Examination of Apparel Maintenance Skills and Practices: Implications for Sustainable Clothing Consumption

One way to achieve greater sustainability in clothing consumption is through clothing repair and changes in laundry practices. The purpose of this research is to examine the effect of consumer characteristics, including sewing skills, on clothing maintenance activities among a sample of U.S. households. Household production theory provided the underlying theoretical framework. Ordinary least squares regressions for five different maintenance skills were estimated. Logistic regressions for three types of maintenance changes were estimated. The most interesting results indicated that baby boomers and Gen X consumers had statistically significant higher maintenance skills scores than Gen Y consumers. Also, skills had an important influence on changes in behavior toward more sustainable clothing practices. These results suggest the need for greater clothing maintenance related education, particularly among younger consumers, in the efforts toward more sustainable clothing consumption.