Repair Damaged Clothing and Accessories

Think that moth-eaten sweater's fate is the giveaway pile? Not so fast.

Slack Elastic Waist

If the elastic runs within a hemmed fabric casing: The inner piece of elastic can be tightened or replaced by a seamstress for $20 or less.

If the elastic band was created using elasticized thread: It will be visible on the underside of the waistband―and it also tends to stretch out more easily. If this is the case, the time and the expense of replacing it may not be worthwhile. Fixing this kind of elastic waistband runs $45 on average and usually requires a special machine (though in some instances, a seamstress may be able to repair it by hand). "Even with more expensive clothing, it's typical that the elastic doesn't always have the same life expectancy of the garment itself," says Joseph Hallak Jr., owner of Hallak Cleaners and president of the National Cleaners Association, in New York City.

Either way: Compare the original cost of the clothing with the cost of the repair to see which option makes the most sense.

Odds of revival: 50-50.