We all know fashion comes at a price, but how much does style really cost? Five women break down their monthly fashion bills, biggest splurges, and the lessons they’ve learned while keeping their wardrobes stylish.
They say style speaks before you do, but no one talks enough about how much it costs to keep that conversation going. From perfectly tailored dresses that scream “soft life” to shoes you swore were an investment piece, fashion has a way of draining our wallets — and our monthly fashion bills prove it. However, we can not deny that it helps us show up as our most confident selves.
Behind every effortless outfit is a price tag. Whether it’s the monthly “just browsing” sessions that sometimes end in a purchase, or the steady stream of delivery riders who know your address by heart. Staying fashionable takes planning, prioritising, and plenty of self-control.
Let’s face it, fashion isn’t just about looking good; it’s about feeling seen. In industries where presentation is part of the job description or just to survive as a woman, style is often a form of currency. Even if you’re curating looks on a budget, a 9–5 professional building a wardrobe, or a fashionista whose closet doubles as a content tool, every outfit tells a financial story.
For this Fashion Expense Diary edit, we spoke to five women about how much they actually spend on fashion items each month, and what drives their style choices, and the money lessons stitched into every outfit. Fashion may be a form of expression, but for many women, it’s also a recurring expense. So, how much are the girls paying for their fits? Let’s find out.
Denise: “Just buy it — you’ll find a place to wear it”
View this post on Instagram
For Denise, fashion isn’t just about looking good — it’s about feeling powerful. She describes her personal style as sensual, chic, and daring. “I can afford my style comfortably,” she says with a confident smile. “And I buy clothes every month.”
Her fashion bill ranges from ₦100,000 to ₦250,000 per month, depending on how many events she attends. “I get gifted a lot of free stuff too, so that helps,” she adds. Her biggest splurge? The dress she wore to the AMVCAs — a stunning ₦120,000 gown she still wears proudly.
Denise mostly shops online and admits she doesn’t stress much about rising prices. “I haven’t experienced a dip in my quality of life, so I’m good,” she says. For her fashion mantra, Denise says, “Just buy it! You don’t need a reason. One day, you’ll find the perfect place to wear it.”
Esther: “Designers are great, but thrift has my heart”
Esther defines her style as casual, minimalist, and chic. But when it comes to affording it, she’s honest: “Designers? No. Thrift? Yes. Sometimes I’m somewhere in between.” Her average monthly fashion expense is around ₦40,000 — mostly earrings, bangles, and T-shirts. “I like to buy at least one earring or bangle a month,” she says. “However, if I have an event, I’ll splurge on a dress or bag.”
Her biggest splurge lately? a Fleming East-West Tote. “I gifted it to myself for my birthday, and now my bank account is feeling it,” she admits with a laugh.
Esther enjoys thrift shopping and focuses on building a functional wardrobe. “I’ve learnt to invest in good basics and stop chasing trends,” she says. “Thrifting is my secret weapon — you’d be surprised what gems you can find.” Her must-haves? “Earrings, flats, sunglasses, and small bags. They make any outfit look put together.”
Her biggest money lesson: “Invest in quality pieces that last. Don’t splurge on what you don’t truly love.”
Read also: 10 women share how they budget and splurge after payday
Patricia: “Fashion is an investment — buy for longevity”
For Patricia, fashion is more than aesthetics; it’s an emotional connection. She describes her style as classic, stylish, and fun. Her monthly fashion expenses vary. “Sometimes I spend ₦150,000 on two or three ready-to-wear pieces,” she says. “However, during wedding season or when I’m buying custom outfits, that can shoot up to ₦500,000.”
Her biggest splurge this year? A pair of iconic Dr Martens. “I buy pieces I fall in love with. I never regret them because they speak to me,” she says. Patricia does most of her shopping online, often through Instagram vendors. Her biggest hack is reworking old outfits. “There’s no such thing as an outfit repeater,” she insists. “However, buy what you truly love and you will still wear it three years from now.”
Her key fashion lesson? “Buy something made with quality and longevity in mind. Fashion is an investment; make sure the craftsmanship matches the price.”
Ashim: “It’s not about buying more, it’s about styling smarter”
Ashim keeps things minimal but intentional. Her personal style is modern, minimal, and feminine.
Her monthly fashion bill is modest, around ₦10,000. “I shop online mostly,” she says. “My biggest splurge recently was a pair of black high-heeled stilettos, and I wear them proudly.”
For her, being stylish doesn’t mean spending more. “It’s about how you wear what you already own,” she explains. “I restyle, layer, and mix pieces to make old outfits feel new.”
Ashim’s fashion motivation is self-expression, and her golden rule is simple: “Buy wisely. Quality over quantity, any day.”
Deborah: “It’s my mission to look my best — always.”
Deborah describes her style as sensual, minimal, and elegant. Unlike many, she doesn’t stick to a strict budget. “I buy whatever speaks to me,” she says. “But it can run up to ₦150,000 a month — higher if I’m getting a wig.”
Her most expensive purchase? “My birthday outfit cost over ₦200,000 and I have no regrets,” she says proudly. She shops online and through Instagram vendors, often saving up for bigger purchases. “I try to stay within ₦150,000 monthly and save for special pieces,” she explains.
For her, fashion is both a mission and a mindset. “It’s my mission to always look my best,” she says. Her key takeaway? “A picture can last a lifetime, so make sure you’re looking your best — in quality pieces.”
Fashion is a bill, but it’s also self-expression
From ₦10,000 thrift budgets to ₦500,000 splurges, every woman’s monthly fashion bills tell a different story about confidence, creativity, and financial choices. For some, fashion is an investment; for others, it’s a form of therapy or self-expression. However, across the board, one thing is clear: staying stylish in today’s economy takes more than money — it takes strategy, intention, and love for the art of dressing up. Because yes, fashion is a bill, but it’s one that the girls are still paying proudly.
Read more: Beauty Expense Diaries: The influencer, the student and the corporate leader
