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Levi's, Uniqlo, and Primark turn to repairs and sewing classes to woo Gen Z. "We think it's important to empower the people who buy our clothes with the skill sets to maintain them." by Vivian Tran August 22, 2026 Photo Credit: iStock What once looked like a niche add-on for clothing brands is becoming more mainstream. Levi's, Uniqlo, and Primark are among the companies using repair services and mending classes to reach Gen Z shoppers interested in saving money and reducing waste. Here's what to know. At its core, the approach is about helping people wear their clothes longer rather than replacing them immediately. As NSJ reported, large apparel companies are expanding repairs, alterations, and sewing lessons as younger consumers show more interest in thrifting, resale, and sustainability. Levi Strauss & Co. created a 90-minute hand-stitching class for high school students after concluding that many Gen Z shoppers who were drawn to secondhand clothing did not have basic sewing skills. Students are taught four common fixes: sewing on a button, hemming, patching fabric, and repairing a tear. "We think it's important to empower the people who buy our clothes with the skill sets to maintain them, to get them to that second life," said Paul Dillinger, Levi's head of global design innovation. TCD picks " Quince spotlight. These best-sellers from Quince deliver affordable, sustainable luxury for all That push is happening against a backdrop of enormous fashion waste. As NSJ noted, the United Nations Environment Program said the world throws away or burns textile waste at a pace equal to roughly one garbage truck full of fabric every second. More background. Repairs and resale can shrink a garment's environmental footprint, especially when consumers delay or avoid buying something new. Still, the effect is limited if brands keep churning out huge amounts of fresh inventory. NSJ pointed to data from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, which found that between 2000 and 2015, global clothing production approximately doubled, even as the average garment was worn about 36% fewer times. The nonprofit also estimated that less than 1% of discarded clothing material was turned back into new apparel. Gen Z, those born from 1997 to 2012, has also been a major force behind the growth of secondhand shopping. GlobalData, working with ThredUp, estimated that U.S. sales of preowned clothing have been expanding far faster than the wider retail apparel market. Repair efforts can help retailers in more than one way. GlobalData retail analyst Neil Saunders said classes and repair services tap into "some deeper consumer needs and consumer behaviors at the moment." He told NSJ, "It puts a halo on the brand." What's being done? Companies are experimenting with different models. In 2022, Zara introduced a digital platform across 17 countries where shoppers can resell used clothing and request basic repairs or alterations. Primark has put more emphasis on teaching skills, offering free "Love It For Longer" sessions that demonstrate how to replace buttons and zippers. Uniqlo has expanded its aftercare options with repairs, embroidery, decorative sashiko mending, and restyling services. Extending a garment's usable life can save shoppers money by cutting down on how often they need replacements. Even so, some critics have said the environmental upside will stay modest unless brands also make less clothing overall. Kate Fletcher, professor of sustainability, design and fashion systems at Manchester Metropolitan University, said, "The fashion sector's primary source of impact is due to the overproduction of pieces and growing volumes of garments created." H&M Group, based in Sweden, has said repair and resale can still be worthwhile aims even though they may be tougher to turn into profitable businesses, since producing new clothing is often cheaper than prolonging the life of older items. Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.

Levi's launches updated 700 Series as stretch denim enters its next chapter. 21 Aug 2026 Levi's has launched a renewed offering of its 700 Series of women's jeans, introducing new silhouettes and updated stretch blends as the global stretch denim market continues to grow. The new 700 Series introduces a new denim fabric blend made with Tencel, consisting of 51 percent cotton, 37 percent Lyocell, 7 percent polyester, 3 percent elastomultiester, and 2 percent elastane. The resulting fabrication offers exceptional stretch and shape retention, along with a soft touch that is comfortable from the first wear, according to the brand. Launching in time for Fall/Winter 2026/2027, the new 700 Series also includes two new silhouettes: the 722 High Rise Slim, which sits between the 721 High Rise Skinny and a straight-leg jean, and the 723 High Rise Straight, described as "the straightest and most relaxed fit" in the 700 Series to date. The fit of the 721 High Rise Skinny has been adjusted to offer a slightly wider opening at the knee and hem with a longer medium inseam, to give the style a more contemporary look. "With the revamped 700 Series, we are taking premium stretch denim to the next level," said Jill Guenza, VP of Women's Denim Design at Levi Strauss & Co., in a statement. "With the introduction of the 722 High Rise Slim and the 723 High Rise Straight, we now offer a silhouette for every woman, crafted in denim that moves with her, retains its shape, and feels luxurious from day one." Available in nine denim washes, the updated 700 Series, which includes the 725 High Rise Bootcut, 726 High Rise Flare, and 728 High Rise Wide Leg, taps into the growing demand for premium stretch denim across a range of styles and fits, rather than heralding a return to the ultra, skin-tight skinny jeans of the 00s. Despite brands from Prada and Dior to 7 for All Mankind showcasing skinny and tight jeans in recent collections, consumers' appetite for wide, straight and barrel silhouettes remains strong. The fastest-growing denim category from January to May 2026 was low-rise denim, with bootcut and straight-leg jeans among the most popular styles, according to data from Circana. That shift is taking place alongside increasing demand for premium denim, as denim mills shift focus towards developing comfort-driven, stretchable fabrics, with more sustainable blends and "performance-oriented jeans that improve comfort and functionality," according to Fortune Business Insights Denim Market Forecast. Levi's 700 Series taps into a category poised for steady growth, as the global stretch denim market was valued at 7.2 billion US dollars in 2025 and is projected to reach 11.8 billion US dollars by 2034, at a CAGR of 6.3 percent, according to Marketintelo. With premium denim in North America forecast to outpace the broader jeans market through 2031, per Mordor Intelligence, Levi's is positioning its 700 Series to capture that comfort-led demand. New collection Stretch Denim Womenswear