If you are like me, you hesitate to wear your favorite clothes out of fear that they will be damaged or worn out–but it doesn’t have to be that way. Follow these tips to make your clothes last longer.
Store your garments properly
Those expensive hangers actually serve a purpose (besides being durable). Different garments require different hangers: heavy coats need thick, heavy-duty hangers for support; delicate fabrics, sweaters, and most stretchy fabrics benefit from soft, padded hangers so they do not become misshapen; rubber padding helps wide-necked pieces stay up and avoid being overly stretched; clamp hangers should never be too tight so as to prevent wrinkles. All garments should be hung on the proper-sized hanger as well, so that they maintain their structural integrity and stay on.Â
Hanging your clothes is usually the best way to store them, but it isn’t the most efficient use of space. Dressers can store clothes more compactly, but not all articles of clothing are suited for drawer storage. Everything you put in your drawers (save small pieces like socks or underwear) should be folded. The straighter the shape of the garment, the easier it is to fold, so drawer space is best used for pants and shorts–voluminous pieces and stiff fabrics consume too much drawer space. If your drawer is big enough, I would recommend lining them up next to each other, like a bookshelf, instead of stacking them on top of each other. This way, you can easily find and access your clothes.
Be cautious of where you store things, too. Moisture, sunlight, and some metals can damage, bleach, or stain your clothes (and jewelry).
Read the label
Even though they might be irritating, there’s a good reason for the tags on the inside of clothing items. Many people simply throw all of their dirty clothes in the washing machine when some pieces should be washed or dried in other ways. Improperly washing your laundry can damage, shrink, or even ruin them. Some items, especially those with vinyl decals, are meant to be washed inside out. The same goes for ironing–some fabrics shrink, bleed, melt, or burn under too much heat. Other pieces are meant to be washed by hand or dry cleaned.
Consider using a garment bag
Garment bags are used to protect your clothes in the laundry. They are never really necessary, but delicate fabrics are prone to damage in the washing machine and the dryer. A garment bag can act as a buffer between light fabrics and rough pieces like zippers. They should be similar to the garments they are meant to hold: light and lacking sharp pieces. I use a satin drawstring bag.Â
Wear your clothes properly
Though it has become trendy to wear clothes unconventionally, it can actually be detrimental to their longevity. Folding and stretching your clothes can change their shape over time, so it’s better to choose just one way to wear them if that is something that concerns you.
Untie your shoes
Shoving your feet into tied shoes can degrade the structure of your shoes and stretch out the laces. Even if it’s more convenient to leave them tied, they’ll be better off in the long run if you just untie them.
Buy better
Higher-quality clothing tends to last longer. However, it is also more expensive in most cases. View your purchases as long-term investments, and buy versatile pieces. Don’t spend too much money on something you don’t plan on wearing very often. However, if you do expect to wear it a lot, it might be worth spending a little more. It also reduces fashion waste.