What To Do When A Workhorse Unexpectedly Departs Your Closet:(

Hi Ladies,

In September I bought a new pair of black tapered track pants. They were nice and drapey and perfect for dressing up or down. I bought them to wear firstly with a Metalicus top for the fundraiser fashion parade I was working on.

Well as the weather started to warm up, I have worn them a few times and there was not question these were going to be a Spring/Summer workhorse. Decided on the weekend that they probably needed a wash:( Washed them as per the instructions and they have shrunk. They still fit fine around the bottom, stomach and waist but have shrunk in length and the lower leg has shrunk to the point where after wearing them for a few hours today, I had serious knee sag. They have become much more skinny which looks good from the front but not from the side.

Phoned the store who were wonderful and they are happy to refund BUT upon realizing I am loosing these, I am acutely aware of the plans I had for them I feel a little lost. I know this is such a first world problem but you are the ones who I know understand , and of course I have other pants... but...

Here's hoping I can find a replacement soon.

This sort of thing rarely happens to me. How do you feel when this happens?

xxxDeborah

11 years ago

Neel

Veteran

Yep the old saying ... You realize the worth of good track pants only after you lose it. *sigh* Sending some YLF fairy dust your way ... I am sure you would find a better replacement :). There are loads in the market right now.

Deborah

Thanks Neel. I don't think our market is quite as saturated with this look as the US, but you have made sit and think about where I have seen these. Shopping tomorrow

Alexandra

(website)

It's never a good thing when a workhorse leaves your closet, but when the departure is unexpected, it's even worse. I can only offer commiseration and hope that you find a great replacement soon.

gryffin

Deborah - I really feel your pain on this one. Sorry the track pants did not wash well, but I totally empathize. Okay, so everyone knows I'm a long jacket freak. They are the basis of my long over lean work wardrobe. Since it's still very difficult to find new long blazers, I have several old ones (we're talking 10+ yrs) that look great and flattering to my eye and they've all been relined once. I now have attrition since the actual fabrics are starting to show wear. What's a girl to do? It's either lemming to what's current or evolve. So I've added a few long toppers - not marketed as blazers but I wear them that way and do you know what I am totally in love with this look!! I am still on blazer lookout but I am enjoying these different silhouettes too!! But, annoying as it is to lose a beloved piece, this style is still available to you. I think you should make replacement, and may I humbly suggest duplication, duplication and more duplication, a priority as soon as time and pocketbook permit. I finally found black and gray jeans ( I spent a good chunk of this month's outfit allowance on duplicating them because if I stain those light grays I will be so upset!!) I think we need to pay attention to wardrobe items that become key players. You need to keep back up - at least for me - if I let it slide the style is gone and that's a problem. Good luck on the hunt. I hope something wonderful turns up asap!!

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Sharon

That is really annoying! On the plus side, you got to trial the style. Given that you have found them to be so useful, you could almost certainly justify spending a bit more on them if you found one in a fabrication that that was a bit more durable.

crutcher

OK...you learned a good lesson...You had these pants and they filled a need as well as a want but you had to learn that these were not serviceable for your situation..Come on you should be able to wash them, right?...Well, you now are on the hunt for a better quality pants that will meet your needs...Simple and easy peasy just find them...Best wishes as you begin the hunt...

Thanks Gryffin, wise words! They are indeed a style that I think are worth duplicating. I duplicated my black Metalicus drape top in dark red recently, but you know I could buy another 2 in black...and I just might lol.

Sharon and Crutcher, the disappointing thing is I loved the fabric and they weren't cheap so I expected longevity from these:) but you are right and I will be assessing fabric closely and am happy to invest more if necessary:)

Deborah - you know what I am going to say, when in doubt buy! PS can you get another pair of the same track pants and try dry cleaning? I have all my precious stuff (even the not "good" stuff") done at the cleaners. I know more expense and you shouldn't have to, can't remember the thread by Angie agreed things do hold up better. Just a thought.

Anonymous

Boy, do I ever feel your pain. Gryffin has a good point, though. If you can manage to get another pair of the same track pants, maybe you could try dry cleaning them. Good luck!

jackiec

Aw, that's too bad, Deborah!! I feel your pain. I feel like practically everything I wash gets messed up these days too - and that's even following strict directions. I recently washed a lightweight Vince sweater, lay flat to dry, followed all instructions perfectly. It totally shrunk I can also wear it, but it's really not the same. I feel your pain. LOL at first world problems...

unfrumped

Empathy also.
Especially with any thoughts of minimalism or even moderatism, I have been trying not to mindlessly dupe items, in part because of "splitting the wears" and in part because I can sense there will be an updated version in awhile and so the workhorse may be a type or silhouette or even color, and wouldn't have to be the exact same item.
Your post is timely because I've started thinking along those lines, having not duplicates but "stand in" items so I've got more variety but could still create same or similar outfits until the replacement or new version came along.
For example, I might have a high-low sweater in a couple of styles but similar color, or a boxy sweater in 2 different neutrals, maybe each one works best with certain bottoms but are versatile enough to cross over.

I also have intentionally babied and dry cleaned some "skinny" pants that are the only item I have in that style and no replacement on the horizon--so definitely trying to keep them going and not take a risk, whereas for another item I might actually want to test drive the washability, because if it didn't do well I would not buy more of the same, or I need to know if I need shrinkage room in sizing.

Didn't mean to make it your fault for not carefully inspecting the fabric...There is absolutely not way you would have known...gryffin is right about taking another route rather than washing them..I swear by Dryelle and do all of my pants, etc that way...

Caro in Oz

Darn that's annoying Deborah, especially when you followed the instructions. I do notice a sharp decline in the quality of clothing fabric here - even expensive clothing.

Country Road had some - they were probably too sporty but maybe worth a look.

Really annoying and can be upsetting too, I know. But you know what I try to use these situations for? To remind myself that it's just a piece of clothing, and that perspective is in order - because I'm the first one to get inordinately attached to a good idea I go by the adage: things come , and things go -

ironkurtin

Definitely I feel annoyed. But chin up, lots of pants in the world! There will be another.

Suz

That is truly annoying. I am glad they are refunding (as well they should - especially since you are a very loyal customer) but refunds don't fix the wardrobe hole. I might be tempted to try another pair of the same if they are on sale, but I would also do as others have suggested and look for a more durable substitute -- clearly these were going to be key players.

It's funny how sometimes we can't predict in advance what our wardrobe heros are going to be. Especially with new silhouettes or styles; it's not always self-evident when we're standing there at the cash.

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