Making Clothes Last     

 Taking-Care-of-Clothes-to-Make-them-LastNo matter who you are, where you are, and what you do for a living, chances are that you are expected to be fully clothed when you walk around out in the world. That is, most people would agree, a pretty good thing — some things are best kept private! But while getting dressed is so normal that it verges on unconscious for most of us, this obvious ritual is costing us a lot.

Clothes and your budget

Americans spend a lot on clothes. The average family spends $1,700 on clothes annually, and yet we don’t wear most of the clothes that we find in our own closets — probably because we shop so irrationally.

Of course, this isn’t happening solely because we all have to wear clothes. People have been wearing clothes for an awful long time, yet our ancestors didn’t find themselves in H&M every other week buying new tops. The difference may be our throwaway society, experts say: we’re conditioned to buy cheap things and toss them when they wear out, rather than “buying it for life.”

We could save money by making our clothes last longer. Here’s how to do that.

Buying for keeps

Making your clothes last starts with the clothes themselves. If you buy cheap goods at “fast fashion” shops, then you shouldn’t be particularly surprised when they wear out fast. Such things are made cheaply (and, in an unfortunately large number of cases, under deplorable conditions). Instead, look for retailers that offer higher-quality products. That’s not necessarily the same thing as looking for pricey clothes, say the experts at Saved by the Dress — affordable online boutiques and other specialty shops can help you here. Good clothes should be well-made and stylish, but they don’t have to be overpriced.

For really tough clothes, consider looking to stores that offer long-lasting guarantees and forgiving return policies. Such shops are signaling that they are ready to stand behind their products, which they clearly expect to last.

Washers, dryers, and keeping clothes longer

Our clothes go through a lot when we wear them, but that’s not the only time that they suffer. Washing and drying clothes can be tough on them, too.

Learn how to wash your clothes properly. Using cold water can help limit shrinking in cotton clothes, and drying on lower heat (or air-drying clothes instead of putting them in the dryer at all) can do the same. Your clothes have codes on their tags, too, which will tell you how to wash them properly if you learn how to read the weird hieroglyphics.

High-end washers and dryers will give you more options for protecting your clothes with gentle but effective washing and drying. And keeping your washer and dryer maintained can be key, too, says one expert in appliance repair in Oahu. It can also make your machines more efficient and more reliable, saving your money on energy bills and potential future repair costs.

Mending and patching

Learning how to mend or patch your clothes can help, too. Patching has become something of a lost art, but it can extend the life of your pants and other garments. Learn how to do a clean job of adding a subtle patch, and you’ll find that you can make things nearly as good as new. If you’re unsure of your own skills, speak to seamstresses and tailors about having them do the job for you.

Not every single piece of clothing is worth saving, of course. But if you are a bit more conscious about how you shop for clothes, wash clothes, and treat salvageable garments, then you may find you can save a lot of money by making your clothes last.
[…]
How to Build an Active Lifestyle Capsule Wardrobe

This post may contain automatically and manually added affiliate links, which means I might receive a small commission if you make a purchase using a link at no extra cost to you.
GET $10 OFF for orders $90+ with Code "autu10" for all orders at Dresslily.com! Ends: 8/9/2018

Be Kind in This World

Be-Kind-in-This-World-Choose-the-Right-Fabric

T-shirts are made of different kinds of fabrics. Each kind has its own characteristics and own advantage and advantages. Choosing the right one for your own use can help you enjoy the quality and comfort of your clothes. T-shirts are a staple garment for all kinds of people. There could be no person, in this lifetime, who has not worn a t-shirt at least once. Men, women, adults and children wear t-shirts.

The T-shirts are comfortable and casual. Anybody can wear them, of course with consideration of the appropriateness of the occasion. It would not be proper to wear t-shirts, no matter how comfortable and chic they are, in weddings, cocktails, or a formal event. Still, just like any apparel, these are worn in proper places and occasions.

Fabric

The fabric used is paramount to the quality of t-shirts. It also matters in its designs and prints. Some are super design and print friendly, while some need more special handlings. If you know the difference in fabrics used to make t-shirts, you can make better decisions relative to the creation and care of a good t-shirt. Click here to learn more about fabrics and textiles.

Cotton

Cotton is the most common fabric used in making t-shirts. There are also different types of cotton that are used in creating this clothing.

  • Combed cotton – this is after the fabric is rid of short strands and combed to straighten the fiber strands. It becomes smoother, softer, and stronger; this kind is good for printing.
  • Organic cotton – is a popular option, it is comfortable and softer. It is also more expensive, softer, more comfortable and a preferred option. It cost more than regular cotton.
  • Pima cotton – is said to have the highest quality. Fibers are extra-long fibers that make very soft fabrics. It is durable and will resist fading, stretching, and pilling.
  • Slub cotton – is created before weaving cotton. It is unique, airy and light. Fabrics made of this need no ironing.

Advantages of cotton fabrics are as follows:

  • The material is natural;
  • The source is renewable;
  • It is good for those who have sensitive skin;
  • It is breathable so it is not warm to the skin;
  • It is soft.

The advantages are:

  • Production is expensive;
  • It needs more water during production;
  • Growing it needs land;
  • Products made of cotton are more expensive for customers.

Other Fabrics

  • Linen – comes from flax plant (Linum usitatissimum) which is intentionally cultivated for its fiber, as discussed in https://www.britannica.com/plant/flax. It has a textured weave and is best for summer clothes because it is lightweight and breathable, it dries of moisture quickly, but it can easily wrinkle.
  • Polyester – this dries quickly and is not prone to mildew. It can maintain its shape without being stretched. This is often used in athletic clothes. It is synthetic and has nylon, acrylic, and acetate in it. It is fast dry and durable; cost-effective, flexible, can blend nicely with cotton, and it is recyclable.
  • Rayon – this is also used in athletic clothes and is affordable than silk but it can be an alternative. It is made of fiber made from trees, cotton, and plants. It is breathable, silky to the touch and drapes with less effort. It also is dye friendly and is absorbent.
  • Lycra – in reality, is Spandex. It is used to made t-shirts more stretchy and is found in athletic wear more than anywhere else. It allows moving so easy.

Costs

Manufacturing fabrics are costly so products are therefore expensive. But some manufacturers cut corners to keep their prices down. Either they pay their workers with low wages or skip steps in the process of manufacturing. Forcibly low-priced fabrics create affordable t-shirts, but they compromise the quality of the product. This is often noticeable after several washes. This also means some factory workers were oppressed and unjustly paid. Realizing all these, perhaps you are wondering now how much wages were cut off form how many workers.

Some individuals always go for famous brands and whatever is in the current trends. But do we know if the fabrics used in these clothes are of good quality or not? What is meant here is that, expensive does not always mean quality, and quality products do not always have to be expensive. There are many small manufacturers and designers that offer products with so much more quality than the famous brands but do not cost as much as the price of the branded ones. You just have to be an intelligent buyer.
[…]
Rocking a Polo: How to Wear a Polo Shirt
How to Build an Active Lifestyle Capsule Wardrobe
Combining Style and Comfort in Your Everyday Fashion

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I might receive a small commission if you make a purchase using a link.
GET $10 OFF for orders $90+ with Code "autu10" for all orders at Dresslily.com! Ends: 8/9/2018

HTML Snippets Powered By : XYZScripts.com