Melbourne households spend more than other capital cities on clothing, ABS survey reveals

MELBURNIANS are hooked on buying clothes, with a spending study confirming we’re the nation’s fashion capital, a survey has revealed.

MELBURNIANS are hooked on buying clothes, with a spending study confirming we’re the nation’s fashion capital.

Our households splurge more than any other capital city on clothing, Australian Bureau of Statistics research shows.

Updating wardrobes for adults and kids costs an average $43.10 a week — or $2241.20 a year — the latest Household Expenditure Survey found.

And dressing to impress burns a far bigger hole in women’s hip pockets compared with men. Spending on female fashion racks up $346 a year more than blokes’ attire.

Visits to the hairdresser also snip triple as much money from women than men.

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Keen clothes shopper Jess Magree, 20, shows off some of her favourite outfits. Picture: Jay Town

The ABS estimates reveal that clothes, shoes, beauty and grooming combined costs Melbourne households more than $4300 a year on average.

Keen clothes shopper Jess Magree has bought four dresses for the Spring Racing Carnival. “I have way too many clothes. Finding the perfect outfit makes you feel good,” Ms Magree, 20, said.

“Every time we have an event I’ll buy something new.”

The customer service officer spends about $2000 a year on clothes, including presents for her Essendon footballer boyfriend Kyle Langford.

“He’s pretty fashionable. I give him advice on colour co-ordination,” she said.

Jess Magree gives her boyfriend Kyle Langford colour co-ordination advice. Picture: Jay Town

The ABS results are based on diary entries and receipts from 2000 Melbourne homes in 2015-16. Women’s clothing was calculated at $14.65 a week, and men’s at $8 a week. Boys and girls’ garments averaged $3.30 a week.

Trousers, shirts, dresses, suits and blouses were the most expensive.

Footing the bill for shoes averaged $9.20 per week.

Socks, hosiery, hats and accessories amounted to $4.15, and dry cleaning, ­repairs and alterations $1.15.

The survey found Melbourne’s weekly spend on toiletries and cosmetics such as toothpaste, shavers, deodorant and perfume was the nation’s biggest, averaging $17.60.

Hair services and other personal care services trimmed a further $14 a week from budgets.

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@KarenCollierHS