If you're like me, you're currently undergoing the process of saying Au Revoir to your summer wardrobe and welcoming back your cherished sweaters. However, after months of hibernation, our beloved pieces might not smell as fresh as we'd like them to. In this edition, I'm excited to share my surprisingly simple workaround for reviving your garments without the need for an exorbitant dry cleaning allowance, and other low-maintenance tips for taking care of your delicates and extending the life of your favorite pieces. Stylish and sustainable!

Laundry confessions

Truth be told, I just machine-wash almost all of my clothes on the “Delicate” cycle with cold water. Yes, even my “dry clean” darlings. Gasp! I’ll let you in on a fashion industry secret: the “Dry Clean” label can be used for liability purposes, and clothing companies, paranoid about potential mishaps, err on the side of caution. I have to be careful though and know how a fabric will react. For example, wool shrinks and felts, and silk shrinks and color bleeds/fades. That being said, I still wash most wool and silk in cold water on Delicate with Low or No Spin. I even use regular detergent. And guess what? They come out just fine. Sure, I could hand-wash, but honestly, I would much rather read a good book than spend time babying my clothes. My rule is: if it can’t handle the machine and isn’t a fancy outfit or coat that must go to the cleaners, then it can’t take up precious closet space! 

Burnt orange Quince silk blouse paired with the Not Your Daughter's Jeans in the Teresa Wide Leg Ankle style

Pressing matters

Naturally, not all pieces can withstand the whirl of a machine wash, like coats and special occasion dresses, for example. Instead, I just give these items a quick steam! The hot steam not only smoothes out wrinkles, making the garment look its best, but it also breaks down bacteria and smells, allowing you to postpone that trip to the dry cleaners just a little longer. You can follow with a fabric refresher spray of choice if you’re feeling extra fancy! As for technique, you’re going to want to hold the steamer a few inches away from the garment to avoid damaging or burning the fabric. Even for lower maintenance items like blouses and pants, I’ll take the steamer over the traditional iron any day. I use the Jiffy J-2000 model, the kind you would see someone using in a retail store. It’s definitely pricier than handheld models, but it’s never steered me wrong and I know I’ll have it for years to come!

The lowdown on shrinkage

If there is shrinkage over time from machine washing, it’s pretty negligible, and honestly worth the convenience! On the other hand, though, sometimes we think we should size up with certain materials, like cotton, to anticipate shrinkage in a warm water cycle. Unfortunately, this strategy can be a bit hit-or-miss. It may shrink in an unexpected way that leaves you with an awkward fit. I do have one exception to this, though. When I buy two sizes of the same piece and forget to return one (we’ve all done it!), I'll turn it into a fun experiment. I toss it in with my husband's laundry in a warm water cycle, and if it ends up a bit wonky, well, no harm no foul! If I find that a top is fitting a little boxier than I’d like, I’ll typically layer with a vest, which adds shape and definition, and divides up the space, creating the illusion of a more well-fitting garment. 

The same Quince blouse and NYDJ jeans paired with a Belgin Francis leaf-patterned leather vest

Silk tales

Speaking of delicate fabrics, I thought I’d do a flashback to a trip I took in Thailand this week six years ago now. We visited the house of Jim Thompson, the first person to introduce Thai silk to the Western World. The tour went through Jim’s fascinating and peculiar history (see this blog post for more info) and featured an amazing art collection. Most importantly, we got to watch a mesmerizing demonstration of how silkworm cocoons are spun into thread.

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Pictured below is a handwoven scarf I brought back from the Jim Thompson house. As a hand weaver myself, I’m always interested in seeing how the selvedges (side edges) are done. They’re imperfect and the weaving overall is inconsistent. In my opinion, that’s what gives this piece interest!

As always, thank you so much for reading. Don't hesitate to reach out if you have any thoughts on how you like to care for your favorite delicate pieces!