We live in a world of fast fashion and in general we are a throwaway society. What if we don’t follow fashion, and we like to buy classic clothes that we can keep for several years how do we do that. Will the clothes we buy today stand the test of time? Here are my tips on how to extend the life of your clothes.
My tips on how to extend the life of your clothes
If you buy a top, t shirt or blouse from a high fashion store for £10.00 or less, I think in general you would only expect that top to last for the season. If, however you bought a blouse for £30 – £40 you would expect that to last a lot longer and have in your wardrobe for some time. Fast high street fashion is not meant to last, as in a few months’ time it is then out of fashion. However, most of my clients are more of what I call investment buyers. These people like to buy good quality clothes that will stand the test of time. They buy wisely as they know which colours that suit them, and which style will bring out the best of their figure. For this reason, they like to keep their favourite in their wardrobe. So, how do you do that?
My tips on how to extend the life of your clothes
One of the things that will certainly prolong the life of your clothes is washing in the correct way. All garments have washing instructions in them and if they say hand wash, then that is the best way to care for that item. Certain fabrics are best washed at lower temperatures 30, so we must be mindful of that. Don’t just put everything in together, you should separate whites, colours and a dark wash. This stops a colour run but also means you can do different loads at different temperatures. I try to limit my tumble dryer as its expensive to run. However, some things are better tumbled and then hung which limits the amount of ironing. when washing delicate items use a laundry bag to protect the item.
How often do you need to launder your clothes?
Now this is the one -hundred- dollar question. Washing your clothes too much will knock the stuffing out of them, and they will soon look wore out. If for arguments sack, we are talking a shirt of blouse that you have got hot wearing and as it is next to your skin I would definitely wash after one wear. A pair of trousers or a skirt I would not wash after one wear. Wearing a slip under your skirt means it’s not next to your skin which prolongs the need for washing.
Do you need to wash it?
I must admit that when I am buying something new, I think very carefully about buying it if the label says dry clean only. I don’t like the cost of dry cleaning any more than the inconvenience to having to take it to a dry cleaner. If an item just needs a re-fresh there are several ways to do that. Firstly, I would hang the item on the washing line outside to eliminate odorous, particularly if you have been in a smoky environment. If we don’t have the weather for that you can hang them in your bathroom while you shower to steam them. There are also several clothes refreshers on the market which you can spray on your clothes to give them that just washed smell.
When you have spillages, you can spot stain remove. The best stain remover I have found is baby wet wipes which remove most stains effortlessly.
My tips on how to extend the life of your clothes
Think about how you store your clothes. Make sure your wardrobe is not stuffed with clothes, so they are not hanging correctly and are all cluttered up and coming out all creased. If that is the case, you need to cull your wardrobe. Too many clothes mean you are not wearing them all so there are items that you don’t need to keep any more as they are not serving you. Invest in some nice hangers to hang dresses, jackets and blouses. I hang my trousers and skirts from the waist and fold my jumpers. If you can see everything hanging in your wardrobe you are less likely to buy things.
Expensive items you can store in cotton suit bags to prevent moth damage. if you suffer from moths place a piece of Cedar-wood and the moths won’t come anywhere near. Line your draws with lavender – scented drawer liners. If you have found your favourite jumper has some moth eggs in it’s place in a plastic bag and stick in the freezer for a few day to kill the eggs.
How to store and protect your shoes.
So often I see the bottom of the wardrobe littered with shoes, and boots shoved in anyhow, no wondered they do not last long. Invest in some boxes to put your shoes in. Take these see through ones, you don’t even have to label them as you can see what is inside. If you have shoe trees for you your shoes or boots do use them. Other everyday sandals I place in one of the hanging shoes shelves which you can buy in most stores. At the end of the winter I polish all my shoes and re -heal them if they need it. If you have a good pair of leather shoes it is often worth having a new sole if it will prolong the life of a comfortable pair of shoes that you love. When October comes and you get out your winter shoes and boots you are ready to go.
Those are my tips on how to extend the life or your clothes. If you have something nice that you are worked hard to earn it is only right that you want to look after it. That way you will be able to keep in your wardrobe and enjoy wearing. If you would like any more help or advise, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
This week’s challenge to you.
Have a look at how you are storing your clothes checking that you can see all that you have. Any excess that you are not wearing take out of the wardrobe. If you don’t want to throw them away, place in a suitcase for the time being. If in a few months you have not missed them it might be the time to let them go. Review how you do your washing. Start checking the labels for instructions and have a look at how often your clothes need washing. Let me know how you get on.
You can follow me on Facebook where I regularly post style updates. Pinterest is a love of mine and here I have several boards from style, colour combinations and many more. If Instagram is your thing I am on there as well. Why not give me a call for a chat to find out how I can help you on 07786 632798 or email me sandra@colourworx.me or visit my website www.colourworx.me
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