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Voters are going to the polls in three electoral districts of England, with the governing Conservative Party braced for a drubbing over a cost-of-living crisis and a morale-sapping string of political scandals

A study has found that paying more for clothes doesn’t always mean they will last longer. Researchers at the School of Design at the University of Leeds performed durability tests on 65 items of clothes retailing from under £5 to around £150. The research showed that durability of both high and low-priced garments ranged from excellent to very poor. Durability refers to how long an item of clothing remains functional and wearable, without requiring much maintenance or repair when faced with normal wear and washing. T-shirts, hoodies and jeans were assessed for several factors including seam strength, resistance to ripping, colour bleeding, shrinking or losing shape. The research – commissioned by environmental charity Hubbub and retailer Primark – found women’s T-shirts priced under £10 outperformed one retailing at around £40. While hoodies priced between £11 and £20 were ranked higher on the durability scale than those priced at just under £50 and around £100. Only negligible differences in durability were found for a pair of women’s jeans priced at around £15 compared to a pair retailing at more than 10 times the price. Of all the garments tested, only menswear hoodies showed consistently higher performance than the lower priced ones. Alongside the study, Hubbub commissioned a survey of 3,000 UK adults on attitudes towards clothing care, revealing that 67% of people expect expensive clothes to last longer. The poll also found people tend to take more care when it comes to costly items, with 64% more likely to hang them up after wearing, 62% removing spills and stains, and 54% willing to carry out repairs. “Durability must become central to the debate on sustainability,” said Aoife Allen, director and fashion lead at Hubbub. “Durable clothes reduce the need for replacement purchases, increase the chance of a longer second life and offer better value for money – a significant concern in the context of the current cost of living crisis.” Other issues can also be considered when thinking about the environmental and social impact of your clothes – such as the materials used in production and transparency of the supply chain. Allen believes retailers and consumers alike must help to tackle the huge issue of clothing waste. “The fashion industry should be designing clothing to last longer, and we can help to make people aware of the simple steps that they can take to help all their clothes last longer,” Allen continues. “This research highlights that the same level of care should be given to all garments, regardless of price, to extend their life as much as possible.” So how do you make clothes last longer? Wash at lower temperatures High temperatures can cause clothes to fade more quickly and they aren’t necessary unless garments are very dirty, “For general washing of clothes that aren’t visibly stained, try washing at 30 degrees or lower and use the eco-setting on washing machines,” says Stephanie Campbell, senior creative partner (fashion) at Hubbub. “Most detergents now clean very well at low temperatures. Try using a shorter washing cycle which can also help prevent clothes from degrading.” Get to grips with care labels It’s important to check the instructions on care labels, especially when washing for the first time, to avoid any disasters. “Following the care symbols helps to avoid shrinking or damaging clothes and helps you care for them in the best possible way, so take the time to check them before washing,” says Campbell. For example, some delicate fabrics shouldn’t go in the washing machine, while others should be put in a net bag to protect them. Only wash an item when you really need to Chucking clothes in the laundry basket after every wear can have a detrimental impact on durability. “Washing clothing too much can cause colours to fade and the garment to start to break down,” says Campbell. “Unless an item is visibly dirty or has a stubborn stain, try spot cleaning marks or airing out odours to keep your clothes looking fresh.” Act fast if you spill something, she adds: “Remember to always treat stains as soon as you can – the longer you leave them the harder they are to get out.” Air your clothes out Air drying is the best way to keep clothes in good shape – as long as you pay attention to the ‘dry flat’ warning on the care label for certain items such as those made from cotton, linen or silk. “Tumble drying can shrink or damage items, so air drying can help to keep outfits fitting well and in good condition,” says Campbell. “It reduces energy bills too.” Repair instead of replacing Try to stick to the ‘make do and mend’ adage no matter how much you paid for an item. Campbell says: “Making a quick fix on a hole as soon as you’ve noticed or finding a local tailor that offers repairs is a simple way to get more wear out the clothes you’ve got and keep on enjoying your favourite items.” Love what you’ve got Sustainable fashion influencers know that ‘shopping your wardrobe’ is key to reducing your clothing waste – and saving money. “Enjoy what you already own, or swap with pals,” says Campbell. “Mix and match what’s in your wardrobe to create new outfits. Add accessories and embellishments or make alterations to update an item and breathe new life into it.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Chanel is set to host a fashion show in Manchester 4 key men’s swimwear trends to rock this summer 10 ways to style up your picnic

French fashion house Chanel will hold its next Métiers d’Art collection in Manchester. Métiers d’Art collections take place outside of the normal fashion week schedule, and choose a new city for every show. Past collections have been held in Tokyo, Shanghai, Rome and Dakar. The aim of these shows is to put the spotlight on the specialist ateliers acquired by Chanel, showing off the craftsmanship involved. Chanel’s creative director, Virginie Viard – who took over from Karl Lagerfeld when he died in 2019 – will host the show in Manchester on December 7. It wouldn’t be the first time Chanel has picked a UK city – in December 2012, the show was held at the ruins of Linlithgow Palace, near Edinburgh, Scotland. Chanel said in a statement: “Presented in cities and places that inspire the house, from Tokyo to New York, via Dakar last year, this collection bears witness to the historic commitment of Chanel to this exceptional artisanal heritage and its influence around the world.” While London is predominantly seen as the fashion capital of the UK, Manchester has a long relationship with clothes. The city was dubbed ‘Cottonopolis’ in the 19th century – it was home to over 100 cotton mills and was seen as the global centre of the cotton trade. Nowadays, fashion trends in Manchester tend to stem from the city’s thriving music scene – past musical trendsetters include The Smiths, The Stone Roses and Oasis. Chanel has a busy fashion show calendar before it lands in Manchester: it will debut its spring/summer 2025 collection at Paris Fashion Week in September, followed by a repeat showing of its Cruise 2024 collection in Shenzhen, China in November. Blockbuster fashion exhibition ‘Gabrielle Chanel. Fashion Manifesto’ – dedicated to the designer who established the luxury fashion house – is set to open on September 16 at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. In May, celebrities including Barbie actor Margot Robbie, reality show star Paris Hilton and Spencer actor Kristen Stewart attended Chanel’s Cruise collection in Los Angeles, so it will likely be another star-studded front row in Manchester.

The Florida Board of Education approved a new set of standards for how Black history should be taught in the state's public schools, sparking criticism from education and civil rights advocates who said students should be allowed to learn the "full truth" of American history.

By Jarrett Renshaw PHILADELPHIA President Joe Biden travels on Thursday to Philadelphia to pitch the promise of a

Texas' abortion restrictions -- some of the strictest in the country -- may be fueling a sudden spike in infant mortality as women are forced to carry nonviable pregnancies to term.

The US has reached out to the North, but there is still no word on the whereabouts of Travis King.

Along with sunscreen, flip flops, your favourite sunnies and a good book, swimming shorts are essential if you’re heading off for a beachy break this summer. Whether you’ll be lounging by the pool, snorkelling in crystal clear waters, getting active with adventurous water sports – or all of the above – you’ll need beachwear that suits your vacation mode and your personal style. From stripy shorts to sleek trunks, here are four major men’s swim trends to try this holiday season… 1. Sporty stripes Buffalo Swimming Shorts, £38, Freemans Go retro with classic side stripes and bright colour blocking, paying homage to Seventies and Eighties styles. Nail the athletic aesthetic with swim shorts in bold hues and flashes of neon. Regatta Men’s Benicio Swim Shorts Rocco Red Navy, £19.95 (were £40) Nike Colourblock 5 Volley Swim Shorts, £38, Jacamo 2. Surfer shorts Tap into surfer style with relaxed-fit board shorts in snazzy prints. Think Hawaiian florals, aquatic motifs and sunset shades. FatFace X Marine Conservation Society Coral Swim Shorts, £36 Animal Deep Dive Mens Printed Boardshorts, £35 George at Asda Orange Palm Tree Swim Shorts, £8 3. Geometric prints The coolest way to do nautical style is with subtle geometric prints. A pair of blue and white shorts are on trend now – and will last you for many a summer to come. Ted Baker Popov Dark Blue Geometric Swim Shorts, £60 Threadbare Men’s Navy Geometric Print Swim Shorts, £20 4. Bold briefs Make a summer style statement in a pair of bright briefs. Whether you’re doing laps in the pool or want to minimise tan lines, these swimmers are sleek and chic. Speedo Men’s 7cm Logo Brief Blue/Lilac, £17.15 (were £24.50)

Berlin police warned residents in parts of the capital to stay indoors as a wild animal, believed to be a lioness, is on the loose in the southwestern part of the German capital Thursday morning.

The veteran diplomat's surprise trip to Beijing follows a flurry of visits by US officials.

BEIJING (Reuters) -It is China's "priority" to stop Taiwan's vice president and presidential frontrunner William Lai from visiting the United

Attorneys representing at least 15 former Northwestern University student athletes announced plans Wednesday to sue the university over allegations that its athletics department fostered a "toxic culture" that facilitated harassment and sexual abuse.