All that you love – wouldn’t you want it to last forever?
If you put in the time to maintain something, you can sustain it for a longer period. Provided, you make material choices mindfully!
Typically, when we get ourselves a new piece of clothing that isn’t driven by a social media trend, we do it out of love. It may be for a specific detail of the garment that pulls us in, or how the fabric feels against our skin, but there’s always at least one thing we’re attached to, if not more! A couple of wears later though, it finds itself becoming a victim of our laziness.
There are ways to redeem ourselves and make our most-loved closet possessions stand the test of time, and our usual carelessness. They won’t wreak havoc on your social calendar on the weekends, and they sure as hell won’t take up every last ounce of your energy on the weekdays!
Invest in styles you can wear around the year.
The first step to lending a longer life to your closet is to put some thought into it. It’s not just trends that keep changing, but the seasons and our tastes too are constantly evolving! While it’s alright to place your bets on what everyone else is raving about, the hype dies down quickly and you’re left with styles you’ll probably never end up wearing again. Before you even begin to ‘care’ for your clothes, you need to build a collection of pieces that you know you will want to wear in the years to follow. Not only will they surpass ‘what’s in’ every now and then, but also be put to good use instead of eating dust at the back of your closet.
Follow the Care Instructions to a T.
Those tiny labels sewn onto the side seams of your clothes aren’t just for show, or meant to be cut off and thrown in the trash. Fashion brands want you to not just look great in what you wear, but also preserve its quality. ‘One size fits all’ doesn’t apply to fabric care, and that’s why these labels exist in the first place. While something might be washing machine-appropriate, the other would fare better if it was hand-washed, or dry cleaned. These labels also list out the temperatures at which your garments should be cleaned, along with how they should be dried. Following them thoroughly will add months, if not years to your clothes.
Find DIY ways to mend.
Don’t give up on your favourites just because of general wear and tear! So what if a button came off and you no longer have a replica for your shirt or trousers? Add another mismatched one, and make your outfit all the more fun! Alternatively, you can also add details like beads or ribbons that are usually always lying unused in one of your drawers. Patching up holes and tears with waste or leftover fabrics is also a great way to mend! Thank those quick and easy YouTube tutorials for letting us in on how to ‘repair’ in a jiffy. If you’re feeling inspired, you can also treat mending and upcycling your clothes as an elaborate DIY project to keep your hands full on weekends.
Store them right.
Simple measures such as trading your wire hangers for wooden hangers will add more life to your closet! Refolding clothes in a different way than how they were folded a long time ago prevents pesky creases from forming. Assign shelves or drawers for different pieces. No, you don’t need to Marie Kondo it as long as you don’t stuff everything together in one place. Own evening-wear or designer pieces? Store them in garment bags. Linen storage organizers may also prove to be your best friends, as they’re breathable yet keep dust and pest away! There’s a lot more to be mindful about when it comes to securing your clothes, so a little research will go a long way!
Focus on quality, not quantity.
While you care about your clothing, you can also care about the planet. Refrain from impulse buying by not giving in to the phrase “I have nothing to wear!” Choose well-made, quality pieces over low-end fabrics that won’t just harm your skin or cause other hazards but also be disposable, ending up in already overflowing landfills. Good clothes will last longer. Period. And if that is your ultimate aim, which it really should be considering the times we’re living in, spend a little more than usual on your next shopping spree. Indulge in attires that will give you more wear in the long run! You can’t save what was made to fall apart, i.e. substandard styles.
