Team "pristine" or Team "broken in" - YouLookFab Forum

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Team "pristine" or Team "broken in"

Staysfit

Veteran

Astrid made me think of a question I have been meaning to ask. She mentioned how she enjoys and loves her clothes more as she wears them and they become "broken in" so to speak (my words).

I have a co-worker who never likes to wear the same thing more than once. She loves the thrill of wearing new clothes. She shops frequently. She may wear items 1-2 times only. She never wears things out. This is an extreme example, but I am going to place her on "team pristine". She prefers her clothing to have a new, never worn feel and appearance.

Which team are you on?

(I'm definitely on team broken in.)

General

33 replies

Latest reply was from AM

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Broken in. Then I can stop worrying about ruining them.

Anonymous

Team Pristine mostly. I hate it when my jeans fade too much. They they delegated to weekend wear only. This is particularly true of black denim. Same goes with other colors. Because of this, I try to buy fabrics that I believe are going to stay colorfast for as long as possible. Also, I hate linen and other fabrics that wrinkle easily. Again, I look for fabrics that are easier to care for.

approprio

(website)

Veteran

Broken in here too. I really liked what Astrid said in the other thread about loving things through use. There's something very comforting about putting on a coat, jeans or a pair of shoes that's shaped by my movements. This is one reason why I like buying great quality that I can keep for a long time, particularly shoes. Items wear with character rather than looking shabby and worn out.

Claudia

Veteran

Broken in. That's how I like my people, I absolutely adore old dogs, things like well worn classic Frye boots, things with dings and patinas, etc. Yes I am definitely on Team Broken In.

I also get huge satisfaction when something I am discarding is completely worn out.

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Diana

Veteran

Broken in. More comfortable both physically and psychologically.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Please put me on the bench!

I bat for Team Pristine in the sense that I like my things to feel new and fresh and to look crisp (if that is their nature) and immaculate.

Also, when I buy a new item, I almost always "crush" on it --- I want to wear it all the time (and sometimes I do!) Unlike your friend, when I love a piece of clothing, I want to work it into my outfits in as many ways as possible. No "two wears and you're gone" for me. It's more like: OH. YOU are my new favourite jeans so I am going to wear you all week! Maybe I'll wear you all month!

In fact, I'll bet if I tracked my wear patterns more minutely, I would discover that I get by far the most wear from my clothes when they are new, and certainly within their first season. I keep most things much longer than one season and continue to wear them, but they have to be really special to earn the same kind of love from me as they did in their first season in my closet.

But, I'm on Team Broken In in the sense that certain items -- especially footwear, jeans, and some jackets -- really seem to come into their own with continued use and I appreciate this quality and enjoy it.

Oh, and also Team Broken In because I love Claudia's dog pic!

kkards

Veteran

team pristine, but not team new….i'm sorry but i don't see these as opposites. i like to wear my clothes, and i especially like to break in my footwear…….but i believe in upkeep and i like my things to look crisp and clean. i take care to launder and/or dry clean to maintain color, and i take my shoes to the cobbler to address issue with wear and tear,

Marilyn

Veteran

Hmmm......I'll have to sit on the bench because for me it depends on the item. For many things I'd say broken in but for dressier items I like them to be pristine.
For things like jeans and leather jackets, broken in all the way.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Oh, and yes, I like kkards' distinction.

Anonymous

Kkards said it best for me. Team pristine, but not Team new.

retailgirl

Veteran

Team Pristine! I take good care of my things. I can't think of too many of my things that are discarded because they are worn out...except for shoes, maybe. And I'll re-sole or re-heel as long as I can with favorites. I like crisp fabrics, gabardine, cottons that are ironed. I do like linen but for tops only...I can stand wrinkles in a shirt or blazer but not pants. I'm not a knit person, except for sweaters and I like tailored clothing.

Joyce B

Veteran

How about mid way, team broken-in but in great condition? Of course new is beautiful but garments can only stay that way if you don't wear them.

deb

Veteran

I am benched. It depends on the item and the way I am wearing it.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Team Pristine and Team Keeps Things Pristine For A Long Time. (I really look after our stuff).

But I love dogs at all ages.

Anonymous

Team Worn/Pristine. I don't love wearing new, untested, clothing. When I buy I am usually looking for something very specific and when I find it it's often the more expensive version of whatever it is. Because of the quality of the item, and the self indulgence of the cost, I love wearing the item, wear it longer, and take really good care of it.
And except in special cases like say, if you're Patti Smith, or anyone whose status releases them from mortal dress codes, I think a neat, fresh look counteracts the decrepit horror of aging (kidding, kidding) so I steer away from anything shabby or rusty looking, including new clothes made to look old.

Claudia, that is a beautiful photo of a beautiful dog, thank you!

shiny

Veteran

Team pristine, hands down. This is why I don't really like shopping at thrift stores. Pills, fraying, fading, wrinkling, and other signs of wear drive me nuts. I adore the feeling of something fresh & new from the store. I actually loathe washing my favorites because I fear it will lose the newness feel. You know, that starchy feel that new items have? Which gets washed away in the first laundry load. I have abandoned numerous purchases because they did not come out of the wash looking the same way they did when I first bought them. When I really love something, regardless of what it says on the tag, I am apt to opt for dry cleaning, just in case....

Meanwhile my hubby is on team broken in... he hates buying anything new. He prefers shopping in thrift stores because the items are already worn in for him. We are so totally different in this regard.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

What Marilyn said. Denim, rugged boots, leather jackets? I like those all a little broken in.

But I get annoyed with sweaters and knitwear that no longer look pristine -- sagging, stretching, pilling, fading. Even a faint but stubborn stain can make an item feel not so fab to me.

Staysfit

Veteran

Kkards, I'm glad you clarified the issue of new vs. pristine! Thanks!

Staysfit

Veteran

Hmm, looking at everyone's responses, maybe I'm more of a well cared for pristine or a fence sitter. I don't wear clothes that are stretched out, frayed, pilling, stained or torn, however, I like to wear my clothes a lot. I wear shoes until the soles are worn flat, jeans until a hole starts to form, sweaters until I can no longer shave off the pills. I don't like to wear someone else's clothes. I want to break in my own clothes. I am not fond of the stiffness of new shirts. I prefer them once they have been washed multiple times. The same goes for jeans.

Aquamarine

Veteran

Team pristine for leaving the house, team "broken in" for staying home!

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I'd like to propose my own team: "fairly new but not worn out". Brand new stuff is exciting but it always make me a little nervous that I'll wreck it somehow and waste my money. Once I've taken something for a spin a couple times I know what to expect and I can enjoy it but not worry.

amiable

Veteran

Worn in for me - I very rarely buy new - I prefer to buy broken in too

Gigi

Veteran

Interesting to see what "broken in" means to different people. I guess I would put myself on Team Broken In, simply because I do enjoy my clothes more the more I wear them. I am always looking for new ways to combine well-loved pieces with other pieces in my wardrobe. Having said that, I do try to take very good care of my clothes so that they look as pristine as possible. So I guess I like them broken in emotionally but not physically, if that makes any sense!

I folded some laundry this morning and noticed that one of my favorite sweaters is starting to look faded. I wore the heck out of it last year (it was new last year) and am wearing it lots again this year. I am a little sad to see the fading. I am with Shiny in not shopping at thrift stores because of the obvious wear of most of the items. The wear makes me feel shabby.

Astrid

Veteran

Well, I'm on team broken in (and happy to see I've inspired this thread). But I have to say that to me broken in has nothing to do with pilled, out of shape, frayed or whatever... I like my clothes in good condition too. I think approprio put it well - if you have great quality you can break things in and they still don't look shabby or worn out. My satchel below is the best example for that. First picture was taken Christmas 2008, when I got it as a present. The second pic is from two months ago. I've used the bag a ton over the years...

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Anonymous

Most things - team pristine and new. Which doesn't mean I stop wearing them after one or two wears, but I sure do like them best that way. Exceptions: casual boots, jeans, belts, and some purses. I have to admit that sweaters and anything white doesn't remain in my favour too long. New =better....and expensive way to live, sigh.

shipskitty

Veteran

Hmm...coming to recognize that I am probably on team dressy and keep it fairly pristine because I do hate wearing clothes which are stretched out, faded or frayed. Unfinished edges on fabric are one of my pet peeves for this reason. Plus I haven't been able to fall in love with distressed denim. I do spend time keeping my clothes in good repair. I try to buy better quality and then try to keep them in good condition and wear them for several seasons if possible. The local shoe repair guy knows me and my shoe collection very well...

SarahTheWhite

Veteran

I would have to say broken-in for me. I would love to make friends with your friend - I gratefully accept hand me downs! It's not that I like things to be worn out looking - I don't appreciate clothing that looks old and messed up. I just like things to feel sort of softened. I don't care for crisp fabrics, but love soft cottons that feel like they have been washed hundreds of times... And when faced with the choice between shiny black leather and a soft, cogniac leather that looks like it has been around for ages, I will choose the cogniac EVERY TIME. I am also like Suz, in that I wear new things over ands over... but also like her, they pass a certain point where I get over the newness and let them sit a while....

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

Pristine, and a careful caretaker.

Style Fan

Veteran

My clothes last a long time and I take very good care of them. I love boots, purses, belts and other leather goods that have a worn look about them. I prefer faded jeans. Some of my cashmere sweaters are 10 years old. My knitwear doesn't seem to pill that much if at all. The sweaters just get softer.

I am not sure what that makes me. I like to buy new clothes but I wear my things a long time.

All dogs are beautiful.

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