https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-wear-do-you-tolerate Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 17 Apr 2026 09:32:57 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-wear-do-you-tolerate/page/2#post-1417339 Thu, 01 Jan 2015 04:47:17 +0000 Carla 1417339@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Horrible at noticing most signs of wear. I do lots of maintenance in order to keep clothes and shoes in good repair, but miss fading and tiredness. I am always shocked (and embarrassed) when I pull out clothing that hasn't been worn in a while and it is sorely faded or reveals stains I somehow missed.</p> <p>On the other hand I have *no* tolerance for pilling! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-wear-do-you-tolerate/page/2#post-1417282 Thu, 01 Jan 2015 00:50:03 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 1417282@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Detta, I think there's been a cultural shift, too. I also grew up in a family where money was tight and we wore our clothes until they weren't wearable anymore, although we had nicer things for church etc and wore the older stuff around the house to play or do chores. </p> <p>Clothes are a lot cheaper now, and considered disposable - it's expected that even people without a lot of money will have a fairly large variety of clothes, compared to what people used to have. On the flip side, wearing the same clothes for years and years is looked down on, when it used to be perfectly normal. (Not advocating this, just saying that's how it is now, at least here in the US.) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-wear-do-you-tolerate/page/2#post-1417243 Wed, 31 Dec 2014 22:48:27 +0000 Sharon 1417243@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I get that, Detta. There are a lot of people here who have really only discovered fashion in the past few years, myself included. Hopefully, you can make this a joyful and exciting experience, giving yourself some of the things you didn't have as a child. My experience as a parent is that you'll embarrass teenagers irrespective of what you wear - your mere presence on the planet is enough! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-wear-do-you-tolerate/page/2#post-1417232 Wed, 31 Dec 2014 22:23:30 +0000 detta 1417232@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think for me its just a case of having grown up poor and rural in almost entirely poor-fitting charity shop finds or hand--me-downs, and having parents who literally used to electric tape their shoes together to cover holes.</p> <p>I grew up never having any sense of fashion or looking at clothes beyond their keep-you-warm-and-not-naked factor.</p> <p>However, I'm supposed to be being a professional now, and projecting a good image, and watching my little ones growing up, I'm acutely aware of how I don't want to be the embarrassing mum, or even set them a bad example. I'm just ready for a change I guess... I really need one.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-wear-do-you-tolerate/page/2#post-1417224 Wed, 31 Dec 2014 22:08:41 +0000 Mary Beth (formerly LBD) 1417224@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>For me, it is directly proportional to how much I love the garment or the shoes - and how easily I can find a replacement. &nbsp;</p> <p>Some items, I am willing to live with some wear. &nbsp;&nbsp;I have a swingy cape-type coat I found at a thrift store that quickly became a workhorse. &nbsp;It was missing buttons and was pilled throughout - but I LOVE the style. &nbsp;&nbsp;I have since&nbsp;replaced all the buttons (and there were like, ten, yikes), and spent a good chunk of time (like, 30+ minutes) with a disposable safety razor shaving off pills. &nbsp; It is still a little fuzzy but I feel like Tippi Hedren in "Marni" when I wear it with equestrian boots and leather gloves.</p> <p>If something is stained&nbsp;and the cleaner can't get it out, out the door it goes!</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-wear-do-you-tolerate/page/2#post-1417220 Wed, 31 Dec 2014 22:01:01 +0000 Sharon 1417220@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Detta, I can always remember wearing a top that was a little worn and someone saying to me "I bet you've had that top since Uni!". It made me really aware of how other people may perceive wear.</p> <p>There seems to be two camps: those with a low thresh-hold and those who appreciate an aged look. Do you think it is related to whether you bat for Team RATE? And is fading a different beast to actual defects in the integrity of the fabric? I think I am probably more tolerant of fading, and I like the idea of fabric softened by washing, but snags or holes or puckering just upset me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-wear-do-you-tolerate/page/2#post-1417208 Wed, 31 Dec 2014 21:49:11 +0000 detta 1417208@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Argh, reading this has made me realise I really do have a bad eye/sense for looking good. Most of my clothes have some sort of visible wear, but I've inherited a bad habit of keeping them until they're literally falling apart. I've only just become aware of how other people notice little things like snags that I honestly thought no one ever picked up on.</p> <p>Judging by this thread I probably need to throw ALL of my wardrobe away. Might just do that actually.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-wear-do-you-tolerate/page/2#post-1417122 Wed, 31 Dec 2014 18:56:59 +0000 Marlene 1417122@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>As I do my closet purge, I have actually been considering this topic. &nbsp;If something is stained then I cannot overlook it. &nbsp;If it looks worn because of poor quality then I cannot overlook it. &nbsp;However, if it looks worn because of natural aging then I actually LOVE it! &nbsp;Sometimes an item really needs to look aged and becomes a part of you. &nbsp;Some of my jeans fall into this category for example. &nbsp;Sometimes natural wear is a positive. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-wear-do-you-tolerate/page/2#post-1417019 Wed, 31 Dec 2014 13:27:01 +0000 Sal 1417019@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Like many of you it depends on the team, and wear is different to stains in my book. </p> <p>I am disappointed when items do not last the distance, and annoyed with myself if I stain or ruin clothes prematurely. </p> <p>I do quite like the English aristocrat look in expensive but worn clothing! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-wear-do-you-tolerate/page/2#post-1416961 Wed, 31 Dec 2014 04:39:01 +0000 Sveta 1416961@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It does bug me when items lose their look due to pills, stains (white shirts, I am looking at you!), snags and other imperfections. I never feel good &nbsp; even when I force myself to wear them &nbsp;- so I don't. If something feels too past its prime to me it is demoted to lounge wear or beyond. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-wear-do-you-tolerate/page/2#post-1416877 Tue, 30 Dec 2014 23:52:54 +0000 thimblelina 1416877@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love the way patina from wear develops on denim &amp; chambrays, as well as leathers. I hate stains but I'm a stain removal wizard; I will give the stain a go 4 or 5 times with different products before I give up. I LOATHE PILLS. Gah! (Tell you how I really feel, right?) I have 86ed entire brands over pilling knits. There's just no excuse. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-wear-do-you-tolerate/page/2#post-1416868 Tue, 30 Dec 2014 23:35:36 +0000 MsMaven 1416868@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Many of my favorite sweaters are pilling beyond what I deem acceptable, and jeans are getting snagged thanks to my two kitties. I really shouldn't wear my good jeans when I am at home.</p> <p>In past years I have been much better at recycling or tossing worn stuff, but now I'm having a hard time with it, even though I have too many clothes. When to say good-bye to a loved sweater that has had pills removed one too many times.&nbsp;</p> <p>I have a lot of clothes that I seldom wear because I stick to my favorites. Well, tis the season to make new goals and think about what hasn't worked. Off to read more threads on this general topic. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-wear-do-you-tolerate/page/2#post-1416830 Tue, 30 Dec 2014 21:34:34 +0000 Lyn D. 1416830@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I can't tolerate shrinkage or stains, so out they go!<br />I am prepared to mend or repair items, especially favourites.<br />Sox with serious thinning at the heels I keep until there is actually a hole, but I prefer to replace undies earlier. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-wear-do-you-tolerate/page/2#post-1416822 Tue, 30 Dec 2014 21:13:52 +0000 Elly 1416822@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't mind signs of wear when it comes to most clothing, especially if a piece has given me a year or two good wear. I ABHOR signs of quality issues with clothing--- i.e. when things fade, stretch or&nbsp;deform prematurely, shrink greatly or unevenly, or pill (sweaters get an exception, knits do not). I don't mind de-pilling something (a sweater!!!)&nbsp;1-4 times a season if it actually de-pills well. Having to do it after every wear isn't going to happen, and I am one that notices this on others.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-wear-do-you-tolerate/page/2#post-1416811 Tue, 30 Dec 2014 20:54:18 +0000 Roxanna 1416811@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great q! I am particularly picky with knits - I hate when there are fluff balls or fuzzies on the front or under the arms (even if they are slight.) I have tried uying more expensive merino sweaters (Theory instead of Club monaco and j crew) - we'll see if they wear better. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-wear-do-you-tolerate#post-1416752 Tue, 30 Dec 2014 17:57:41 +0000 kkards 1416752@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>my tolerence is directly related to my love of the item. if i was lukewarm on it, then it goes pretty fast, if it was a total love, then i'll wear it until&nbsp;it's embrassing (but i'll downgrade where it gets worn). that being said, i'm typically pretty good about care.....i only clean sweaters about 2 times a season, dry clean all dark pants to reduce fading, take shoes to the shoemaker on a regular basis, use the dryer as little as possible. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-wear-do-you-tolerate#post-1416723 Tue, 30 Dec 2014 16:37:45 +0000 Anonymous 1416723@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sadly, I am so picky that I either toss or donate the item (depending on the type and degree of wear). &nbsp;I am particularly sensitive to staining. &nbsp;If it is stained, out it goes. &nbsp;I don't know why I am this way. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-wear-do-you-tolerate#post-1416722 Tue, 30 Dec 2014 16:36:01 +0000 Jules 1416722@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Pretty low tolerance.<br /> The main motivation when I initially started dressing better was to perform better self-esteem and get that reflected back at me, and I think visible wear is a pretty glaring sign of having given up (or not caring for personal/political/enviro reasons, which I can respect, but the person has to really own it). Come to think of it, this thread made me realize wear is probably one reason I've gone off black - black cotton blend jerseys/knits just fade so quickly, and differently from one item to the next so you end up with many different shades of black. They lose their freshness quickly and are hard to wear together. I also am seeing that more expensive denim wears better. Stripes and patterns can wear better than solids, not showing faint stains, fading or even pilling as much, something my mom taught me when I was young.<br /> OTOH, from ylf I've realized knits are a crapshoot. Even buying the same brand, with the ever-changing blends (11% X! 23% Y! etc), you get varied wear results. So I buy fewer items, but allow myself to go trendy, no expectation of "investment" essentials.<br /> I do try to either donate items while they still have some life in them, or wear them out as loungewear. It doesn't bother me to wear worn stuff around the house and it helps me keep my good stuff more pristine and ready when I need it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-wear-do-you-tolerate#post-1416680 Tue, 30 Dec 2014 14:18:52 +0000 Anonymous 1416680@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Quietgirl</b>, I've had a problem with knits, and I honestly don't know what the issue is. I only buy machine washable sweaters, and wash them inside out in cold water on the gentle cycle; dry flat (no heat)... yet almost all of the ones I bought last year have pilled badly. I replaced most of them this year, and bought from a different store (Lands' End) in hopes of better quality. I don't expect sweaters to go the distance like my workhorses, but I do expect a certain level of quality, and just one season is unacceptable to me. I'll let you know how my Lands' End sweaters hold up. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-wear-do-you-tolerate#post-1416654 Tue, 30 Dec 2014 12:48:16 +0000 Quietgirl 1416654@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am with ya'll.......low tolerance. My pet peeve is knitwear. My new BF sweater (merino wool from JCrew) looks horrible before the first drycleaning.<br /> Granted, I snagged it while carpet shopping at Lowes but the rest of the pills and fuzz just seem to stem from poor quality. Maybe I AM hard on my sweaters?</p> <p>Has anyone else had the "knits last only one year" problem? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-wear-do-you-tolerate#post-1416631 Tue, 30 Dec 2014 10:41:33 +0000 Ashish101 1416631@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>@lousie i experienced&nbsp;the same thing that u had noticed on your appreal..<br />infact much more than you </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-wear-do-you-tolerate#post-1416629 Tue, 30 Dec 2014 10:12:50 +0000 Louise 1416629@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh dear you'd hate my favourite hoodie!! It's all frayed at the sleeves and has several small holes in it!! Thankfully I only wear it for lounge wear. Seriously though I live with 4 cats so I am very tolerant of snags as Tigger in particular likes to have a good knead at my lap before he settles down for a nap, if I'm quick enough I pop a blanket on my lap first. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-wear-do-you-tolerate#post-1416578 Tue, 30 Dec 2014 03:36:45 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 1416578@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm with everyone else, I tend to have pretty low tolerance. It depends a lot on the item and the fabric, though. Jeans that have faded can, up to a certain point, look better than when they were new. Same with some other wovens - linen shirts only get drapier and more luscious even if the dye has faded a bit. Most knits, though, once they start looking old, need to be replaced. I suppose I'm less picky about PJs and such but even they need to fit and not have stains or holes. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-wear-do-you-tolerate#post-1416577 Tue, 30 Dec 2014 03:35:18 +0000 Windchime 1416577@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Since starting a wardrobe building process, I'm more aware of, less tolerant of, and more dismayed by signs of wear in my now carefully-chosen clothing items. Like others have mentioned, I too will tolerate some pilling in knitwear, as long as I don't think people will notice. One of my new merino wool turtlenecks just developed a small hole; I sure hope it can be inconspicuously repaired.<br /> I've had tee shirts shrink even though they are washed in cold water and line dried; then it's time to pass them on. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-wear-do-you-tolerate#post-1416560 Tue, 30 Dec 2014 02:54:39 +0000 Jaime 1416560@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Very interesting question - now that I am blabbing away about my new job in a thrift store I will answer - very little! I am in charge of quality control and am quite tough on any sweater with pilling, any staining at all, black fading, loose hems and falling threads.&nbsp;etc. This has absolutely spilled over to my attitude toward my own clothes.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-wear-do-you-tolerate#post-1416557 Tue, 30 Dec 2014 02:51:00 +0000 Anonymous 1416557@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Fading and pilling can happen so gradually that I try to routinely replace knitwear and black pants yearly. White too if it starts to yellow or stained. Knits in general don't seem to hold up well so I hate to spend much for them, although fabric content makes a difference. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-wear-do-you-tolerate#post-1416548 Tue, 30 Dec 2014 02:29:03 +0000 Suz 1416548@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am glad you raised this.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;My favourite Citizens of Humanity skinnies have mysteriously sprouted a couple of pulls on the calf. How could that happen? I suspect maybe they snagged on my suitcase when I was travelling...</p> <p>I am going to do my best to fix them, but I am kicking myself that I didn't duplicate last year when they were available. I love those jeans so much.&nbsp;</p> <p>As you say, it is usually the favourites that show wear the fastest, which makes sense, of course.&nbsp;</p> <p>I think those with a polished style will in general tolerate fewer signs of wear. I notice that I have a distinct preference for newer items. Part of it is the thrill of novelty. But another part, for me at least, is that those items feel and look pristine.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>I do allow some pills on sweaters, although I try to remove them when I notice them. Fading on jeans that are supposed to be faded already is fine. A bit of patina on more rugged boots or leather jackets is also fine. But on most things? Forget it.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-wear-do-you-tolerate#post-1416539 Tue, 30 Dec 2014 02:01:24 +0000 Anonymous 1416539@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have almost zero tolerance - just can't deal with it. I have a couple of sweaters with pills that I've started to wear only on weekends; but as soon as my budget recovers from my 2014 purchases and I find fab replacements, they'll be purged from my wardrobe entirely. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-wear-do-you-tolerate#post-1416537 Tue, 30 Dec 2014 01:59:47 +0000 deb 1416537@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Staysfit, for me there is nothing better than a summer cotton shirt that has been worn to an inch of its life. They are so soft and comfortable. And I really like the look with denim. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-wear-do-you-tolerate#post-1416531 Tue, 30 Dec 2014 01:52:43 +0000 Staysfit 1416531@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oops, sneakers are a very special case, especially for runners. Those get replaced by mileage, or by worn treads on the bottom whichever happens first. In the winter, my treadmill wreaks havoc on my sneakers. </p> <p>Other exercise gear can go until it rips or has been washed so many times it is either stiff or transparent. </p>