How long do you keep old favorites before you ditch them? - YouLookFab Forum

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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

How long do you keep old favorites before you ditch them?

ironkurtin

Veteran

Do the same rules apply as for non-favorites?

Dressing

22 replies

Latest reply was from Windchime

milehighstyle (Linda)

Veteran

If I've had something for over 5 years and still love wearing it, I try to give a good look and make sure it's still current looking and not showing wear. I don't have a problem with hanging on to things after they've passed these tests, even if they are older than 5 years. Things that are less loved, maybe 1 to 3 years. Depends on if they are easily replaced or upgraded. Maybe the things are less loved BECAUSE they are easily replaced or upgraded?

Diana

Veteran

I will often demote old favorites to loungewear and then wear them until they literally fall to tatters. Hey, they're comfy!

The exception is shoes. I have learned the hard way that there's a point beyond which I just cannot continue to wear old shoes without causing pain or damage to my feet. Basically, if the structure of the sole is worn down to a certain point, it's not fixable by a cobbler and I have to ditch them. I actually wear down the soles at the ball of the foot from the INSIDE which is basically not fixable.

Dee

Veteran

I agree with Linda. Favorites get kept as long as possible, while non-favorites get replaced much earlier (possibly in the search for "the one"). When I purge favorites that aren't in perfect condition, it's either because I've found the perfect replacement or gone on a purging/minimalist spree and decide I should focus more on a smaller, newer set of items.

Meow

Veteran

I keep favorites WAY WAY too long. I just stop seeing their flaws. Those comfy shoes that are scuffed and out of style I see as "classic" with a beatiful aged patina!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Great question. Usually till they fall apart, or seem dated for my style. I DO
NOT get rid of comfy shoes until they literally fall apart. My feet are too fussy to be fussy.

5 years usually. But sometimes the quality does not hold up on the cheaper stuff.

Do your favourites wear out faster because mine seem to. I wear them more frequently I suppose.

How about you, IK?

ironkurtin

Veteran

Angie - My favorites tend to be certain pairs of jeans, which worked great for another body shape but which may not be a standby now that I actually have a butt. I guess I've have to see if I reach for them this season, and if not, off they go. As far as shoes, I am pretty ruthless because I have so many pairs; if one falls out of favor I chuck them to have more room. As far as shirts and sweaters, if something is pilling, ripping, or pitty, out it goes.

I think the only exception is my my gardening/painting clothing, which includes an old zip sweatie from my dad. That thing is about dead, but I love it anyway.

Alassë

Veteran

As long as they're working for me (and in decent condition), I keep them.

Anonymous

About 8-12 years for durable clothes, if they are favorites. That does imply I keep them longer than they are fashionable ...
If they are not favorites, 2-3 years I would say. I give them a chance!
Shoes I wear fairly regularly generally last around 5 years, on average.

gryffin

Veteran

What Angie said. I have some "good" blazers. I will reline them as needed until the fabric shows wear or starts to pill or they look dated. Often I will still keep them for years as possible templates for custom or in a very small sentimental area. Because jackets are my statement pieces they are usually the ones that get kept. Jeans as long as they fit are intact and I love them. Boots until they fall apart or I fall out of love (okay so that's rare). Non- favorites - well I'm trying not to buy them but if something fills a niche as soon as I can replace it it's out, otherwise goodbye!

Sal

Veteran

Occasionally a very long time....I have a few things I wear that are 14to 15 years old. That is great cost per wear.

If I love it I do try and reassess regularly to check it is not awfully dated. I have had a couple of reminders from DH that he really is over something, but I have also reminded him of the same thing.

Elly

Veteran

Usually when they look too "homeless" to make the transition from around the house with the SO to the grocery store, even with nicer shoes or a jacket tossed over them. Fading and distressing works in my sub-casual capsule. When things stretch or pill or get holes I don't feel fab any more and they are no longer favorites. I will keep long sleeve t-shirts past the point I'd wear them in public because they are usually stretched and faded, not pilled or torn and I will sleep in them during the cold season. Because I mostly wear jeans at home (rarely skirts, only in summer) that means that means that my dressier clothes have no where to be demoted to and when they start looking worn down rather than worn in they are kept until I find a replacement garment (in case of emergency funeral, etc.).

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

That sounds like a sound strategy, IK. My zippered skinnies are seven years old and I still wear them quite bit. Like yesterday.

High five, Gryffin. xo

Anonymous

I keep favorites much longer than non-favorites and wear them to death. One day I look at a favorite and it either suddenly appears dated to me, or I finally notice how worn and shabby it looks. These things cannot even be consigned, because they've been loved so much, so then it's time for them to move on.

thimblelina

(website)

Veteran

I hear you about pilling! It is the bane of my wardrobe; once I see something has pilled I can't unsee it! I'm having a better time since I gave up loft & banana republic tees cold turkey, and am bagging and hand washing my uniqlo and madewell tees individually. I tend to hang on to a) cashmere, until it develops actual holes and b) frye boots, because they wear so hard & the leather ages so beautifully and c) dressy luxury items that get only gently worn & has a good chance of cycling back... Right now this box has a pair of Bettye muller winkle picker sling backs, a silk corsage 50's style cardigan, and some bronze flatforms sandals I bought in Italy 15 years ago.

Tees last 4-8 seasons on average with me; then they go to on that lounge/gardening/fence painting trajectory that leads to soft little computer screen cleaning squares ...
-sniff-
Angie & IK are fitter than me: I wear my jeans out the unglamorous way by having two bald patches emerge where my thighs rub together! Usually about 3 years of good wear. I never have more than 6-8 pairs & I wear them to work so they are in heavy rotation.
I rarely wear out jackets or dresses but find I often suddenly hate them with great vitriol after several years. That's a sign I need to choose pieces more carefully, right? Maybe better quality, too?
I walk a lot so regular quality shoes last 3-5 years.
Same with woven blouses & shirts.
Maybe 4-6 years for skirts. I wear them less.

DonnaF

Veteran

I'm looking at the orange linen J. Crew shirt I'm wearing now because it's the World Series. It's a couple of years old and so soft and comfy. But it's faded. I thought I would keep it as a RATE look, but now I'm thinking it just looks so sad and worn out. This will be the last wear.

Other stuff I will keep as long as a decade or at least what FEELS as long as a decade. My black Dansko Pros are my best shoes for long hard walking, and they are in pathetic shape after maybe seven years. I've bought Dansko Primas, a slightly different style and not in black. I don't feel that I can let go of the black Pros until I'm convinced that 1) the Prima style will work for my fussy feet as well as the Pros; and 2) I don't *need* a black clog or if I do, black tooled Primas (not yet purchased) will fill that need.

I am one who holds onto stuff nearly forever. I have items that fall into and out of favor; I'm not sure why but I've seen it in my wear patterns.

rabbit

Veteran

I don't get rid of favorites until they stop fitting, are damaged in an uncool way, lol (faded graphic tees, distressed jeans can be cool, pilling is never cool, or flaking of fauxleather), or are really really dated looking. Even the later I usually hold onto for another 5 years if it's in great condition and can be worn as lounge wear. I usually also try to revive them a bit along the way, shaving pills on sweaters, washing canvas sneakers, etc.

If they are far too damaged to send to thrift they get cut up for rags. Luckily I haven't had much dressy wear that wasn't okay to pass on, mostly jeans and t shirts that are past the 'painting gear' stage.

ironkurtin

Veteran

I have a depiller than works well on anything with pills. It's supposed to be either battery- or cord-powered, but the battery part doesn't work. So I depill near an outlet.

Deborah

Veteran

I can develop quite an emotional attachment to my favourite garments, so I 'release' them when I am emotionally ready to do so. This will generally be some time after I have stopped wearing it. Currently I have a few pairs of really fab vintage shoes that I no longer wear, as my style have truly moved on from there, but instead of donating/selling etc, I have displayed them on the top shelf of my walk in closet so I can see and enjoy them. I have the room and they are not taking up space I need for anything else (My top shelf is high and a little useless for daily access). I have also done this with a stunning handbag that is rarely used.

Style Fan

Veteran

I keep my favourites for a long time. I have blazers for 10 years that I still wear. One was a Hugo Boss that I bought in England and it still looks like new. I have worn it a lot. My Burberry Trench coat is almost 10 years old and I have no intentions of getting rid of it. My Frye boots are 9 years old. If I love something I will wear it and not concern myself with trends.

The oldest favourite in my closet is from 1969. It is a brown suede fringe jacket. I bought it when I started high school. I loved it then and I love it now. It is staying with me forever. We are old friends. Had some good times together.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Until they look sad or dated or I move on from them. I have bags, coats & jackets that are 15+ years old & still going strong. I also have knee-high, almond toe, flat riding boots that I hadn't worn for a few years that were worn a lot this (very cold) winter.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I am capable of keeping favorites a long time, but if the fit is off, it starts looking worn, or I lose interest, it's on the way out. My wardrobe is big enough that I don't have room for too much sentimental stuff unless it is useful.

Windchime

Veteran

I'm reading this thread with interest as I've purchased many, many items over the last year. I expect to keep many of them for three to five years, perhaps longer.

I have a beloved red coat which is going on fifteen years old. I only wear it once or twice a year but can't bear to part with it.