Wardrobe Wizardry: Tips for Prolonging Your Clothes' Lifespan
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Though I’ve reached a point in my life where I primarily wear athleisure, I still appreciate high-quality clothing. And when I invest in high-quality apparel, I expect it to last a respectable amount of time.
My first “big-girl” job post-college was a wild ride. I was miserable from day 1, and because I lived at home with essentially no bills, I turned to retail therapy to bring some glimmers of joy. Nearly every Saturday I drove to Nordstrom, perused for an hour or so and ventured home with a crisp gray bag and a few new garments. Having a legitimate income, I prioritized quality over quantity, and built my wardrobe with beautiful pieces emblematic of my young adult style.
~15 years later, most of those early pieces are no longer in my closet due to my more mature style and (ahem) larger size – but I learned valuable lessons along the way on how to care for my clothes to extend their life. I still have a few handbags purchased during that period, that in my opinion look as good as new — and I’m confident most of my articles of clothing from that time would have had the same fate if still in my possession.
Continue reading for some of my tips on how to care for your clothing to extend its longevity.
shopping
Quality over quantity. This is one of the most crucial factors in extending clothing lifespan. It may be enticing to buy the latest trends showcased across social media, but often these items are fast fashion and made of lower quality materials that simply won’t last as long. You can buy “soft trends” (i.e., fashionable yet less fleeting) from nicer quality brands to achieve both goals.
Buy off-season. Affordability-wise, I’ve had massive success buying off-season (e.g., coats and vests in the Summer and tank tops in the Winter). One Fall while living in Chicago I scored a gorgeous full-length mediterranean pleated skirt on sale from $750+ to less than $200. Over the years I’ve found multiple designer items originally up to $1,000 for 75-90% off. Size availability can be a challenge — but the deals are worth the hunt as off-season prices enable you to add higher quality items to your wardrobe which will inherently last longer with basic care.
care
Use the delicate cycle. I aim to dry clean clothing per label instructions when possible, but sometimes the cost can be prohibitive. In lieu of dry cleaning, some items can be washed via the delicate cycle in your washing machine. There are specific detergents and bags to protect delicate clothing when in the washer to enable this option.
The Laundress Delicate Wash
The Laundress Mesh Washing Bags
Polecasa Mesh Laundry Bags
Hang dry. Some pieces thrive via a long spin in the toasty clothing dryer — but I tend to hang dry most of my clothes. A clothing line in my garage to gives me ample space to hang all of my favorites that I hope to wear for years to come. A mobile drying rack (think college dorm accessory) is used to lay flat fragile sweaters or heavy articles I don’t want to stretch. Lay items in a manner that suits their shape to mitigate distortion during drying.
Read labels. Assess important factors like washing and storage recommendations to determine if you’re willing to care for the article. If not, consider purchasing a different item. Washing, hanging, folding + storing appropriately are critical in maintaining the quality of your clothes. Stock up on sweater boxes or hanging compartments to store sweaters — and avoid overcrowding or weighing down pieces. For example I stack my sweaters heavy to light so the more fragile items have space to breathe on top of the pile.
Hanging Closet Organizer
Foldable Clothes Storage Bin
Employ a clothing rack. There are MANY benefits of a stand-alone clothing rack, but for the purpose of this topic, it is a great tool for staging clothing items that have been worn once or twice but aren’t ready to be washed. Rather than crumpling once-worn clothes in a pile or washing them for the sake of needing to do something with them — display them on a rack. Hang items on hangers or lay them on the bottom flat portion to await their next use. Washing less will reduce wear & tear, stretching, discoloration, fading, etc. These racks are beautiful and functional:
Jiuyotree Metal Garment Rack
Simple Rolling Metal Garment Rack
Use a clothing spray. I can’t recall when I started this practice - but It’s one of my favorite tips. In correlation with the above tip, applying a deodorizing spray to once-worn pieces will make them smell delectable so you feel comfortable wearing them again. Here are a few options:
Love Home and Planet Dry Wash Spray
Brooklinen Fabric Refresher
Invest in quality detergent. Perhaps a product of our consumerism-driven economy, today’s market offers endless high-quality detergent options. A basic detergent (like these Amazon pods) is likely perfect for day to day laundering — but some articles of clothing may benefit from a higher-quality or niche detergent. Think of it like your daily athleisure outfit vs a date night outfit — different scenarios call for different tools. Here are a few higher-end options:
L’avant High Performing Laundry Detergent
Laundry Sauce
Laveree Detergent
Dry prior to washing. If like me you sweat a lot during fitness activities, you probably know that your activity can take a toll on your workout clothes. I’ve found that laying my wet clothes out to dry PRIOR to washing helps mitigate smells, stains and wear & tear. Post-workout, I peel off my clothes and lay them on the bottom of my clothing rack or along the edges of my hampers. Once fully dry, typically the next morning, I pop them into the hamper to await their next wash. If there is an unpleasant scent while drying, I use a few spritzes of my clothing spray to freshen the air.
Rotate your outfits. When I’m styling an outfit for an event or activity, I think about the last time I wore certain elements. It is important to spread out use of items so any given item doesn’t get overused while others remain untouched. Wearing articles of clothing less frequently will ensure they stay in good shape much longer.
Dress in the right order. One quick way to damage an article of clothing is staining it with makeup, beauty/skincare products, etc. Be cognizant of the type of clothing item you’ll be wearing and any products that may come in contact. For example, if you will be wearing a shirt with a tight neck, consider putting that on BEFORE you apply makeup so you don’t transfer makeup when getting dressed or have to stretch the neck to avoid the makeup. Fragrance is another factor to keep in mind — for example, perfume can be damaging to pearls — in that case consider spritzing the scent first, then adding your jewelry once the product has dried.
Treat stains ASAP. This may be obvious, but don’t let stains sit on clothing too long. If possible, use a stain solution or boiling water to remove certain certain stains. Consider keeping travel sized stain solutions in your bag for on the go protection.
Wine Away Stain Remover
Tide To Go Pen
By employing these tips, your unique and treasured wardrobe should live a long good life!
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Disclaimer: The clothing care tips provided in this post are based on personal experience and research. While we strive to offer accurate and helpful advice, please understand that individual results may vary. We cannot guarantee specific outcomes, and it's essential to consider your unique circumstances when applying these recommendations. Always test any new products or methods in a small, inconspicuous area first to ensure compatibility with your garments. Thank you for trusting us with your clothing care concerns!
