Many people who shop ethically want to know how to best care for their items to get the best use out of them. Shopping from ethical brands is a lot different than shopping from big box stores. Big companies manufacture a large quantity of poorly made items, so no wonder the outfit doesn’t fit well after a couple of wears.
Slow fashion brands put a lot of thought and effort into each garment they make. Here at Pros and Cons Apparel we know first hand how much time goes into making just one dress (our Camilla dress takes almost 10 hours to sew from beginning to end)! So it’s no wonder why ethical fashion brands want to help you keep your clothes for lifelong wear. Here are 5 of our favourite tips to keep your items looking perfect wear after wear.
1. Follow the care instruction on the label
The care label is your best friend. Each care label is designed specifically for that garment. Care instructions can change based of fabric type, dye, or embellishments. Washing your item in warm when the label states cold could shrink your items or cause the pattern to run. It may be tempting to skip steps or bunch your laundry together, but you’ll be disappointed if you do.
2. Wash only when needed
You do not need to wash your item after every wear. I repeat: you do not need to wash your item after every wear. We’re not talking your undies here (please wash those after every wear), but articles of clothing that you wear on the outside can definitely stretch several wears so long as they are not visibly soiled. Excess washing can cause your item to weaken over time, not to mention that it is unnecessary, and wastes extra water. By only washing your item when needed you will keep your garment stronger, save money on that water bill, and help the planet by conserving water.
3. Store items properly
Hang items that should be hung, and fold items that should be folded. Items that should be folded are meant to be that way to prevent stretching out of garments with hanging (think knit sweaters). Hanging certain items prevents wrinkles or creases with folding.
A good way to note if your item should be hung or not is to look inside for hang ties. These are usually made of ribbon or twill tape. When hanging garments, always use the hang ties. This prevents stretching out of shoulder seams, which will cause your item to look odd the longer you have it.
4. Air dry when possible
By air drying you prevent unnecessary use of heat on your garments, which could shrink them or weaken them over time. Machine drying can also ruin embroidery or other embellishments. Air drying is much more gentle on your clothing, and will save you money in the long run on electricity, and from having ruined items from the dryer.
5. Use proper iron settings
Ironing is another important step in caring for your garments properly. Always make sure you use the correct settings for your material, as you do not want to damage your fabric. Your iron should have instructions on proper settings depending on what you are ironing. It's also important to remember to turn your item inside out before ironing. This will help protect the pattern of the fabric.
Do you have any other tips that you love for keeping your garments looking flawless over time?