A Guide to Getting More Wear out of Your Clothes
Cheap Fashion Trends are So Last Season. Your Style is Timeless.
Hey you, I like your style. Trust me, I don’t need to see your wise fashion choices in order to believe it. How do I know?
Because you’re reading this article. You’re learning more about how your choices can impact others’ lives, and that’s a beautiful thing. Getting more wear out of those clothes is smart and it sends a powerful message. Therefore, I present to you: “A Guide to Getting More Wear Out of Your Clothes”
Let’s go shopping: If you can, buy quality clothing
Quality definitely beats quantity and often, the price tag is justified. Of course, price doesn’t always determine quality. The detailing of clothing, such as the material, seams, buttons, and the overall build of the item is a key indicator of quality and is just as important. The material of quality clothing outlasts those of cheaper clothing material. This is because the cost of lower-grade materials are cheaper: manufacturers find ways to reduce costs that will produce clothing easily susceptible to shrinkage and breakage.
Now, this does not mean everything you buy from now on has to make a dent in your savings. However, investing in classic staples of clothing as opposed to seasonal trends is your first step. These pieces are items that will be versatile and look good for years. Deciphering which articles of clothing are worth investing also depends on your lifestyle. A classic example is a comfortable pair of shoes. If you work at an office, a nice business suit or coat will do, and for more casual clothes, a good start is one great pair of flattering jeans. Here is another helpful guide to shopping quality clothes that will last.
Now, let’s take care of those clothes, shall we?
1. Getting the laundry ready
2. Preserving color
To preserve the color or dark clothes, wash them inside-out.
3. Sort by fabric
Avoid putting heavy materials (like towels) and lighter materials in the same load. Combining materials in a single load can accelerate the wearing down of lighter materials that could become overwashed and overdried.
4. Wash less
If your clothes are visibly dirty and they smell, then please, go ahead and wash them. But if your clothes can be tolerably worn once more before washing, go for it! The washing process is the fastest way to wear out clothing, especially if it’s not done with care.
5. Know how to set your laundry
Get to know the settings on your washer and dryer. Knowing which clothes to wash under the “delicate” cycle will decrease agitation and tearing of sensitive clothing. In addition, familiarize yourself with laundry symbols for correct laundry settings. Tide has a more in-depth guide to doing laundry on their website.
6. Ready, set, and go invest in a clothesline or drying rack
Having clothes air-dry reduces the pain of wrinkles, eliminates static, and cuts down on energy costs. To avoid the stiffness of air-drying, add liquid fabric softener beforehand. Don’t let bad weather stop you--place a drying rack in your laundry room and use that when possible.
Repairing the repairable
7. Learn basic repairs
Don’t allow a missing button or loose thread to spoil an entire article of clothing. Having a simple sewing kit will save you a trip to shop for a replacement.
8. Learn to dye the faded clothes
If you have 20 to 30 minutes to spare and about $6, you can follow some simple instructions to re-dye those faded or stained clothing items. It is important to note that more sensitive fabrics such as polyester should be taken to your local clothes dye service. Metro Dyeing provides some more useful information for dyeing clothes.
Preserve to avoid replacement and repair
9. Good storage is everything
10. Invest in good hangers
Yes, it is tempting to use the free plastic hangers that come with your clothes. Yet, there is a cost, and that is the stretching of your garment’s shoulders. Investing in wooden hangers or plushed armed hangers will help your clothes maintain their shape. These affordable hangers can be purchased online or at most local department stores.
11. Shelve the heavy sweaters
In hanging thicker sweaters, you allow gravity to pull and stretch the garments. Try folding the heavy sweaters and shelving them instead.
Preserve that one-of-a-kind style of yours, and you’re on your way to becoming a trendsetter in more than just what you buy and wear. Following these tips also combats the forced labor trafficking crisis in the fashion industry. Avoiding overconsumption of clothing is cost-effective and always fashionable. The only thing you’ll be putting out of style is waste and forced labor trafficking.
About the Author
Jocelyn Cortez is a SoCal native, born and raised near the outskirts of Los Angeles. She is a creative writer who travels between the realms of fiction and reality (most of which takes place in one of the aesthetically pleasing coffee shops that are part of her rotation). She is an adventurous soul who loves the outdoors and finds excitement in activities that require signing a waiver. She is a proud Latina who is zealous about life, family, faith, culture and people. She is currently finishing her Master's in English at Azusa Pacific University.