https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/expensive-items-go-unworn Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Mon, 20 Apr 2026 23:32:58 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/expensive-items-go-unworn/page/2#post-2098796 Wed, 12 Feb 2020 22:54:03 +0000 smittie 2098796@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>There’s a difference between “the good stuff” and the “too fancy stuff”.<br /> Sometimes those things overlap and we get confused.<br /> Mostly I think you should cultivate good, infancy, things. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/expensive-items-go-unworn/page/2#post-2098777 Wed, 12 Feb 2020 20:42:11 +0000 Mita 2098777@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Beautiful and wise responses, thank you so much everyone. I will definitely reread your responses from time to time to refresh my memory.</p> <p>Life is short so it's important to not "save" the good stuff, at whatever price point feels "extravagant" to you for that item.&nbsp; I agree that part of the issue here is shopping for an imaginary life in which it doesn't rain all the time and my feet are warm. Having said that I will wear them at the next appropriate weather day and rock them before they get super dated or other life changes happen, as several of you mentioned. Agree 100% with the idea of buying less but quality, and looking at 2nd hand. Joy, I love the sound of your outfit!! Also agree with several of you and no longer buy DCO items and handwash many that say they are. Cardiff Girl, I agree that it would be awful to shuffle off to the "Great Closet in the Sky" leaving behind lovely unworn items for no good reason. Thanks for the laugh.</p> <p>Appreciate everyone's wisdom! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/expensive-items-go-unworn/page/2#post-2098747 Wed, 12 Feb 2020 17:49:26 +0000 Anonymous 2098747@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Haha Marilyn! But maybe what starts as an "insignificant day" could become a very good day if you wear the nice things! If not, try again :)<br /> I beleive in wearing the things, especially if they cost a lot- though not if its snowy or muddy or whatnot! DH unfortunately is the opposite, he wears the old stuff over and over. His nice $$$ Mephisto sandals are just the right size to be kitten scratching posts </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/expensive-items-go-unworn#post-2098546 Tue, 11 Feb 2020 20:11:14 +0000 Joyce 2098546@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is a very inspiring post and responses. I too am going through this process on a few different plains.&nbsp;<br />I am cleaning out my mother's closet; full of a life well lived and fully documented in "outfits". Her mantra of shopping "twice" a year was followed without the kind of thought you all put into your wardrobes. And, price was important because in her eyes, this denoted quality and "status". However, in keeping our lives less complex and&nbsp; wardrobes more relevant, most of these outfits are going to goodwill hardly worn. <br />It isn't only people who are addicted to fast fashion who are guilty of over consumption, I think I picked up this trait from one of the best.<br />The "good stuff" in my closet is now what I wear every day and instead of price being the criteria of quality, comfort and fit trump all. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/expensive-items-go-unworn#post-2098493 Tue, 11 Feb 2020 16:11:30 +0000 Suz 2098493@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I was brought up this way -- at least to an extent --- but the good advice above has helped break me of the habit.&nbsp;</p> <p>First, I do what <b>Jules</b> does -- I consider what my lifestyle is really like and try to buy mindfully for that life, not the fantasy life. So, in my case, I tend to spend more on denim and booties than on dressy shoes that I rarely have opportunities to wear.</p> <p>At the same time, I <b>do </b>allow myself to purchase a few dressier or hmmm, let's say "weather challenging" items and I consciously accept they will get little wear. That's okay, as long as they are needed and worn a few times a year. You love those loafers!! In spring, you'll get more chances to wear them. Wear the heck out of them then and in early fall next year! Problem solved.&nbsp;</p> <p>With that in mind... when deciding what to wear I say what <b>Angie</b> said: If not now, when...and also, why <b>not</b> wear it? (And okay, if it is a blizzard, I don't wear it.) ;)&nbsp;</p> <p>I sometimes do what <b>Shevia</b> suggests -- second hand shopping allows you to find other people's expensive treasures, which might feel a bit less "precious." &nbsp;Plus, you get gloating rights when you get to say, "<b>And</b>, I only paid $5."&nbsp;</p> <p>Also -- if the issue is ease of care, I deal with that by machine-hand washing almost everything except woollen and leather coats and jackets (which go to cleaners). Saves worry about dry cleaning.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/expensive-items-go-unworn#post-2098492 Tue, 11 Feb 2020 16:08:43 +0000 Marilyn 2098492@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Many of us suffer from this affliction...... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/expensive-items-go-unworn#post-2098482 Tue, 11 Feb 2020 15:16:59 +0000 taylor 2098482@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think we all tend to do this at one time or another. &nbsp;I have trained myself to wear the good stuff , &nbsp;unless weather won’t allow for it. &nbsp;</p> <p>I just wish I had more places to wear the good stuff , I usually look like I came from somewhere “dressy” most of the time &nbsp;:) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/expensive-items-go-unworn#post-2098473 Tue, 11 Feb 2020 14:53:08 +0000 always trying 2098473@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My issue is purchasing&nbsp; something for an event, wearing it for that event and then no not wearing it again as no place to wear it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/expensive-items-go-unworn#post-2098467 Tue, 11 Feb 2020 14:38:04 +0000 Bijou 2098467@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Mita, I think many of us suffer from this. I have only a few designer items and have to force myself to use them and not treat them as 'special'.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/expensive-items-go-unworn#post-2098457 Tue, 11 Feb 2020 13:30:46 +0000 Aquamarine 2098457@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I suffer from this too. Thanks for the reminders, everyone, to just WEAR and USE these things. It’s just STUFF that will outlive us all if we store it away. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/expensive-items-go-unworn#post-2098442 Tue, 11 Feb 2020 12:36:41 +0000 April 2098442@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>FWIW, Jason Markk's "Repel" suede/leather protectant is your friend.</p> <p>Wear the loafers, light the candles, and use the good china.&nbsp; I don't have good china so it's easy for me to say, but even china that claims it can't be put in the dishwasher can often be put in the dishwasher.&nbsp; Here are some tips:&nbsp;</p> <p><a rel="nofollow" href="https://m.wikihow.com/Clean-Fine-China-in-a-Dishwasher">https://m.wikihow.com/Clean-Fi.....Dishwasher</a></p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/expensive-items-go-unworn#post-2098438 Tue, 11 Feb 2020 12:26:03 +0000 Anonymous 2098438@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I second <b>Notsaf</b>'s comment about clothing not being an investment.&nbsp; That is a marketing ploy that gained traction and just will not go away.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/expensive-items-go-unworn#post-2098420 Tue, 11 Feb 2020 11:19:27 +0000 lyn67 2098420@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think having&nbsp; clothing&nbsp; on different levels of value makes perfect sense as we&nbsp; probably all lead our lives on different levels of&nbsp; casuality/formality not to speak about our always changing aspirations/demandings/expectations&nbsp; along our lives.<br />I too have those some precious pieces-and even if they are saved for the better they certainly have their moments of good use. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/expensive-items-go-unworn#post-2098416 Tue, 11 Feb 2020 10:25:30 +0000 notsaf 2098416@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for this thread! Such wisdom here. There is a discourse out there about garments being "investment pieces" that I think is just nonsense: clothes are things that are to be used and used up. But Kari's point about weather is a good one: it sounds as though it might be smart for you to hold off wearing those loafers if wearing them is in fact going to ruin them! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/expensive-items-go-unworn#post-2098405 Tue, 11 Feb 2020 06:51:09 +0000 Kari 2098405@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Mita, I live here too and there is a practical weather-related reason why suede sometimes goes unworn, especially this past month when it’s been so wet! But materials degrade over time, so my attitude is wear them when I can when it’s practical and won’t ruin them. I also got suede protecting spray this summer for some of my colorful suede shoes that I want to treat carefully.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/expensive-items-go-unworn#post-2098380 Tue, 11 Feb 2020 04:19:24 +0000 Bijou 2098380@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>@Joy, you are wonderful and wise. I bet you looked a million bucks in you silver outfit. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/expensive-items-go-unworn#post-2098374 Tue, 11 Feb 2020 03:34:43 +0000 Anonymous 2098374@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>In time you realize that the item may get holes, dusty, or outdated. You may change size or your needs may change. Wear it while you still can.<br /> Today I wore silver metallic pants, white and silver snow boots, and sparkly, dressy snowflake earrings with a new gifted silver metallic scarf and silver metallic socks. It was a little dressier than the culture, but was great for a cold snowy day and made me happy. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/expensive-items-go-unworn#post-2098367 Tue, 11 Feb 2020 03:19:30 +0000 Jaime 2098367@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ha, I have my own twist on this! When I actually pay more than usual for something I do wear it a lot. But that means it is probably shoes and I probably paid for exactly what I wanted and couldn't source second hand. On the other hand, I have a few vintage treasures that&nbsp;<i></i>I didn't pay much for (that is part of what makes them treasures) and I rarely wear because I could never replace them.&nbsp;<i></i> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/expensive-items-go-unworn#post-2098360 Tue, 11 Feb 2020 02:50:16 +0000 Jessikams 2098360@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don’t like to use the fancy stuff because it requires so much more work! For example, my good China can’t go in dishwasher, so I don’t use it because who wants the extra task of hand washing?<br /> Same with fancy (suede or satin) shoes— I love how they look, but they can’t stand up to urban conditions, so one has to be picking carefully through the streets, avoiding muck and puddles— I just can’t be bothered. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/expensive-items-go-unworn#post-2098354 Tue, 11 Feb 2020 01:48:26 +0000 Jules 2098354@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>A maybe sorta related thought that was a game-changer for me: since I lead an informal life with no need for nice dresses, suits or dressy shoes, it’s ok to spend more on the stuff I do wear, like jeans and sneakers. In fact it makes way more sense to invest in the stuff I actually wear. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/expensive-items-go-unworn#post-2098351 Tue, 11 Feb 2020 01:39:30 +0000 Angie 2098351@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>If not now - when?&nbsp;</p> <p>Ask yourself that question over and over again....</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/expensive-items-go-unworn#post-2098343 Tue, 11 Feb 2020 01:26:59 +0000 cindysmith 2098343@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I used to "save" the expensive stuff, but I realized there was so much churn going on with the inexpensive stuff. I got rid of most of the inexpensive stuff, and kept all the "precious" stuff because I wanted to wear that stuff because I bought it for a reason. My closet is filled with nice things that I love and love to wear. I guess I started thinking that way when I read someone said "burn the $30 candle" </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/expensive-items-go-unworn#post-2098336 Tue, 11 Feb 2020 00:34:10 +0000 Kathie 2098336@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have price points that I simply don’t go above for certain items, mostly for budget reasons, but also because I know I’ll be too precious with the item. The price points do vary- I’ll happily spend quite a bit more on a winter coat that will be worn 4-5 days/week, for 4-5 months each year, over 5+ years. Like Donna, my main problem is DCO, especially for blouses and dresses. I’m re-homing the last couple DCO dresses that I have left, and not buying anymore. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/expensive-items-go-unworn#post-2098328 Mon, 10 Feb 2020 23:39:26 +0000 CarolS 2098328@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Not so much lately, but I've been guilty of that. Worse when you buy it, let it sit for a special occasion, and then outgrow it before it gets worn. Not proud to say I let that happen a few times. :-(&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/expensive-items-go-unworn#post-2098325 Mon, 10 Feb 2020 23:13:52 +0000 The Cat 2098325@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, wealthy people have many problems. ;-)</p> <p>I don't have the problem you describe, simply because:<br /> ● (1) I cannot afford to purchase expensive items. (My friends often tell me l look like a million. But that's another story and has to do with style, not money.)<br /> ● (2) I evaluate the content of my closet every season and make sure I use all my items.<br /> Problem avoided/solved! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/expensive-items-go-unworn#post-2098324 Mon, 10 Feb 2020 23:10:27 +0000 DonnaF 2098324@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes. I have almost completely stopped buying DCO clothing so even my jackets are machine washable. Covering my outfits at home by wearing aprons constantly has also helped. Aprons also have pockets in front which I like for my phone. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/expensive-items-go-unworn#post-2098320 Mon, 10 Feb 2020 23:05:24 +0000 MsMaven 2098320@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I was raised this way: "Save your nice things for best." My last few weeks at home before I got married I got a constant reminder to save that nice dress or top until after I settled in my new married life.&nbsp;</p> <p>I don't want to take my nice designer bags to the grocery store or to class where they will sit on the floor or my lap. I just don't go out to nice &nbsp;places as much as I used to. I want to use nice things, but I don't want to waste them either. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/expensive-items-go-unworn#post-2098318 Mon, 10 Feb 2020 22:54:32 +0000 Cardiff girl 2098318@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am so guilty of this but I am making a conscious effort to wear all my things as I realised that I was in danger of going to the great closet in the sky without wearing all the things that are hanging in my wardrobe which would be ridiculous really. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/expensive-items-go-unworn#post-2098303 Mon, 10 Feb 2020 22:00:11 +0000 ChristelJ 2098303@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It's amazing how difficult it can be to wear the expensive/special items. I have the same trouble, and have to remind myself that life can change at any moment and the opportunities to wear them might disappear, for example from health issues or climate or work or other unforeseen lifestyle changes. When I get a pricey item, I try to plan outfits with it immediately and then leave it at the front and center of my closet so I will wear it, even if it's to the grocery store. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/expensive-items-go-unworn#post-2098295 Mon, 10 Feb 2020 21:50:52 +0000 rachylou 2098295@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, I’m guilty of this with anything I feel is special. I want it to last forever. You have to push yourself a bit, maybe plan to wear them whereas other things you’ll just throw them on. Put them out so you’ll do it. Or do something to make them feel less precious. I feed my dog out of my grandma’s china. Lol. </p>