Posted on: Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Tactics to keep in mind when you're choosing clothes to later hand down
Associated Press
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Olivia DeStefano, 8 months old, of Ridgefield, Conn., dons a dress that had been worn by many cousins before her. Wearing hand-me-downs is one of the most successful forms of recycling.
DANA BARBA | Associated Press
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Not all hand-me-downs are created equal. Clothes of a higher quality and timeless style will likely fare better than trendy fast-fashion items.
Tips for choosing new clothes that have potential to be worn by many wearers for many years:
Look for durable construction, especially on the knees, elbows and shoulders. Some children's pants — especially boys' pants — have double layers of fabric on the knee.Double-stitched seams should mean fewer rips or pulls, and some garments are "bar tacked," meaning a reinforcement of stitching on pressure points, especially on shoulder seams where the sleeve connects to the rest of the body.
Adjustable waistbands allow for more flexibility in sizing. Outerwear is a popular hand-me-down, Casper reports. Waterproof fabrics and especially those with dry-off finishes tend to have a longer life because water, which can break down fabric over time, doesn't sit on the garment. Garment-washed knits are washed during the manufacturing process, which should cut down on shrinkage. Blue is one of the safest color choices because both boys and girls like it, and stripes are a gender-neutral detail, Casper says. Don't hand down shoes because each shoe conforms to the foot shape of the original wearer.
