To think people don't really replace their whole wardrobe each season.

Usually I keep clothes for as long as I can, until they start developing holes, but I have noticed that that period seems to be reducing. I don't think the fibre quality we get in the UK is as good now, whatever the price of the item or the status of the shop.

Shops generally are going downhill I think. My mum has some M&S bits from when I was a child and the quality is incredible. Really dense, tiny stitches, seams that a strongman couldn’t pull apart, spare thread and buttons too. I miss the seams of the old days.

I find the concept of anyone actually doing that quite gross to be honest. What an obscene and irresponsible waste! I suspect no one actually does it of course.

I was thinking more of a nice piece of cashmere around the £300-400 mark.

Well that's bloody awkward I don't know anyone who would spend 300-400 quid on a single item of clothing.

high end clothes can last a lifetime with proper care and I highly doubt you could say that with a £5 cardigan worn regularly and washed regularly for a few years on the trot.

I shall have to let you know but so far said cardigan has lasted 10 years, worn at least 2/3 times a month minimum sometimes every week. I don't think its unusual for clothes to last, if they are looked after regardless of what you pay. at the end of the day a black cardigan is just that, no one else gives a thought to how much it cost.

I have Primark stuff which is several years old OK it doesn't look shop new but loads of wear left in them.

Even DS1 has clothes older than a year and he's still growing. DS2 doesn't because he's a baby...

I wear things until they fall apart! And just add a handful of things each that I like or need. I have things in my wardrobe that I've loved for 15-20 years. My husband wears his shirts until the collars fray and his suits until the crotch wears out. I don't think we're unusual.

Where do posters get their long-lasting winter boots from?! Mine only ever last a year, max

Mine are dr martens. They’re really hard wearing.

Before that I had a pair from el naturalista that did 2 or 3 winters.

I used to wotk in a "high end"store i saw the cost prices. You are paying mostly for the amount made (much less obviously), the service in the shop and the label. The quality really isnt that amazing, still made overseas, the fabric possibly slightly higher quality but personally having worked in high end i really dont think its worth the money.

@Treasure114, Camper are very good for long lasting footwear. And good old DMs of course.

No way. I still wear clothes that are older than my DC (who are 12 and 14). In fact I’m currently wearing sports kit from university (circa 2000). I’ve bought a new dress so far this season (plus some new opaque tights). I doubt I’ll buy anything else until Spring.

I think if you mainly buy from supermarkets, Primark and similar you probably have to replace stuff more often as it wears out quicker.

I only buy a few new things a year but tend to buy from M&S, Next, Fatface etc. so stuff costs a bit more but lasts for years. I’m not into fashion so don’t feel the need to have the latest trends.

The only time I really changed my wardrobe was when I split from my controlling ex and threw out all the clothes that I’d bought to suit his taste instead of mine (and the hideous stuff he’d bought me that was all two sizes too small anyway!).

I was friends with someone who did this. She would eBay the previous years clothes. I mainly get clothes from Next and supermarkets so I wouldn't get much on eBay! I replace when something wears out. Although I've bought a jumper because I had a shit day yesterday.

I only wish I could afford to! In reality, I have my basic jeans and nice trousers, quite a few different shirts/tops and I'm often looking for new things in sales etc so it's a rolling thing.

This summer, I finally decided to buy some nice shorts and the weather (I'm in Scotland) has been rubbish since! I'll hold on to them in case for next year.

I do sell a few bits and pieces on eBay to help pay for new things, too. I'm trying to buy decent quality stuff now so that it'll stay looking good and last well.

One day, is love to afford a nice cashmere sweater, simple shape with a v-neck in a lovely versatile colour and a beautiful silk shirt.

I find the concept of anyone actually doing that quite gross to be honest. What an obscene and irresponsible waste! I suspect no one actually does it of course.

I agree with what you say, but I suppose those changing their wardrobes each year (if they do - I agree it’s unlikely) would either sell their clothes though second hand outlets or give them to charity so it would be an opportunity for others to buy good quality clothes for less.

Most of my stuff is years old. My new purchases tend to be replacing worn out leggings. I don't see enough that I like in the shops at present to furnish a wardrobe with anyway.

I have to admit, I am guilty of going out and buying a substantial amount of clothes every winter and summer. All of my stuff goes to women's shelters when I'm done with it. I have a rule, if I can't remember the last time I wore it then it gets donated. I do have a lot of stuff in my wardrobe that has been there for a long time though, so I don't literally throw out my WHOLE wardrobe.

A lot of my jackets I still have from 6-7 years ago as well.

I shop almost exclusively in primark, supermarkets, cheaper high street shops and have clothes that are years old. Cardigan I'm wearing has to be at least 6 or 7 years old and is from Primark and worn pretty regularly.

I've never experienced this phenomenon so often described on here of clothes falling apart after one wash no matter how cheap they are. Are people putting their clothes in a washer with rocks or something?


As for the OP I don't believe an entirely new wardrobe is all that common. Maybe for very rich fashionista types but certainly not your everyday people.

A lot of people do. They buy a relatively small number of cheap quality things and most need replacing.

I realised this when talking to people about dieting and their weight "creeping up", I didn't understand how you couldn't realise you'd gone up a few inches on your waist when your old clothes don't fit. It was then I found out many people I know didn't have old clothes.


I also helped out with sorting clothes for a charity shop and yes, many woman do buy whole new wardrobes and give away things as good as new every season.

It's not how I shop/dress. It does mean I can't just let my weight slide though, I can't afford to replace my wardrobe every 6 months!

I saw this item too. Even if not replaced completely every year, clothes are not used for long enough and definitely in this country of poor quality on the whole.

I'm ruthless with clothes and rotate my wardrobe quite a lot. My style has changed and I've lost quite a bit of weight in the past few years and ended up with very little to wear. I prefer to have a small collection of quality stuff that I eBay when needed and then buy new (second hand) things to replace them. People that say they hardly buy anything clearly had plenty to start with, whereas my wardrobe contains about 40 items and that's it.

treasure - do you buy one pair, wear just those then replace next year?

I have boots from clarks, dune and office that are all more than 3 years old, but I have typically 3 pairs of knee highs and 3 of ankle boots, I only buy replacements for one of those every other year. They get worn similar amounts so no one pair gets worn out quickly. (This year I need a pair of smart knee high Brown or tan boots, can't find anything I want, I'll spend about £200 to get something that will nice for a long time, reheel and resole regularly, I can afford this as I didn't buy any 'day' footwear last winter).

I don’t normally replace my entire wardrobe although this winter and previous one have had to due to dieting
I buy on eBay from outlets and from charity shops - also sell stuff on eBay that no longer fits or I’m bored with
Classic things that don’t date I keep for years
I’ve just taken a jaeger leather jacket some Levi’s and some cashmere out of my attic where they were packed away - last time they fitted me was 19 years ago and I’d probably had them 10 years then
I also buy new good quality in sales or from tkmaxx etc
Currently looking for the perfect black cardigan and grey trousers for work

No wonder the earth is buried in rubbish. Fashion industry has us in their thrall, changing their fads and we all buy and then throw out and never wear again because it’s ‘unfashionable ‘ Depressing really.
Our grandparents had a few good outfits and now our wardrobes are full of one or two wear crap.