4.5 Architecture for longevity

Architecture for longevity focuses on the characteristics that help textile products remain useful for longer. Extending product life can reduce the need for replacement products, but longevity depends on more than physical durability alone.

Research on clothing lifespans shows that factors such as product quality, fit, frequency of use, maintenance, repair and continued user acceptance all influence how long a garment remains in active use (Laitala & Klepp, 2020; Vanacker et al., 2022).

Two complementary strategies are particularly important. Design for durability aims to ensure that materials, seams and components can withstand expected conditions of wear and care. Design for repair considers how a product can be restored when damage occurs.

These strategies need to work together. A physically durable garment may still leave use early if it no longer fits, is difficult to maintain or is no longer valued. Conversely, a damaged garment may remain in use when repair is technically possible and accessible (Cooper & Claxton, 2022; Ruiz-Pastor & Mesa, 2023).

For SMEs, architecture for longevity means designing products that can both withstand use and recover from failure.

 

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