If you want to keep your clothes going for longer, but the thought of repairing them sends you into a mild panic, you’re not alone. But the truth is, a little handiwork is all it takes to extend the life of your favourite pieces – quirky stitches included. Inspired by repair gurus like Lydia Bolton and Orsola de Castro, here are 6 practical (and creative) tips to keep your clothes in top form.
1. Get confident with basic repairs
You don’t need to be an expert. Grab a basic repair kit from Coco Knits or even a local craft store, then turn to YouTube tutorials for guidance. We Are Knitters and Sew Over It have online tutorials for simple fixes like button repairs and hemming. These small steps build confidence, so patching or fixing a zipper becomes second nature instead of daunting.
2. Celebrate imperfect patches
Visible mending is an easy way to repair with style, turning tears into fashion statements. Grab colourful thread or patterned fabric to make patches that stand out. Orsola de Castro, co-founder of Fashion Revolution, has long encouraged people to make clothes “lovably flawed”. If you’re new to sewing, brands like Baggu and The Renewal Workshop sell repair kits to help you start small. Also, take a cue from artist Celia Pym, who’s made a career out of artful mending, proving that repaired clothes can be works of art.
3. Turn old clothes into new looks
Upcycling gives clothes a second life. Ever thought of transforming a worn-out shirt into a tote bag or even napkins? Lydia Bolton, known for her inventive use of discarded textiles, is a master at this. Try simple changes – cutting jeans into shorts or making scarves out of T-shirts. Brands like For Days even offer “Take Back” bags for your old clothes, helping you experiment with upcycling without waste. If you need a little help, some workshops like RÆBURN Lab offer upcycling classes.
4. Look for brands that are friends with fixing
Some brands support you in repairing rather than replacing. Patagonia’s “Worn Wear” program repairs outdoor wear for free, Nudie Jeans offers lifetime repairs in-store, and Finisterre has a “repair and renew” service – keeping your well-worn pieces around for longer. Also, a lot of sustainable brands like Mud Jeans and Prana provide replacement patches and instructions, making it easier for you to stay sustainable without going it alone.
5. Patch with a purpose
Patching can be as meaningful as it is functional, and it’s often provided at a low cost by local social enterprises. TRAID offers patching and mending services while raising funds for sustainable fashion initiatives. Whether you patch a hole or add an embellishment, you’re giving your clothes a second life and supporting your community.
6. Cherish, don’t toss: adding emotional value to your wardrobe
As Orsola de Castro explains, we’re more likely to care for clothes with sentimental value. That family hand-me-down or vintage shop score holds memories, making them harder to discard. Some repair advocates recommend keeping a “clothing journal”, noting where you bought or wore each item to add even more meaning. The more stories your clothes hold, the more inclined you’ll be to mend instead of replace.
 
 
So instead of tossing out that torn sleeve or broken zipper, give it a shot. Take pride in the journey of each repair, or find brands with repair programs to guide you. Let’s keep our clothes around for as long as possible – embracing every patch, stitch, and story they hold.

And for more tips on reducing waste and helping your clothes last longer, check out the Ecover LET’S LIVE CLEAN UK podcast, if you haven’t already.

About the author

This was written by people at Ecover
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