Cómo alargar la vida de tu ropa

Highsnobiety's eco-guide Better Earth is a guide for style enthusiasts in an era of environmental crisis - a crisis caused in part by fashion itself. Here you will find an ever-growing collection of resources about conscious consumption and the pioneers driving change in our industry.

Conversations about style and the planet often seem to take place in two different spheres. On the one hand, you're knee-deep in consuming content and products created and discussed by companies (like ours) on a daily basis; places that tell you what's new, what's popular, what's not, and you feel like you have to buy to keep up. On the other hand, you are faced with news about the climate crisis and the role the fashion industry plays in it. You feel like you have to choose a side.

But maybe you won't. Believe it or not, there is a way to take care of fashion and your style by actively reducing the impact of your shopping habits. It's much easier than you think. This doesn't mean you hold on to clothes out of guilt or give up impulse purchases in exchange for "sustainable" alternatives. It's just one word, and that word is care.

The care we mean comes in several forms, but basically it involves learning how to take care of what you already have. Specifically, how to keep a piece in great condition so you can love it forever, whether it's sewing clothes that don't fit or learning how to wash them properly.

With this guide, we've made it easy to keep your clothes in place longer. Enjoy.

Find out how to extend the life of your clothes.

Purchase

When you're shopping for new clothes (whether new or used), the saying "quality over quantity" will always apply. If you're really feeling the urge to add to your wardrobe, try investing in higher-quality pieces that are built to stand the test of time and withstand more washes and wear.

Please note that higher prices do not always guarantee high quality. Check the quality of the embroidery and check the materials on the label - natural fabrics like organic cotton and linen are better than synthetic fabrics. When buying inexpensive items, it's easier to tell if an item is of higher quality because it's already gone through one life cycle (of course, this also depends on how often it was worn by the previous owner).

In the end: don't love it? Don't buy into this. Make sure that every item you buy will serve you in the long run. Don't waste your money on trends, but instead invest in pieces that suit you and your personal style.

Washing

When washed, clothes deteriorate greatly. Here's how to do it right:

Pay special attention to care labels. Your clothes will already have instructions for use, so make sure you check the label to find out what temperature to wash at, whether to hand wash, and whether ironing is allowed.
Buy a deli bag.
Always wash the same colors together.
Wash less often. Washing clothes too often or using too much detergent can damage the fibers and therefore shorten the lifespan, so think carefully before throwing clothes in the washing machine. Yes, items like T-shirts, underwear and workout clothes should be washed after each wear because they are in closer contact with your skin and absorb sweat. But there's no need to wash that jumper or those jeans after you've gone to the store one day.
Speaking of jeans. There are many popular myths about washing jeans. Technically, you can skip washing your jeans, as it will give them a more... interesting look. But a machine wash from time to time won't hurt them either. And there's one way to make sure they don't fade too much in the wash...
Wash inside out. This is an easy way to prevent these shades from fading.
Dry air. After washing, try not to use a dryer and air dry your clothes, as it is much gentler on the fibers.
Iron with water. Be careful when ironing without ironing. It is better to iron clothes when they are still damp. If necessary, you can also spray the items with water while ironing.

Storage

Believe it or not, how you store your clothes matters a lot. It is best to store them in a clean, dry, cool place out of direct sunlight. Also try not to overcrowd your wardrobe as clothes need a break. If you decide to hang some of your clothes, it's worth investing in wooden or soft hangers to further protect your clothes from warping. However, some items, such as thick sweaters, should be folded rather than hung, as this will cause the fabric to stretch.

Also, don't forget to stock your wardrobe with moth repellent - dried herbs such as rosemary, lavender or thyme will work, or buy something from the store.

Service

Many of us don't make the extra effort to store clothes in our closets if they're damaged, worn out, or no longer fit. Clothes will often have a lot more life if you give them a little help:

Repair it. Learn the basics of repair or go to a tailor when something needs fixing.
Use a dye bath to combat fading. Most clothing items fade and lose their color over time (especially if you use a commercial washing machine). Refresh their color by purchasing clothes dye, adding it to a bucket with the specified amount of water, and voila, your clothes will look like new! Please note that this method only works on solid colored clothing and remember to wash with the same colors the first few times to prevent the dye from bleeding.
Make alterations. You can easily turn these leggings into biker shorts or dye a shirt. Before you get rid of a good thing, think about what you don't like about it and whether it can be fixed. This could be a fun DIY project or you could meet a tailor - it's cheaper than constantly buying new clothes.

How to care for jewelry, bags and sneakers
Jewelry. When buying jewelry, always ask the seller how to care for it. And ditch the DIY mentality for those chains and grills, it's always better to have the professionals fix your jewelry problems.
Bags. Once again, ask your salesperson! Leather and synthetic fabrics have very different care instructions, so be sure to ask what not to do and how to get rid of scuffs, wrinkles, etc. With bags, at the end of the day, it's all about storage. Keep bags padded to prevent them from losing their shape or bunching up.
Sneakers. Clean. Your. Sneakers. Please . We cannot stress this enough. We're so committed to this that we've even made a simple step-by-step guide to cleaning your feet that you can (and should) check out here. And if you're a true sneakerhead, don't forget to invest in grooming products for your arsenal. If you're too boujee to get down and dirty, look for sneaker cleaning services in your area—yes, they're a thing.

Source: highsnobiety.com