Are you constantly replacing clothes? Or maybe your clothes aren’t looking as good as when you bought them? By learning to extend the life of your clothing, you could save yourself a lot of money. Below are a few tricks to make your clothing last longer:
Invest in high quality clothes:
Cheaper clothing typically isn’t built to last. After only a few months of regular wear with fast fashion purchases, you can expect shoes to have worn soles, sunglasses to scratch, bras to become loose, tights to rip, and sweaters to dethread. Paying a little more for higher quality clothing is often worthwhile as these items will last longer. You may be paying more upfront, but you won’t have to replace them as often – they could last many years without getting damaged. Of course, this doesn’t mean that all of your clothes should be high-end designer items. Being prepared to spend $10 extra may be all it takes to improve the longevity of your clothes. You can often find reviews from customers online by entering a search for “Chummy Tees Review” (or the specific brand you are looking for). Take the time to read through them before making a purchase to ensure that other people are satisfied with the quality of the clothing.
Stick to timeless fashion pieces:
Another reason some of us regularly replace clothing is because we buy into fads. Such clothing can end up quickly going out of fashion. Instead of following fast fashion trends, try to stick to timeless fashion pieces. These are items of clothing that stayed trendy for decades. Prime examples include trench coats, blazers, little black dresses, blue denim jeans, black leather jackets, button down tops, black pumps, and ballet shoes.
Learn how to sew:
Sewing is a useful skill that can extend the life of many different clothing items. It can help you to sew buttons back on, repair broken seams, or even tighten clothing that has become too loose. You can learn to sew using a needle and thread or you can buy yourself a sewing machine. If you choose the latter, make sure to take the time to shop for high quality sewing machines. You’ll find many tutorials online teaching you how to sew clothes.
Follow washing instructions:
Many clothes end up getting destroyed in the washing machine because people do not read the washing instructions. For example, it can be important to consider the heat setting – heavy items like jeans should always be washed on a high heat setting, while stretchy items like yoga pants should be washed on a low heat setting. You may also want to avoid washing delicate items on a fast spin setting.
In most cases, you can find washing instructions on the label. Alternatively, you can find instructions online. Try to learn the best washing machine settings for each item so that you can separate them accordingly.
Hand wash delicate clothes:
Some delicate items like sequined dresses, silk blouses, lingerie, and cashmere sweaters can get easily damaged in a washing machine no matter what setting you choose. Hand washing these items is the best way to prevent damage. Yes, hand washing is more time-consuming, but it could help to save you money on replacing clothes. It’s also likely to use less water and energy, saving you some money on your utility bills.
Air dry clothes in summer:
Tumble dryers can also contribute to clothing damage. The heat combined with the tumbling motion can cause items to unravel or tear. To prevent this, consider air drying your clothes in the summer. If you’re not allowed to use a washing line in your neighborhood, consider simply using a laundry rack indoors. If it’s a hot day, the clothes should dry in a few hours. You’ll not only save money by reducing clothing damage, but you’ll also save money by using less energy.
When you know the ways to make your clothing last, you can keep that brand new feel all of the time!
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