Unravelling the service lifespan of garments ― empirical insights on use time and use intensity

In response to the global environmental crisis, reducing the impact of production and consumption is essential. Within the clothing system, research and policy have focused primarily on sustainable production and end-of-life management, neglecting the use phase. Yet, understanding how garments are used—and how this varies across products and users—is essential to accurately assess environmental impacts and design effective interventions. This study analyzes data from in-person visits with 160 adult participants in Flanders (Belgium) to provide a comprehensive overview of garment service lifespans across 12 garment categories and 6 wear occasions using three complementary metrics: use time in years, use intensity in wears, and use intensity in washing cycles. The results reveal substantial variation both within and across garment types. For example, a t-shirt for informal use is kept on average four years, worn 33 times, and washed 18 times, whereas a t-shirt for formal use is kept five years but is worn only nine times and washed six times, while a coat for informal use is kept for five years, worn 136 times, but hardly ever washed. Even within garment types, the large observed interquartile ranges indicate pronounced heterogeneity in service lifespan. These findings demonstrate the importance of context-specific data on garment use to understand the function garments fulfil, a prerequisite to assess their environmental impact. By providing empirical insights into garment use behavior, this study informs researchers and policymakers in developing targeted strategies to promote a more sustainable clothing system.