LOOK 2: STRIPED TURTLENECK (SIMILAR HERE) | BLACK VELVET BLAZER | BLACK AND WHITE PLAID SCARF | DISTRESSED DENIM | BLACK LACE-UP FLATS | SILVER WATCH

Style is just as much about taking care of your clothes when you’re not wearing them as it is when you are. From laundry, to hanging your clothes, to ironing or steaming, there is a lot you can do to make your clothes last longer just by taking better care of them. Below are a few of my favorite ways to take care of my clothes, from start to finish.

1. Wash your clothes in cold water and in a delicate cycle. Cold water minimizes shrinking and wrinkling, plus it’s more energy efficient. A regular wash cycle can agitate your clothes and break down the fibers (which can make your clothes look older faster) but a delicate cycle is more gentle on your clothes.
2. Skip the heat. Especially with dark colors, heat makes colors fade faster so skip the dryer and hang dry those clothes with dark rich colors.
3. Wash your clothes inside out. Washing your clothes inside out keeps colors from bleeding and fading as much and prevents buttons and zippers from snagging and ripping other clothes in the wash. 
4. Never skip the fabric conditioner. You wouldn’t skip conditioner after shampooing your hair, right? Same goes for clothes. I always use Downy Fabric Conditioner and love the way it smells! It protects your favorite pieces from stretching, fading, and fuzzing so they look newer longer. Plus is there anything better than the smell of fresh laundry?
5. To hang or to fold? As a general rule of thumb, outerwear and linen, cotton, and rayon garments are always best on a hanger while knits should be folded.
6. Steam. Whenever you can opt for steaming over ironing your clothes. It’s easier on your clothes than an iron and a must for delicate fabrics.

LOOK 1: STRIPED LONG-SLEEVE TEE (SIMILAR HERE) | DISTRESSED DENIM | HOOP EARRINGS | SILVER WATCH

Investing in proper fabric care products is so important. You can always tell a difference between clothes that are taken care of and those that aren’t once you step outside. I’ve always been a sucker for stripes and Downy Fabric Conditioner is a must for keeping my black and white stripes from fading to grey and white stripes. 😉

XX,

Christine

*Photos by Emmy Lowe. Sponsored post in collaboration with Downy.