How to Extend the Life of Your Wardrobe

Shopping for new clothes can be fun, but even if you love clothes shopping, you likely want your wardrobe to last as long as possible. Not only is it a pain to have to replace your entire wardrobe but it’s also disappointing when your favorite shirt or pair of jeans gets worn out.

Many factors can impact how long your clothing lasts, including the quality of your clothes. However, there are also many ways you can extend the life of your favorite clothing items. If you want your clothes to last as long as possible, here are some tips on how to extend the life of your wardrobe.

Socks

Socks are a necessary part of your wardrobe, even if you don’t think about them often. How long your socks last will significantly depend on the quality of your socks, but there are also some ways to extend the life of any socks.

Instead of rolling your socks together, simply fold them at the top. When you roll them into a ball, you risk stretching and damaging them. As simple as it may sound, clipping your toenails is another way to extend the life of your socks. This will prevent them from getting snagged or ripped. If you want to get the most use out of your socks, start with a durable pair of socks that will last for years.

Underwear

Underwear is another part of your wardrobe that you don’t want to replace all the time. When washing underwear, it’s best to use cold water and the gentle cycle to prevent it from ripping or tearing. For especially delicate underwear, you can make them last even longer by hand washing them. 

If you do wash them in the washing machine, avoid using fabric softener or any other harsh cleaners since they can damage your undergarments. Washing them separately from the rest of your clothing or using a mesh laundry bag can also prevent wear.

Bras

Bras are another item of clothing that you want to last as long as possible, especially because a high-quality bra can be expensive. Properly caring for your bras can help extend their life and prevent you from having to buy a new one for a while.

One way to extend the life of your bras is to let them air dry instead of putting them in the dryer. It’s best to wash each bra after three or four wears since sweat can cause the elastic in the bra to break down quickly.

Shoes

Even if you love shoe shopping, you don’t want to lose your favorite pair anytime soon. Luckily, there are many ways to extend the life of your shoes without much maintenance. Keep in mind the care your shoes need will depend on the type of material they’re made of.

Leather shoes, for example, will last longer if you condition and polish them regularly. In general, cleaning any type of shoes regularly will protect them from extensive wear and tear. There are also some parts of your shoes that you can replace before they get too worn down, such as the insoles of your shoes. You can also resole your shoes when they start to become worn out instead of buying a new pair.

Swimsuits

Even high-quality swimsuits can become worn out quickly if you don’t take care of them. Whether you go swimming in a pool or the ocean, the chlorine or salt from the water gets in your suit and can cause your suit to wear out quickly.

With most swimsuits, it’s best to hand wash them with a mild soap. While you can put your swimsuit in the washing machine, washing it by hand will extend its life. It’s also a good practice to rinse your swimsuit before and after wearing it to prevent it from soaking up a lot of contaminants in the water.

Pajamas

While some items of clothing, like your swimsuits and undergarments, need to be washed frequently, you don’t have to wash pajamas as often. How often you wash them will depend on whether you take a shower at night or in the morning. If you wear your pajamas right after you take a shower, you won’t have to wash them after every time you wear them.

Keeping your pajamas stored in your dresser and away from the window will prevent them from fading. If you don’t want them to wear out too quickly, rotate through a few pairs of pajamas so they get equal use.

Jeans

Finding a pair of jeans that fits you perfectly is one of the most challenging things about shopping for new clothes. The good news is there are many ways to keep your jeans in great condition for years.

Jeans, unlike other items of clothing, don’t need to be washed after every time you wear them. If you get something on your jeans, you can spot-clean them since washing them too frequently can cause them to break down sooner. Even if you do get rips or tears in your jeans, you can mend them with some basic sewing skills to extend their life even further.

Shirts

Your wardrobe likely consists of a variety of shirts for different occasions. While each type of shirt and material will require a different type of care, most shirts can last for a long time if you care for them and store them properly.

For most materials, it’s best to wash them in cold water and only use the amount of detergent you need. Using too much detergent can lead to your shirts wearing out easily. If you’re washing t-shirts or other types of shirts that have a print or design on the front, wash them inside out to keep the design from fading or ripping.

Dress Pants

Taking care of your dress pants or slacks looks a little bit different than caring for your favorite jeans. Your pants should come with care instructions so always check the manufacturer’s recommendation before you wash them.

Although dress pants may not be able to go as long between washes as jeans, you can spot-treat your dress pants to prevent over-washing. Before you wear a pair of dress pants, you’ll likely want to get the wrinkles out. Using a steamer instead of an iron will prevent your pants from getting damaged by the heat.

Dresses

Your favorite dress can last for years if you properly care for it. Depending on the material of a dress, you will need to hand-wash some while others you can clean on a gentle cycle. However, with any type of dress, the more you wash it, the more worn out it will become, so avoid overwashing.

Believe it or not, the quality of the hangers you use can also impact how long your clothes last. Whether you’re hanging a dress or a skirt, using a quality hanger instead of a plastic hanger can prevent your dresses from losing their shape and prevent them from wearing out too early.

Winter Coats

Depending on where you live, you might only use your winter coats and other winter wear a couple of times a year. Considering high-quality winter coats aren’t cheap, you want to make sure that you protect your winter coats when you put them away for next year.

Once it starts to get colder out, wash your winter coats before using them, and then wash them before you put them away at the end of the season as well. Proper storage is key when it comes to extending the life of your winter gear. Always store your coats in a cool and dry location to prevent any damage to your coats.

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