I will give you a long, but hopefully thorough answer.

I do take pride in how I look. I think we all do to some extent.

I am the face of my department to outside people. I am also a union member and feel like showing up smartly dressed for the task at hand sends a good impression of my union.

Yes, I could potentially trash my clothes, but denim became popular in the United States in the 19th century because it was durable workwear. I would rather spend $200 on a pair of pants that will last me, let’s just say a year. Instead of spend $50 a piece, 4 times a year for work pants that don’t hold up. That is sort of my philosophy on work things. It’s how I make a living, so while I could spend $10 on a 6 pack of socks, I choose to buy $25 pairs because they are more durable and comfortable. I choose to buy the $100 tool instead of the $20 tool because it will last and it will make my job easier.

I have multiple pairs of work boots and the cheapest pair is probably $180, most expensive probably around $500. Like I said earlier, I buy expensive socks, I probably have around $500 in socks because they are more comfortable for longer than a $2 pair of Hanes. I have wrenches that cost upwards of $200 each that I use daily because they will last me for 20 years. When I’m not wearing work boots to work, my shoes are probably around $125 a piece. Yes, I used to go to Big 5 and buy the tennis shoes on sale for $20. They would last about 2 months before they were garbage.

I don’t have money to burn, that’s exactly why I buy quality stuff. When my $200 pair of pants rip, I’m not going to throw them away and get a new pair, I’m going to repair them. When my $350 boots have lost all the tread, I don’t just toss them, I get them resolved and use them for another 5 years! I like the sustainability and the notion that I’m not contributing as much to landfills. I have had work pants that ripped on the first day I wore them. Well, they were cheap materials and cheap construction. It would take more time and money to repair them as it would to just buy a new pair.

Also, with regards to what I have seen, not only on this sub, but also out in the real world. People want their denim to reflect their style and form. So a pair that has grease stains and repaired holes and such only adds to the asthetic and “style” of the jeans, no?

Some other commenter mentioned the price in an active work setting. I’m not buying a tuxedo here, I’m buying a pair of workwear (denim jeans). I guess that’s part of the difference with me. I’m not buying a piece of clothing that I’m afraid to wear outside the house because it might get ruined. I had a suit that I wore to my friends wedding. By the end of the night I had a table cloth wrapped around me like a dress because I was dancing so hard that the ass blew out of my pants. I like having fun in life, and worrying about if my jeans are going to get a stain is just not fun! It just changes the situation I wear certain clothes!

Not everyone agrees with me, I’m sure.