Madgeylou: Yeah, that is also something I'm thinking about. I do admire those who make an effort (and not just opening their wallet). It's like somebody making really cool art in a sense. I paint, sculpt and draw myself (not as much as I'd like to but still) and when you finish something, I really feel like I'm on top of the world. Even when looking back I can remember the feeling.
I get the same feeling from helping my dad renovating at home, or painting the hallway, or clearing away big stones in the backyard etc. I think to myself "Wow, we did this!". That is the same approach I try to have with clothes. Like I would think to myself: "Today/tonight you really pulled it off!".
Now, I totally agree with Radical about that your sense of self worth should never be anchored in something like this. That won't work. As Dating Specialist wrote, it's very very apparent when you can't hold up your style with personality. Plus that'd give you a roller coaster selfesteem. Still, a boost here and there is never wrong. Is that contradictory?
I guess I see it more of a way of self expression like art is for me. My goal is that I feel my appearance say something about me, tell a story about me. Not giving a false picture of me that isn't true. Now I'm quite there yet. But that is the general direction I try to move towards.
Still, sometimes I get that nagging feeling, am I just stroking my ego? I had a period where I had a girlfriend in Japan (3 years+), I almost never bought any clothes since I had to save money for flight tickets and living expenses when I was at home working (in my country).
Now when I'm not in that situation anymore and make more money, my interest have been escalating in this field. I usually (except for the money I save each month or give away) spend the majority of varying expenses (not food, rent etc) on books and clothes.
As you can see, there isn't a crystal clear answer in my mind yet.