blue silk. Couture. $3K. Insane money except it is still, ten+ years later, the evening wear item for all events”

    Actually, up until about the early 20th century, it was perfectly “traditional” for brides to simply buy, or have made, for their weddings a nice dress (didn’t have to be white) that they could wear for other special occasions after the wedding.

    Speak of the devil, anyone ever seen pics of Rod and Patti’s wedding? If they had this kind of sartorial taste back then, and with all of Papa Mell’s wealth, it could have been quite a blowout.

    Comment by Bookworm Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 9:45 pm

  61. To answer the original question … other than a $500 wedding gown… I can’t recall what my biggest purchase was. The biggest purchase I made in the last couple of years was a new swimsuit for $50 (and it was on sale). My tastes and budget are closer to JBT’s — Goodwill and garage sales.

    Comment by Bookworm Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 9:51 pm

  62. $400 for my wedding dress in 1978. $300 to $400 each for a few women’s business suits for work in the 1980’s.

    Comment by sidepocket Friday, Jul 2, 10 @ 12:46 am

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