My mishigos that clothes should last forever ...

chocolate moose

Fri, Jun 05 2009, 2:41 pm

I have a mishigos that clothes should last forever ...

I try to buy classics that are flattering and that I’ll wear a lot. Specially for Shabbos and yomtov; I need warmer things and cooler things and in between things, and as it is, my closets don't close.

So - I've got a robe that's from the mid 1980's that I still wear. The pattern is partially rubbed out but hey, it's tsnius and paid for ! I have tee shirt outfits that I've had to have the elastic replaced on the skirt....twice. They are from the late 1980's. If I can fit into them and they're tsnius, I wear them. I have skirts that are pilled but good to wear for errands or around the house or .... to wear in general, if you just don't look too closely !!! I have wrinkle free blouses for in between seasons that I've worn for years and will wear for many more IYH.

Why do I do this ? Do some of you buy a few trendy things and wear them to death, until the style changes, then get someting new ?

mom23

Fri, Jun 05 2009, 3:04 pm

I am guilty of not getting rid of clothes as fast as I should. I do try to have a few trendy pieces along with my classics.

I heard a good hint once. Make sure to hang all your clothes on hangers going in the same direction. Every time you wear a piece of clothing turn the hanger the opposite way. If after x amount of time (you decide) there is a piece of clothing that you never wore get rid of it.

I've been meaning to put that into practice...

anuta

Fri, Jun 05 2009, 3:07 pm

there is a difference between wearing a good-looking classic piece for years, if it is still good-looking.

But things that have lost their pattern, or are pilled, should be tossed. This is crossing the boundary of frugality and good sense, into not taking care of yourself. Even if nobody sees and you wear it at home.

my grandmother taught me to never wear underwear with holes or badly worn out (to the point that "nobody sees"), because you never know, you might be taken to a hospital suddenly and somebody WILL see. I see it as a matter of self-respect.

Mama Bear

Fri, Jun 05 2009, 3:46 pm

being that I gain about 10 pounds a year and my figure changes every year, esp with each pregnancy, I have to completely overhaul my wardrobe every 3 years or so. I do still have robes that are several years old, and 2 gorgoeus basler sweaters from 14 years ago that are 3 sizes too small, but that's about it.

louche

Mon, Jun 08 2009, 9:15 pm

Oh, honey, I think everything should last forever and am outraged when my bath soap disappears, never mind when my pantyhose are shot after six months, lol! But I am getting better--why, just last week I threw out three pairs of knee-highs that had runs in the toes. I could have continued wearing them till the holes got so big they swallowed my toes and cut off the circulation, but hey, sometimes you have to be a little wild and crazy, kwim? I mean, we're talking toes here. Runs in the thighs, that's different. Hose can go for weeks with runs in the thighs when you wear your hems as low as I do.

Your reluctance to part with old clothes is a very common phenomenon. It's part guilt over waste, part poverty mentality, part fear of risk (what if I should need this and not have it?). What I find works best for me is giving things away. That takes care of the waste argument. Poverty? The people who are getting this need it more than you do. Fear of risk--that's the hard one. Sometimes you just have to look at your wardrobe as if it were in a thrift shop. Would you buy a garment that looked like this in Goodwill? No? then chances are it's time to get rid of it. Would ypu let your dh or dd wear a garment in this condition? No? Then you know what you have to do. Or enlist a family member or friend whose opinion you respect. If she says a garment is a rag, believe her.

Mrs Bissli

Tue, Jun 09 2009, 6:55 am

Ha, the oldest piece of garment I have AND wear is a black cashmere 2-pc set that's nearly 15 years old. M&S, if anyone wants to know. Agree some classic styles don't go out of fashion, and if the material and sewing are solid, you can look after them very carefully without them looking too tatty. I think they used to make clothes to last longer in olden times though clothes were more expensive then. I feel the same with the shoes--more expensive Italian ones last much longer than the chinese ones, even after you change the heels several times. I'm not a big fan of current cheap fast fashion--wear 'em one season and toss 'em out. I hope my DD can get to use my fancy silk scarves.

louche, I'm so impressed thatif your pantyhose lasts 6 months. Mine (anywhere from 15-40deniers) are gone usually after 6-8 washings so like a couple of months at last.

Chocoholic

Tue, Jun 09 2009, 7:21 am

Wash pantyhose by hand (and soak a lot) that way they last longer.

But really choc... how much you fall in love with a top.... It does NOT last forever, but it can last long... I recommend that if you have a teenage daughter, to go through all your closets and see what you are "allowed" to wear and what not. What you ain't allowed to wear, give to gemachim or trash respectively. If very few items stay, hit the mall in times of bigggg sales, or go to outlet malls. Good luck my sweet chocolaty thing!