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Why is it unthinkable? I do. I wouldn't consider throwing something away I ripped somehow, unless it was also nearing worn out - like all the material was becom

Why is it unthinkable? I do. I wouldn't consider throwing something away I ripped somehow, unless it was also nearing worn out - like all the material was becoming worn or too thin. I might have been sniffy about it in my 20s. Couldn't care less nowadays as it bears no relation to my poverty or not.

Freak_NL 8y ago
Isn't it the other way around? Someone who mends their own clothes looks capable, creative, and economical. Also, elbow patches are trendy. Of course there is a difference between mending otherwise fine clothing and having to go on wearing worn or threadbare clothes, as you rightly point out.
- gtrfreewifi 8y ago
  People who are confident and strong can definitely pull off mended clothes. On the other hand, it's not wise to hand your children obviously mended stuff if you know that they already struggle socially. Bullies sense the weak ones and attacks based on clothing are common, also in later life (although this phenomenon peaks at school).
barry-cotter 8y ago
It’s about signaling social status. If you dress in cheap clothes but you drive a really nice car no one’s going to think you’re poor. If you wear the exact same clothes and don’t have a car people will make a different guess as to your social status.
- scarface74 8y ago
  I just took my son to buy his first car on his own. I told my son that if we couldn’t make the numbers work for him, I would just let him take over payments on my car for the next year ($300/month) and I would by myself another car. I guess because of the cheap car I was driving (It is about $15K brand new and I bought it used four years ago) and I showed up in just casual clothes, they thought I was struggling. When they heard I was contemplating buying myself a car instead and I was looking at some of the higher end cars, they kept steering me to the lower cost cars. Not that I would have bought anything from there anyway. I don’t buy new cars.
- NeedMoreTea 8y ago
  I think I may inhabit a parallel universe. ;) We're talking about at work, where I've never seen any hint it matters beyond be clean, be presentable, be personable etc. 30 years ago, usually wear a suit. In other words, fit in. Choose carefully when making first impression - be that interview or date. :) At work being junior programmer or CTO reveals status. These days both rich and poor alike will buy £10 jeans, or £2 T shirts. I think no less of them or any higher of someone with a label addiction, if I even noticed. I would think a lot less of someone who acted on perceived social status at work. We're not there for a first date.

Freak_NL 8y ago

Isn't it the other way around? Someone who mends their own clothes looks capable, creative, and economical. Also, elbow patches are trendy. Of course there is a difference between mending otherwise fine clothing and having to go on wearing worn or threadbare clothes, as you rightly point out.

gtrfreewifi 8y ago
People who are confident and strong can definitely pull off mended clothes. On the other hand, it's not wise to hand your children obviously mended stuff if you know that they already struggle socially. Bullies sense the weak ones and attacks based on clothing are common, also in later life (although this phenomenon peaks at school).

barry-cotter 8y ago

It’s about signaling social status. If you dress in cheap clothes but you drive a really nice car no one’s going to think you’re poor. If you wear the exact same clothes and don’t have a car people will make a different guess as to your social status.

scarface74 8y ago
I just took my son to buy his first car on his own. I told my son that if we couldn’t make the numbers work for him, I would just let him take over payments on my car for the next year ($300/month) and I would by myself another car. I guess because of the cheap car I was driving (It is about $15K brand new and I bought it used four years ago) and I showed up in just casual clothes, they thought I was struggling. When they heard I was contemplating buying myself a car instead and I was looking at some of the higher end cars, they kept steering me to the lower cost cars. Not that I would have bought anything from there anyway. I don’t buy new cars.
NeedMoreTea 8y ago
I think I may inhabit a parallel universe. ;) We're talking about at work, where I've never seen any hint it matters beyond be clean, be presentable, be personable etc. 30 years ago, usually wear a suit. In other words, fit in. Choose carefully when making first impression - be that interview or date. :) At work being junior programmer or CTO reveals status. These days both rich and poor alike will buy £10 jeans, or £2 T shirts. I think no less of them or any higher of someone with a label addiction, if I even noticed. I would think a lot less of someone who acted on perceived social status at work. We're not there for a first date.