How To Make Clothes Last Longer

Courtesy of Pinterest

Written By: Mariel Persico

With sustainability month for Villanova’s BOF in full effect, it is important that we start to focus on keeping our closets sustainable. While a big part of this is buying new clothes from sustainable companies, we must also look at the clothes that are currently in our closets. Below are a few tips on how to keep your clothes in good condition to last longer. 

1. Buy Based on Quality over Quantity 

   1. When opting for a new pair of jeans, do not just buy the cheapest pair. While the pair of Levi Jeans may be more expensive than the $20 Shein pair, their true quality will start to show after a few wears and washes. In the long run, the more expensive pair, if better quality, will last way longer and be better for your wallet.

2. Read the Clothing Tags Before Buying 

   1. Have you ever bought a new sweater that quickly showed signs of wear with pulls and pilling? Chances are it was made of synthetic fibers. Always check the tags of clothing before buying and try to steer clear of synthetic fibers. For sweaters, look for ones made of natural fibers like linen and cashmere, rather than synthetic fibers like acrylic or polyester. For jeans, try to buy a pair with thicker material and quality stitching. When buying t-shirts, cotton is a common choice, however, opt for recycled or organic cotton rather than traditional cotton. 

3. Stay Away From Trends

   1. While it is fine to purchase the latest trending item from time to time, try to stay away from them. Chances are that you will buy a cheap option and will not end up wearing it for more time than the season allows, or it will not even be in good condition anymore. Then, it will ultimately end up in a landfill somewhere not decomposing for hundreds or even thousands of years. 

4. Read the washing instructions 

   1. As much of a hassle as it seems, read the washing instructions on your clothes (yes, that includes air-drying your lululemon leggings). Mindlessly throwing all of your clothes into the same wash on a random cycle will quickly start to deteriorate them. 

5. Keep a Stain Removal Wipe or Pen with you 

   1. After a few hours of wear, a small stain may appear on your jeans from fallen food/drink. Rather than putting them through a whole washing cycle, just spot treat the jeans with either a stain removal pen or wipe. This will save you time and money by having to do washes less frequently on items that do not require washing. Also, clothes last longer when washed less.

6. Mend Items with Small Damages

   1. Has a broken strap or a fallen-off button caused you to throw away or re-buy an entire piece of clothing? Do not let it! There are countless youtube videos, books, articles, etc. that can teach you how to resolve small issues like these. If the repair is more serious, such as a tear in jeans or a loose seem, bring the item to your local tailor or seamstress.

There is no need to walk away from every new item you are drawn to buying. However, it is important to keep as many items as you can in good condition so that you do not need to replace every single item in your closet. Together, we can create a more sustainable fashion industry for years to come.