Why Is Buying Clothing Forbidden During the Nine Days— An in-depth explanation

Why can’t I buy new clothing during the Nine Days, even though I plan to wear it only after the Nine Days—so I won’t be saying Shehechiyanu? What could be the issue? And can you please provide the sources for this halacha?

Thank you for your question.

There are two reasons why we refrain from buying clothing during the nine days 

#1 -Masa U'Matan - Commerce 

משנה ברורה על שולחן ערוך אורח חיים הלכות תשעה באב ושאר תעניות סימן תקנא סעיף ב

(יא) ממעטים במשא ומתן - יש מן הפוסקים דס"ל דהיינו שלא ישא במו"מ של שמחה כגון לקנות כלי כסף או צרכי חופה וכדומה אבל סתם מו"מ אין צריך למעט כלל ויש דס"ל דכל מו"מ צריך למעט בעת הזאת ולא יעסוק אלא כדי פרנסתו וכן משמע בסימן תקנ"ד סוף סכ"ב דצריך למעט בכל מו"מ. [ורק אם הוא יריד י"ל דהוי דבר האבד ושרי בכ"ע אם הוא מוצא אז בזול יותר] 

Mishnah Berurah on Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim – Laws of Tisha B’Av and Other Fasts, Siman 551, Se’if 2

“One minimizes business dealings” – There are some poskim who hold that this means one should not engage in business dealings that bring a person joy, such as buying silver utensils or items for a wedding, etc. But regular business dealings do not need to be minimized at all.

However, there are others who hold that all business dealings should be minimized during this time, and one should only engage in what is necessary for their livelihood. This also seems to be implied in Siman 554, end of se’if katan 22, that one must minimize all business dealings.
 [However, if there is a fair or market, one can say that this is a case of potential financial loss (davar ha'aved), and it is permitted according to all opinions—especially if one finds merchandise cheaper at that time.]

So we see that we should refrain from doing commerce during the nine days, and that includes buying clothing.

#2 – Buying new clothing is similar to repairing new clothing, which is prohibited.

We also find that the Rema (ibid., se’if 7) writes that just as one may not fix new clothing during the Nine Days, one should also not buy new clothing during the Nine Days.

So we see that there are two reasons why one should refrain from buying new clothing during the Nine Days:

1. It is a form of masa u’matan (business activity), and as mentioned above, one should only engage in what is necessary.
2. Just as one may not repair new clothing, one may not buy new clothing either, as stated by the Rema.

I would like to share with you the parameters of this halacha and when it applies, according to the questions we have received at the Beis Hora’ah of Hagaon Harav Amram Fried Shlit”a:

Buying Jewelry
One may not buy jewelry during the Nine Days, as it is considered an acquisition that brings joy (simchah) and is therefore forbidden.

Expensive Items
Some are particular not to buy expensive items during the Nine Days, as such purchases generally brings a person joy.

Buying Pots and Pans
One should minimize buying household utensils such as pots, pans, cutlery, or plates unless they are needed for use during the Nine Days. If they are needed, it is permitted.

Clothing
One should not buy any clothing during the Nine Days, as explained above, even if it is not special clothing and would not require one to recite Shehechiyanu.

Sales
If a store is offering a sale or discount that will not be available after the Nine Days, it is permitted to purchase the item during the Nine Days since this is considered a da’var ha’aved.

Buying a Present for One’s Wife
This depends on the specific situation. If the gift is necessary for shalom bayit, it would then be considered a tzorech mitzvah (a mitzvah need) and is therefore permitted.

Wishing you well.

Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 551:2 

Mishnah Berurah 551:11 

Mishnah Berurah 554:22  

Rema, Orach Chaim 551:7 

Azamroh Lishmecho - #296