It’s official, wearing our favourite clothes is more comforting than eating a bar of chocolate, according to new research released by Lenor, but over one third of women save their clothes for best so they stay looking like new… even if we feel worse off for it.
Putting on our most cherished items of clothing is guaranteed to give us unparalleled confidence, with 46 per cent of women agreeing that feeling fabulous in their clothes enables them to have a better day.
However 34 per cent admit that they limit the amount of times they wear a special item for fear of it showing signs of ageing, like bobbling and loss of softness and more than one in ten (11.4 per cent) compare the stress of losing their most loved pieces to the one of having a row with their partner. It also emerged that 48 per cent of people avoid wearing certain items of clothing because they don’t want to risk ruining them. And 35 per cent of people don’t wear their favourite items as often as they want, as they don’t want to ruin them by washing them too much.
Researchers found that food and drink stains, rips and even washing them too much or on the wrong setting means millions have ended up binning some of their favourite clothes. Almost nine in ten adults ruin and then throw away four items a year, worth an average of €75.20 in total. Half of those polled even said they avoid wearing certain items because they are worried they will end up ruined. And almost one in ten admitted there are clothes they have NEVER worn because they won’t want to wreck them. 60 per cent of those surveyed chose cheap fashion items over more expensive timeless pieces, admitting we don’t know how to look after our clothes to prevent them looking worn or bobbly.
The study, commissioned by Lenor to mark the launch of their new Forever Fashion Campaign, also revealed that one in 4 women (29 per cent) buy the same clothes in every colour because they love them so much.
In celebration of its new deep down softness formula, Lenor is encouraging Ireland and the UK to become Forever Fashion Nations, helping women to enjoy their favourite clothes every day. They have teamed up with fashion expert Brix Smith-Start (Co-presenter of Fashion Fix with Gok Wan) to give her top tips on making your wardrobe work for longer.
Brix Smith-Start comments, “Women can’t necessarily afford to buy new clothes all the time so it’s important to maximise our wardrobe favourites that make us feel good. That’s our aim with the Lenor Forever Fashion campaign, to champion our favourites and show women how they can last from season to season.”
Lenor ambassador and stylist Brix Smith-Start, gives her top tips on how to make the most of a wardrobe and those key items that can be re-worn every season:
- My number one styling tip of all time is to invest in a capsule wardrobe with timeless classics that you love! As a nation we tend to supplement our outfits with low cost pieces and leave our favourite items hanging in the wardrobe. As long as you help to protect your clothes with a conditioning fabric softener like Lenor there is no reason why you can’t enjoy wearing them every day.
- Transforming your look from desk to dancefloor doesn’t have to involve a whole outfit change. Simply swap flats for a pair of heels and accessorize, a statement pair of earrings or necklace will do the trick. Feel free to add bangles and rings but don’t go overboard! Less is always more! Finally, apply a swish of bright lipstick for an instant glamorous touch.
- A capsule wardrobe should always contain the perfect pair of jeans – the allrounder – ones that work for the more casual look but that can also be dressed up for a night out – the denim multitasker.
- Wear your favourite clothes more often! Many of us save our best clothes for special occasions but if there is a particular item that makes you feel fabulous then it’s worth wearing more often than not! A classic piece that you love can always be updated with accessories; think hats or block colour tights for winter and bright jewellery or handbags for summer.
The new formula in Lenor helps to extend the life of your favourite clothes by protecting them against the #1 cause of fabric damage, repeated washing.
The new deep-down softness technology gives your wardrobe staples a softness boost and just washed freshness feeling, whilst protecting brand new purchases from the outset, helping them to stay looking newer for longer, so you can wear and enjoy your favourite garments as much as you like without the worry of premature wear out.
Visit the Lenor Dress Happy Facebook page for more of Brix Smith-Start’s expert tips on caring for your favourite clothes so you can wear them for years to come, plus style advice on how to make these items ready for every occasion from school gate to a dinner date – http://www.facebook.com/LenorUKandIRE
