Answer by Rabbi Levi Garelik, an halachic authority in Brooklyn and Brussels who also dean of SichosOnline.org:
1. One is allowed to buy casual weekday clothing (underwear, shirts, skirts, pants, socks, shoes etc.), but not Shabbos or fancy or expensive clothing.
2. However, if there is a sale and you can save a substantial amount of money or it is bought for a Simcha that is taking place right after the “nine days” then you may buy it (and you wear it after the “nine days”).
3. If one bought a (custom made) garment and he/she measured it before Shiva Asar Betamuz and it became ready afterwards (before Rosh Chodesh), it is allowed to be worn during this time.
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I spoke with a rov yesterday. You can wear those clothes during 3 weeks. But not 9 days, then you can’t put on a brand new, or freshly laundered garment.
That would for sure be casual. But double check with a rov
Are you allowed to wear these new bought casual clothes if you really need them as in you don’t have other clothes due to a chance in size for example?
One may find a bargain e.g. in a department store, while shopping for something else. Is it allowed to specifically go shopping in a discount clothing store, e.g. if one is in an area where such stores are available, and isn’t usually there, or does not usually have the opportunity to get to such stores?
Is the question only about purchasing? How about wearing those casual clothing during 3 weeks?
Where is the line between casual and fancy? Do shirts, skirts, etc. that would be worn in a professional office setting count as casual or fancy?
The sale exception appears slightly hypocritical. Either mourn or don’t mourn. Most important, though, is to rebuild the Temple. “And they shall make me a temple.”
Shoes fall under the same category as “casual clothing”. You would be allowed to buy them during the three weeks. The determining factor is whether a shehecheyanu would be recited over the garment. You would never recite the brocha over shoes.
can one put on casual or everyday shoes that he bought on a sale on shiva asar nidche as soon as he buys it. especially that his old shoes are so worn that they hurt his feet when wearing them