I've tracked every piece of clothing I've worn for three years (2021)
A data-heavy blog post about tracking every garment worn for three years prompts broader reflection on how much people really spend on clothes and what “value” means in a wardrobe. Commenters contrast high fashion budgets with minimalist or second-hand habits, debate cost-per-wear versus outright cost, and tie clothing choices to comfort, durability, environmental impact, and personal priorities—often noting that many of the same spending patterns show up in other hobbies and gear.
Overall reaction to clothing tracking
- Many appreciate the meticulous self-tracking and visualization as a fun, “HN‑style” nerd project that can reveal non‑obvious patterns.
- Others argue it’s a poor use of time, claiming intuition plus rough spending awareness is enough and that prices/quality are too variable for precise optimization.
- Several note that tracking itself would change behavior (e.g., pushing people to “justify” expensive items by wearing them more).
Spending levels & cost‑per‑wear (CPW)
- The ~€3.5k/year spend shocks many; others point out that plenty of hobbies (bikes, cameras, tools, travel, gym/martial arts) easily reach or exceed this.
- Debate over whether fashion spending of several thousand per year is “normal,” “expensive,” or “insane” highlights income and culture differences.
- Thread discusses CPW logic: expensive items may last longer and be repairable (good leather shoes, boots, selvedge denim), but cheap items can sometimes be surprisingly durable.
- Some suspect the author’s sneaker “end of life” thresholds (dozens of wears) reflect boredom rather than true wear-out.
Minimalism vs fashion enthusiasm
- A large group buy almost no clothing for years, wear items to holes, rely on thrift stores, conference swag, and prioritize function over appearance.
- Others happily spend tens of thousands over a few years on curated wardrobes, MTM shirts/jeans, and quality materials, viewing it as a serious hobby.
- Discussion frames this as differing priorities rather than a simple rich/poor divide.
Footwear, running, and health
- Heavy focus on running shoes: common guidance of 300–500 miles per pair; people justify $100+ shoes to avoid injuries.
- Strong subthread on barefoot/minimalist running: some report curing chronic pain; others find cushioning indispensable. Both camps agree form and gradual transition matter.
Durability, laundry, and materials
- Several report extreme longevity from air‑drying, avoiding harsh dryers, and buying better fabrics.
- Conflicting anecdotes on whether European washers/dryers are harsher or gentler than North American ones.
- Many are moving toward natural fibers (cotton, linen, wool, especially merino) for comfort and breathability; synthetics are praised for drying speed but criticized for feel and microplastics.
Environmental and consumer angles
- Concerns about overconsumption and fast fashion’s waste (e.g., clothing landfills) surface repeatedly.
- Some emphasize buying fewer, higher‑quality favorites; others highlight second‑hand markets and repair (darning, mending jeans).
- Parallel digressions on “dumb vs smart” appliances, printer/ink economics, and plastic‑heavy packaging reflect broader skepticism of consumer product ecosystems.