Smart wardrobes require good workmanship and knowledge of one’s own body

Entering a store or spending a few hours on a website seems like a simple behavior when the goal is to buy clothes. After all, what can be the difficulty of this? This choice, in fact, is more complex when the idea is to invest in a durable piece that fits well.

Therefore, the act of facing racks and more racks of clothes goes far beyond a simple choice. There are several issues to consider, especially if the purpose is to invest in a product that will last, be sustainable and make sense in your wardrobe.

Therefore, the Sheet talked to experts in fashion and sustainability to understand what can help you right now.

understand your body

It may sound cliché, but it’s important to know your measurements and body size to make the most of fabrics. A suit that is the right size also has a better fit.

If the clothes are tight, for example, the wear will be greater, reducing the durability of the product. The idea, then, is to understand how to wear a well-fitting garment, and make the most of certain fabrics, increasing the time of use.

“Making good choices in this sense is important. It is interesting that the fabric has more elasticity the tighter the clothes are”, says Ana Vaz, consultant and lecturer in personal image, fashion and etiquette, as well as founder of Boutique de Cursos.

Pay attention to fabrics

Before thinking about the fabric, it is necessary to consider some questions, such as the function of the clothes. Is the material required to have elasticity? Can it be more rigid, can it knead? Will I be hot?

With that in mind, carefully read the composition of each piece on the label. That’s what Talitha Tartari suggests, image and style consultant specializing in Blossom Image Consulting (Portugal), and member of Aici (Association of Image Consultants International).

Linen, cotton and silk are more durable as they are natural fabrics made from plant or animal fibers. Therefore, they are usually more expensive and need more care. Synthetic fabrics, such as polyester, viscose and nylon, are easy to maintain, do not wrinkle easily, dry faster and are cheaper.

Whether natural, mixed or synthetic materials, it is important to pay attention to the fit, the touch and whether they form the so-called “pilling” – those unwanted “little balls” that appear with the friction of the fabric as it is used.

Pay attention to the finish

After looking carefully at the type of fabric, experts advise you to take a good look at the finish of the piece you are purchasing, as a new outfit is not synonymous with impeccable.

Transport, time they are exposed on the racks and the number of people tasting the pieces can reduce their quality. What details, then, do you need to pay attention to?

It is valid to check the external and internal seams – turn the garment inside out. Also observe if the piece has loose lines, if the seams come apart easily, if the fabric is crooked or wrinkled where it shouldn’t be and if the hems are well finished and suitable for the type of fabric. Whether it was hand-made or machine-made is also a key point.

Buttons and zippers are other factors to consider carefully. Note if they close and open without difficulty, if they are well placed and if they are fragile. Cutouts, darts, draping, pockets and appliqués also need an assessment of the seams and finishes.

“All of this will indicate a piece with more or less durability and quality,” said Tartari.

Evaluate prices

Fabric approved, finishing too, but what about the price? It’s natural to turn your nose up when you come across the label of certain products.

“Sometimes an inexpensive piece makes a lot of sense in your lifestyle, in your routine, for your capacity for care and maintenance. This piece that can be used easily is the best thing you have”, says consultant Ana empty.

She recommends evaluating these factors, as an expensive outfit can often be worth it in the long run, as the value will be diluted as you use it.

“Making this cost-benefit relationship is important, remembering that not every cheap piece is bad and not every expensive piece is good”, she says, considering the existence of brands that charge for prestige and not necessarily for quality.

Think sustainability

For Marcos Vaz, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance) consultant and managing director of ONE Sustentabilidade, price is one of the aspects to be taken into account in terms of sustainability.

Very cheap parts, for example, can be manufactured by brands that have legal and social problems in their manufacturing process.

“When we buy, we are bringing the responsibility of taking care of that item and using it for a long time so that we don’t have a waste of that resource used in the manufacture of that clothing”, he says.

It is necessary to analyze the before, during and after purchase: thinking about whether you really need that item, as well as environmental issues (synthetic fibers have more environmental impact than natural ones, for example) and social issues is fundamental.

Question and seek information about the origin of the clothing, such as who were the workers involved in the process. A clothing production chain goes through several stages and starts with extracting material from nature.

Lastly, if something is no longer useful to you, sell, exchange, repurpose or donate the good quality clothes. Putting pieces into circulation is also a sustainable act.

Support circular fashion

The circulation of items reduces the impacts caused by the fashion industry and increases the useful life of the product, says Luanna Toniolo, co-founder and CEO of Troc, the circular fashion platform of the Arezzo&Co Group.

Thrift stores, for example, are a practical way to invest in circular fashion, and there you can find good, durable and cost-effective pieces.

“This is a way of offsetting the impact of producing the piece, as it increases the number of times that product will be used.”