‘I love what you’re wearing!’ That’s how most compliments roll. But, do you love what you’re wearing? Like really love what you’re wearing? Do you show your clothes that love?
Showing our clothes a little bit of extra love is a great way to make them last longer. The more we love them, the better we care for them, the longer they last, the less we dispose, the less we need to buy. It’s a win for our clothes, for the planet and for our pockets. What’s not to, well, love!
If you’re wondering what we’re talking about, we won’t keep you waiting. Here are five simple ways you can show your clothes more love.
Wear them more often
Remember Mr Rochester, who kept his wife holed up in an attic? We all know that wasn’t love. Love comes with some pride in the object of your adoration. With a desire to show off. Clothes were never meant to be just stored. They’re meant to be worn. Stop waiting for that special occasion to debut that special outfit to the world. This is not a Victorian ballroom!
Clothes and accessories kept in storage don’t last long. Cuts along creases, pest attacks, stains from embellishments are all too common. Ironically, unworn shoes get worn out faster. But when you take your clothes out often enough, you’ll be able to care for them better. And you’ll get the most out of them. And then, when they do wear out, you’ll also have the satisfaction of having enjoyed them.
Wash them less often
Clothes don’t need to be washed after every wear, unless they’re intimate wear or you’ve been sweating into them. The more you wash them, the more likely they are to fade and shed microfibres, weakening the fabric. Instead, air them out after every wear, spot clean them, or sun them. If you’re taking a hot shower, you can even put them on a hanger in the bathroom, while you do. The steam from the shower helps freshen them up. To find out more things you can do, check out our laundry guide, here. Being mindful of how you clean them is a great way to show your clothes some love.
Store them smartly
Every fabric and every category of clothing has different needs. For example, blazers and jackets need to be hung to maintain their shape; woollens need to be folded and kept so they don’t lose their shape; heavily-embellished clothes need to be kept wrapped in a soft fabric (old pillow cases are a great alternative); shoes and bags should be put in dustbags with a filler to help maintain their shape. Doing this will ensure your clothes and accessories last a really long time. Because loved clothes last.
Follow care instructions
Those itchy tags we cut off and throw away before wearing a new garment? Well, those actually carry a lot of important information. Sure, cut them off, but before you do, read them carefully. Is your garment dry clean only? What is its fabric composition? Fabric composition is especially important when caring for your clothes. Woollens should be flat-dried and never tumble-dried, to retain shape and reduce pillage. Your silks should only be handwashed in cold water with natural detergents, or the fabric will shrink. Your cottons can fade within the hour if you dry them in direct sunlight. Understand what your garment expects from you, so you can give it the love it deserves.
Mend and repair
Do we show a loved one the door because they are sad or sick or somehow broken? Of course we don’t. We tend to them, nurse them and care for them. We shower them with TLC. So why do we throw our clothes away just because of a little stain, or a small nip, or lose hem, or a missing button, or an elastic that’s easily replaceable? Why not show our clothes some TLC, too? Baking soda is a great way to take out stubborn stains. If you can’t thread a needle, your local tailor can help with the darning or with fixing that button. And if you’re feeling adventurous, try some visible mending. It gives you a cool talking point, too!
How do you like to show love to your clothes? Tell us in the comments.
