Garment Life

What is a reasonable lifespan for a garment? There are huge variables. I think a thin cotton blouse will not have as long a lifespan as a sturdy winter coat, for example, just because of garment construction and fabric quality. But then again, the use a particular garment sees can play a huge factor. If you wear an article of clothing every week for 7 months out of the year, it will wear more quickly than something you wear two a month for 4 months out of the year. And then again, specific activities take their toll. Sportswear ages more quickly than fancy dress, I imagine.

How do you determine when to let go of a garment? Style? When it's looking shabby? A bit of both? What are your general expectations for the lifespan of garments?

I have several overfull boxes of clothes waiting to be donated and it's got me thinking about how long I hold on to things. I think I tend to keep things for a long time. The average age for one of my casual shirts must be about 7 years. I still have t-shirts, etc. that I've had since at least 2003. And I wear them! Often! But some are looking shabby now and I've put them in the box. :)

And so as not to have a post without pictures, here's how my knitting is coming along:


Comments

  1. Your knitting looks so neat! I love the colours that you have chosen.
    My clothes possibly have a shorter lifespan than most as I am a very messy person and mine seem to suffer from bleach stains,rips and tears before too long.I'm trying to wear aprons more now!!

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  2. Oh my gosh, that knitting is absolutely beautiful!! Such lovely colours, blending together beautifully... I can't wait to seed the finished garment!
    With me and retiring clothes, it is a bit of both, both styling as in how out of date something is and whether I feel silly in it as I get older, and wear. If it is a "wear" decision, then I generally replace it fairly soon, as it is obviously a staple.

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  3. You have had me thinking about how long I keep clothes for. I have a 1960s winter coat bought fifteen years ago that I still wear, and I tend to wear tee shirts and trousers till they fall apart! I am quite good at purging stuff that no longer fits though. I think having limited storage space helps. the kniiting look lovely.

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  4. Very pretty knitting, the colors are lovely! :)
    I think I also hold on to things pretty long. I still have some things that I bought when I was 17 or 18 (which, being 25 now, isn't ages, but I guess it is pretty long if you figure in that it's mostly inexpensive RTW clothing from H&M...) For the past two years, I've been trying to cull all garments that haven't been worn in 1-2 years, or the ones that look too worn. Since I've been sewing, there has also been a change from jeans&tops to dresses in my wardrobe.

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