YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Do you demote?

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Do you demote? https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-demote Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 21 Apr 2026 23:34:42 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php Mander on "Do you demote?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-demote/page/2#post-1098606 Tue, 26 Nov 2013 17:23:00 +0000 Mander 1098606@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This is something I need to work on, and I think this thread has just inspired me to do so!  I tend to demote and to keep things around for "sloppy" clothes long after they have become stretched out or faded.  In the last year or so I've been a lot better about this but I still have some things that should go. Mom just told me to go buy myself a birthday present on her, maybe I'll go get some nicer lounge pants and throw out the pilled and shrunken yoga pants. Anonymous on "Do you demote?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-demote/page/2#post-1097782 Mon, 25 Nov 2013 21:25:41 +0000 Anonymous 1097782@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I demote certain things that are comfortable and are neither frumpy nor fab, if that makes any sense. I try to wear my fab stuff whenever I go out of the house, even if it's just to run a quick errand, and reserve my comfy stuff to wear at home. I don't want to look frumpy even at home, so... Refugee on "Do you demote?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-demote/page/2#post-1097691 Mon, 25 Nov 2013 19:43:24 +0000 Refugee 1097691@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I demote but I must confess that recently I have suffered from a severe case of 'demotion creep.'  Demoting things to lounge wear or gear (cleaning, painting, yard work) and not getting rid of things that are truly awful.  And I end up wearing so much of it at home because that is where I am most of the time.  I recently realized this turned me into a giant schlump and I have felt awful about myself and had become rather depressed.   During a closet clean out a few days ago, I realized that there were things in my closet that I was wearing regularly that were not good for my mental state. That night shirt a former husband gave me for Christmas that I hated when he gave it to me? Why do I even still have it, let alone wear it? Yes, it is still functional (and I do not want to be wasteful) but my mental health and attitude is much more important than a cheap piece of clothing.   So I have pared down my demoted clothing quite a bit and feel much better because of it. K. Period. on "Do you demote?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-demote/page/2#post-1097620 Mon, 25 Nov 2013 18:52:29 +0000 K. Period. 1097620@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I demote, but I also cull and I try not to allow too much creeping demotion. I've struggled with this a lot in the past, but I'm more ruthless now and my balance seems to work well for me.   I demote items that are very luxurious or high quality and still make me feel good and look okay.  For example, I have a few very nice cashmere cardigans and silk and cashmere blends that I've demoted to lounge wear and robe duty. They look nice, but may be colors that I'm not wearing as much for a season or shapes that I feel are getting less current. Demoting lets me get more wear and enjoyment out of them.   I cull everything else.  I don't allow demoted items to be any significant proportion of my casual wardrobe.  I buy specifically for my casual wardrobe.  If I let too much demotion occur, it clutters my closet with items that are worn out or make me feel bleh and keeps me from seeing and wearing the things that do make me feel happy.  If I keep it in my closet, I feel an obligation to wear it.  If I don't love it, that means that I'm wearing it instead of getting lots of good wear for items that I do love and feel happy in. So why am I doing that? It's like being on a diet and eating leftovers that you don't want and don't like while the thing you really want to eat and that is better for you slowly goes bad. What's the logic behind that?  rachylou on "Do you demote?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-demote/page/2#post-1097568 Mon, 25 Nov 2013 18:01:01 +0000 rachylou 1097568@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I definitely demote from workwear to at-home wear (which does involve leaving the house in said demotees) to lounge (will not see the light of day, hehe) to toss. I should say that style matters to me. I won't keep on wearing things if the style no longer speaks to me, then I donate. Oh and there's one more caveat: My style is RATE. I think if it were polished, I wouldn't demote. Mo on "Do you demote?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-demote/page/2#post-1097562 Mon, 25 Nov 2013 17:54:36 +0000 Mo 1097562@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I do, but only if they're still in good shape.  No holey, stained loungewear here.  I did also start buying new specifically to lounge in.  Having a great modal wide leg pant and cozy hoodie especially just for curling on the couch is awesome. Alassë on "Do you demote?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-demote/page/2#post-1097523 Mon, 25 Nov 2013 17:25:31 +0000 Alassë 1097523@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I demote, but that has resulted in too many pj tops. Anonymous on "Do you demote?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-demote/page/2#post-1097517 Mon, 25 Nov 2013 17:21:47 +0000 Anonymous 1097517@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I don't demote.  Once they have served their useful service, they are outta there.  I have casual wear and lounging capsules.   E on "Do you demote?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-demote/page/2#post-1097313 Mon, 25 Nov 2013 14:25:17 +0000 E 1097313@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Not usually, but I don't work outside the home, so I don't have loungewear, just my regular clothes! Like LBD, my mood is hugely affected by my clothes and if I don't shower & put on an outfit in the morning I tend to not get much done for the rest of the day. For sleepwear I did end up 'demoting' some old silk camis that I realised weren't the most flattering colours on me for hot/in between weather and a couple thick soft wool sweaters that aren't the most flattering on me for cold weather. I suppose if I irreversibly stain any of my silk or wool I'd probably use it as pjs rather than rag pile it, but so far I've been able to launder out any problems! I don't have a super mucky life though: my walks in the woods are the dirtiest it gets & I'm pretty good at not getting stuff on my clothes. Except for little muddy pawprints if my dog jumps up! So I only wear sturdier bottoms to the woods, but that includes some of my wool skirts. When my tees wear out I just turn them into rags. But sometimes it takes me awhile to accept they're truly worn out! Mary Beth (formerly LBD) on "Do you demote?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-demote/page/2#post-1097306 Mon, 25 Nov 2013 14:16:23 +0000 Mary Beth (formerly LBD) 1097306@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ In general, no.  I work a lot from home, and I keep crazy hours sometimes (like right now, when we're in the midst of workshopping a show).  And I often find my productivity and my mood is affected by my clothes.  Even in loungewear, I like to feel pretty and somewhat pulled together.  The only thing I demote is stuff for dance class or workouts.  If I have a knit top or tee that I love, but it's looking kind of worn, I don't mind sweating in it. minimalist on "Do you demote?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-demote#post-1097195 Mon, 25 Nov 2013 06:49:42 +0000 minimalist 1097195@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ No. A thread describing loungewear capsules was what got me to sign up for YLF. Loungewear is what I've been doing concrete work on, but I guess not posting about, since I joined. It's important to me to look nice for bf, even though (or especially because) he seems to think I look great in anything. If I'm in a relationship, I'm responsible for bringing my best self to that relationship as much as I can. That ideal doesn't stop me wearing sweatpants from his donate pile, when he's not around. But I have a long way to go, so I have to pace the progress. ManidipaM on "Do you demote?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-demote#post-1097188 Mon, 25 Nov 2013 06:42:09 +0000 ManidipaM 1097188@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I certainly do demote, and used to have a problem buying loungewear (as opposed to sleepwear) especially for the purpose unless it was spaghetti-strapped tops and shorts for the height of the humid summer (I burn easily, no question of wearing them outdoors very much). Now I buy plain T-shirts and lounge pants, but still rarely. I wear a lot of vegetable-dyed fabrics so these fade in tropical sun (much like denim) long before shape is lost (not an issue with wovens anyway) and I am awfully clumsy and stain stuff every so often, even more since pregnancy. These are the first choice and like Diana, I prefer dresses and skirts to pants at home. But tunic and leggings are typical. T-shirts can and do pile up... until I get exasperated and let some loose to the recycled yarn market. (Here rag ladies come by for them and will barter stainless-steel kitchen things for them; NGOs collect them for weaving mats and blankets, and to make cloth menstrual pads for free distribution in rural or disadvantaged populations---all things that assuage the guilt just a little.) So I keep favourites or those in brighter colours to pep me up. Some are actually demoted to sleepwear because they are favourites and yet too pale to stand up to messy chores---heathered greys and whites in particular. I can't wear jeans to lounge. I would rather be pantless! So those are worn through and regretfully abandoned to yard work (coverage from biting midges and gnats in our humid climate is important, not to mention the darn mosquitoes in this hotbed of malaria and dengue). Gigi on "Do you demote?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-demote#post-1097128 Mon, 25 Nov 2013 04:30:34 +0000 Gigi 1097128@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I demote, but only to my "messy work" capsule--that is, clothes that I would wear for gardening, painting, moving, etc. I don't do a lot of messy work, so I keep that capsule to a minimum. If it gets too large, I donate to Goodwill. When in doubt, I purge these items, because I figure that if something happens and I don't have enough "messy work" clothes, I can run to the thrift store and buy something for a few bucks.  Casual wear around the house is still stylish (OK, sometimes a bit frumpy!) and presentable. I find that my self-image suffers if I wear a lot of ratty clothes. karymk on "Do you demote?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-demote#post-1097052 Mon, 25 Nov 2013 03:01:55 +0000 karymk 1097052@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I sooo demote. I love wearing an old cashmere sweater to ballet for example. FlorenceFearne on "Do you demote?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-demote#post-1096974 Mon, 25 Nov 2013 01:26:12 +0000 FlorenceFearne 1096974@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think there's a difference between demoted and sloppy. I like for my SO to see me looking attractive, certainly. But graphic tees that fit well and are in good condition are something I'd definitely wear home. There's isn't another good niche in my life for those. Same with all the oversized cardigans I used to love that are very slightly faded, or the leggings I used to wear under mini skirts when that was a viable fashion choice, circa 2008. These are all things that aren't in keeping with the more polished image I like for work or out on a date, but are still plenty put together for a day of cleaning the toilet, cooking, taking out the trash, etc. I have tried to purge out all the stuff that doesn't fit well, or is truly too faded to look nice.  peacechick on "Do you demote?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-demote#post-1096965 Mon, 25 Nov 2013 01:09:47 +0000 peacechick 1096965@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I've decided to stop buying t-shirts as I never wear them out, and demoted my current ones to loungewear. I wear such rags around the home that it's kind of depressing me. I want to dress better since I'm 90% of time at home now. For example, I'm going to wear jeans instead of sweat pants. Desmo April on "Do you demote?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-demote#post-1096941 Mon, 25 Nov 2013 00:38:47 +0000 Desmo April 1096941@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ saggy, baggy, stained or shapeless all goes into the ragbag. I won't look like a slob at home, I deserve better. Gaylene on "Do you demote?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-demote#post-1096934 Mon, 25 Nov 2013 00:30:31 +0000 Gaylene 1096934@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Two comments I read a few years ago really made me reconsider my lounge/at-home side of things (and I'm sorry I can't attribute the comments to the original authors, buried as they were in some long forgotten thread). The first comment was, more or less, "think of the image you want to portray to your family and DH/SO". That really struck a nerve. Was I inadvertently telling my husband through my ratty outfits that I thought it was important to look nice only for other people? He deserved much better than to be relegated to that second-class status. The same thought extended to my sons. I wanted them to be proud of their mom, just like I was proud of mine when my friends always commented on how nice she looked. The second comment was  a question "Why can't clothing be functional and attractive?" My excuse that I didn't want to wreck "good" clothes seemed valid, until I started actually thinking about how likely that was to happen--and, more importantly, if I had to dress for that 10-20% possibility 100% of the time. Maybe it was time to think of outfits that were comfortable and durable, but were also nice looking. An apron, a good spot remover, and the washing machine can keep most things in pretty good condition. And, if I occasionally did damage something that couldn't be fixed, the item could still be useful for gardening or painting chores. Those two comments made me think of my at-home capsule as deserving of attention as any other capsule--probably because it is the one that, hands-down, has the lowest CPW. And it doesn't cost much to invest in a couple of pairs of comfortable pants, shorts, skirts, T's, and jackets that look cute and presentable. My at-home capsule is nice enough to let me run to the store without any qualms about running into people who know me. I figure my family is worth it. Mia on "Do you demote?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-demote#post-1096930 Mon, 25 Nov 2013 00:19:05 +0000 Mia 1096930@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I demote as part of my twice a year closet evaluation.  At the same time I donate and consign some items. This process does help me let go of loved items that are slightly past their fashion or condition prime.  I ease them out the door as it were.  I do not keep anything I don't like or find flattering. I keep a drawer for "dirty job clothes" which would include gardening or home projects.  I make sure to do kind of a one in, one out thing so it doesn't get crazy big.  Things that are ok to wear but not in tip-top condition or a little past their fashion prime get demoted to "cooking clothes" or swim meet clothes and I keep these separate from my main wardrobe as well.  I also re-purpose like using a long cashmere cardigan with a ruffle (not my daytime style)  in my sleep/lounge capsule. donnat on "Do you demote?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-demote#post-1096915 Mon, 25 Nov 2013 00:01:24 +0000 donnat 1096915@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I demote soft tees as sleepwear, that is about it. I have one hair dying tee. If i paint or shock the pool, i have to demote something. When that job is done, out goes those items. Hubby usually does the messy jobs. I donate tons. I am still in purge mode. Elly on "Do you demote?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-demote#post-1096896 Sun, 24 Nov 2013 23:34:27 +0000 Elly 1096896@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I don't wear demoted clothes out of the house except in the context where I am running a quick errand and wearing an old tee and jeans but going somewhere where I never take my jacket off (the post office, to pay the water bill, to pump gas)-- contexts where the people I see don't see enough of my clothes to tell what condition they are in, so long as they are real pants and not sweats, etc. My main qualm about demoted clothes is that since the SO and I don't see each other everyday because of work schedules and most often spend time together at home cooking or lounging together or doing outdoor activities in old clothes or gear is that he never gets to see me looking nice. Similarly, I have to layer up because of cold temps at work, so I never have the option of wearing the wide variety of things that don't work for work, including a lot of looks I love. However, it seems wasteful to buy clothing that is going to be worn in situations where it will likely rarely be seen by anyone and could get damaged easily with food etc. Plus, in reality I don't want to wear skinny jeans and a fully accesorized outfit to run to the grocery for coffee to come home and sit on the couch. Part of it is that my work clothing is casual, so differentiating between work clothes and nice weekend clothes is hard, especially in the winter when I have to be covered either place. My SO pretty much has one wardrobe plus lounging-- he has some ratty tees, but otherwise looks nice most of the time at home. Then again, he wears a uniform to work, so he really only needs a very limited wardrobe of 4-5 nice tees and several pairs of pants/shorts and then PJ pants to have him easily covered. Strangely, I don't often use demoted clothes for yard work or the like, because I need the protection of thicker fabric when I am dealing with thorns, branches, etc and want to make sure my clothes are functionally comfortable to move and work hard in. I will wear them to clean, but when I do a big project like my garage it bites me in the butt because I end up chaffed from stretched out jeans and bras.   Anonymous on "Do you demote?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-demote#post-1096863 Sun, 24 Nov 2013 23:08:23 +0000 Anonymous 1096863@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ When I was working at the dog kennel almost all of my work clothes were demoted from regular clothes.  When my job ended I threw out most of those clothes. I still demote some clothes for working around the house clothes.  I'm not going to clean house and do laundry in my good stuff.  In the past too many things got ruined, like bleach splashes.  I also use the old stuff for walking, we walk far and we walk fast (sticky, sweaty). I try not to wear the old stuff just hanging at home.  kkards on "Do you demote?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-demote#post-1096835 Sun, 24 Nov 2013 22:47:27 +0000 kkards 1096835@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ i do, i use old tee's for sleep, beach cover ups and cleaning the bathroom. i used to run to the grocery store in these demoted item. but then i ran into someone from work, now i make sure that don't wear stained clothes out in public. carter on "Do you demote?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-demote#post-1096823 Sun, 24 Nov 2013 22:42:26 +0000 carter 1096823@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Yes, but I've been upgrading all areas of my wardrobe. I recently tossed all my old slug loungewear, so I demoted all my previous errand clothes that were comfortable but really didn't present the image I wanted in public. Anything that wasn't comfy enough went to Goodwill. Some of my work wardrobe (business casual) was demoted to fill in my casual wardrobe. For me, all the demoting meant that the main place I needed to upgrade with new purchases was my work wardrobe, which is where I really prefer to spend my money. I also demote shoes to rainy day shoes and a couple pair I keep in the car to walk lots or show new construction homes. The shoe thing really helps me keep my good shoes good. deb on "Do you demote?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-demote#post-1096813 Sun, 24 Nov 2013 22:39:16 +0000 deb 1096813@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I used to have a home wardrobe that was not really fit for public then after joining YLF I decided it was not fit for my view either. Garden work clothing is now my only NFP (Not Fit for Public) capsule I have. The rest of my wardrobe I am able to wear out and not be embarrassed. I deserve to look good at home. flowergirl on "Do you demote?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-demote#post-1096802 Sun, 24 Nov 2013 22:33:00 +0000 flowergirl 1096802@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I demote lounge wear to DIY and painting, gardening art work. Other items, I donate. Over the years, I've tended to buy less then I used to in my 20's so that solves the problem of accumulating clothes.  Parsley on "Do you demote?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-demote#post-1096797 Sun, 24 Nov 2013 22:29:52 +0000 Parsley 1096797@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I demote old cashmere sweaters to loungewear-  only ones that I love and that look good but are too worn or pilled to wear in public. There's something decadent about lounging in cashmere! Anonymous on "Do you demote?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-demote#post-1096789 Sun, 24 Nov 2013 22:25:25 +0000 Anonymous 1096789@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I try to demote when I can because I feel guilty about getting rid of clothes that are still good and also because, while I'm not disciplined enough at the moment to really minimize my consumption habits, I feel like I'm at least cutting my impacts slightly by repurposing things as loungewear or sleepwear  rather than always buying new things for these areas. (I like having a lot of loungewear in particular because I rarely wear real clothes around the house.) In practice, I'm pretty haphazard in what I demote. Plain tops in soft knits usually end up as sleepwear once they start getting pilled. Knit dresses that are pilled or just look less flattering sometimes end up as crossover hanging-around-the-house-but-I-might-hit-the-farmers'-market-later clothes. I've started keeping cardigans that develop holes to wear around the house in cold weather, which I actually like better than things like sweatshirts because they're cozier and less bulky. I usually buy lounge pants new because, like Unfrumped, I don't really find jeans comfortable enough to wear around the house. Lounge tops tend to be from my stash of college t-shirts, travel souvenirs, and other "fun" t-shirts. If something still looks new but I just don't wear it for whatever reason, I'm more likely to donate it than try to demote because I figure it's more likely to really be appreciated by someone. Gaylene on "Do you demote?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-demote#post-1096781 Sun, 24 Nov 2013 22:23:16 +0000 Gaylene 1096781@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Short answer--no. The only exception is a very small paint/messy-job capsule that gets replenished when the items in the capsule need to be replaced. I'll also mentally "demote" items that are still in regular wardrobe rotation to casual/lounge wear to increase the number of times the item gets worn. My hip length cashmere sweater works perfectly as a cuddly top for my PJs as well as being my go-to travel sweater. I stopped demoting a few years ago when I realized that my "I'll keep this for painting/gardening/messy jobs" capsule was growing by leaps and bounds, and my husband suggested that I might want to reconsider a career change to house painter or gardener... Lisa on "Do you demote?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-demote#post-1096779 Sun, 24 Nov 2013 22:21:38 +0000 Lisa 1096779@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I demote knit wear and jeans for gear, especially riding, the stables can get pretty dirty!  I do not demote for loungewear, that is a very small (two outfit) capsule.  I used to demote loungewear until I realized sometimes I have guests over and they see me in my lounge clothes, so now I stick to a very small capsule for them.