Worn elbows

ANewMindset

I wore a blazer the other day that i thought looked great. It was only when i took it off at night that i noticed the elbows are worn! And shiny!
At that point I looked in my closet and noticed several other blazers that have the same issue.

This could go one of two ways....
1)if i didnt notice, no one else will or
2)time for new blazers

ETA: actually just noticed it on some fleece sweatshirts! They look good otherwise. I wonder if this is all I will see, now that I have noticed it!

Curious to what fabbers think about this.

Thanks!

1 year ago

Dressing

9 replies

Latest reply was from Janet

Cardiff girl

Veteran

I personally wouldn’t worry that much until l developed an actual hole in the elbow but then we all have different tolerances of wear.

1 year ago

Echo

Veteran

This would depend on other factors for me. Objectively, how noticeable is it? What sort of fabric is it? Would a wash or dry cleaning or even a fabric brush help? Is the blazer formal or less so? Does the piece have other signs of wear? It is an ideal fit or does it "do the job" when you might love something else more?

If it is a more casual piece, I wouldn't stress about it much, although I'd keep an eye out for an ideal replacement (which can sometimes take a LONG time to find!). If it is more dressy, I'd defer back to how noticeable it really is when hug up and looked at from the back and whether the piece has other signs of wear.

Oh, and patches, especially on tweed or plaid jackets, can be very "dark academia" if that's your thing.

1 year ago

Tanya

Veteran

I am with Echo here. If it is a more casual piece, or say, tweed jacket, it would not bother me much. For dressier pieces, I'd look for replacement.

1 year ago

Joy

Veteran

Blazers are expensive. This could be a sign to start looking for some new ones. You will be wearing them a lot in spring and maybe summer for air conditioning inside.

1 year ago

Indigoprint

Veteran

I like to add elbow patches.
Even if it is a lined coat they can be added.

1 year ago

Anonymous

I thought of elbow patches too.
*runs off to look at jacket elbows*

1 year ago

Star

Veteran

I am a fairly RATE dresser but have a low tolerance for worn elbows, and shine from age. I think our eyes don't notice immediately but some others may. Could bring down the outfit. Once I notice things like that they bug me. Patches or editing may be the solution.

1 year ago

Runcarla

Veteran

This is a pattern of wear I completely forgot about until one day I realized I had completely worn through the elbows of a t-shirt I was wearing! Now I check more regularly.

A little wear is okay, but when too much texture is gone or there are holes, it’s time to go (or patch.)

1 year ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I’d be inclined to do an attractive patch treatment if this is a beloved item. I have tolerance for wear like this on denim jackets or leather motos because it matches the vibe. But worn out elbows on a tailored professional-wear item like a blazer would just bother me. Plus the longer you let it go, the more likely it will turn into a full-blown hole.

1 year ago

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