9 Old Japanese Habits That Made Clothes Last Longer

The elbow of my favorite cardigan was wearing thin. I almost replaced the whole thing—until I remembered my grandmother’s sewing basket and the beautiful patched fabrics of old Japan. In this episode of June’s Ways, we explore nine practical habits inspired by the histories of sashiko stitching and boro textiles. We’ll look at spotting wear early, choosing repairs suited to different fabrics, caring for clothes, using small pieces of good fabric thoughtfully, and recognizing when it’s kinder to let something go. Sashiko is a stitching tradition, while boro describes worn textiles repaired and reused over time. The historic garments also reflect hardship and labor, not simply a decorative trend. June brings those lessons back to everyday life after 60—with care, respect, and good judgment. What item of clothing did someone in your family mend again and again? I’d love to hear your story below. #JunesWays #Sashiko #Boro #FrugalLiving #SimpleLiving #VisibleMending #LifeAfter60