How often do you throw out old, worn out clothes?

[Frumpiness]

How often do you throw out clothes in bad enough condition that they can’t even be given to charity shops? Does it happen more often now that there’s so many bad quality clothes around?

I’m feeling frustrated as I have a whole load of tops and t-shirts that are so worn and starting to go see-through. I don’t even know how old they are.

Part of problem is that I find it very hard to find clothes that fit me as I’m not a standard size, even basic tops are a nightmare to find, and I’m reluctant to get rid of things when they’re so hard to replace.

I’d love to be one of those people with a small wardrobe full of just a few high quality things, but realistically that’s hard to achieve as the quality just isn’t there any more.

I don’t think I have ever had clothes that bad but it sounds rather common so perhaps I’m buying too many? I donate all my stuff to charity shops long before they get worn out.

Mine never get to that state. I cull my wardrobe every couple of months for the charity shop

I find lightweight jersey clothing like tunics develop holes or runs near the waist - possibly from rubbing against my jeans button? That's really frustrating.

Things are Suitable For Outside, At Home Only, then Decorating or Gardening clothes, then a last wash and into the rag bin at the recycling centre.

I tend to keep everything until it wears out. My linen shirts from Gudrun Sjoden wear out under the arms if I wear them too much. It's annoying.

It is definitely true, @HeddaGarbled ! I hate how shoddy fabric is these days. I found some toddler T shirts in a memory box that must be about 25 years old, and the fabric is easily three or four times the weight of T shirt fabric now. That shirt lasted through three kids and still looked good.

When we cleared out my late FIL's closets some of his shirts dated back to the 1980s and the fabric was absolutely amazing compared with modern cotton.

I've got into the habit of clearing my wardrobe once a year since having kids.
I'd say 1 or 2 items go into the bin every clear out as too worn to sell or send to charity. Usually they are items worn more than once a week (and I replace with identical items). But they usually last 5 years before getting to that stage.

Every season I might throw away a few bits, but they are genuinely old on the whole. If it's not good enough for charity shops I try to find fabric recycling if possible.

I don't buy any fast fashion, I try to get most clothes off Vinted now and spend a bit more on decent quality when I do buy anything new so if anything I have is worn out that's because it's genuinely old. I get favourites repaired now as well, although once or twice it's not been repairable because fabric has got too thin and worn.

So true. I bought some linen trousers fro White Stuff one year, so not cheap and the fabric gave out after 2 washes. `the weaving was just so basic and thin.

Tops are also thinner and feel a lot cheaper, even more expensive brands.