Shirt Care
- Washing: Wash your shirt after each time you wear it, at 40 degrees. Remove collar stays, undo the buttons and turn inside out (to protect the buttons).
- Dry Cleaning: Dry cleaning will wear your shirts out quickly, particularly, under the arms where deodorant will not be removed. It is better to wash them at home (always check the care instructions) and then take them to the dry cleaner for pressing (except for special shirts such as those made of silk).
- Bespoke Care: You should wash a bespoke shirt three times before wearing it to allow it to shrink and soften. If you wash it once a week, it will require a new collar and cuffs in three years (which your tailor can easily replace) but the rest of the shirt should still be in perfect condition. A bespoke shirt should last 10 to 15 years with proper care.
Six Storage Secrets
- Do use suitably shaped hangers, never wire.
- Don’t overfill your wardrobe or drawers – clothes need to breathe.
- Do empty pockets before you hang up jackets or trousers.
- Don’t put anything away when it’s wet damp.
- Do put hanging covers over rarely worn garments.
- Don’t store clothes in direct light (don’t forget about garments in the back of the car).
Leather Care
- Leather is a skin; keep it fed and moist – allow it to breathe.
- Never store leather in plastic bags or non-porous containers.
- Use leather conditioner occasionally to prevent it from drying out or cracking.
- Spray items with a protector.
- Avoid any products containing silicone or wax.
- Hang leather jackets on wide or padded hangers.
- Use shoetrees in leather shoes.
- Stuff leather bags with tissue to maintain their shape.
- Protect wool and cashmere from moths by putting cedar blocks in your drawers and wardrobe
- Make sure knitwear is clean before it’s put away and store for longer periods – such as the summer months – in sealed containers.
