I've tracked every piece of clothing I've worn for three years (2021)

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.