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Lifestyle

In the past, a family’s apparel was traditionally created by its members. Lace-making and embroidery were popular pastimes even in houses with more money; if clothing weren’t stitched at home, seamstresses and tailors were nearby. This was still the situation not too long ago. My grandmother, who raised me, created nearly half of my garments up until the age of a young adolescent.

Home sewers were adept at choosing textiles and could discern by touch and eye if a given garment would last or fray after a few uses in addition to making clothes that exactly fit the wearer. They could also identify if something had been hurriedly put together or if it had been well-stitched using suitable techniques.

I can tell whether something is high-quality or not since my grandmother taught me how to sew and what to look for in a well-made item of Heimish Clothing. Few of my pals, though, are able to do the same. The terrible thing is that low quality permeates every tier of the fashion industry. Not just fast, inexpensive clothing degrades quickly after a few uses. However, even more expensive brands, which once boasted high-quality components and workmanship, exhibit greater quality variation than you might anticipate.

By the way, when we talk about fast fashion, we mean clothing that is quickly transferred from the runway to the high street in order to capitalise on fashion trends. It is frequently sewed by individuals—sometimes children—who are underpaid, mistreated, and overworked. Although many consumers don’t consider what paying the lowest possible price means for the people who create the clothing or what it means for the planet’s landfills, which are already brimming with abandoned apparel, buyers still want those low costs.

Effects of rapid fashion on the environment

These clothing have an impact on greenhouse gas emissions in addition to landfills. 8 percent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions are produced by the worldwide garment and footwear industry, according to a 2018 report by an environmental consulting firm. The average person consumes 25 pounds of apparel annually, which results in 1,500 miles’ worth of car emissions.

Environmental harm comes from more than just low-quality clothing. Another consideration is the content. Petrochemicals are used to make synthetic materials like polyester and nylon, which do not biodegrade. Even if cotton appears to be the superior option, it is coloured with chemicals and dyes and grown with a lot of pesticides.

Here are some things to look for when purchasing high-quality items for yourself or loved ones so that you can be sure they will last and have a minimal detrimental impact on the environment.

Avoid trends

Make sure the new item of apparel is something you will like wearing for many years before you think about spending your hard-earned money on it. That necessitates taking fit and style into account. Sass Brown, interim dean of the Fashion Institute of Technology’s School of Art and Design, recommends, “It’s crucial to find pieces that compliment your shape and suit your style, and are not ‘trendy. This also applies to gifts; if you’re unsure of the size and fit, get a gift receipt to ensure that the recipient receives a thoughtful present.

Use your hands

When touching fabric, sometimes closing your eyes might be beneficial. Unless it is made of a lightweight material, it should feel solid and hefty. It shouldn’t feel scratchy or thin; even a light fabric should have a closely packed weave and feel substantial despite its thinness. According to Timo Rissanen, co-author of “Zero Waste Fashion Design” and assistant professor of fashion design and sustainability at Parsons School of Design in New York, “the more fibre there is, the more probable it’s going to endure longer.”

Read labels

Similar to food labels, clothing tags can reveal a lot about the materials used and the location of a garment’s production. (However, the location of the sewing may differ from the location of the fabric’s manufacture.)

Avoid blending natural and synthetic fibres and opt instead for natural materials. Technical clothing composed of sophisticated polyesters is preferable to mix natural/synthetic fabrics because they can never be recycled and won’t biodegrade like natural fibres will, as Patagonia does. Mixed fabrics also have a tendency to lose their shape and colour over time as some of the fibres shrink or fade while others do not. However, combinations of natural fabrics, such as cotton-silk mixes or wool, cashmere, and alpaca combinations, can be beautiful. Stretchy jeans with little levels of spandex can be helpful.

In order to avoid the worst abuses in the fashion industry, look for products made in the USA, Europe, the United Kingdom, and Australia.

Examine the stitching

No, you don’t need to scrutinise every seam; just a few of them will give you a decent sense of the fabric’s quality. They ought to be straight, and the seam junctions ought to be tidy. There will probably be a hole there sooner than you’d want if there is a mess of threads where, for example, a sleeve meets the body of a garment.

A truly well-made article of clothing will have the patterns that are present on a textile (or knit) come together perfectly at the seam. Therefore, stripes on a shirt will be continuous throughout and not offset at the seam. With more intricate patterns, this is more difficult to accomplish, but an effort should be made to stitch a seam together in a way that shows the sewer paid attention to the pattern. Keep an eye out for French seams, blind hems, and wider seam allowances (so adjustments can be made). For more information if you’re not familiar with those, watch this video.

Factor in finishing

“Take note of the finishing. Typically, well-made clothing has an appealing appearance on both the inside and the outside. Keep an eye out for modest seams and tidy finishes “says Tabitha St. Bernard, co-founder of the zero-waste Tabii Just apparel line produced in New York City. Better clothing also includes extra buttons and mending materials like thread or yarn that match. Additionally, heavier garments (including skirts) should be lined to shield the fabric from moisture and body oils.

Skip buying new

When you’re working with a tight budget, how can you locate something wholly original and one-of-a-kind for you or someone else? “Consignment stores and Goodwill are two of my favourite places to find higher-quality clothing that will last for years. I never cease to be in awe of all the exquisite handmade sweaters, vintage denim, and immaculate gowns from more luxury companies. No unravelling fast fashion textiles, no fraying necklines and hems, and fewer of the synthetic fibres we use today than ever before “says Brooklyn Fashion + Design Accelerator’s communications director Amy DuFault.

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