Those mysterious pinholes are usually the final symptom of a long, invisible process. Fabrics are constantly stressed at the waistline by belts and buttons, at the seat by chairs and seatbelts, and in the wash by heavy loads grinding against one another. Each tiny abrasion weakens fibers until one day they finally give way, and a “sudden” hole appears where the fabric has been vulnerable for months.

You can’t stop wear and tear entirely, but you can slow it dramatically. Wash fewer items at once, and turn garments inside out to shield the outer surface. Keep zippers closed and separate rough items from delicate ones. Switch from harsh bleach to gentler detergents, and pay attention to where holes keep appearing. When you remove that repeated source of friction or snagging, your clothes last longer, look better, and feel less disposable.