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matt819

(10,749 posts)

40. We're living in a different world, the population is aging, and work attire has changed

Mon Feb 5, 2018, 03:34 PM

Feb 2018

I wear only jeans, and I buy them only when I have to. There are almost no sales on Levis, and so I know that the local outfitters shop (locally owned) will probably have the best price and the size I need. No shopping needed.

As with jeans, I buy shirts only when needed, only when the ones I have wear out, and then I buy them online on sale. Not on sale? I can wait.

Underwear. I recall that Warren Buffet has his underwear scale - the more confident we feel about the economy, the more men buy underwear. Me? I buy only when I have to, and only what I have bought before. No exploring options needed.

Socks? I leave those purchases to my wife, as she is a sock fanatic. Again, she waits for online sales.

Given my late middle age habits, why would I even think about going to a mall? And I don't think I'm alone in this. Maybe my demographic is irrelevant, but more people are aging, and as long as a decent proportion are like me, that's going to have a negative impact.

Millennials? Although they may be in the work force and need updated clothes more regularly, I would posit that their purchases are down for the same reason that they're not buying homes. Student loans. Work that occupies far more than a 40-hour work week, and priorities that were different from mine at their age.

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Highlight:

The Death of Clothing [View all] Ohiogal Feb 2018 OP

The premises for the article needs a bit of adjusting Eliot Rosewater Feb 2018 #1

Cheaply made nails it. murielm99 Feb 2018 #2

Consumers demand prices that demand slave wages. And then theyre upset when bettyellen Feb 2018 #42

I don't buy that Stardust1 Feb 2018 #67

The thing is, prices should have been increasing over the years- but instead cheaper and cheaper bettyellen Feb 2018 #68

Sorry Stardust1 Feb 2018 #71

The industry is collapsing and taking department stores with them. Its been happening for 25 years bettyellen Feb 2018 #72

To be technical-- Old Navy is Gap (as is Banana Republic) crazycatlady Feb 2018 #73

I know, Gap is the parent company. I was talking about Gap division layoffs. Old Navy is in bettyellen Feb 2018 #75

I find as I get older I buy less marlakay Feb 2018 #64

why pay retail when you can get really good clothing for much less at thrift and consignment niyad Feb 2018 #3

The culture in the workplace and other places has changed. redstatebluegirl Feb 2018 #4

Panty hose and high heels Ohiogal Feb 2018 #7

The nice thing about being retired is not having to buy new clothes, The Velveteen Ocelot Feb 2018 #5

I never understood Ohiogal Feb 2018 #9

For some people shopping is a sport. The Velveteen Ocelot Feb 2018 #14

Sounds like me at the comic book store. LanternWaste Feb 2018 #52

I enjoyed clothes shopping a lot more when I was size 6-8 and had more disposable income MustLoveBeagles Feb 2018 #53

I still shop at Lands' End, and if you're careful, you can still get good quality clothes there. CaliforniaPeggy Feb 2018 #17

Most of my clothes are from Lands End. Tracer Feb 2018 #34

Yeah, the sales are great! I just bought my husband some shirts on sale. CaliforniaPeggy Feb 2018 #39

I buy Ohiogal Feb 2018 #47

Bring back Hammer pants Renew Deal Feb 2018 #6

Actually something similar to that has made a comeback crazycatlady Feb 2018 #20

Bad styling and for me the absence of color katmondoo Feb 2018 #8

About the only thing Ohiogal Feb 2018 #12

I was thinking something similar... Phentex Feb 2018 #23

Polyester crap and thin fabric that shows every figure flaw. tblue37 Feb 2018 #24

Look up Gudrun Sjoden spinbaby Feb 2018 #31

Have you ever heard of Gudrun Sjoden? dhol82 Feb 2018 #76

I buy a lot of clothes from Boden tammywammy Feb 2018 #81

Compared To When I Grew Up In 50's & 60's People Look Frumpy. TheMastersNemesis Feb 2018 #10

I hate the ugly beards. The duck dynasty crew made it Ilsa Feb 2018 #41

I'm with you on the scraggly beards. Ohiogal Feb 2018 #48

Yes, and that two day stubble look. Most guys look awful with it. Tipperary Feb 2018 #63

Me too. Especially the stubble look when dressed up TexasBushwhacker Feb 2018 #79

I don't go to church very often gvstn Feb 2018 #56

Because the Clothing Industry decided... WyattKansas Feb 2018 #11

It looks dreadful even when its in the store spinbaby Feb 2018 #32

I used to work closely with quality control people at retailers. They eliminated most of their work. bettyellen Feb 2018 #44

I remember in high school in the 70s treestar Feb 2018 #13

Yep PasadenaTrudy Feb 2018 #21

Anyone remember Earth Shoes? Ohiogal Feb 2018 #49

I wore them PasadenaTrudy Feb 2018 #69

I love clogs! N/t gay texan Feb 2018 #54

Glad I'm retired and don't have to spend money on business clothing anymore. Paladin Feb 2018 #15

The decluttering and minimalism trend has lead to capsule wardrobes and "fast fashion" backlash Freethinker65 Feb 2018 #16

Blue jeans and t-shirts for me---flannel in the winter. panader0 Feb 2018 #18

I only buy clothes when my wife forces me to. lagomorph777 Feb 2018 #19

Some of it has to do with price Betty88 Feb 2018 #22

NUDITY NOW! Orrex Feb 2018 #25

please leave the lady who is first out this lol nt msongs Feb 2018 #29

I still buy from L.L. Bean & Woolrich CountAllVotes Feb 2018 #26

I probably used to spend more money on fewer items - that were way better quality. LisaM Feb 2018 #27

I hate to tell this, but well made and expensive clothes are still made w those paid crap bettyellen Feb 2018 #46

I know that and it's unfortunate. I do the best I can with labels.... LisaM Feb 2018 #50

And I appreciate it greatly! When I see so many people scramble to pay as little as possible... bettyellen Feb 2018 #51

I used to look hot in tight jeans. Beakybird Feb 2018 #28

I went shopping for a last minute dress janterry Feb 2018 #30

I've discovered this new place to shop crazycatlady Feb 2018 #33

Quality Tree-Hugger Feb 2018 #35

Money for nice clothes? thbobby Feb 2018 #36

The cost of housing, in particular, is out of hand in the U.S. in relation to wages. ShazzieB Jul 2021 #83

Our grandchildren from solidly middle class but not Hortensis Feb 2018 #37

Local Kmart closed Freddie Feb 2018 #38

We're living in a different world, the population is aging, and work attire has changed matt819 Feb 2018 #40

"Apparel has simply lost its appeal" Blue_Tires Feb 2018 #43

It's a different era hardluck Feb 2018 #45

It seems to me women's fashion doesn't change as fast as it used to kcr Feb 2018 #55

The slovenly hordes of Murica think they look great! maxsolomon Feb 2018 #57

I see many replies are missing a key point: technology GusBob Feb 2018 #58

am I the only one who HAS to try things on? Skittles Feb 2018 #59

I'm with you, would be endless sending back if flamingdem Feb 2018 #60

I took some non-trendy, gently-worn women's Ilsa Feb 2018 #61

Ohiogal - i agree totally with your conclusion. SharonClark Feb 2018 #62

I like having a capsule of good quality basics such as a pair of black jeans, a cashmere sweater, Glimmer of Hope Feb 2018 #65

Retailers blame everyone but themselves. Stardust1 Feb 2018 #66

And they've cut back on floor staff to a bare minimum TexasBushwhacker Feb 2018 #80

What I'm wearing now....... mrmpa Feb 2018 #70

I wear jeans and nice blouses but WilmywoodNCparalegal Feb 2018 #74

I tend to go to Kohl's underpants Feb 2018 #77

Why should I buy a new coat when instead no_hypocrisy Feb 2018 #78

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welcome to DU gopiscrap Jul 2021 #85