I think there's nothing more beautiful/poetic that a garment that has stains and holes — it makes your garment your own, imprints it with your essence, it imparts it with memories and your essence. It is a sign of a life ... if not well lived at least LIVED. (I feel the same about books and furniture, too ... we're supposed to use and love these things!!!)
I'm personally ok with some holes or even rips, but I think stains cause people to balk because of the assumed failures in hygiene on the part of the wearer (even when it's something like an ink stain). I've always loved the look of slightly beaten-up boots or ruined suede, or a holey t shirt, but it's much harder when the defects raise their heads in more formal clothes e.g. the armpits of silk blouses fraying, a stain on a pair of jeans is ok but on my pleated wool trousers? no way.
And DIY pre-distressing accessories to 'look worn' is very nearly as spiritually tacky to me as the in-shop kind. Like you said - just use the things!
Fear of yellow pits prevents me from buying white shirts. Maybe I should just surrender hehe.
I think there's nothing more beautiful/poetic that a garment that has stains and holes — it makes your garment your own, imprints it with your essence, it imparts it with memories and your essence. It is a sign of a life ... if not well lived at least LIVED. (I feel the same about books and furniture, too ... we're supposed to use and love these things!!!)
I'm personally ok with some holes or even rips, but I think stains cause people to balk because of the assumed failures in hygiene on the part of the wearer (even when it's something like an ink stain). I've always loved the look of slightly beaten-up boots or ruined suede, or a holey t shirt, but it's much harder when the defects raise their heads in more formal clothes e.g. the armpits of silk blouses fraying, a stain on a pair of jeans is ok but on my pleated wool trousers? no way.
And DIY pre-distressing accessories to 'look worn' is very nearly as spiritually tacky to me as the in-shop kind. Like you said - just use the things!