https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/buying-something-for-one-season Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 03 May 2026 11:48:59 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/buying-something-for-one-season/page/2#post-2170147 Fri, 05 Feb 2021 11:07:02 +0000 Bijou 2170147@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I find this to be true with most lighter coloured clothing. I have accepted that it is nice to be able to truly wear something out. Of course, parting with a favourite item is REALLY hard. I had a the 'perfect' white cotton blouse and wore it constantly all one summer. My absolute favourite summer top ever. Of course, it did not hold up well to all the wear and washing, but it was a great purchase. I also have this issue with favourite summer sandals - hard to keep them pristine for more than a few summers. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/buying-something-for-one-season/page/2#post-2169850 Wed, 03 Feb 2021 16:06:07 +0000 Anonymous 2169850@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>No one has mentioned that whites are easier to keep white than off whites are. You can use bleach on white and not have to worry about creating white spots. Of course beach will shorten the life span of fibers. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/buying-something-for-one-season/page/2#post-2169849 Wed, 03 Feb 2021 15:35:58 +0000 unfrumped 2169849@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Chiming back in to say that true white is not my best face color, but cream is awful. Certain grays and mid- blues or taupes are better.<br /> But, in summer I get cravings for less muted palette sometimes a bright jacket in deep pink or orange, and well, white! And ( hiding from Angie) I have had white pants and jeans, but just don’t reach for them.<br /> So that’s helped me learn that my best value in white for summer is layering T tgat goes with many toppers, and washable white toppers, just because can pop over anything. I don’t get as much use at all from good, thicker transitional weather knitwear with long or 3/4 sleeves that can stand alone with shirts or pants, if in white - I’m better off getting those in good face colors. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/buying-something-for-one-season/page/2#post-2169838 Wed, 03 Feb 2021 14:41:39 +0000 cat2 2169838@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hmm, thinking through this I feel the same anxiety about sandals, which can have the lifespan of a butterfly. I have been wearing out my existing sandal collection but in large part not restocking it and instead wearing a mix of other flats. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/buying-something-for-one-season/page/2#post-2169826 Wed, 03 Feb 2021 14:12:31 +0000 cindysmith 2169826@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have to do this all the time for work clothes. I want to like my work clothes &amp; feel good in them, right? Yet I KNOW that the nature of the beast at my job is death &amp; destruction. I buy as much as I can from thrift stores, the rest I get from clearance racks at new clothing stores like TJMaxx </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/buying-something-for-one-season/page/2#post-2169729 Wed, 03 Feb 2021 00:49:09 +0000 cat2 2169729@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My cream colored tops are my default neutral. I don’t tend to buy many actual cotton T-shirts. I have had multi-season luck with Boden, Jaeger, and L.K. Bennett linen Ts. I also have had good luck with other washable- fiber jersey knits, and with lightweight sweater knits of all types: cotton, linen, silk and blends. I buy almost everything on sale, so that keeps the overall spend down, as does buying these fibers and weaves that I find last longer. Also, when I am about to give up on a piece I totally ignore the care instructions and toss it into increasingly hotter soak in the sink with a non- chlorine bleach alternative and often that is enough to freshen it up. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/buying-something-for-one-season/page/2#post-2169636 Tue, 02 Feb 2021 18:38:43 +0000 Dianna 2169636@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What <b>kkards</b> and <b>Janet</b> said.&nbsp; In my climate, I wear white tees a lot during spring (spring is the dryest and warmest season where I live now, and lasts about 4 months or so)&nbsp; I usually buy two or three at the end of summer to have them ready for the following spring, and assuming they will last one season (two if I am lucky) as a wardrobe essential for regular outfits, and one more season as loungewear or pijama tops.&nbsp; I can't imagine a warm season without me having at least one white tee. Most of the time I buy inexpensive ones, and frequently I can get them on sale since I tend to buy them at the end of the previous summer season.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/buying-something-for-one-season/page/2#post-2169624 Tue, 02 Feb 2021 17:42:35 +0000 DeAnna 2169624@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I do purchase new white tee's every summer.I buy them on sale and don't spend much for each one.I know they will not last, but they have a second life. I cut them up and use them for house cleaning, and large pieces are saved to do tie dye with the grand kids. A stabilizer can be added such as interfacing and then letters can be cut or solid pieces can be make into zipper pouches, pencil cases, makeup bags etc. My goal is to use as much of worn-out items and keep them out of the trash. I'm not really there yet. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/buying-something-for-one-season/page/2#post-2169561 Tue, 02 Feb 2021 09:33:06 +0000 Jenni NZ 2169561@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don’t wear white tees either. They don’t suit me I think.<br /> I think the obvious thing is how many choices you have as to how quickly something will wear out, surely? Unless your wear on them is really uneven. I do wear out some of my tops by the 30 wears- they may get faded or stretched. So that’s partly why I prefer to buy them on sale if they seem good quality- because even supposedly good quality doesn’t always last as long as I feel it should, and I wish to get CPW under $5. With many items I easily do this. Many of the good items that were on sale are $1-2 or less. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/buying-something-for-one-season/page/2#post-2169538 Tue, 02 Feb 2021 03:43:21 +0000 Janet 2169538@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have a large enough wardrobe that I usually expect I’ll get more than one season out of even the cheapest item. I have three white tees and two black ones (I would have three but a mouse ate part of one when we were on our camping trip). V-neck tees are such a summer staple for me, and I’ve found Madewell makes my favorite at the moment. They’re inexpensive enough that it’s not tragic if one gets stained, and having three (in slightly different styles) means I avoid laundry bottlenecks. I figure if my three white tees last me for 2-3 years (they’re mostly summer only), that’s a darn good deal. I wouldn’t care to own only one at a time because I’d surely wreck it and not have a ready substitute, or find my only one is in the laundry when I want to wear it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/buying-something-for-one-season/page/2#post-2169534 Tue, 02 Feb 2021 02:44:16 +0000 Jaime 2169534@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I generally don't wear tees outside the house, and don't wear white tees at all. But some items just get used more and wear out faster - for me it is birks or similar shoes in the summer. I have had jeans wear out after years of wear. With my large wardrobe I rarely wear things out otherwise. The other side of things as Jenn points out. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/buying-something-for-one-season/page/2#post-2169507 Tue, 02 Feb 2021 00:29:08 +0000 kkards 2169507@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes to what Jenn said, white tees IMO are the poster children for the small wardrobe/higher individual item turnover...the larger the wardrobe/the longer the individual item will last...so i think part of the calculus when being is how essential an item is this...for me in high summer this is the most essential item, for me, when in doubt wear a white tee. So for me, i insure that i start each season with a white tee in pristine condition&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/buying-something-for-one-season/page/2#post-2169502 Tue, 02 Feb 2021 00:23:39 +0000 Style Fan 2169502@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't wear white tees, but I do wear cream, ivory and vintage white ones.&nbsp; I buy them at all price points.&nbsp; I do find the more expensive ones last longer.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />I replace my tees as I need to.&nbsp; I tend to keep my clothes, including my tees, for a long time, and they look reasonably good for several seasons.&nbsp; The tees are essentials, and I wear them every day in the summer, so if I needed to replace them yearly, then I would.&nbsp; What else would I wear?&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/buying-something-for-one-season/page/2#post-2169495 Tue, 02 Feb 2021 00:09:12 +0000 Isabel 2169495@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't have white as a main neutral in my wardrobe for that very reason.&nbsp; If I do get something in white ( a t shirt, a blouse, a linen top ) I automatically don't have the expectation of that piece that I do of every other color.&nbsp; &nbsp;I do the same with beach flip flops for example that I beat to death no matter the quality.&nbsp; It really is a psychological thing.&nbsp; Kinda like having children : adjust the expectations from the get go and you wont be disappointed.&nbsp;</p> <p>So I have substituted most of my whites with light soft greys or creams.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/buying-something-for-one-season#post-2169491 Mon, 01 Feb 2021 23:55:26 +0000 Tina 2169491@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I figure on plain colored Ts lasting about a year if I'm lucky, especially white, so I'm always on the look out for good, not-to-expensive versions. Most other things get kept for years, so it doesn't seem like a huge deal to replace stained or worn T-shirts. (My biggest problem is spilling food off of a fork or somehow dribbling coffee -- all of which gets caught on the "shelf." So many stains right in the middle of my chest...) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/buying-something-for-one-season#post-2169490 Mon, 01 Feb 2021 23:55:22 +0000 Jenn 2169490@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm back to say that if you have one white tee that lasts one year, that's the equivalent, sustainability- and budget-wise of someone else who has five white t-shirts that last them five years. Sometimes, discussions like this obscure the realities of a small wardrobe.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/buying-something-for-one-season#post-2169488 Mon, 01 Feb 2021 23:52:04 +0000 MsMaven 2169488@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>No white tees for me either. I do have some off white camis, but I usually wear them under another top or card--I've had Nic and Zoe camis that have lasted for years.&nbsp;</p> <p>White isn't my best color near my face, and I have found that a couple of white tops I bought 2-3 years ago just don't get worn much. Underwear showing through, easily stained, on and on and not worth it.</p> <p>I do like an off-white cotton or rayon sweater though--with a thicker weave they seem to wear better for me.</p> <p>So, I don't know what is the best solution for you.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/buying-something-for-one-season#post-2169487 Mon, 01 Feb 2021 23:51:27 +0000 unfrumped 2169487@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think this is a great discussion because of the many different ways of looking at the issues, as in the comments so far.<br /> Your end question was whether one might by a short- term item “ with knowledge afore thought “. Maybe also thinking about whether that fits in with responsible buying, or if there a better way around it.<br /> If thers a yup if item that really works - a “wardrobe essential” or wardrobe workhorse, and not a good substitute that works as well, I agree with finding a reasonable price/ quality breakpoint and just wear and replace. By “ quality “, for me that includes fit, which in knits is not necessarily related to price— some T tops just “ get me” and I’m likely to buy it when I find it.<br /> But as I look at what I think is my still too- large wardrobe, it’s about how many items come in and out per year and how much I wear them. Some years I bought a lot of items whilst having a lot that saw little wear, and then eventually a lot had to go due to fit, styles, tastes but hadn’t actually worn out. That would not be any better than having a smaller wardrobe that includes a few one- season wonders( wear and tear, or a few trends that fade) every year.<br /> I’m probably not expressing it well, but I’m thinking I had a lot of good quality items but more than I could or would wear, so while they stayed in my closet for a long time, eventually they came out! Yes, hopefully many got new lives as I gave to some re- sellers and charities, but surely not all.<br /> I’m not promoting “ fast fashion, “ but am just noting there are different ways to be wasteful.<br /> There are items and fabrics that DO give great longevity - less turnover and waste- if you spring for “ quality “. This would apply if said items are wardrobe essentials so that you must replace if it were to disappear. For me when working, that was things like black dress pants in good tropical wool, which wore like iron, neutral blazer, good leather shoes/ boots that can be re- heeled.<br /> But when I went in too “ deep” on number of such items, my feet or shape might change before any wore out! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/buying-something-for-one-season#post-2169484 Mon, 01 Feb 2021 23:45:08 +0000 kkards 2169484@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So...i just counted and i own 7 short sleeve white tee shirts, ...some are wearable for work, some are wearable for weekends, and 1 is loungewear only...for me the wearable for work to loungewear only cycle is about 5 years...i tend to buy at Target and the Gap, but I’m willing to spend more on a good fit....<br />shorts on the other hand, I’m not willing to spend on, even thought they may last a lot of seasons, i just don’t wear shorts that much so i want them cheap... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/buying-something-for-one-season#post-2169481 Mon, 01 Feb 2021 23:37:00 +0000 The Cat 2169481@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>To answer your question, Carla: No, in general I don't want to buy items that I know will be short term tenants of my closet. (I want all items to last at least two years, preferably more.) The only exceptions might be cheap items bought for a special occasion, say a holiday or a theme party. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/buying-something-for-one-season#post-2169479 Mon, 01 Feb 2021 23:25:44 +0000 The Cat 2169479@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have my white tees for years and wear them year round. Mine are not expensive--I buy them at H&amp;M and similar places. My best tips are to treat difficult spots with Vanish a few minutes before regular laundry, to wash white items with other white items ONLY, to let them be turned inside out while in the machine, and to let them airdry. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/buying-something-for-one-season#post-2169444 Mon, 01 Feb 2021 20:55:39 +0000 Helena 2169444@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What rachy said for white t-shirts - sunscreen will stain a $300 t-shirt just as fast as a $15 one, so this is one item NOT worth investing in, imo - I'd rather just get one or two, wear them to death, and then but them in the textile recycling bin - I miss Target for these sort of items! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/buying-something-for-one-season#post-2169434 Mon, 01 Feb 2021 20:14:40 +0000 cjh 2169434@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Good luck with white T-shirts. I don’t buy them any more, mostly because rather than becoming worn out, pit- or otherwise stained or misshapen, they were never worn out of fear of the above. Last summer, I donated about 5 totally unworn white shirts. I kept a couple that have cute graphics, notably a Life is Good daisy,&nbsp;for one.&nbsp;<br /><div><br /></div><div>As to your question about buying one-season items intentionally, I find it very difficult to predict how long any new single item will last, or even how long I will like it. Very many low-end or clearance items were ones that became favorites and lasted several years. OTH, I have several nice dressier poly or linen summer tops that I just don’t wear often enough to wear them out, not because I don’t like them, but I do not have a minimum numbers wardrobe. Who knows when they will be gone?</div><div><br /></div><div>Rather than looking for either (maybe less expensive) things with predictably short longevity, or things (maybe more expensive) which I know will endure, I do not hesitate to buy a top with a cute detail for every day. This is because the way I shop, I know I can find tops for any occasion or level of “fanciness” at the same price point. For example, go to TJMaxx or a mall store with a clearance rack, pick out three tops, one solid v-neck tee, one print blouse style, and one tee with interesting feature. Each will be approximately the same price, under $20. So you see I don’t save one of them for “good” because they all cost the same and financial loss will be equal if ruined. I may save something for “good” if it especially matches other pieces or accessories which are “good”, or if I find it’s a better than usual fit or laundry performer, etc.</div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/buying-something-for-one-season#post-2169433 Mon, 01 Feb 2021 20:14:35 +0000 Jules 2169433@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I was going to mention this on your other thread, but it wasn't totally topical. And neither is it exactly what you are asking here. But just in general, I find my high summer clothing has a high proportion of one season wonders. It is somewhat due to wear, of course, but I think also because it's a short season with a long gap from year to year (up to 10 months some years). And perhaps less potential to mix and match/layer items the way we do to combine old and new items in other seasons? Anyway, my solution (in theory) is to maintain a relatively small summer wardrobe. Last summer for example I was sad to see many nicer office and going out items from the year before get no wear due to Covid, knowing I only wore them a half dozen times the year before, and that they might not suit me next year..<br />On the specific matter of simple cotton tees, I love a soft old tee for bed and around the house. Can you repurpose for gardening? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/buying-something-for-one-season#post-2169431 Mon, 01 Feb 2021 20:03:44 +0000 Angie 2169431@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>To answer your questions:<i> you have to manage the compromise in a way that makes you sleep at night.</i></p> <p>Some options: <i></i></p> <li>Buy and recycle every season</li> <li>Wear the heck out the item for one season</li> <li>Don't spend much money on the item to begin with</li> <li>Keep two in rotation to share the wear</li> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/buying-something-for-one-season#post-2169430 Mon, 01 Feb 2021 19:59:18 +0000 Angie 2169430@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great questions! It's a compromise a lot of the time unfortunately.&nbsp;</p> <p>White tops are a challenge unless they are woven and excellent quality. 100% cotton T-shirts are the worst contenders because jersey knit is not made to last. So you try to do the right thing by buying a 100% organic white tee from an ethical and sustainable manufacturer. But it only looks good for a season because that is the nature of knitted jersey that has not been combined with a manmade fibre to stabilize the fabric. Non-white tees look better for longer, and so do white tees with graphics on them.&nbsp;</p> <p>White cotton knitwear lasts longer, as do white woven tops.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/buying-something-for-one-season#post-2169416 Mon, 01 Feb 2021 19:39:54 +0000 Anonymous 2169416@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>No white t shirts, no white at all. I used to buy Three Dots white t shirts and they lasted as well as the grey, but no more because I no longer wear white.</p> <p>I buy cashmere hats and scarves which I wear daily, including on trail walks, because they're soft, warm and lightweight but they last pretty well if taken care of. I suppose that's a different category, like, Extravagance in Daily Use.</p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/buying-something-for-one-season#post-2169400 Mon, 01 Feb 2021 19:21:56 +0000 rachylou 2169400@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The higher the use on anything, the lower price I go. That’s because there’s a certain level of use where higher quality and higher price do not offset the wear-and-tear. Like suitcases: if you fly every week, $300 performs no better than $20. I’m lucky in that any item of clothing that looks grubby is still perfectly wearable in the bakery, which will be covered by a clean white uniform anyways and will inject some fashion as a boon. My only exception is doggy bags... compostable is worth it if you can do it, ‘cuz that’s just a lot of plastic. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/buying-something-for-one-season#post-2169393 Mon, 01 Feb 2021 19:16:30 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2169393@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Tru dat about swimsuits, if you’re working hard in the pool every day! We always layered the old, worn out suits on top of our new ones to give us more drag &amp; make us stronger. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/buying-something-for-one-season#post-2169391 Mon, 01 Feb 2021 19:14:04 +0000 Anonymous 2169391@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes. My white jeans have an even shorter life than white tees most of the time. Trendy things and many prints only last a season most of the time. I bought a print top with a front tie last year intending it to be a one season wonder. A friend who swims daily Says even good swimsuits last a very short time and she washes hers right after swim sessions to get the chlorine out ASAP. </p>