What’s Old Can Be Like New Again

By Luz Buccio, Patagonia Old Town

Alexandria, VA – Every year, 85% of clothing ends up in landfills or is incinerated. One of the most impactful things people can do for the planet is to extend the life of garments and reduce overall consumption. That means wearing what you have, repairing it when needed, and caring for it properly. When you’re ready to part with a piece that no longer suits your needs or preferences, consider donating it or using Patagonia’s Worn Wear® program. It’s all about buying only what you need and minimizing your environmental footprint.

Worn Wear® is Patagonia’s initiative to help customers trade in and purchase gently used Patagonia® gear. It’s one way to keep high-quality clothing in circulation and out of the waste stream.

The Patagonia team aims to repair as many items as possible, but every garment is unique. Sometimes, older pieces are easy to fix, while newer ones with significant damage may be beyond repair. They carefully evaluate each item for accuracy and consistency before making a decision.

If you have a Patagonia product in need of repair, bring it to the Old Town store at 815½ King Street. The staff will assess it on-site and walk you through the best options. For those who prefer to fix things themselves, they also offer a DIY repair resource at ifixit.com/collaborations/Patagonia.

If your item can’t be repaired, there is an in-store recycling bin for Patagonia products, which are repurposed into new gear. And if your garment isn’t eligible for trade-in and it’s not ready to be recycled, they’ll evaluate it for donation to one of their local partner organizations.

The Old Town store team works closely with the community to find creative solutions for repairs. Training is backed by Patagonia and held to high quality standards. If a repair is too complex for the in-house team, they’ll send it to one of their specialized facilities. Last year alone, the team sent out over 600 garments for repair!

Patagonia Old Town hosted its first ever “Fix It and Keep It” event in August 2024. Attendees learned how to repair gently used garments that, afterwards, they could take home for no charge—whether it was replacing a zipper, patching a small hole, or simply learning how to care for their clothing. It was an incredible experience and the team had a blast sharing their skills and seeing the excitement from attendees who were eager to learn.

Patagonia is hoping to host another event this November in celebration of their five-year anniversary.

 Fix It and Keep It

Last year, the Patagonia Old Town team hosted a hands-on community event focused on garment care and simple repairs. Using gently used clothing in need of minor fixes, they created an interactive experience to teach participants how to extend the life of their garments. The goal was to empower the community with practical skills that reduce waste and keep clothing in use longer.

The event took place on the Old Town store’s stage, where the team guided participants through their own repair process. From replacing zipper pulls on jackets, they offered step-by-step support and shared tips for ongoing garment care. It was inspiring to see people of all ages dive into the process, eager to learn and connect over sustainable practices.

The Patagonia team was thrilled with the successful event. Team member Jason said, “The wear our possessions gain is a result of our life’s journey. They’re part of our history. Visible repairs don’t attempt to erase that history; they celebrate it and ready you for the road ahead.”

The event was a celebration of creativity, sustainability, and community spirit. By teaching these simple skills, the Patagonia team hopes to foster a culture of care and conscious consumption. Stay tuned for future workshops that keep clothing—and community—thriving in the space that has been and continues to be a community hub.

Saved From the Dead

Recently, a community member brought in a beloved item—an old-school Patagonia Synchilla (portmanteau of synthetic and chinchilla) fleece, which was showing signs of classic wear with multiple tears and holes. Deemed beyond restoration by Patagonia experts, the garment caught the eyes of two Old Town store employees, Jason (left) and Sam. In close collaboration, they carefully navigated the delicate fabric, working directly with the customer to ensure the repair met his expectations. This repair was more than just stitching—it was a celebration of resourcefulness and care. It’s stories like this that remind us why repair matters—not just for sustainability, but for the memories woven into every piece.