Short answer

Designers should focus on creating garments that are inherently more durable and adaptable to user needs and changes over time, rather than solely on aesthetic trends.

Field
Sustainability
Source
BIBSYS Brage (BIBSYS (Norway)) (2015)
Method
Mixed-methods research combining quantitative consumer data with qualitative user insights.
Sample
620 clothing items from 35 participants in 16 households.
Evidence
Strong effect

Understanding the primary reasons why consumers discard clothing, particularly focusing on garment changes and fit issues, can inform design strategies to extend garment lifespans and minimize environmental impact. This sustainability research insight is drawn from a 2015 study published in BIBSYS Brage (BIBSYS (Norway)). Using Mixed-methods research combining quantitative consumer data with qualitative user insights. with 620 clothing items from 35 participants in 16 households., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Designers should focus on creating garments that are inherently more durable and adaptable to user needs and changes over time, rather than solely on aesthetic trends.

Study
SustainabilityHigh ImpactStrong effect

Designing for Longevity: Reducing Clothing Waste Through User-Centric Disposal Insights

Understanding the primary reasons why consumers discard clothing, particularly focusing on garment changes and fit issues, can inform design strategies to extend garment lifespans and minimize environmental impact.

BIBSYS Brage (BIBSYS (Norway)) · 2015

01

Key Findings

  • 01Changes in garments (e.g., wear and tear) and size/fit issues were the dominant reasons for clothing disposal.
  • 02Functional, situational, taste, and fashion-related reasons were less common drivers of disposal.
  • 03A combination of qualitative and quantitative methods yielded rich data for design research.
02

Application

Design takeaway

Designers should focus on creating garments that are inherently more durable and adaptable to user needs and changes over time, rather than solely on aesthetic trends.

How to apply

When designing new apparel, conduct user research to understand common wear patterns and fit challenges. Incorporate robust materials, reinforced seams, and adjustable elements into the design. Consider offering repair or alteration services.

Project actions

  • 01When researching a product, ask users why they stop using or discard similar items.
  • 02Consider how material choice and construction methods affect a product's longevity.
  • 03Think about how a product could be adapted or repaired to extend its useful life.
03

Method & Evidence

AimTo investigate the primary reasons for clothing disposal and develop design-led solutions to extend garment lifespans and reduce environmental impacts.
MethodMixed-methods research combining quantitative consumer data with qualitative user insights.
ProcedureCollected empirical data on disposal reasons for 620 clothing items from 35 individuals across 16 households. Analyzed 70 distinct disposal reasons, categorizing them into seven main groups. Developed design solutions at product, service, and systems levels based on these findings.
Sample620 clothing items from 35 participants in 16 households.
ContextConsumer clothing disposal and product lifespan extension.

Variables

IVDesign interventions (e.g., material choice, construction techniques, adjustable features).
DVClothing lifespan, frequency of disposal, user satisfaction with garment longevity.
CVConsumer demographics, cultural context, initial garment quality.
04

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

  • +Combines quantitative data with qualitative insights for a comprehensive understanding.
  • +Provides actionable design strategies based on empirical evidence of disposal reasons.

Limitations

The sample size and geographical location might limit the generalizability of the findings. The study does not cover all potential reasons for disposal.

Reliability & validity

The study's reliability is supported by the collection of data on a large number of items and the categorization of numerous disposal reasons. Validity is enhanced by the mixed-methods approach, which triangulates findings from different data sources to provide a richer understanding of disposal behaviours.

Think critically

To what extent can design alone overcome consumer behaviour that leads to rapid disposal, such as changing fashion trends?

05

Design Principles

"Design for durability and adaptability to extend product lifespan and reduce waste."

This research highlights that a significant portion of clothing disposal is driven by factors designers can influence, such as material durability, construction, and adaptability. By integrating user insights into the design process, practitioners can create more resilient and long-lasting products, contributing to a more sustainable fashion industry.

06

What This Means for Your Design

If you want to make clothes last longer and be better for the environment, focus on making them strong and easy to adjust, because that's why people throw clothes away most often.

How to use in your project

  • 1.Use findings on disposal reasons to justify design choices aimed at increasing product lifespan.
  • 2.Reference the study when discussing the environmental impact of product obsolescence.
07

Add to My Project

08

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

Research indicates that a primary driver for clothing disposal is garment wear and tear, alongside issues with size and fit. This suggests a design opportunity to prioritize material durability, robust construction, and adaptable design features to extend product lifespans and mitigate environmental impact.

09

Source

BIBSYS Brage (BIBSYS (Norway))

Making Clothing Last: A Design Approach for Reducing the Environmental Impacts

journal · 2015

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about designing for longevity: reducing clothing waste through user-centric disposal insights?
Designers should focus on creating garments that are inherently more durable and adaptable to user needs and changes over time, rather than solely on aesthetic trends. Evidence: BIBSYS Brage (BIBSYS (Norway)) (2015).
Why does "Designing for Longevity: Reducing Clothing Waste Through User-Centric Disposal Insights" matter for design?
This research highlights that a significant portion of clothing disposal is driven by factors designers can influence, such as material durability, construction, and adaptability. By integrating user insights into the design process, practitioners can create more resilient and long-lasting products, contributing to a more sustainable fashion industry.
How can designers apply this research?
Designers should focus on creating garments that are inherently more durable and adaptable to user needs and changes over time, rather than solely on aesthetic trends.
What were the main findings?
Changes in garments (e.g., wear and tear) and size/fit issues were the dominant reasons for clothing disposal.. Functional, situational, taste, and fashion-related reasons were less common drivers of disposal.. A combination of qualitative and quantitative methods yielded rich data for design research.
What research method was used?
Mixed-methods research combining quantitative consumer data with qualitative user insights. with 620 clothing items from 35 participants in 16 households..
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2015 journal from BIBSYS Brage (BIBSYS (Norway)).
What should I do differently in my next project?
When designing new apparel, conduct user research to understand common wear patterns and fit challenges. Incorporate robust materials, reinforced seams, and adjustable elements into the design. Consider offering repair or alteration services.
What are the limitations?
The study was conducted in Norwegian households, and cultural or regional differences in clothing consumption and disposal habits may exist. The focus was primarily on reasons for disposal, not necessarily on the full lifecycle impact.