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Original poster

When you buy an item of clothing, how long do you envisage wearing it for?

96 replies

TheOGCCL · 30/12/2022 21:32

A coat? A pair of jeans? A t-shirt?

If I truly wore my things until they wore out beyond repair, I wouldn't need to go shopping for several years and I think plenty of other people are like me. But the shops are always full and someone always needs something new. There always seems to be a new trend or twist.

I know plenty of people are trying to buy better quality but realistically how long do you think you will be wearing an item you buy?

OP posts:
RampantIvy · 31/12/2022 15:35

Many years. I don't buy high fashion clothes for this reason. I have a smart long black winter coat that must be about 9 years old, and is still in excellent condition. I am light on my feet so my footwear lasts for years and years.

Verbena87 · 31/12/2022 15:37

coat 5-10 years

jeans 10 years (but non stretch and I patch them) then another few as shorts if the bum will hold together (got one pair that I initially had as jeans aged 15 but they are a bit tired 🤣)

leggings/T-shirts/close-fitting jersey stuff maybe 3 years tops. It’s useful but not resilient.

Verbena87 · 31/12/2022 15:38

Boots 5-10 years.
shoes 2 years.

Athenen0ctua · 31/12/2022 15:43

Coat, 10+ years.
Jeans, jumpers, 5-10 years
Winter tops, 5 years
Summer tops, underwear, socks, 2-3 years.

Athenen0ctua · 31/12/2022 15:45

Boots I wear everyday in winter are onto their 7th winter.

AuntieMarys · 31/12/2022 15:47

Boots 12 years
Coats up to 10
Anything else at least 5

FartWrangler · 31/12/2022 15:50

Interesting question. I only buy decent quality (cashmere, wool, cotton, linen clothes, and leather boots/shoes) but I don't really have a time frame in mind. I suppose I wear things until I get fed up with them. Some things 'stick' and I wear them for ages and ages (I have some items which I've worn happily for 25 years), and there are other things that I buy and then feel guilty about rarely wearing. I'm trying only to buy things that I know will actually work with the life I actually have, rather than the one I imagine I might have (iyswim), but I'm not entirely successful in this.

SuperGinger · 31/12/2022 15:50

My DH wears till worn out, he has only just stopped wearing a coat he wore consistently for 16 years. He always wears a shirt, they usually go at the collar, after about 5 years. He has t shirts that are 33 years old. Trousers go on longest it seems as he still has some from when we met. Pants last about 4 years. Socks two to three years and shoes Church's slip ons he is hard on but gets the shoes resoled. Cashmere jumpers only last about a year as the elbows always go. He is the most eco person I know but it is your more because he is thrifty than intentionally eco conscious. He buys good quality but it doesn't always last, particularly jumpers and shoes.

SuperGinger · 31/12/2022 15:52

He also has very few clothes, five shirts on the go at any one time, three trousers, one coat, one raincoat. Three jumpers. Three pairs of shoes.

boboshmobo · 31/12/2022 15:52

I get bored easily so charity shops do well out of me . I can afford it easily but still .. I'm aiming to spend less on expensive shit I don't need next year ! ✅

DelurkingAJ · 31/12/2022 15:56

My work went ‘dress for your day’ several years ago and, at the time, I was baffled by people who needed to expand their wardrobe as a result. Don’t get me wrong, I buy a garment or two on average a month but I keep things until they wear out. I went to a party this year in a wool dress that I bought in 1996 (I’m about a size bigger than I was then as a teen but it was large then and maybe fits better now). If I get bored of something I don’t wear it for a bit and then cycle around again. Is that not normal?

Floisme · 31/12/2022 16:10

If I get bored of something I don’t wear it for a bit and then cycle around again. Is that not normal?
I do this too. I'm not proud of getting bored of my clothes but I'm afraid I do. But I've revived things after 20+ years in the cupboard and the bonus is that they're better quality than anything I could buy now at a comparable price.

mathanxiety · 31/12/2022 16:17

Until they fall apart or I can't fit into them any more.

This means about 10-15 years.

BreakfastOfWaffles · 31/12/2022 16:17

It depends what it is, and how many others I have. Coats, I expect 10 years +, trousers 5-10, right down to white t shirts which are 1 year max for me. I have some costume jewellery that's over 20 years old, and a leather jacket I was given for my 21st birthday (I am now late forties!)

FallonofDynasty · 31/12/2022 16:18

Jeans- about 4 years till they get a hole in them ! I have about 3 to 4 pairs on the go at once.

Winter coats , usually about 2 yrs although current winter coat has lasted longer, think it's on its 4th winter and still in great nick.

T shirts vary massively, some -from Next- only last a few weeks . Other last yrs.

Boots - generally about 4 yrs (these being ones I wear a lot and tromp around in everywhere).

WinterFoxes · 31/12/2022 16:27

5-25 years.

I don't shop often. I still think of stuff I bought two years ago as my 'new' jumper/coat/dress.

The only things I know need regular replacing is linen trousers and they wear thin after a couple of years.

SkankingWombat · 31/12/2022 16:35

Until they are beyond repair or I no longer fit them. I recently got rid of quite a lot, having finally accepted my body shape has changed post-DCs and will never fully return to how it was. I am happy to make small repairs or patches where needed, but once clothes are looking tatty, I relegate them to gardening or work clothes (manual job) until they are too holey for even that.
Very occasionally I might change my mind on things after a year or two and donate them to charity, but this is rare as I don't buy a lot each year.

RedRiverShore2 · 31/12/2022 16:40

Cardigans never seem to last long but most other stuff lasts quite a while, usually a few years but I always seem have to throw away cardigans at the end of season, they usually go in the clothes recycling bins as not good enough for the charity bags

MariahsBaubles · 31/12/2022 16:41

Indefinitely.
I have some pieces worn once or twice then no good either because they don't suit or don't last.
I have some pieces I've been wearing on and off for literally decades.
The price has no bearing on longevity.

GordonShakespearedoesChristmas · 31/12/2022 16:45

My best bought from new jeans are 10 years old. Look like new.
My favourite work jacket is 27 years old.
I do look after my clothes!

CambsAlways · 31/12/2022 16:45

Coat 5 years, jeans around 2, boots possibly 5 , I’m not a fan of T-shirts so got very few. Jumpers couple years

SagelyNodding · 31/12/2022 16:55

Many many years!
I have a leather jacket I bought over 20 years ago which I still wear regularly, also items I bought at university, so about 20 years ago which are still in circulation - surprisingly a fair number of Topshop trousers and tops. My size hasn't changed much.
I wear out jeans within 2-3 years (fat thighs) and I seem to ruin shoes though and always need to replace them or the quality is shit

happytobemrsg · 31/12/2022 17:23

For those of you who have clothes last 5+ years - what’s your secret? Are you buying only natural fibres? Are all your items expensive? I mainly buy from Zara/H&M so I’m assuming that’s where I’m going wrong?

Notonyournellykelly · 31/12/2022 17:26

I get years out of everything other than underwear and footwear which rubs. Oh, also a jumper from Oliver Bonas which fell apart Hmm after ONE WASH (I'm still not over it)

SweetSenorita · 31/12/2022 17:26

Oh, forever; the majority of my frocks are older than the majority of my men 😯

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