Make your wardrobe work harder

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Repairing and customising your clothing is easier than you think

Learning how to repair clothing

Repairing and customising your clothing is easier than you think

That favourite shirt with the missing button, the jeans that are slightly too long or the dress that's perfect, except for the small tear...Rather than letting them go unworn or making their way to the bin prematurely, we are sharing a  few simple steps here that can help you get a longer life from what you already own.

The environmental reality

Irish households discard 164,000 tonnes of textiles annually – among the highest rates in the EU. Yet many pieces,  (60%),  of discarded clothing need only minor repairs to be perfectly wearable again. Simple mending keeps clothes in use for years longer, preventing textile waste and reducing demand for new garments.

Join the trend

More and more people across Ireland are rethinking their relationship with clothes. Join them at Reversing the Trend

By choosing repair over replacement...

  • You reduce the need to buy that new pair of jeans, each of which requires 60 bathtubs of water to produce

  • You extend clothing life - turning that €40 shirt into seven years of wear instead of four, for example

  •  You learn new skills, find a sense of accomplishment, create your own style  and give more meaning to your wardrobe

Skills that transform your wardrobe

  • Make things fit better

    Hemming trousers, taking in loose waists, shortening sleeves - basic alterations that make clothes feel custom-made.

  • Keep things working

    Small, simple repairs, such as replacing a zip or set of buttons can make your clothes last so much longer. Replace buttons, fix small tears, mend loose seams and unstick zippers.

  • Make repairs beautiful

    Visible mending with contrasting thread or decorative patches turns damage into a design feature and adds originality.

  • When to get help

    Complex alterations like resizing shoulders or major alterations and adjustments are sometimes better placed in the hands of a professional - Ask for help!

Guides and communities

Keep your favourite items going longer

  • RepairMyStuff.ie Directory of clothing and bag repair services around Ireland. Be sure to search by location and service you need.
  • Repair What You Wear Simple YouTube tutorials covering all aspects of clothes repair.
  • Repair Cafe Ireland Bring your garment to a local repair cafe.

Repair kit essentials

  • Essential tools (under €20 total)

    Sharp fabric scissors, seam ripper, needle threader, measuring tape, thimble and safety pins.

  • Thread colours that cover everything

    Black, white, navy, brown, and grey thread handle 90% of repairs.

  • The quick-fix

    Fabric glue for instant hems and small holes - no sewing required.

Clothes that fit well and stay repaired get worn more often than those that don't. Doubling the number of times a garment is worn will reduce GHG emissions by 44% compared with making a new one.

Reducing consumption of textiles

Ireland's fashion scene is shifting toward buying less, rewearing and sharing more - effectively Reversing the Trend. From reimagining the treasures already in your wardrobe to trying out repairs, from clothing swaps to lending libraries, there are brilliant alternatives already thriving across the country. Here's your guide to building a wardrobe that works harder and lasts longer.

By choosing repair over replacement...

  • You reduce the need to buy that new pair of jeans, each of which requires 60 bathtubs of water to produce

  • You extend clothing life - turning that €40 shirt into seven years of wear instead of four, for example

  •  You learn new skills, find a sense of accomplishment, create your own style and give more meaning to your wardrobe

Your Circular Clothing Network

We're growing this list every month. Spot something we've missed or want to share what you're doing? Drop Gordon a line here – we'd love to feature it.

Fix & Care

  • Repairmystuff.ie A guide to repairing and reusing in Ireland
  • The Useless Project Helps people take steps toward more sustainable living through tutorials, workshops, tips on reuse, secondhand and upcycled fashion for individuals, schools or businesses.
  • Refashioned Provide sustainable fashion, sewing and creativity classes with a focus on upcycling, recycling, and using sustainable materials.
  • Rediscovery Centre The Rediscovery Centre is the National Centre for the Circular Economy in Ireland. A creative movement connecting people, ideas and resources to support greener low-carbon living.
  • Relove Fashion Competition open to any young people of secondary age with lots of tips on upcycling and special notes for educators.

Share & Swap

Buy Better

Passing it on

  • MyWaste For more information on what to do with unwanted textiles and where they go visit MyWaste