TOP TIPS for keeping clothes and accessories in tip top shape

[jp0303]

I thought we could share tips to learn from each other how we keep our favourite fashion items in tip top shape so that they always look fabulous?

For example, not rolling up sleeves of jumpers past the elbows so that the cuffs don't go baggy and out of shape.

Or not using the pockets of tailored garments to prevent the material around them from sagging and ruining the shape of the item.

Any others? I am particularly bad at looking after shoes, so any tips much appreciated.

Ooops! I do both of those things!

I polish all my shoes/boots regularly, I use boot trees so the legs of knee highs don't flop over ,use a suede brush and waterproofing spray regularly.
buy decent wooden hangers, never use the wire ones from dry cleaners.
use little cedar rings that pop over coat hanger hooks to deter moths.
I need to get a life....

Wash on low temps if possible and limit the tumble drier.

My commute to work involves a lot of walking so I buy crappy shoes me my commute and change when I get into work.

I iron everything. I find that I spot stains and holes when I'm doing it, so can sort out problems there and then.
Polish leather shoes.
Use boot trees.
Proper coat hangers.
Suede brush for suede.
Don't cram too many clothes on hanging rail.
Re-heel or re-sole shoes as soon as they need it (a good cobbler will use better quality materials than the originals, in some cases) - you can really increase the mileage.
Wash on lower temperatures.
I don't tumble dry (don't have one!)

I also need to get a life.

When you're washing trousers, or anything else with a zip, zip them up so they don't snag other clothes.

When you buy something with pockets that have a little stitch in and you don't want to use those pockets, leave the stitch in.

I wash pants and other 'delicates' in those little string bags. I'l also wash a top with beading, or lace detail, in a string bag.

I keep my shoes in their boxes with paper in the toes or those shoe-horn thingies, depending on the shoe.

Teabags in shoes help suck up moisture and prevent smells, particularly in runners.

Wow! There is so much more that I could be doing! Loads of brilliant tips already, thanks all.

I wash most clothes inside out to reduce colour fading. Similar to what pp said about zips, I fasten bras when washing them on my machine's hand wash setting to avoid snags.

I also wash inside out a lot, and zip/button up.

Keep a small mending kit to hand.

Empty 1 litre bottles (e.g. tonic water) make very cheap boot trees.

Colour Catcher sheets when washing to prevent colour runs. Even with items that are quite similar in colour I've noticed it helps.

I use a little de-bobbling comb thing to tidy up my knitwear.

I machine wash tights in a net bag.

Washing knitwear on a wool programme in the machine is often gentler than handwashing would be.

Can anyone help me smelly costume jewellery? I have loads that smell metallic and horrible.

When pegging out clothes, I peg up by the armpits so you don't get peg marks, oh and inside out too (I also wash inside out).

Supersweaty armpits can be soaked in vinegar before washing.

About 12/13 years ago or so, I covered three shoe boxes in wrapping paper and they sit in my top drawer; one holds pants, one bras and one socks/tights. It was a Frugal Dougal alternative to Ikea dividers but, again, it avoids bras snagging stuff. I still use them and they create extra spaces for the odd belt, a bag of nailvarnishes and my hairclip bunny ears

Clear nailvarnish BrandNewAndImproved? On the part that touches the skin. I used to wear a whole bunch of different funky cheap rings that didn't half whiff, or turn my fingers green! That worked. And I put it on the backs of some earrings, too, as they can leave an ugly green circle.

El what about the ones that already smell?

Give shoes a 24 hour break between wears (e.g. not every day) so they can dry out properly- they last much longer if you do.
I keep bras in a big open storage box in the bottom of the wardrobe so that they don't get squashed out of shape in drawers.

Probably repeating above but:

Use the correct washing powder or liquid for whites, colours, handwash, and on 30 degrees or the correct handwash cycle. If hand washing, wring out in a towel in place of spin cycle. Never tumble dry.

Wear layers under expensive or favourite knitwear to avoid washing too regularly and avoid over washing in general. You really, really don't need to wash jeans every time you wear them.

Regularly clean and resole/heel shoes and boots - am amazed at number of ppl who don't and just buy new every year. hippospot so true, my cobbler has turned his nose up at the poor quality of both my Acne and Valentino shoes... the number of brands that glue instead of stitch...leather soles and "Made in Italy" does not a good quality shoe make...

Never hang knitwear, and use lavender balls to deter moths.

I use one of these for my scarves and belts on the back of the door, if I fold them in a pile I only ever use the ones on top:
www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/70108912/

I have discovered the 'jeans' cycle on my washing machine, I also read somewhere that they shouldn't be washed over 30' (if at all|).

I drip dry viscose clothes as they seem to keep their size better that way, I also drip dry linen and it comes up much less creased.

After advice given by the bra shop I now only wash my bras once in a while instead of after every 2 wears.

Oh yes, I'd forgotten about mesh bags and jumper shavers (most satisfying job ever)!

I'd also say, try to buy mostly natural fibres.

Also, when stuff is worn out, stop wearing it! No matter how well you care for things, they don't last forever this is hard when you have loved an item

Wash clothes on delicate cycle / cool wash
only wash when necessary
Use a special wool detergent for woollens
Flat dry woollens
peg clothes at the very corners not in the middle
Iron clothes
Snip any loose threads, replace lost buttons, remove bobbling
Wooden hangers
Use lavender sachets and mothballs to protect woollens
Keep shoes in boxes or shoe bags
Keep handbags in dust bags
Polish shoes weekly
Reheel regularly
Wear trainers / flats for commute

hippo, what's a jumper shaver? Does it shave the bobbly bits? I think I need one!

Lakeland sell a jumper shaver. Awesome little gadget about five quid and it will last you years. Just remember to empty it and clear the fluff off the blades regularly to avoid burning out the tiny motor.

I shall have a look! Trouble with Lakeland is, I want allllllll the kitchen gadgets

All I can add is:
Change out of work clothes as soon as you get home.
Hang/fold clothes immediately to avoid creasing.
Do up bras before washing to avoid hooks catching on other items.
Don't but acrylic knitwear, it always looks tatty after a washing.
Keep shoes in boxes.

Have clothes altered to fit perfectly at your local dry cleaners/alterations shop for very few £ and maximum impact.

Buy jackets and coats that are machine washable to save you a fortune in dry cleaning but yet stay naice and fresh.

You really do not need to wash a jersey every time you wear it. Partic cashmere ones.

Don't ruin a decent dress with crap old tights - bin dead underwear every 6 months, it's demoralising and drags your look down.

Never forget how you smell - hugely important, so air clothes; over a chair is fine. Hurl wardrobe doors open with an open window once a month.

Never, ever own a cat.

Clean your wardrobe and drawers regularly, no point putting clean clothes into dirty storage.
Hang white things out to dry in the sun as much as possible- keeps them really white.
Mini perfume sachets/ samples in sock drawers.

Never, ever own a cat. Haha! Good advice. On that note, I carry one of those sticky rollers in my handbag to remove hair, especially when I am wearing an all black outfit around a white haired pet.

Thanks for all of the great tips, I'm going to try to get into better habits by following some of the advice above.

I'm off to buy shoe trees and a jumper shaver today!