The Fabric Of Yom Tov
Clothing and Yom Tov can either be a delightful combination or a stressful one. While new clothes bring joy to some, they can trigger the worry of overspending for others.
Instead of enhancing the Yom Tov, a new wardrobe can leave you with a knot in your stomach that even a warm kugel can’t untangle.
In this article, we explore how to strike a balance by keeping your Yom Tov wardrobe fresh without feeling like you need to max out your credit card.
Halacha In The Age Of Fast Fashion
The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 529) encourages us to enhance Yom Tov with treats for children, new clothes for women, and meat and wine for men.
Back in the day, a new dress or suit was a rarity, lovingly purchased once or twice a year. Today, with the ease of online shopping, we can get a whole wardrobe delivered to our doorstep within 24 hours after just a few clicks.
Are these purchases truly adding to the simcha of Yom Tov, or are they simply filling up our closets with things we forget we own?
Before rushing to buy something new, take a moment to know your closet. There’s a good chance that something perfectly lovely is hiding behind that jacket you’ve worn twice. Shopping your own wardrobe could reveal more than you expect.
Simcha in Shopping
For many, buying new clothes is a quick pick-me-up, like a cup of tea after a long day. The thrill of something new feels good for a moment, but before you know it, you’re staring at an overflowing wardrobe still wondering what to wear.
Brachi and Yaakov* from Bet Shemesh came to Mesila when they realised they were constantly running out of money at the end of the month. Their impulse shopping habits, especially for food and clothing, were wreaking havoc on their budget. When they switched to planned shopping, they found that not only did their finances improve, but so did their peace of mind. They realised they didn’t need the latest trends to feel good. They just needed to know when to stop shopping.
Shifting from impulse to intention can help you rediscover the joy of thoughtful choices. It’s not just about saving money but also about feeling in control and making decisions that add value to your Yom Tov.
Mind Over Material
Yom Tov is meant to bring joy, not a financial headache. One key to finding balance is to be honest with yourself. Rather than buying for the person you dream of being (the one who wears daring styles and still makes it to Mincha on time), buy clothes that suit the person you are.
Classic, flattering styles never go out of fashion and are far more satisfying than chasing trends that fade faster than this last British summer.
A family from Manchester discovered how much unnecessary shopping was affecting their finances during their Mesila coaching sessions. They were constantly popping into shops, making unplanned purchases for things they didn’t always need. By focusing on buying only what they actually needed, they reduced their overall spending and were able to save for the things that mattered most to them.
Plan To Have Simcha
Just as it’s best to avoid grocery shopping on an empty stomach, the same principle applies to clothing shopping. When we plan ahead and know what we need, we’re less likely to make purchases we later regret.
Setting a budget for your wardrobe is essential. Decide whether you’d rather invest in a few quality pieces or buy several affordable items. This helps to avoid the dreaded “I have nothing to wear” moment that often leads to overspending.
If you really need something new for Yom Tov but can’t afford to buy, there are clever ways to avoid blowing your budget. Shopping with purpose might mean borrowing an outfit from a friend or exploring pre-loved clothes online. Sometimes you don’t need to spend anything to look your best for yom tov.
The Joy of Thoughtful Shopping
At the heart of Yom Tov is true simcha, which comes from spending time with loved ones, not from racking up credit card debt. While new clothes can certainly add to the excitement of the yom tov, they should never become the source of financial stress. Thoughtful shopping allows you to keep your budget in check while focusing on what really matters:
teshuva, tefilla, tzedakah… and making sure your kids’ new outfits last at least until the second day of Yom Tov.
This Yom Tov, embrace the joy that comes from planning your purchases with care. Not only will you look and feel great, but you’ll also have the satisfaction of knowing you’ve enhanced your simcha in a way that lasts well beyond the yomim tovim. And who knows, you might rediscover a gem from last year that’s still perfect for this Yom Tov!
*Names changed
