Longevity in Fashion

How long do your clothes last you? The average American throws away 81 pounds of clothing each year, much of it due to the low quality of garments being sold (Romeo, 2023). In 1960, the average amount spent on clothing per year was about 10% of the household's annual income; the average person bought under 25 garments a year (Vatz, 2013). Today, the average American spends around 3% of their income on clothing and buys about 70 new pieces a year. It is so much easier to go to a fast fashion website like Shein or Romwe and buy an entire outfit for the same price as one high-quality garment. However, these pieces deteriorate so rapidly that people who buy better-quality clothes can reduce their overall clothing spend by 33% on average (Deppen, 2024). Not to mention that the workers who produce fast fashion are exploited, 85% of textiles end up in landfills, and it takes 7,500 liters of water to make one pair of jeans (“20 Sustainable Fashion Facts - State of Matter Apparel,” 2023). Overconsumption has become the death of fashion. Fast fashion is plaguing society and your pockets! But it does not have to be this way. Here are four cost-effective tips and tricks to make your clothes last longer and enhance your style.

1. Before buying that new shirt, LOOK IN YOUR OWN CLOSET. 

So many trendy pieces can easily be made yourself. For instance, this PacSun tank top that was originally sold for $25, (but fell out of style so quickly it is now $12,) can easily be a DIY. Even with the most novice sewing skills, this design could easily be replicated at home with a ribbon, needle, thread, and tank top you already own. The DIY version is more cost-effective, less exploitative, longer lasting, and more eco-friendly. 

2. STOP WASHING YOUR CLOTHES. 

I know this sounds disgusting, but hear me out. 90% of clothes are overwashed (Edmond, 2019). The Levi’s CEO recommends to never put your jeans in a washing machine (Kiderlin, 2023). When it comes to jeans, to maintain the integrity of the fabric, should be hand-washed if they become noticeably dirty. If something is spilled on the jeans, they should be spot-cleaned. Not to mention that up to 90% of a garment’s energy footprint comes from washing and drying, and washing machines use about 30 gallons of water per cycle (Clark & Berners-Lee, 2010)(“How Much Water Does a Washing Machine Use? | Whirlpool,” 2024). Sweaters, hoodies, bras, dresses, and pajamas can typically be washed after 4 wears. Washing clothing less frequently can extend the lifespan of garments by 40% (Edmond, 2019). Washing your clothes less results in less pilling, fading, stretching, and tears. Furthermore, washing on cold and air drying can also increase the longevity of your clothes.

3. BRING BACK THE FORGOTTEN ART OF MENDING! 

90% of discarded clothing can be repaired or upcycled (“20 Sustainable Fashion Facts - State of Matter Apparel,” 2023). If your favorite pair of jeans gets a huge grease stain on them, sew a patch on them to cover it up! Does your antique hat have a rip in it? Sew a patch over it! Your shirt got torn up by your cat!? Learn a new sewing method to patch the hole. Simple repairs like replacing buttons, fixing up hems, or patching small holes can be done with little to no prior sewing experience. Creative mending -like using visible stitches or unique patches- can turn boring garments into fashion statements, giving old clothes new life and a personalized touch. Learning how to mend or take clothes to a tailor can promote a deeper connection to the clothing we wear, encouraging us to buy fewer, better-quality items. It also can preserve vintage and high-quality items, which possess craftsmanship and materials that are not commonly used in modern clothing production. Mending ensures that these unique pieces remain in circulation. 

4. If you insist on buying more clothes, INVEST IN CLOTHES YOU WANT TO PRESERVE. 

Instead of constantly buying new items, invest in high-quality second-hand clothing. The best part is that you can still do this from your couch. Find brands that make high-quality garments, and search for those brands on sites like Depop, eBay, or Mercari. (For a more immersive experience visit a flea market, estate sale, antique store, or thrift store.) By shopping secondhand, you can find unique, long-lasting items that you will want to take care of, while still staying affordable. Investing in quality clothing allows for better personal expression and longevity of style. Well-made clothes retain their shape, color, and texture longer, allowing people to wear timeless pieces for years without them falling apart. Slow fashion encourages consumers to develop their sense of style rather than using constantly fleeting trends as a crutch for looking cool.