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Yeah, we buy new stuff, even if we're not super much into fashion. Going to a job interview? It's a cool startup, so I don't have to wear a suit but I need clot

Yeah, we buy new stuff, even if we're not super much into fashion. Going to a job interview? It's a cool startup, so I don't have to wear a suit but I need clothes that don't look like rags. Oh, looking for an apartment? The landlord probably doesn't want his property to look as worn out as this person's clothes. So yeah, we need to buy new clothes. And to not spend too much money it's best to buy cheap stuff, right? In fact the more is expensive stuff not only lasts longer but it also looks non-embarrassing in 5 years. Actually I once read that the french (the epicentre of fashion) have only very few clothes. Actually a year ago or so I watched a documentary about minimalism. So there are people who have like 30 (!!!!) things. Of course they are moderate but there's also a nice technique: writing down the stuff you want to buy on a list. You look at the list one month later and if you still need it, you gonna buy it. Wanna save CO2? You can go every one or two months to the mall and buy the stuff from your list. This also saves annoying returns, buying stuff that instantly breaks because you never had it in your hands etc etc...

TeMPOraL 9y ago
> And to not spend too much money it's best to buy cheap stuff, right? In fact the more is expensive stuff not only lasts longer but it also looks non-embarrassing in 5 years. In my experience yes, it's best to buy cheap clothes. Brands know this reasoning, and so expensive clothes (and shoes) tend to be of similar quality as the cheap ones. You pay premium for the brand. That, or I'm such a special person that I can wear down any trousers or shoes in half a year, one year tops, regardless of the price.
- enraged_camel 9y ago
  My experience is the exact opposite. Pratchett described it best: http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/72745-the-reason-that-the-rich-were-so-rich-vimes-reasoned http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/72745-the-reason-that-the-ri... The clothes I buy are on the expensive side, but they last me a long time. The trick is to avoid popular, fashionable brands, and go for utility brands instead. I own a pair of hiking pants I bought from REI nine years ago and to this they day are my favorite pair.
- MR4D 9y ago
  I think you are confusing quality with expensive. Quality clothes are definitely not cheap, but expensive clothes are sometimes not quality.
  - TeMPOraL 9y ago
    I'm not. I'm doubting the availability of quality clothes. Moreover, my main point is that the price is not a reliable proxy for quality, and I don't know of any other way I could tell between good and crappy wear. They all look the same to me.
    - MR4D 9y ago
      Understood. I'll throw out one: Allen Edmunds shoes. They are the only shoes I have (not counting tennis shoes), and all cost $300-400 each. The oldest pair I have is 27 years old and still look good. The youngest pair I have is about 5 years old. They are classic American shoes, solid build, excellent leather. Unlike fancy Italian shoes, they last forever with care and maintenance. I will never, ever, buy another brand of shoes. And I really don't care how much they cost because they are clearly worth it. I have to say, it's fun getting compliments on shoes and then seeing the look on someone's face when they hear the shoes are a quarter century old. :)

TeMPOraL 9y ago

> And to not spend too much money it's best to buy cheap stuff, right? In fact the more is expensive stuff not only lasts longer but it also looks non-embarrassing in 5 years. In my experience yes, it's best to buy cheap clothes. Brands know this reasoning, and so expensive clothes (and shoes) tend to be of similar quality as the cheap ones. You pay premium for the brand. That, or I'm such a special person that I can wear down any trousers or shoes in half a year, one year tops, regardless of the price.

enraged_camel 9y ago
My experience is the exact opposite. Pratchett described it best: http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/72745-the-reason-that-the-rich-were-so-rich-vimes-reasoned http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/72745-the-reason-that-the-ri... The clothes I buy are on the expensive side, but they last me a long time. The trick is to avoid popular, fashionable brands, and go for utility brands instead. I own a pair of hiking pants I bought from REI nine years ago and to this they day are my favorite pair.
MR4D 9y ago
I think you are confusing quality with expensive. Quality clothes are definitely not cheap, but expensive clothes are sometimes not quality.
- TeMPOraL 9y ago
  I'm not. I'm doubting the availability of quality clothes. Moreover, my main point is that the price is not a reliable proxy for quality, and I don't know of any other way I could tell between good and crappy wear. They all look the same to me.
  - MR4D 9y ago
    Understood. I'll throw out one: Allen Edmunds shoes. They are the only shoes I have (not counting tennis shoes), and all cost $300-400 each. The oldest pair I have is 27 years old and still look good. The youngest pair I have is about 5 years old. They are classic American shoes, solid build, excellent leather. Unlike fancy Italian shoes, they last forever with care and maintenance. I will never, ever, buy another brand of shoes. And I really don't care how much they cost because they are clearly worth it. I have to say, it's fun getting compliments on shoes and then seeing the look on someone's face when they hear the shoes are a quarter century old. :)