If you like to invest in designer or high-quality pieces of clothing, it’s important to know how to look after them properly so you can wear them year in, year out.
After spending so much money, the last thing you want is to end up with a bobbled, misshapen, or damaged item.
Designer fashion retailer ODs Designer Clothing talks through their top tips on how to make your investments last.
Designer Clothing Care Tips: How to Make Your Investments Last
Improve your storage
Storage isn’t often talked about when it comes to clothing, but it can help to expand the lifespan of your collection – designer or not.
With knitwear, it’s vital you fold and don’t hang. Hanging with the rest of your clothes can ruin the shape, cause a droop in the shoulders, and increase the risk of bobbling when pressed against other textures.
Investing in a wardrobe with sufficient storage and compartments to separate your clothes is guaranteed to help make your investments last.
Garment bags are also a good idea. They’re cheap, keep suits and two pieces together, and can protect your more expensive items from fading in colour or exposure to dust and moisture.
It’s all in the hanger
They may not seem that important initially, but hangers play a big role in maintaining the luxury condition of your designer pieces.
Opt for sturdy hangers with a velvet coating to keep clothes in place, preventing them from slipping and falling to the bottom of your wardrobe.
Thinner hangers are perfect for maximising storage, but make sure to hang heavier items from more substantial ones to prevent bending and breaking.
Wash with care
Checking the labels is a good place to start, but it’s understandable if you don’t want to risk washing your designer item yourself.
Dry cleaning is a great option if you’re unsure.
With the information on the clothing labels, as well as the material and dirt level, the professionals will know exactly which products to use and how to make your favourite jacket, top, or pair of trousers look as good as new.
Don’t forget about a steamer
While ironing is an option, steaming your clothes is a much more gentle method.
Not only will it keep your clothes crease-free, but steaming can also prevent odour build-up by killing the bacteria, keeping your clothes fresher between washes.
Hang each item after every use
Fabrics like wool and silk can hold onto bacteria and odours, so it’s important you air them out before putting them back in with the rest of your stash.
It’s easy to throw your jacket over a chair at the end of the day, but it means moisture has nowhere to go and soaks into the garment.
Leaving it bunched up will also cause creases and can mean the item loses shape quickly – which we doubt you want if you’ve spent a bit more on a designer label.
What about accessories?
While bags and shoes aren’t necessarily ‘clothing’, it’s important to know how to care for them as well to keep them looking fresh for as long as possible.
To prevent moisture build-up, opt for a shoe organiser to separate your shoes rather than keeping them in their boxes.
If they’re leather or suede, it’s advised you use appropriate protective sprays and polishes to prevent scratches and water damage. If you’re unsure about which one to purchase, ask the supplier to point you in the right direction.
With bags, to maintain the shape, keep them stuffed with something clean and dry (like dust sheets or a dust bag). Remember to keep them out of direct sunlight to maintain their colour and prevent it from fading over time.
Repair, don’t replace
If your favourite jumper has a hole in it, or the leather on your shoes has worn down, don’t go straight online and add a new version to your basket.
With so many seamstresses, cobblers, and clothing restoration companies out there, it’s worth taking the item to them before you open your wallet.
Not only is it cheaper than replacing the garment, but it also means you can get more wear out of an investment piece – which, let’s face it, is always a positive.
