Care & Keeping
Leather Shoes
Wipe them down with a soft, dry cloth after wear. Condition the leather every few months so it doesn't dry out or crack, and use shoe trees to hold their shape. Let them rest a day between wears. If they get caught in rain, stuff them with paper and let them dry away from direct heat — never on a radiator.
Leather Garments
Never machine wash. Wipe clean with a barely damp cloth and let it air dry on its own. Condition occasionally to keep the leather supple, and hang it on a wide or padded hanger so the shoulders keep their shape. Keep it out of long stretches of sun and heat. For anything past a surface mark, take it to a leather specialist.
Animal Furs
Fur needs to breathe, so never store it in plastic. Keep it in a cool, dark, ventilated spot on a broad-shouldered hanger, away from heat, perfume, and friction. Don't brush it or reach for household cleaners. If it gets wet, shake it out and let it dry naturally — never with heat. Have it professionally cleaned once a year.
Cashmere
Hand wash in cold water with a wool or cashmere detergent, or use a gentle machine cycle. Don't wring it — press the water out and dry it flat, reshaping as you go. Never hang it; it'll stretch at the shoulders. Store it folded, and give each piece a day's rest between wears. Pills are normal — lift them gently with a comb or cashmere stone.
Cotton
Machine wash cold with like colors, inside out to protect any print or color. Tumble dry low or hang to dry — a hot dryer is what shrinks cotton and wears it out. Pull it while it's still slightly damp and you can usually skip ironing. If you do iron, medium heat is plenty.
Denim Jeans & Jackets
Wash cold, inside out, and not very often — denim holds its color and shape far longer the less it sees water. Keep it with like colors, since indigo likes to travel. Skip the fabric softener and hang to dry when you can. Spot clean small marks between washes.
Selvedge Denim
Wash them cold, inside out, and rarely — the longer you wait, the better the fades. If they're raw, hold off on the first wash for a few months so the creases set where you actually bend and move. Hang to dry, never the dryer. Spot clean in the meantime and otherwise leave them be. The wear is the whole point.
Wool Garments
Most of the time, airing out beats washing. When it needs more, hand wash cold with a wool detergent or have it dry cleaned. Dry flat and reshape — never hang it while wet. Steam to refresh rather than iron, and store it folded with cedar nearby. Give each piece a day or two to recover between wears.