Light and fading in the wardrobe

Short answer: Daylight fades colours over months, even through a window. Dark and strong colours show fading the most, so a closed wardrobe protects better than an open rail in a bright room.

Daylight fades over months

Even indirect light through a window draws colour out of fabric. It happens slowly, so you often only notice when you see one garment next to another of the same colour. The shoulders of clothes on an open rail are usually where the difference shows first.

Dark colours fade the most

Black and navy show fading more clearly than light colours. Not necessarily because the colour goes faster, but because the difference is easy to see. A black bamboo hoodie for women that has hung in the light can turn greyish at the shoulders while the rest stays deep black.

A closed wardrobe protects best

Behind a door, light does not reach the fabric at all. That makes a closed wardrobe the safest place for clothes whose colour you want to keep. An open rail can be handy, but it should stand out of direct light or hold clothes that change often.

Direct sun works fastest

Direct sun fades colours far faster than indirect light. If a rail or shelf stands by a window, the damage can happen in a single summer. Draw the curtain during the sunny hours or move the clothes away from the window. It is the simplest fix if the room has no space for a closed wardrobe.

Rotate the clothes

If you keep clothes on an open rail, change what hangs at the front regularly. That way no single piece gets all the light. The same goes for folded clothes on an open shelf, where the top of the pile gets the most light. Swap them round now and then.

Washing affects colour too

Light is not the only cause of fading. Washing too hot and drying in full sun can also draw colour out. Wash dark clothes inside out and dry them in the shade or indoors. That keeps the colour longer, both in the wardrobe and in use.

Storing over the season

Clothes packed away for a season belong in a closed box or a dark wardrobe. A clear plastic box on a bright shelf does not protect against light, so choose an opaque box or keep it somewhere dark. Then the colours come back just as they were packed.

Choose what you wear most

Clothes that get worn often rarely hang in the light long enough to fade. It is the pieces that seldom come out that are most at risk. Have a look at all women's clothing or the most popular for women if you want pieces you will reach for every week.

Frequently asked questions

Do clothes fade in the wardrobe

Only if light gets in. Behind a closed door nothing happens, while an open rail in a bright room fades over months.

Which colours fade the most

Dark and strong colours. Black, navy and bright red show fading most clearly, because the difference becomes visible quickly.

Is indirect light enough to cause fading

Yes, over time. Direct sun is fastest, but indirect daylight also draws out colour over a few months.