The following refers to the time just before JA, but since that's where we are in the MT at the moment, perhaps it will be allowable! ;-) Mostly random observations:

Recycling of fabric: The V&A museum in London has several examples of Spitalfields silk from the late 18th century, and emphasizes both the great expense of these elaborately embroidered luxury fabrics, and the frequency with which they were reused and handed down, sometimes for generations. Parson Woodforde's diary (running the last half of the 18th century) gives us an example: on at least 2 occasions he gives as a gift to his niece an old silk dress he had inherited from his aunt. Young Nancy Woodforde, who seemed to be very fond of finery, thus wore dresses made with silk that was probably at least 40 years old. A fresh muslin gown sounds quite desirable by comparison!

Washing: If anyone knows whether it was more prevalent for one's own domestic servants to do laundry, or for professional laundresses to be employed when needed, I'd be interested in knowing. JA makes reference in her letters to sending out parcels of laundry. Parson Woodforde had laundresses come in every five weeks, but (in the opinion of the editor of his diaries) it seems that only shirts, shifts, table linens, and other "whities" got washed. I am not at all sure on this, but would not be surprised if outer garments made of silk, wool, and other such fabrics were very seldom cleaned.