The fashion and textile industry is one of the major polluters in the world. Fast fashion is leading to a mountain of clothing being thrown away by brands and consumers daily, having a disastrous impact on the environment and the future. 

While we continue to develop our sustainable practices, there are many ways you can also follow to extend the life of your wardrobe with your Towa pieces. We are passionate about inspiring a better culture of care for your clothes: If we each dedicate to these small changes, we can save our Mother Earth one garment at a time.

Wear more, wash less


Taking proper care of your garments will ensure that they last longer, conserve natural resources and keep textile waste out of landfills. Here are simple steps you can take to preserve and extend the life of your Towa pieces. 

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How should I care for my Towa garment?

Use cold water:
Washing in cold water is better for both the environment and your garment. It uses less energy and helps preserve the quality of the fabric by avoiding wear and tear, shrinkage and colour fading. 

Flat dry / Air dry:
Instead of using a machine dryer, hang or lay flat to dry when possible. This reduces your carbon footprint and avoids degrading your garments with excessive wrinkling or shrinkage. 

Iron:
If the garment tag recommends, iron on low heat while the clothes are still slightly damp from the wash to easily remove creases. Another alternative is to spray water, then iron. Be sure to iron inside-out of the fabric whenever possible (especially darker fabrics) to avoid shine and iron marks. 

Try natural steam:
Many of our natural fibers only get better with time. If you want to keep the natural textured look but straighten out minor wrinkles, hang your garment in the bathroom while you shower. The steam can help smooth out most fabrics and relax the fibers so that the garment returns to its original form.

What are some ways to extend the life of my Towa garment?

We support the slow fashion movement and are committed to circular design principles. Our pieces are designed to last, to keep them in the fashion loop and active fashion service for as long as possible - and certainly out of landfill. Here are ways to extend or pass on your pre-loved Towa pieces to give them a second life. 

Use a tailor:
Each and every body is different and getting all garments to fit just right can be a challenge. A great investment for every body type is to find a local tailor who can alter your garment to fit you perfectly. 

Repurpose:
If you still love your piece but feel like it needs a change or a little something extra, try to get creative. A simple alteration like pinching in at the waist or shortening a full-length dress into mid or short length can transform your garment into something new. The options are endless. 

Repair:
All minor damages can easily be repaired at home with a simple needle and thread. Otherwise find your local tailor who can repair your garment to its former beauty. 

Resell:
There are numerous online platforms where you can sell your pieces you no longer wear. Etsy, Poshmark, and eBay are just a few to start with. 

Swap:
Throw a clothing swap party - it’s a great way to get a bunch of mates together and revitalize your wardrobe. 

Donate or recycle responsibly:
Garment donations and recycling are a huge challenge for the fashion industry. Unfortunately, with most people who donate their clothes to a second hand store or charities typically think it’s an opportunity for unwanted clothes to remain in circulation rather than landfill. But even then, a high proportion of apparel still end up in landfills. In reality, most donated clothes don’t end up in the hands of a new owner due to being in poor condition. 

Alternatively, you can donate them to a textile recycler. There are many charitable recycling organizations that specialize in clothing recycling. Once textiles are collected, they can be upcycled into new products or recycled turning fabric back into fibre. Find your nearest donation bin! 


For our customers in New Zealand, below is a list of textile solution providers:

  • Upparel
  • Textile Products
  • Little Yellow Bird

https://mindfulfashion.co.nz/resources/events/rethinking-textile-waste