HANDLE WITH CARE

Want a more sustainable wardrobe? Channel your inner Marie Kondo and extend the life of your much-loved staples with these handy care tips

Whether it’s that classic handbag you saved up to buy, or the vintage piece of jewellery that’s been passed down through generations, we all have those treasured pieces we would hate to see damaged or lost. Instead of leaving things to chance, here’s how to take care of your most precious items properly.

GET INSURED

If you have expensive items in your house, having a home insurance policy will give you peace of mind. If any of your possessions are lost or ruined due to water damage, fire or theft, contents insurance could help you to repair or replace them. The level of cover can vary significantly from one provider to the next. If you’re looking for higher levels of protection, check out premier cover* with M&S Home Insurance from M&S Bank, which gives you unlimited cover for the contents inside your home and insures single valuable items up to £15,000 each, without you having to specify them, with a limit of £50,000 on all valuables.

USE PROTECTION

As soon as you unwrap a new coveted purchase, you should take care of it. Spray handbags with leather or suede protector and always store them in their dust bags. Take box-fresh shoes straight to the menders to have rubber soles or tips put on, and always get them reheeled and resoled before too much damage is done. And stock up on anti-moth sachets and good-quality wooden hangers to keep your wardrobe fresh.

REPAIR AND RESTORE

If your favourite items do suffer wear and tear, don’t despair. Companies like Handbag Clinic can repair and restore designer handbags and shoes. They can even customise your bag, adding straps or changing the colour, if you’re looking to extend its fashion shelf life. For jewellery restoration, cleaning or resizing, always speak to a fine jewellery expert.

Save 20% if you purchase M&S Home Insurance online (excludes renewals). You can also choose cover for contents when they’re temporarily away from your home anywhere in the world (limits apply). Find out more at marksandspencer.com/bank