History Main / SentimentalShabbiness

A common way of playing out this trope is to have the object be replaced but the character wants the old one back ''because'' it's dirty and/or tattered and therefore has sentimental value, or because the new one is "too clean/perfect". Sometimes, the object is not replaced but rather [[HatedItemMakeover cleaned or repaired]] and the character messes it up again because they prefer the way it was before. These plots are common if the character is a small child or a dog (The dog part has a grain of TruthInTelevision-- dogs like objects that haven't been washed because they smell like whoever touched them last..).

* In "The Box" by Creator/BruceCoville, Michael spends his entire life looking after a mysterious wooden box that an angel gives him for safekeeping. When the angel finally returns, an elderly Michael apologizes for all the wear and tear on the wood, only for the angel to tell him with sincere gratitude that he's done perfectly.

* ''Film/Barbie2023'': Weird Barbie has her [[GagHaircut hair messily cut short]], [[FaceDoodling scribbles on her face in different colors]], [[RummageSaleReject mismatched and ill-fitting clothing]], and "is always in the splits", looking like a hobo. Her appearance is in reference to real life Barbie dolls lovingly defaced and worn out in the same manner by children. Fittingly, she's the one who tells Robbie's Barbie to venture to the Real World for answers.

* Downplayed in ''WesternAnimation/TurningRed''. Wilfred, Mei's stuffed dog is in pretty good condition considering she's had it since she was in grade two and regularly sleeps with it. It's only slightly discolored in some places.

** Angelica's doll, Cynthia is clearly very ratty looking, mostly bald except for a few patches of hair sticking out. That doesn't stop Angelica from loving the doll any less. In the spin-off, ''WesternAnimation/AllGrownUp'', it's revealed that she still cares for her.

* In the ''WesternAnimation/BobsBurgers'' episode "Sacred Couch," the family buys a brand new couch and discards their shabby old one. However, they soon find they were very attached to the old couch and try to get it back.

* ''WesternAnimation/ToyStory2'': When Woody is stolen by the greedy toy collector Al, he's cleaned up into perfect condition, as preparation for selling him to a toy museum where he'll be kept in unplayed storage forever. In contrast, Woody's owner Andy is considerably sloppier at his attempt to repair Woody, but it's recognized as a sign of his affection and devotion to playing with his toys.

[[folder: Anime & Manga]]

* ''WesternAnimation/ToyStory2'': When Woody is stolen by the greedy toy collector Al, he is cleaned up into perfect condition, all in preparation for selling him to a toy museum where he'll be kept in unplayed storage forever. In contrast, Woody's owner Andy is considerably sloppier at his attempt to repair Woody, but it's recognized as a sign of his affection and devotion to playing with his toys.

A common way of playing out this trope is to have the object be replaced but the character wants the old one back ''because'' it's dirty and/or tattered and therefore has sentimental value, or because the new one is "too clean/perfect". Sometimes, the object is not replaced but rather cleaned or repaired and the character messes it up again because they prefer the way it was before. These plots are common if the character is a small child or a dog (The dog part has a grain of TruthInTelevision-- dogs like objects that haven't been washed because they smell like whoever touched them last..).

* ''WesternAnimation/ToyStory2'': When Woody is owned by the greedy toy collector Al, he is cleaned up into perfect condition, but all in preparation for selling him to a toy museum where he'll be kept in unplayed storage forever. When Woody is owned by Andy, the kid is considerably sloppier at his attempt to repair Woody, but it's recognized as a sign of his affection and devotion to playing with his toys.
* Downplayed in ''WesternAnimation/TurningRed''. Wilfred, Mei's stuffed dog is in pretty good condition considering she's had it since she was in grade two and regularly sleeps with it. It's only slightly discolored in some places.

Sometimes is the reason why TheAllegedCar is "alleged" (and if that's the case, expect OnlyICanMakeItGo and/or a vehicle-specific version of MachineEmpathy to apply). Compare and contrast LoveImbuesLife. Often applies to a SecurityBlanket. Compare AndCallHimGeorge, for when an expression of love hurts or kills a sentient being. Sometimes applies to a CompanionCube. Can sometimes lead to NewTechnologyIsEvil and OlderIsBetter if people prefer beat-up old tech to new tech.

** In the later episodes, Chuckie has a worn-out teddy bear named Wawa, which was given to him by his deceased mother. He ends up distraught when his step-mom, Kira, tries to wash and fix him up. Luckily for Chuckie, Tommy's brother, Dil, had gotten his hands on Wawa and sort of returned him to his previous state.