Attachment to Clothing and Implications for Sustainability within a Cultural Context

Extending the life span of clothing through better quality and increased usability can result in fewer resources used in the overall clothing consumption system (Fletcher, 2008). If people experience emotional attachment toward clothing they own, they are likely to manage their clothing with more care, for an increased life span of their clothing (Schifferstein & Zwartkruis-Pelgrim, 2008). In this regard, it is worthwhile to explore people’s attachment to clothing from a sustainable perspective. The research explored how American and Korean consumers in their twenties report attachment to their clothing. The research gives perspective to apparel designers and companies who want to design clothing to be worn for an extended time.