How old are your clothes?

[dawnwes]

I buy new clothes when they either no longer fit or are falling apart. My husband is the same. I finally threw some of his underwear away myself. They came out of the wash with way too many holes.

[josetann]

I buy new clothes when they either no longer fit or are falling apart. My husband is the same. I finally threw some of his underwear away myself. They came out of the wash with way too many holes.

I save those old pairs of underwear and socks. When we go on a vacation, those articles of clothing make a one-way trip with us. Helps make room in the luggage for the extra stuff that always comes back (some souvenir shirts, knick knack or two, couple toys for the kids, etc.). And it's that much less that has to be washed when we get back home

[snafu]

Our older condo doesn't have walk-in closets so we instigated a 'new in - old out' system to limit volume and keep the amount of weekly laundry more manageable. It's worked better than I imagined. A new shirt or slacks means some type of shirt or slacks/jeans/chinos leaves. We all have wardrobes sub divided by special occasion, work, casual or chore garb. DH even has a couple of Ts, shorts, & socks [go over shoes] in the painting bin. Father's day, birthday's, travel additions often means a quick closet review that results in additions to the Donate box. Someone else can enjoy wearing a garment in good condition but no longer worn.

There is no point in keeping items that are badly soiled or stained. Some socks seem terrific in the store but they shed 'fluff' that several washes doesn't fix. If not worn they don't meet your needs so they may as well go! Having a use it or lose it mentality combined with what will leave has resulted in more thoughtful purchases. Sometimes I get to the till and realize I don't want to relinquish an item, impulse buying has nearly evaporated.

[disneysteve]

keep the amount of weekly laundry more manageable

How does it impact the laundry volume? You still wear the same amount of clothing whether it is new or old.

[Mjenn]

I have a lot of old clothing, and that which is too unstylish to wear out, I usually use as pajamas or gym clothes. Basic pieces, like great work skirts and blouses, some of them I have had for 5-8 years. Some of my newer things are part of a clothing swap some friends and I organize once every two months. You bring stuff you are tired of and swap it for things other people are tired of. It is a free and easy way to freshen up your wardrobe. And I always ask other people I know before I throw away something unless it is completely in tatters (like if I find I don't like the way something fits, or I discover I don't have anything to wear with the item - I hate shopping and always have a terrible time finding clothes, which is why I probably also keep clothes I like for a really long time)

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Most of stuff right at this instant within a year. But it's been well used and loved. I am pregnant exactly 6 months off season from the first time and so I got my hand me downs from friends who were pregnant last year and same thing happened to them. They ended up buying and I am the lucky recipient. I will hang on to my clothes because Now I'm set for all seasons for the next pregnancy. Then I'll pass it along free to boot.

But otherwise, I'd say it depends. I've fluctuated in the last 3-4 years and I decided I won't ever get back to pre-pre-pregnancy weight and size so 90% of those clothes went. I kept one jeans and a couple dresses if I get that thing well then I'll buy something. If not then oh well. My DH called these the fat years. Ugh.

He's the same size from 20 years ago but college clothes don't look professional. For the most part he only replaces things when worn, but in general I would say every 5 years although socks and underwear more often.

I noticed shoes, I replace my every 6 months for sneakers but I use them daily. He replaces his about once a year from just wear on the soles. No it's not worth resoling considering how expensive it is to resole a shoe. $75 shoe and $20 to resole? Ugh.

Also thrift shopping I haven't found cheap clothes. I looked like crazy for maternity stuff and nothing cheap. I have better luck getting hand me down or trading clothes with friends or cheap stuff from old navy/target. I got cheap tanks for $1 from old navy for this summer a size larger than I normally am. They are perfect. Thrift stores depends on where you live and how much they want to charge.

Just like craigslist I really have to scour the ads for a good deal because here people ask a ridiculous about for a used stroller when buying new is less than say $50 more or something crazy.

[My English Castle]

Funny Topic

I have some basic dresses from more than 10 years ago--They're good for dressing up and down. My heavy winter down jackets dates back to my first marriage too.
I agree with Monkey Mama. I don't buy clothes for myself at Target, but they way DD grows, a fair amount of her stuff comes from there or Old Navy.
Like Disney Steve, my husband wears his late father-in-law's shirts. When my dad died, he had shirts given to him as gifts he'd never worn, so DH wears them now.

[josetann]

$75 shoe and $20 to resole? Ugh.

I dunno, if the shoe's still in good shape, that's a $55 savings. Me, if the sole starts to come off, I glue it back on (shoe goo if I can get it...super glue if I'm in a pinch). But once the sole is actually worn out, the rest of the shoe is too. But if the shoe was in decent shape, I'd love to save some money by resoling.

Just like craigslist I really have to scour the ads for a good deal because here people ask a ridiculous about for a used stroller when buying new is less than say $50 more or something crazy.

Again, $50 is $50. I'd want to know that it's virtually brand-new to pay that much though. And people on Craigslist often price higher than they think they'll sell it for, because people like me will ask "would you take $75 for it?" if it's priced at $100.

[Gailete]

This past week, I felt like I should be playing Taps when I threw out two pairs of shorts when their elastic gave out with that crackly sound. One of the pairs of shorts was 20 years old and the other a bit younger. I know I could have replaced the elastic, but there isn't much point on mending fabric that old as it is getting ready to give up as well. Lets see, 20 years times at least 10 wearings a summer is 200 wearings and washings. I think I got my money's worth. I make most of my clothes and can't quite remember the last garment I made myself, probably a couple years ago and the clothes I make wear like iron. I believe highly in comfort and not so much fashion, so I stick with simple more classic lines.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

$50 is not $50. The wear and tear and it's not in the condition it would be in if i bought it new. Not worth it because I know I'm definitely more careful than these people selling it. And $55 maybe, but typically the shoe itself is pretty worn. It's different if the shoe is new but to wear out a sole?

[LizfromtheBronx]

Most of my clothing is fairly new - a year old or less. I had lap band surgery 20 months ago, and am happy to report that I've lost 60 lbs so far. Thankfully, I am dropping sizes fairly slowly, so I'm not constantly buying new clothing - but very few things from my "fat" days still fits and looks good (clothing that is too large is never flattering).

I shop almost exclusively at Old Navy these days, since I can usually wait for a 30% off code.

I've started going to the gym pretty seriously, so there's been a significant investment in gym gear (sneakers, sports bras - cheap ones are not sufficient, I have a large chest, pants, tops). I waited a few weeks into my gym habit to make sure I was going to keep it up, and since I've been going consistently 8x/week (not a typo!) for the last few months, the gear is justified.

A few things from my old life are still hanging around in a useful way. I bought a winter coat right after surgery, and while it's a tad big now, winter clothes are heavier, so it still works. I have a feeling next winter, I'll need to get a new one, but will probably buy a similar one (Lands End, bought on major sale). Many sweatshirts and sweaters still work (they were probably too tight before!)

I also have a "new in - old out" rule. For every new item I buy, I have to get rid of an older item, unless it's an absolutely necessary purchase. Since I'm not a super impulsive shopper, most things I buy are similar to something old, just in a smaller size so it's easy. Shoes are the only area I have trouble with...

[josetann]

$50 is not $50. The wear and tear and it's not in the condition it would be in if i bought it new. Not worth it because I know I'm definitely more careful than these people selling it. And $55 maybe, but typically the shoe itself is pretty worn. It's different if the shoe is new but to wear out a sole?

Last time I looked in my wallet, $50 was still $50. Ok ok, I admit...I haven't actually SEEN a $50 bill for a while...have they changed THAT much?

I get what you're saying, and will agree to a point. Let's say the shoe is 75% worn out. Now we're talking about paying $50 to squeeze that last 25% of life out of the shoe. Not worth it if a new pair of shoes cost under $100.

But if the shoes are in great shape, and would easily last just as long as before with a new sole...I'm all for it! Well, as long as resoling didn't cost more than a new pair of shoes (of similar build quality).

To be fair, I've never gotten a pair of shoes resoled. By the time the sole is worn out, the rest of it is as well. I have patched them up using super glue and shoe goo though. At that point they've become my yard work shoes...and they don't last much longer after that.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Let me further the critique, selling a stroller for $50 after 2-3 years of use? Um no. Why would I pay that much for something that easily has used more than half the life away? Then discount it 50% or more off. Now if something is steeply discounted in direct correlation to the wear and tear and age then fine. But if not? Then why would you pay for a used item to save $50? I'm all for free or cheap used, but I'm never going to pay close to new cost for an obviously used item.

Also with shoes, we're talking resoling $75 shoes, have I ever considered resoling? Yes. But those are more for shoes that cost like $400 or $500. Those definitely, I would spend $20 to get more life. But a shoe that is obviously worn and not that expensive?

Remember the saying penny wise and pound foolish? That's my in-laws. They try to save a penny but spend a fortune on being stupid. I'm all for saving money but I try to do it in ways that make sense and don't cause other people harm or to pay your way.

I've noticed people who want to squeeze every penny saved often times do so at the expense of others. They expect others to pick up their slack so they can "save" money. Remember our thread cheap versus frugal? That's cheap not frugal.

[disneysteve]

Let me further the critique, selling a stroller for $50 after 2-3 years of use? Um no. Why would I pay that much for something that easily has used more than half the life away? Then discount it 50% or more off. Now if something is steeply discounted in direct correlation to the wear and tear and age then fine. But if not? Then why would you pay for a used item to save $50?

We are off the topic of clothing here, but there's nothing wrong with buying something used to save money as long as the item will still meet your needs. If I can save $50 by buying a used one and that used one is in good shape and will last for as long as I need it, why wouldn't I consider that? The great thing we found with buying used baby items is that when we were done with them, we were often able to turn around and resell them for about the same price we had paid. Used items hold their value much better than new items.

[JoeP]

Dress pants generally last 3 years, maybe more if I have enough in rotation. Usually the cuffs get a little worn, or a zipper breaks, or a button pops (I can fix that), or the crease gets a little thread bare. Dress shirts last about 2-3 years, and then the cuffs fray.

Jeans, if I take care of them and keep a couple for "dress" occasions (not outdoor work), last anywhere from 4-6 years. Then they get relegated to outdoor use and last another 2-3 years.

T-shirts: I have a LOT of these, and some are from the early 1990s. I usually wear trash ones with holes/rips for outdoor work, or work where I have to crawl under a car or operate machinery.

I usually top off my supply of underwear and socks with a new bag of each every year, and throw out the ones that look the most pathetic.