Extending the lifespan of clothes is not just about buying second-hand or reselling them. How clothes are washed, mended, stored and worn also matters. This means that there is already a lot you can do today, even without support from shops. In an article in The Conversation, researchers Réka Tölg, from the Department of Service Studies, and Ingrid Haugsrud, from Oslo Metropolitan University, have drawn on their research to compile tips for extending the life of your clothes.
Five tips for a sustainable approach to your clothes
- Rethink your washing habits
Clothes wear out from washing. Try airing and reusing clothes instead of washing them. - Know which materials you’re wearing
Different fabrics require different care, and what works well for one type of fabric may not work well for another. - Rummage in your wardrobe
Do you have a lot of clothes in your wardrobe? Instead of clearing them out, try rediscovering forgotten gems! - Learn to repair and upcycle
A useful skill for saving your favourite garments. - Choose retailers that prioritise aftercare
Look for brands and retailers that offer repair services, easily accessible original parts, patches, as well as opportunities for reuse and bespoke alterations.
Read the full The Conversation article here: Five ways to make your clothes last longer.
Réka Tölg wrote her doctoral thesis on how circular clothing consumption is created in the retail sector and in households. Read the thesis on Lund University’s research portal: The (im)possibilities of circular consumption: Producing and performing circular clothing consumption in retail and household settings.
