Repair Tips for Your Winter Favourites
Don't throw that sweater away just yet, you might be able to save it
It's 2024, and buying throwaway fast-fashion junk is definitely out. As you start to invest in nicer and more expensive clothes, getting more for your money becomes important. While I think it's an interesting approach to calculate the cost per wear of every item in your wardrobe, I haven't obsessively tracked it and don't plan to in the future. But the math is pretty simple: the longer you wear an item, the more you get out of it. However, even with the best of care, clothes can get damaged or worn out and will eventually need some love.
If you are new to clothing and footwear repair, the first step is to see if the fault can be resolved and what are the options. Some problems are easier to solve than others, and some can even be done at home if you are prepared to do a little DIY and own basic sewing equipment. But if your favourite garment needs it, seek the help of an expert for a professional opinion and a good result. You can look for a local tailor or someone who specialises in repairs rather than alterations. Some places even focus on repairing a particular product, such as knitwear, hiking gear, jeans or boots.
In the first newsletter of the new year, I will be sharing some ideas for winter garments that can be repaired, as well as some tips on how to go about it. But before we get started, don't forget to subscribe to the newsletter so you'll know when the next great article is coming out.
And if you haven't already, check out my last post about cool shoes to wear on those wet, rainy days, or my shopping guide to discover the best places to shop in Stockholm.
Sweater Mending
When it comes to repairing a sweater, as with most clothing, it's important to know what can be done. If we’re talking about a hole in your favourite sweater, there are several options. One is to go for a visible repair and embrace the garment's new imperfection. This way you make it a distinctive feature. A great example is this mended vintage sweater from the 70s by Celia Pym (a big advocate of visible mending) which shows how great a restored piece can look.
While the mended look is a great way to go, you may want to take your beloved sweater back to the way it looked when you first saw it. In this case, you will want to find as similar a yarn as possible and follow a guide like this one. The aim is to match the original pattern and reconstruct the knit.
This can be more difficult than a visible repair as there are many factors to consider, so you may want to seek professional help. Don't hesitate to tell them what you want the repair to achieve before handing over your beloved garment.
Down Jackets Patching and Repair
We all love big puffer jackets, but they don't take normal wear and tear as gracefully as workwear. Last year I had a minor cycling accident wearing my favourite Uniqlo down jacket, resulting in four small holes that I thought would prevent me from ever enjoying the garment again. The solution turned out to be anything but complicated, as all I needed was a patch. I chose this one from Gear Aid because it uses glue and doesn't require ironing, which makes it less complicated to apply. It was also recommended to me by a local outdoor clothing shop.
The repair is absolutely visible, but I enjoy the unique look it has after the patch. It looks like someone wore it, and took good care of it.
If you are after a smoother result, look for a down jacket repair service near you or online. And if you happen to own a Patagonia jacket, you can make use of their great product repair service to get your down jacket taken care of professionally.
Denim Repair
Keeping your favourite jeans alive and in rotation for as long as possible is something I fully support. Finding that perfect pair can be difficult, and a well-worn one, especially if we are talking about raw denim, can be painful to lose. That being said, in most cases, there is something that can be done to prevent your jeans from ending up in a landfill. The first option is a classic patch placed underneath the torn fabric, which will look something like this:
You can also opt for patchwork over the rip, which allows you to experiment with different fabrics and give your jeans a great visible repair, like these amazing hand-crafted patchwork jeans from Sole in Viaggio.
I've also recently seen some very cool-looking restorations using a Japanese repair technique called Sashiko. It also uses patches but in the form of traditional Japanese stitching patterns.
This look has been very popular over the past few years, thanks largely to brands like Bode, Kapital and Story MFG.
Last but not least is darning, which I can only describe as a magical way to bring your ripped jeans back from the dead. Done correctly, this method of mending your jeans can be almost invisible and very durable.
Winter Boots Restoratation
Speaking of things that are out in 2024, expensive but hard-to-repair winter boots are definitely one of them. So if you've decided to invest in a pair of quality boots that will last you for years to come, one repair you're likely to make more than once is to replace the sole. As the soles of your boots wear out, you will want to find a good cobbler who can resole them for you and make them feel like new again. The most popular brands that sell premium boots offer repair services, such as Danner, Red Wing, Solovair, and also Dr. Martens. But don't limit yourself to what the manufacturer offers, as you can always find a local shoemaker or an online service, such as the Boot Repair Company or Corsi, for the specific repair you need for your shoes. There are lots of great before and after comparisons online, but be aware that full restoration services can be expensive - here is an example of a Danner Vertigo repair that came to a cost of USD 250.
Even if your favourite pair of shoes aren't designed to be resoled, there might still be options, so don't give up before you’ve done a bit of research. The most popular shoe that I was surprised to find can be resoled is Converse.
Check out the final result of the repair done on a pair of Chuck 70s by the craftsmen at Goods and Services in California.
So, remember that cool sweater you used to wear all the time, but forgot about because it had a tiny hole in it? Now you know you can fix it and proudly wear it again. Buying less and repairing more is not always trivial, especially when we are constantly bombarded by advertising, but knowing what is possible and having that thought in the back of your mind is valuable.
i almost want to rip my jeans just so I can do patchwork repair ❤️🔥