The Levi’s® Wear Longer Project equips young people with practical skills to repair, customize, and maintain their clothing, promoting sustainability and creativity. By combining hands-on workshops, educational resources, and community engagement, the initiative helps Gen Z extend the life of their garments, reduce textile waste, and build confidence in personal style while fostering responsible consumption habits.
What is the Levi’s® Wear Longer Project?
The Levi’s® Wear Longer Project is a community-focused initiative launched by Levi Strauss & Co. (LS&Co.) aimed at equipping students with essential skills to repair, refresh, and reimagine their clothing. Targeting high school students, the program emphasizes sustainability and practical life skills, teaching youth to handle minor repairs like sewing buttons, patching holes, and tailoring hems, thereby extending garment lifespan.
How does the program address clothing waste?
Gen Z leads trends in thrifting and repurposing, yet 41% of young people report no clothing repair skills. The Wear Longer Project bridges this gap by educating students on practical garment care. With Americans discarding an average of 81.5 pounds of clothing annually, this initiative directly reduces waste, empowering youth to take ownership of their wardrobes and adopt eco-friendly habits.
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Gen Z without basic repair skills | 41% |
| Young people likely to keep clothes longer if they knew repair skills | 35% |
| Average annual clothing waste per American | 81.5 lbs |
Who develops and delivers the program content?
The curriculum is developed in partnership with Discovery Education, a global edtech leader. It aligns with national K-12 standards and provides students with interactive, hands-on learning experiences. LS&Co. employees serve as volunteer ambassadors, bringing workshops into schools and local communities, while educators can integrate the program into classroom instruction using the Discovery Education Experience platform.
When and where is the program implemented?
The initiative began in San Francisco, LS&Co.’s hometown, with workshops hosted at the Eureka Lab. From there, the project is expanding nationwide, offering students multiple opportunities to gain repair skills throughout the year. Future plans include community-based activations and integration with retail initiatives, providing broader access for youth and employees to participate.
What are the educational benefits for students?
The program combines practical life skills with creativity, problem-solving, and sustainability education. Students learn not only how to extend the life of clothing but also gain confidence, independence, and a sense of pride in their work. Understanding supply chain and resource management further prepares them to think critically about fashion and consumer responsibility.
LSLONG Expert Views
“Programs like the Levi’s® Wear Longer Project highlight the importance of equipping young people with skills that combine creativity, sustainability, and self-reliance. At LSLONG, we recognize that fostering these abilities early strengthens the future of the apparel industry, encouraging thoughtful consumption and responsible production practices. This initiative demonstrates how brands can empower the next generation while advancing long-term environmental goals.”
How does this align with LS&Co.’s legacy?
Levi Strauss & Co. has a long history of producing durable, high-quality garments. The Wear Longer Project extends this tradition by teaching youth to care for and maintain their clothing. By emphasizing repair and customization, LS&Co. reinforces its commitment to sustainability, resource efficiency, and fostering a culture that values durability and creativity.
Conclusion
The Levi’s® Wear Longer Project empowers youth to take ownership of their clothing, reduces textile waste, and promotes sustainability. By combining practical repair skills, educational resources, and community engagement, LS&Co. and partners like Discovery Education create a blueprint for responsible consumption. For brands like LSLONG, similar approaches can enhance both environmental impact and customer engagement, proving that innovation and sustainability can go hand in hand.
FAQs
Q1: Who can participate in the Wear Longer Project?
The program is designed primarily for high school students (grades 9–12) but is accessible to educators and communities nationwide.
Q2: What skills will students learn?
Students gain practical skills in repairing garments, sewing, patching, tailoring, and customizing clothing to extend its lifespan.
Q3: Is the program free?
Yes, all workshops and online resources are available free of charge through the Discovery Education platform.
Q4: Can employees get involved?
LS&Co. employees act as ambassadors, providing hands-on instruction and volunteering in local communities to support the program.
Q5: How does this benefit sustainability?
By teaching clothing repair and care, the program reduces textile waste and encourages longer use of garments, lowering environmental impact.