The Revival Of Mending: Traditional Craftsmanship

Why did we stop mending clothes and start throwing them away after just a few wears? The tradition of mending clothes, once prevalent in many cultures, has nearly disappeared. The fast-paced, throwaway fashion culture has replaced the time-honoured tradition of making clothes last. As the Copenhagen Fashion Summit reported, out of the 100 billion garments produced annually, 92 million tonnes end up discarded in landfills. This staggering waste highlights the urgent need for change.

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As environmental challenges arise, we must ask: Could reviving these old mending traditions shape a more sustainable future? By repairing instead of discarding, we reduce waste, conserve resources, and resist the unsustainable cycle of fast fashion. Mending isn’t just a ‘nostalgic throwback’; it’s a step toward a more mindful, environmentally conscious lifestyle.

MENDING ACROSS CULTURES

For centuries, mending clothes wasn’t just a practical necessity; it was a profound expression of care and affection that transcended cultures. In Japan, for example, the art of Sashiko showcases intricate, geometric stitching to repair and beautify fabric. This technique is often compared to Kintsugi, the practice of mending broken pottery with gold, highlighting how imperfections can be transformed into something beautiful through mindful care. Both traditions embody powerful Japanese philosophies: celebrating beauty in imperfection and mourning the waste of items that still hold life and value. A jacket repaired with Sashiko might be passed down through generations, with each patch narrating a chapter of the family’s history.

Yet Japan is not alone in this ethos. Many cultures around the world have embraced mending as a way to preserve resources and infuse garments with meaning. In Scandinavia, and during Britain’s “Make Do and Mend” campaign in World War II, people repaired woollen clothes to withstand harsh winters. In West Africa, India, and among Native American communities, mending was about more than saving fabric; it created cherished pieces enriched with memories, destined to be handed down with love. Each stitch told a story, connecting the past to the present and saturating clothing with a sense of legacy and significance.

african-tailor-sitting-at-her-workplace-with-sewing-machine-and-sewing-products-in-factory — © Unsplash

THE FUTURE OF MENDING

Fast forward to today, and fashion has changed dramatically. The industry’s shift toward fast fashion has led to the production of up to 100 billion garments annually, according to McKinsey & Company. To put this into perspective, with the Earth’s population at 8 billion, every person would need to buy 12-14 pieces of clothing each year just to meet demand. Unfortunately, many of these clothes are worn only a handful of times before being discarded, exacerbating environmental issues. Alarmingly, millions of tonnes of textile waste end up in landfills each year, contributing to pollution and wasting vital resources.

Yet, a shift is happening. Mending is making a comeback, offering not just a sustainable alternative to fast fashion but also a way to reconnect with our clothing. Repairing allows us to move away from the ‘consumerist perspective,’ encouraging us to invest in pieces we love and adopt a more conscientious approach to fashion.

Brands like Levi’s and Patagonia are leading the charge in bringing mending back into fashion. Their efforts go beyond just selling clothes – they teach us how to care for them. Levi’s has introduced “Tailor Shops” in many of its stores, offering professional repair services and DIY workshops, with the company repairing over 100,000 garments a year. Similarly, Patagonia’s “Worn Wear” program has repaired around 50,000 items annually, encouraging customers to mend or trade their clothes instead of discarding them. Both brands are fostering a mindset shift, from fast fashion to long-term sustainability by encouraging customers to swap, trade, or repair rather than replace.

These initiatives reflect a genuine commitment to sustainability from brands that truly care about the planet. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), extending the life of a garment by just nine months can reduce its carbon, water, and waste footprint by up to 30%. This is particularly significant when you consider that around 85% of textiles end up in landfills each year. By promoting the value of repair and mindful consumption, these brands are helping to drive a shift away from the throwaway culture toward a more sustainable, responsible approach to fashion.

Today, mending isn’t just practical; it’s a way to care for the planet. By repairing clothes, we reduce our carbon footprint, embrace creativity, and express personal style. So, let’s bring back the tradition of mending. After all, who wouldn’t want clothing that carries generations of stories and love? We certainly would!

+ Words:
Aoife Morrall
Luxiders Magazine Contributor