Sweatshirts. They’re warm, comfortable and I’d be willing to bet you have a favorite nestled in your closet or drawer. Heck, you might even be wearing it now. But, despite how super epic your favorite sweatshirt is it was likely made like many other pieces of clothing these days — with built-in obsolescence.
Built-in obsolescence is just a fancy way of saying that something was designed and made to be disposed of. Manufacturers love built-in obsolescence because it means consumers will have to keep buying XYZ product again and again. Many different industries subscribe to the concept including big fashion brands.
With the launch of his “The 30 Year Sweatshirt” Kickstarter campaign, fashion designer Tom Cridland is setting out to prove that clothing “can and should last a lifetime.”
“The sweatshirt will last a lifetime due to a combination of craftmanship and technology,” says Cridland. “We use unique technology in our hardware to both create ringspun fibers that are exceptionally comfortable and durable, but also to apply a special silicon treatment to the fabric to prevent shrinking and piling. On the other hand, the sweatshirt is then handmade and the sheer quality of the material certainly contributes to its ability to withstand the toughest wear and tear.”
The 30 Year Sweatshirt is constructed using 80 percent organic cotton reflecting a commitment to quality and respect for the environment. Each piece is handmade by rural Portuguese artisans who for over 50 years have been perfecting their craft. The 30 Year Sweatshirt uses only the finest yarn ensuring ‘incredible softness and a lifetime of durability’. Other features include;
- Modern unisex fit
- 360 grams per meter
- 80 percent organic cotton
- 20 percent premium polyester finish (to increase mobility)
- Unique silicon treatment applied to fabric to prevent shrinking
- Fibers are ringspun before the sweatshirt is knitted to ensure no fabric pilling
Not only is Cridland guaranteeing that the The 30 Year Sweatshirt will last 30 years, but he is also backing it up with a performance guarantee. If the sweatshirt ever rips or tears during its lifetime, simply send it back and Cridland’s crew will immediately mend and return it free of charge.
With his Kickstarter campaign, Cridland has also elected to bypass the middle man (retailers) and offer The 30 Year Sweatshirt at the wholesale price of $85 (£55). Now while this price may be sticker shock for some, consider how many sweatshirts you might purchase over the span of 30 years and suddenly The 30 Year Sweatshirt ends up a better value (and better for the environment).
The 30 Year Sweatshirt is offered in a variety of colors – Chilli Red, Classic Navy, Grey Seal, Electric Blue and Dove White. Check out Cridland’s trailer for The 30 Year Sweatshirt below.