How often do you replace knit tops?

NCYogini4

Hi gals,

I'm wondering about your guidelines for refreshing your knit tops. I don't invest a lot in knits- mostly Express or Gap. (I prefer to spend on jackets and good denim!) I also don't wear any of my tops terribly often because I wear a uniform every day. When should I be tossing old knit tops? When do you know it's time to toss yours?

Shine on!

16 years ago

General

8 replies

Latest reply was from fathenry

Maya

Veteran

I wear my knit tops a lot more frequently than you do but I keep them around for a while. It does not make practical sense for me to keep replenishing them. As someone who is busty and has a casual lifestyle, knits just work better for me. They are essential in my wardrobe.

As far as I am concerned, they all still fit very well and even if they are a little fuzzy and faded, it hardly warrants throwing them out and buying new ones. I can't tolerate the idea of waste, and of buying things I love only to toss them in 6 months. I have knits in my closet that are years old and I post them here occasionally. No one has ever had anything bad to say, and I don't think the average person who sees me notices. I definitely don't.

16 years ago

Anonymous

I don't like to spend on knits either. I give them to the Goodwill when they seem too stretched out or pilled and that can vary depending on use. I usually plan on replacing basics like white, cream and black tanks and turtlenecks every year, but keep some of the older tanks to layer for warmth under other clothing in the winter. Because the availibility of colors change each season, I've learned to stock up when I find a great color. Last spring it was nude colored tanks. Right now it looks like it might be wise for me to buy extra grey pieces because even neutrals are sometimes hard to find...like navy this past year.

16 years ago

Active Member

I share Maya's opinion on this. I wear knit tops frequently yet I have some items that have been in my closet for many years - and they're going to stay there until they look really, really bad. I don't mind a little fuzziness or fading and, like Maya, I think throwing them out every 6 months is a terrible waste.

16 years ago

medusa

Veteran

When I get rid of mine, I usually cut them up to use as rags around the house/garage. That way I feel less wasteful. Sometimes if a top is a true favorite, I turn it into pajamas.

I probably keep mine too long, but a knit top has to go if it:
- is stained or splotchy (in a way I can't remove)
- has a large hole
- has stretched out of shape
OR
- no longer fits.

16 years ago

Ariadne

Veteran

I have no timeline for refreshing my knits. I get rid of them when they get obviously pilly, stained, stretched-out, out of style, or smelly (I find some knits have a gross tendency to retain and promote BO! Ew.) When they get too worn looking for regular use but are still functional, they get demoted to camping, cleaning, or hair-dying tops.

Some knits have lasted only a few wears but most last me at least 1-2 years.

16 years ago

shana

Veteran

I wear lots of knits too and I sort of follow the same rules as Medusa. I have some knits that I have had for a decade or more (no joke) and others that look shabby after a season. I seem to have to buy some basic white tees/camisoles every year because they will invariable stain or yellow pretty quickly. I like to wear the heck out of my clothes so honestly, unless they don't fit any more, they end up in the trash/rag bin.

16 years ago

shiny

Veteran

What everyone else said:

- pilled
- stained
- stretched out
- no longer fits (and probably won't ever fit again! like if it shrinks horribly... but then I first try to pawn it off on my DD's!)
- ripped
- yellowed
- faded
- I splash bleach on them or wash the white ones with reds and they go pink, or with jeans and they go blue

I find that black and white knit tops wear out fastest. Black fades very easily, and white - no matter what it looks like when I pack it away at the end of the summer - ends up with yellowed pit stains, or just look grayed out. I have colored knits that I've had for several years. They get less wear than the black and white, which tend to need more frequent replacement - more like once a year.

Cheaper knits tend to pill more easily, but all knits pill eventually. Except for two BR long sleeve tops I've had for what seems like eons... they have a lot of spandex in them, so maybe that's the secret?.

If I have a knit top with interesting details that fits really well, I hand-wash instead of machine wash, to minimize pilling/shrinking/etc.

If something gets pilled or pit-stained, I have been known to wear a cardi or blazer over it and eek out some more wear. This works if you absolutely know you will NOT be taking the extra layer off!

Finally, when it gets too pilled/stained/etc, I turn it into PJ wear. This is my favorite tactic with cotton tanks and camis in particular. I will wear camis as PJ tops for a looonnnng time - typically until the dryer someday mangles the straps, chews them up, and spits them out....

16 years ago

fathenry

Veteran

I have such a hard time finding knits that look okay, so I keep them forever. I was just noticing that some of these are tired and need to go.

16 years ago

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