TOP TIPS FROM THE GARMENT GODDESS

1. CHOOSE FABRICS WELL – buy natural fibres where possible as they are more breathable, more durable, more absorbent, don’t release micro-plastics and are more sustainable.

2. LOOK AT CLOTHES CAREFULLY before you buy, both inside and out. Inspect care labels, composition and overall finish to ensure that the garment is fit for the end purpose.

3. BUY THE BEST QUALITY you can afford – one well-made, durable piece is more economical than repeatedly buying poorly-made clothing that you constantly have to replace.

4. STITCHING IS A KEY INDICATOR of durability. Shoddy stitching, loose threads, puckering and stitching that isn’t uniform generally indicates poor manufacturing standards.

5. QUALITY ZIPS ARE A MUST if a garment is to have a long lifespan. YKK make the best zips in the business so check for these initials on any zip as this will generally indicate a better garment.

6. AVOID SYNTHETIC KNITWEAR made from acrylic, it is basically plastic and while initially it may look okay, it will go limp and bobble quickly after laundering a few times.

7. WASH YOUR CLOTHES LESS – we are all over-laundering our clothes. Consider wearing a sleeved top under items to prevent them absorbing perspiration. Steam, air and hang up clothes to freshen them, spot-clean stains instead of washing the entire garment and always hand-wash more delicate fibres.

8. PREPARE LAUNDRY and preserve garments before you load the machine by turning garments inside out, closing zips, opening buttons and emptying all pockets. You can pre-treat bad stains before the washing cycle.

9. WASH SYNTHETICS IN AN ECO-WASHING bag to prevent micro-plastics shedding and degradation of fibres.

10. DISTILLED WHITE VINEGAR IS A WONDER PRODUCT – it can clean the washing machine (by killing bacteria), remove stains and brighten clothes while also softening fibres so you don’t need fabric softener.