Even writing this as a guest, I would be pissed if a host tried to wear any of my clothing without my knowledge, regardless of where I left them. Why? Because I could never feel comfortable with them and my stuff around again. So, why should a host feel comfortable with a guest doing it?

If someone would do that, then what else might they do? This is also one reason I avoid booking any place that indicates that other guests will be around.

The only reason I can sensibly think of to “try something on” is if I intend to keep it if it fits. Otherwise, what is the rational point of finding out if it fits?

The host may have overreacted with their behavior, but something tells me there is a little more to this story, regardless of the fact that the host lost the battle due to their behavior.

Besides, this is one of those problems that fall in the “could have easily been avoided” category. Since the host was too careless to protect their “expensive things,” a person should not use that opportunity to do something that could potentially turn this into a bigger issue that now involves them as well, such as “trying on” / intending to use the expensive items, ESPECIALLY WITHOUT asking first.

If I see something in an odd place that is not on the list of amenities that I feel must be moved at a stranger’s place, and I (for some strange reason) feel the need to move it without asking first, I do not wear or attempt to wear it in the process. If I DO ask and I am given permission to move (not wear) something, and then host gets mad once I move it after it is recorded that I clearly asked and received permission to move it, then I have nothing more to do than shut up and grin while simply showing what the host wrote when necessary if the host goes berserk.

Lastly, never assume for someone else how much an item of theirs might be worth. If it is attractive enough for you to want to try using or wearing and protecting it, then it is possible that it’s also of value to the owners, regardless of how careless they seem to be with it.