Clever 8 tips that will make you shop less!

Ever had that outfit you wish to keep forever? Our fashion fairy godmothers are here to help you cast a longevity spell on your clothes so you can save that outfit for years to come. Continue reading to find out more.

Ever thought “Oh! This outfit makes me look so good I want to wear it forever!”? What if we told you that although it may not be possible to make clothes last for eternity but there are active steps you can take to increase the longevity of your wardrobe. Continue reading to find out more.

Photo by Sam Lion

When shopping, make sure you look at the label of the clothes you purchase to check for the fabric and after purchase care. Following the care label is essential in the longevity of your wardrobe. The most important being how it’s meant to be washed and at what temperature! Fabrics also play an essential role in how long will the clothes last in your wardrobe. By investing in durable fabrics such as cotton or linen you can wear your clothes for a much longer period of time. When clothes last longer, it means that you need to buy new clothes less often. By buying less clothes you can make a huge difference and impact the environment in a positive way.

Image by Reader’s Digest

In case of stains, it is best to pre-treat them. The general rule for a fresh stain is to blot and not rub the stain. Oil based stains will require a powder to absorb the oil first before washing the affected area with liquid dish soap. Another colour bleeding requires chemical treatment which can be facilitated by a laundromat/dhobi/even a dyer near you OR you can alternatively tie-die the outfit to create a new outfit.

Photo from our Assu Campaign. Shot by Mahoor Jamal.

Washing machines although convenient can cause a lot of microtears in your clothes due to the agitation created by the appliance’s movement. Handwash your clothes inside out with a detergent that does not have bleaching agents, especially the natural fibre-based fabric after wearing it multiple times until visibly dirty. Lastly, ensure that that you wash coloured, dark, and whites separately with empty pockets, closed zips, and open buttons.

Photo by Olga Lioncat. GENERATION Summer favourites available here

Once the clothes are washed, the best way to dry them is to hang them on a clothesline and air dry them in shade. Sun exposure can fade out colour, thus air drying them in shade helps preserve the colour making them look brand new.

Photo by Pavel Danilyuk. Apparel made from soft durable fabrics. Shop here

Once dried, the clothes that are to be hanged or folded need to be separated. Clothes that are heavier or have a heavy hem need to be folded properly so that they can retain their shape. Clothes that need to be hanged should have heavier thick hangers like wood or velvet/satin covered hangers instead of plastic and thin metal ones to prevent shoulders seams from disintegrating.

Photo by Ron Lach

Do you know that steam is a good anti-wrinkle treatment for clothes? Steaming is an effective way to get wrinkles out of almost any fabric, it requires less space to use a steamer (especially if you use a handheld steamer) and it takes less time and effort than ironing does. Plus, frequent ironing can also weaken the threads overtime, decreasing your clothes shelf-life.

Photo by Los Muertos Crew

Take the time out to repair your clothing. Don’t throw them away yet if a seam has become undone or there is a loose button. Use the internet or sit with a relative who can teach you the basics of mending which will save your garment and your money.

Photo by Ketut Subiyanto

Ensure that you give your clothes their due space that is free from bugs, mould, dew, or bacteria. Keep them in a relatively cool low-light or dark place such as suitcases (if they are being stored for another season) or wardrobe/boudoir (if they are the current season’s clothes).

Now that you know you can increase the shelf life of your clothes, we hope that you follow these to ensure that your clothes are always looking pristine for years to come.