Del: to return to your comment that if you wear your clothes once or twice a month, it jusn't doesn't look natural, I heartily agree. Worn and a little dirty is always better. After attending a Civil War muster, and impressed with the appearance of the troops - they all looked like they had been in the field for 30 days, I wrote a comment on the sass wire entitled "In Praise of Dirty Clothes". I was amazed at the response, I really got roasted by the whole crowd who basically said that they did not put all this effort into their clothing to look dirty and smell. Only two guys responded positively and they also emailed me, they were OCB and OT. That was my introduction to them, that was a few years back and I doubt they remember it. It was also one of the last times I have commented on the sass wire.
Concerned with how I look since I am guilty of wearing my stuff infrequently, I have done several things to avoid the recently store bought look. I avoid excessive cleaning and modern storage. I avoid cleaning any wool item (I'm amazed how many folks dry clean their duds) with the exception of getting it wet and then simply letting it dry on its own. So far I have never put any soap on them. Putting them out in the sun seems to kill most of the body odor issues. But I only infrequently wash anything wool. With shirts, linen, cotton, flannal whatever, I do the same. In the summer I throw them out in the sun to dry, in the winter I lay it out in the basement. I never hang my stuff up, but either fold it or role it up to store. Hats, I make a point of wearing in inclement weather, boots seldom get cleaned, spurs are never shined, and finally one of the best things I've found to put wear on anything is to simply ride in it, I don't know how but just being around horses I find to be hell on clothes including boots and hats. About two mounted shooting events and my stuff is seasoned!
I made a pair of brain tanned fringed pants for my persona as a scout, and was somewhat embarrassed this summer at the nationals because they looked so new which they were as I had finished them but a day before. Got home and thru them in the wash, took them out and rolled out the water and then set them outside, what a change, really looked used - especially the fringe. And then the coup de grace, I spent one ride with my mare, cleaned some stalls afterward, and now it looks as if I'm ready for a new pair of pants, perfect. The smell is a combination between smoked and horse, perfect.
I know my efforts aren't as honest as those who actually put wear on their duds, but it is the best I can do since I dare not wear them to work. I'd be interested in what other less than honest wear types do for their cloths. I thought everybody at the nationals really looked good.