Great British Sewing Bee judge Patrick Grant on how to dress well for less

The clothing designer says it’s time to embrace thrift and shares his tips on how to save money and look great.

Great British Sewing Bee judge Patrick Grant
Image credit: BBC

Patrick Grant is a clothing designer, a judge on the Great British Sewing Bee and a director of a Savile Row tailors, but in an interview with our Saga Magazine he argues that we all need to buy fewer clothes.

Grant reveals that there are enough clothes in existence on the planet right now to cater for the needs of the next six (or possibly even seven) generations.

“We have to accept that the constant driving for new isn’t good, and we have to congratulate people for wearing and using old stuff, for being thrifty,” he says.

By Joanna Moorhead | Published - 20 May 2024 | Updated - 4 Jun 2025
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Saving the planet in style

So how can we save money, save the planet and still look good? He’s got these top tips.

  • Buy second-hand – many of these clothes are of higher quality than new alternatives. A lot of young people own fewer clothes and buy from Vinted, the app for second-hand clothes. I wonder whether there’s a natural alliance between these youngsters and their grandparents.

In 1970, an average coat contained 2.8kg of wool. Today, that same coat would have just 375g.

  • Don’t be afraid to wear clothes again and again – take a leaf out of the style book of the Princess of Wales and the Princess Royal, who are often seen in clothes they’ve worn before.
  • Check what the item is made from. If it’s something polyester from overseas it’s probably not doing the person who made it much good; it’s not doing the planet any good, and it’s not doing our economy any good.
  • Buy from companies that tell you lots about their products. If a brand doesn’t tell you much about where something comes from or what it’s made from, it’s safe to assume it’s probably not very good.

Grant has more advice in his book Less: Stop Buying So Much Rubbish (£10.49, William Collins), and you can watch Great British Sewing Bee on iPlayer. 

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