"work clothes" are a massive waste of income. amirite?

I work in a millwork /cabinetry shop. I have seven pairs of Carhartt carpenter shorts and probably 12 or 15 heavyweight cotton pocket t-shirts. They are for work only, as we use lots of epoxys and solvents plus the prevalence of sharp edges. They get torn and permanently soiled, but they are only for the shop, so who cares? Not all professions are like mine, but in many of the trades, seperate work apparel is a must.

by Anonymous 5 days ago

Triple stitched with a lifetime guarantee. Carhartt are king.

by Creative-Finding 5 days ago

Have you tried the Duluth fire hose work pants . I wore Carhartt for 20 years, now I won't buy any work pants except for Duluth . I do still buy the Carhartt shirts I prefer them over anything else but for pants , it's Duluth

by gottliebtressie 5 days ago

I own like 8 pairs of their underwear and multiple long sleeve tees/flannels. Love them

by fanny94 5 days ago

Duluth ballroom pants are my favorite.

by Anonymous 5 days ago

I worked in an office. I had 6 pairs of black slacks and about 8 different shirts. Done and done.

by Anonymous 5 days ago

Everywhere I've worked that required me getting filthy provided uniforms and a wash service once a week.

by Deshawnbrekke 5 days ago

It most not have been in the US

by Adolfolangosh 5 days ago

That's how it is the US too for a lot of jobs

by gottliebtressie 5 days ago

In Canada, when I was working at a job site that required FR coveralls, they provided them, and you could change out soiled coveralls for a fresh set as often as you needed to.

by Beneficial_Solid_283 5 days ago

Oil burner mechanic. No required uniform at work. I wear one anyway. Because I smell like oil all day every day when I'm working (or so I'm told - I can't smell oil anymore) and I'd rather not have every single article of clothing and my entire house smell like oil too. I dont even wear my work clothes inside - straight to the garage and strip.

by morarrory 5 days ago

Doesn't it make your regular clothes last longer, since you wear them less. If youre not naked you're wearing something.

by Anonymous 5 days ago

If I wore my day to day close to my old Barista job, I would have always smelled like spoiled milk lol.

by Anonymous 5 days ago

In high school I worked concession at a movie theater. i am GLAD I had a uniform because every fiber in my clothes (even after washing) smelled like popcorn.

by Heloiseeffertz 5 days ago

Same but I worked at a chain coffee shop wayyyy back when smoking was allowed inside. I'd go home smelling like coffee, donuts and cigarettes. It was so gross. As ugly as the uniform was, at least that was stinky.

by swiftroxanne 5 days ago

Oh man you got to smell like popcorn?! I just smelled like oil. And it was neverending because my hair smelled like it 24/7

by nmonahan 5 days ago

OP lives in a different world than us.

by Anonymous 5 days ago

I think they're trolling for dopamine

by Adolfolangosh 5 days ago

OP is probably 10 years old

by Financial-Grade 5 days ago

the OP is probably an office worker

by StunningMap8869 5 days ago

Some people have no idea what work really is

by Anonymous 5 days ago

I mean I disagree with OP but they were clearly talking about like office clothes

by Alyshaeffertz 5 days ago

Especially if you're a fella like me pouring concrete.

by Quick-Pomegranate356 5 days ago

I like my work clothes. Buy work clothes you enjoy wearing. If you can't wear anything at all you like at work, can you possibly find a job where you can wear things you like?

by Low_Chemistry_8694 5 days ago

I work corporate, lulus and either a 1/4 zip or polo. Feels like I'm wearing sweats and a T-shirt or a hoodie

by Anonymous 5 days ago

Yup, I got a few dickies work shirts and baggy carpenters pants to wear to my engineering job. Much more my style than polos or quarter zips, and I can mix them into my normal fits no problem.

by Gay00 5 days ago

Be honest with yourself about which of those items wouldn't be in your cupboard if you didn't need them for work. OP is more about the fancy stuff in their rant. FYI I agree with you, IF your work clothes are significantly different from your regular clothing for reasons of protectiveness or dress code, AND that is not covered by your workplace. Are your work jeans significantly different from the jeans you'd buy to, say, go to the bar?

by Anonymous 5 days ago

"are your work jeans significantly different from the jeans you'd buy to, say, go to the bar" Absolutely yes. You've never worked a manual labor job, huh?

by Terrible_Disk7562 5 days ago

yes and no. farmwork, but sporadically. not paid for it/not for someone else. not some rich-kid-holding-a-shovel-photoshoot kinda stuff, proper work. In the Indian sun. In my neck of the woods, the cheap stuff won't last beyond a year no matter what you do with it. And the good stuff? Indefinitely. Seriously, the only reason I changed them is coz of med related weight change. Before that, I had last bought them mid-COVID.

by Anonymous 5 days ago

Different market, different issues I guess. Here, the notion of "work oriented" as a clothing market doesn't exist. The more durable stuff also tends to look better than the cheaper stuff. Much better. Thick denim with good buttons/good quality stitching. Versus the paper-thin stuff that is evident. And people here do blue-collar work in just about anything, unless it's a more professional outfit. For those guys, the thick stuff is good enough. More than the 'bar' example which didn't land, my specific point was about whether there are items in your wardrobe that you wouldn't have if not for your work.

by Anonymous 5 days ago

Not sure if I've ever worked in a place where you have to pay for your own ‘work clothes', unless you could wear what you usually wear. Now, in my current line of work we wear a suit all day - and we get a few suits a year (with accessories). Paid by the company since its mandatory.

by Anonymous 5 days ago

I recently started working after being a sahm for years. I'm actually enjoying buying and wearing work clothes since my mom uniform was athletic wear, never really felt right wearing cute dressier outfits just to chase muddy toddlers around.

by Anonymous 5 days ago

I neither agree nor disagree with your statement, but i just gotta ask. Arent you interested in making yourself appear a certain way? What would you wear if you could wear anything? And what is the exact dress code at your workplace?

by Anonymous 5 days ago

What about those of us who wear scrubs?

by Yostcarmela 5 days ago

I wish hospital jobs provided the scrubs for everyone & you return them after your shift, or gave an allowance every year to buy some.

by Anonymous 5 days ago

They do in the OR

by Adolfolangosh 5 days ago

I wish we got a stipend for scrubs, a decent pair is expensive. And they have rules, if you want to wear a jacket it has to match your scrub color or a system branded coat that is infection control approved that you have to buy from the company store.

by Anonymous 5 days ago

ugh, reminds me of when schools used to hustle us for branded gym clothes...mf I got 7 pairs of gym shorts at home already!

by Anonymous 5 days ago

If you work in an office, "work" clothes can be worn outside of work if you have taste and style. If you're in the trades, $350 steel-toes and flame-retardant pants will save you at work and should be purchased regardless. I see neither as being a waste unless you have no taste. Also, keep your receipts people! If your job has a dress code, it's a tax write-off.

by Anonymous 4 days ago

Sure, Different taste == no taste. Good thinking

by earldickens 4 days ago

nah why would I ever wear khakis intentionally, weird costume choice.

by Anonymous 4 days ago

Does your dress code call for khakis specifically?

by ThisExtension2503 4 days ago

Ok so you just really really hate khakis? It seems less about the dress code and more that you just have really particular beef with khakis for some reason which I find very amusing lol.

by Anonymous 4 days ago

Because chinos can be incredibly cool if you pair them with the right object? Just because you lack taste and imagination doesn't mean something is "weird"

by Kuphalmagdalena 4 days ago

Well idk where you are, but in decent countries it's in the law that employers need to provide you with work clothes.

by winfieldyundt 4 days ago

no argument here!

by Anonymous 4 days ago

Does that include everything down to underwear? Shirts and pants? Just whatever is spelled out in a dress code or safety code?

by Conscious_Smell4568 4 days ago

Which countries? I've never heard of an employer providing clothing except if there's a specific uniform needed (and still that's often deducted from your paycheque) so I'd love to learn more about how it works elsewhere

by Hillsvernice 4 days ago

In canada you can keep your receipts and get a tax break on anything you require for work. Most employers (blue collar) will also give you a boot/clothing allowance. They also readily hand out free swag with the company logo on it. Ive been given dozens of shirts, coveralls, hats, etc.

by Reasonable_Big_414 4 days ago

Pretty sure this is like the most popular opinion in the world

by Anonymous 4 days ago

No, it's definitely not, at least not for people who've been working adults for an extended amount of time. I wonder if OP is just graduated high school or is in they're first summer job, because while ya it sucks to have to wear a specific uniform to work most places have some sort of dress code even just as basic as don't wear inappropriate stuff to work like daisy dukes or alcohol branded shirts.

by Anonymous 4 days ago

A lot of people like to buy either extra cheap work clothes or extra durable work clothes, so they don't mess up their regular clothes at work.

by Henriyost 4 days ago

It really isn't. I work in maintenace, and I have "Everyday clothes" and "work clothes." Not out of a uniform or anything either. But because I want to have clothes that I don't care if they get paint or get holes etc. that comes with the job. The pants I wear cost more than my normal jeans, but will last longer than if I just wore jeans to work.

by Anonymous 4 days ago

Burn, where I am I can claim back uniform experiences.

by oconnellluther 4 days ago

Not unpopular. I had a closet full of stupid work clothes for an antiquated dress code that was only required for the women in the office. Now I work for the dopest boss who lets me rock jeans and Chucks. Corporate environments suck.

by Anonymous 4 days ago

soo much, there's not a dollar amount that could draw me back.

by Anonymous 4 days ago

this is certainly not unpopular

by Anonymous 4 days ago

I hope that at least one person that wears a suit in his free time just read this and realized he's just not worth talking to.

by Anonymous 4 days ago

ReportOfTheWeek is in shambles

by Specialist_Bet_143 4 days ago

Part of the reason I pick a suit for work OR daily wear is so people WON'T talk to me unless they have a specific need. I would bet my kind knows.

by Anonymous 4 days ago

That's how it should be for actual uniforms (like with company logos) but not how it is. I'd also be shocked to hear any law type office to give an employee a suit stipend. I have to wear suits for work and can't even write those off on my taxes (CA)

by Anonymous 4 days ago

I'd rather not get piss on my normal clothes, thanks.

by Anonymous 4 days ago

PPE is equipment, necessary and valid.

by Anonymous 4 days ago

It's really not PPE. It's just grooming pants that I don't care about getting dirty.

by Anonymous 4 days ago

Funny, before WW2 or so people would have worn a suit to clean the toilets. Seeing kids wearing suits playing in the neighborhood in old photos is a trip. I'm glad there's been a lot of progress. Although suits are all still boring and styles come back around over and over zzz. It's definitely a uniform for those still wearing them. I doubt you want piss on your suit tho.

by gunnar38 4 days ago

It's just grooming pants, honestly. I wear them to work and that's it. They're constantly covered in fur, but that's their purpose

by Anonymous 4 days ago

Moving to WFH with the pandemic and never going back to in-person regularly has been great. I now have one pair of work pants and a few shirts for when I have to go in to occasional meetings with people outside of the organization. It's been so nice not to have to wear work clothes on the regular.

by Anonymous 4 days ago

Ok so first of all I like my work clothes? Like dressing up for work makes me happy, and it's an expression of my personality. Secondly- not everyone hates their job. I have my dream job.

by Kuphalmagdalena 4 days ago

I love my khaki chinos, very comfortable and I can wear them with a wide variety of outfits and they look good. I've found tons of uses for slacks and dress shirts over the years outside of work; plenty of times to dress up slightly for a restaurant or an event. And if buying quality garments, I don't replace these for quite a while.

by andersonruthie 4 days ago

I agree to a point. It really depends on how strict the clothing rules are at work. I was given a handful or work shirts. 100% cotton with a simple company logo. While it wasn't "taken out" of my paycheck, I'm sure everyone is paid a little less to cover the costs of the shirts. But as far as the rest of my "uniform" goes the place I work at doesn't care. I have to wear closed toed shoes because of what I do(OSHA laws and what not, so out of the company's hands). Most people already own closed toed shoes. And I have never been told anything about pants or shorts. Many people wear blue jeans, shorts, gym shorts or work pants. Hell some people wear sweat pants and a company shirt. I have found a pair of pants I really like and I just buy another pair when I've worn through the current ones. I also wear the same pants out and about, or while doing chores. Are they date night pants? No, I get dirty and they're stained. But they're still good for a hike, or running errands. If your company has strict clothing rules, to a point that you would never wear the items that would be acceptable at work, outside of work, then yeah that blows and I'm sorry. I think of nurses and their scrubs. You don't really wear scrubs outside of a hospital unless you're virtue signalling or something or running a quick errand on a break. But in most cases they clothes you wear at work can typically be "repurposed" for casual wear as well.

by Shieldsgeovanny 4 days ago

I mean, my husband works a trade and he can't really wear his work pants and shirts around the house or to dinner. If he did, everything would be covered in mud or concrete dust. I can't really call it a waste of money when his uniform allows him to do his job (and therefore makes us money).

by Scared_Anybody_4977 4 days ago

I got one better for ya. I'm in school and I have to wear scrubs and uniform. I'm only there for 4 months and was provided with 1 pair of pants and any extras cost $30+. Only gonna be using these scrubs for 4 months …. Mind you…. Lol

by Both-Error 4 days ago

I work as a line cook. By the end of the night, I'm greasy and sweaty. I don't even wear the bras and underwear that I wear to work outside of work. I need to regularly soak my work clothes because even after washing the grease and stains never fully come out . Nothing that I wear in a kitchen is something that I wear outside of work. I will forever have work clothes and every day cloths.

by Anonymous 4 days ago

If work is someplace you hate to go, you've failed/are failing at life. With so many opportunities, it's on you to find a career path you'll enjoy, and put in the work to acquire the skills and knowledge it takes to land that career.

by Main-Tank-8020 4 days ago

I had a boss a while back who tried to get me to buy smarter clothes for work, he dropped it when I suggested he pay me a clothing allowance to do so.

by stoltenbergalex 4 days ago

Is this an American thing? If my employer requires me to wear a uniform, they provide it.

by Anonymous 4 days ago

Yeah but I miss the days when pimps dressed like pimps complete with a oversized hat and high heeled shoes. Now they dress like they're about to go mow a lawn

by Anonymous 4 days ago

I know what you're actually talking about, but I'm just imagining trying to do trail maintenance at my park wearing my nice dresses when it's over 95/35 🫠 I think that kind of emphasizes your point, though, because buying stuff for the job I didn't already have was expensive, but I also actually needed that stuff. Not everybody does

by Aishafay 4 days ago

A collars still a collar Whether is be blue or white, it's stil around your neck Your silk leash nice and tight, your wife helped pick it out The irony is that you worked the hours for it. You wish you could ignore it.

by Anonymous 4 days ago

As a plumber, work has always provided company shirts, polo shirts, and pants. I do agree about it taking up space. My work clothes are also the only clothes I don't fold up after washing. I have a hamper in the back of my closet I just toss em in after wash and reach for em in the morning. Works not getting any extra time at home to fold or hang up

by cristianbauch 4 days ago

You guys buy your work clothes?

by Anonymous 4 days ago

We should all strive to dress nicely. It seems like this has gone downhill in the last couple decades.

by Head_Try 4 days ago

Does op have a job?

by Anonymous 4 days ago

agreed with pretty much everything except the 2nd to last sentence lol it would take MAYBE 2(depending on income and what kind of clothes you need) checks to catch up to any money wasted on work clothes lol

by Anonymous 4 days ago

Unionize

by Anonymous 4 days ago

I had a nice restaurant job that required us to wear necklaces lmao, like are y'all paying?😂

by Rich-Knee3357 4 days ago

If a job has specialized or specific gear you must wear they typically will offer a uniform allowance. If they dont you should demand one.

by Anonymous 4 days ago

Sorry you're just wrong, do any trade work for a week and you'll change your mind

by Anonymous 4 days ago

Agreed why spend money to look good at a job you hate just adds insult to injury.

by Anonymous 4 days ago

Work clothes make up a very small percentage of one's income.

by Fast-Secretary3127 4 days ago

that percentage could be zero!

by Anonymous 4 days ago

Ok but "massive" is just not the right word here.

by Fast-Secretary3127 4 days ago

Wearing khakis outside of work and dressing nice isn't a bad thing.

by Anonymous 4 days ago

by whose standards are we defining "nice"?

by Anonymous 4 days ago

How much are you spending on work clothes?

by Anonymous 4 days ago

Cmon now, he doesn't have a job.

by National-Book-4694 4 days ago

Ohhhhh, it's pretty clear you better get used to them, and saying the phrase "Hi can I take your order?"

by National-Book-4694 4 days ago

And it's not just uniform, it's work tools too. You need to use a screwdriver? Company has to provide it. You need masking tape? Company pays for it. You need a knife? Safety critical tool, not only the company has to provide a safe one, but you're legally not allowed to use yours on company premises for insurance purposes.

by Anonymous 4 days ago

Have you seen what teachers have to pay for out of pocket? The school usually won't provide things like penicls.

by Heloiseeffertz 4 days ago

that's all I ever wanted.

by Anonymous 4 days ago

that's not healthy, you should find a better target for your hate...many great candidates!

by Anonymous 4 days ago

Thrift store or even fast fashion places (I know, I know) can really help. Our work requires nice-ish clothes and branded shirts. They supply a few of the shirts, but I had to buy pants and skirts. So I got some that I can also incorporate into day to day outfits. Basically, there's a fine line, and it matters where you work. I mean, if you only hate ratty shirts but work a fancy looking customer service job? Gonna be a huge problem.

by Anonymous 4 days ago

Do you think other people like work clothes

by Anonymous 4 days ago

Yeah I don't mind having to wear a uniform(I hate deciding what to wear) just don't make me pay for it.

by Scarlett17 4 days ago

Yeah trying to avoid dress codes is too limiting. I work in a patient-facing job so that's never happening. I just adjust by buying work dresses in breathable fabrics I can tolerate outside of work

by Maiyabotsford 4 days ago

I mean, it's basically a very lax uniform. Someone showed up in a shirt covered in skulls and ripped jeans outfitted with chains.

by Patient_Persimmon 4 days ago

Wait til you've been working so long that you now wear your work clothes on the weekends and you can't remember what your personal style sense even was. When you wear a cool outfit to a concert and your friends think it's funny that you are so dressed down.

by SwitchAgile5248 4 days ago

Logo brand clothes are typically supplied by the company. But pants, shoes, etc that are for work are for work…. Why would you wanna wear your work clothes to Walmart

by Ok-Lawfulness3450 4 days ago

If you're buying your own work clothes, and they're not comfortable, that's on you.

by MixLongjumping 4 days ago

You're at work most of your waking day. Maybe your other clothes are actually the waste of money.

by Anonymous 4 days ago

how sad.

by Anonymous 4 days ago

Where I work it is not uncommon for me to get gross things on my clothes. I do not want those to be in my normal rotation. I'm happy for the separation between work and regular clothes.

by Anonymous 4 days ago

Ok

by Prestigious_Stop 4 days ago

I absolutely love that I wear scrubs paid for by my employer. I spend zero money and put zero effort into work clothes. This is a great perk of working in healthcare.

by Anonymous 4 days ago

I currently wear Hokas. I'm standing on concrete 55 hours/week. Gotta be comfortable.

by Anonymous 4 days ago

Because if I didn't have worked clothes my regular one would get ruined every day and it would cost way more in the long run to not have oil stains on everything I want to wear.

by Guilty_Beyond 4 days ago

I think a work uniform would be great. I'd totally be on board with that.

by Anonymous 4 days ago

Does your job's dress code specifically call out that clothes have to be bland and khakis are required? Is it like a khaki's and company polo shirt kind of deal that you have to wear? Because you don't have to dress blandly or in khaki's if you don't want to unless that is specifically called out in your dress code.

by Howellspinka 4 days ago

This really all depends on the type of job. Behind the scenes office works, yeah, wear what you want. Customer facing rolls or on a construction site, less so.

by Anonymous 4 days ago

My company pays me handsomely. So I buy premium shirts and suits so I can speak to clients handsomely too.

by lednervanessa 4 days ago

bet that sounded great in your head.

by Anonymous 4 days ago

Once you reach a certain tier of jobs wearing business casual tends to become a requirement. I wouldn't take a few thousand dollar per year pay cut just to save a few hundred on clothes

by Anonymous 4 days ago

I like it. I certainly don't want to be reminded of work in my non working time and change when I get home.

by Anonymous 4 days ago

Auto tech here. They're supplied by the shop. Laundered every week.

by Anonymous 4 days ago

As someone who's hade to wear some type of uniform just about every single day since I was 17, I barely own any other cloths. It seems a waste to buy something I only get to wear once or twice a week… I have my good jeans. My work jeans. A handful of novelty T-shirts. Some flannel sweaters. And a couple of suits that haven't fit in 20 years…

by rhett07 4 days ago

You realize that people buy work clothes so that they don't ruin the clothes they actually like right?

by Anonymous 4 days ago

Job-dependent but I work in the office & enjoy my work clothes, I don't consider them waste of money at all. It is nice to dress up a little, not to mention that the workwear can be worn elsewhere too

by Gold_Environment 4 days ago

I've got a uniform and get a clothing allowance so I don't have this issue.

by Anonymous 4 days ago

Clothes you wear at work are what you are wearing 70% of the time. You could argue they are the most important ones.

by Classic_Cancel6835 4 days ago

I'm self employed and like to be comfortable while I work. Thorogood boots, Truewerk T1 pants, Hank's leather belt, and my own Dri-fit company shirts. I'm on my feet all day, and sometimes I'll be all working out in the South Florida heat. Comfort is not a waste of money for me

by Physical-Engine-5920 4 days ago

Well, dress codes are pretty similar between places. Any quality item you purchase could have a decade or more of use. And let's not forget the more physical and dirty jobs, where you stain or ripp clothes- make sense to have matching simple uniforms.

by Anonymous 4 days ago

Why get crappy clothes sweaty and ruined when you can ruin all your everyday clothes

by Anonymous 4 days ago

I like my work clothes.

by Anonymous 4 days ago

I wouldn't even call this an unpopular opinion, more just a stupid perspective.

by Anonymous 4 days ago

I buy $15 khaki colored canvas work pants at the farm store. Then, after I get something on the at work they become actual work pants at home.

by Anonymous 3 days ago

Not when you also wear them to church like I do.

by Anonymous 3 days ago

I work a gross job so under no circumstances do my regular clothes go to work with me. My scrubs are worth every penny and some brands last forever. I have a set that's over ten years old that probably cost forty bucks and has been worn over four hundred times.

by Anonymous 3 days ago

This is extremely dependant on your work. I'm a doctor so using my everyday clothes when they could get get puked, bled or shat on at any moment 'aint my cup of tea. I also used to help my dad doing blacksmithing/eletrician jobs so my clothes usually got burned or ripped

by Anonymous 3 days ago

If you stay in the same profession then you can buy your uniform once but have it for multiple jobs. Like scrubs.

by Capital-Bet-8366 3 days ago

This is a very white-collar take.

by Scared-Ad 3 days ago

Total waste of money for me. Luckily ever since covid no one even wears work clothes at my job anymore. Sneakers jeans t shirts now.

by Important_Bed3806 3 days ago

Work is part of most people's lives rather you want it or not, so you might as well have clothes you don't mind wearing for it.

by Odd-Guarantee-9765 3 days ago

I've never heard of anyone having to pay for their own work clothes

by Anonymous 3 days ago

My advise is find an oversized style that works for you. Like oversized blazer, wide trousers, chunky seesters. They are comfy, look cool, unlike the regular fit, and they are very forgiving when your body changes.

by Anonymous 3 days ago

Just buy 5 sets at the thrift store

by Anonymous 3 days ago

Those of us that work in a hospital would like to talk cause I'm not wearing any clothes I care about to the hospital no thank you

by Frequent-Art 3 days ago

You need to learn how to dress better. I worked at a place that was business casual and every item I wore to work could be worn to dinner or a bar. Unless you are gothic in your free time, or wear strictly suits, there's no real reason your work clothes can't be multifunctional. And they definitely shouldn't be uncomfortable. This really sounds like an effort issue.

by Bruce06 3 days ago

You can't afford like 50 dollars?

by Best-Coffee-4599 3 days ago

Changing my clothes changes my mindset. I found the same thing when I was in school. Sweats are great to put on when I get home, but when I wore them all the time for a time it just made me sad. Keeping things separate helps me keep work and personal life separate.

by Cautious-Election 3 days ago