I won't say why or how, except I didn't cause it, but this icon trench was filthy. At first, I thought I'd relegate it for dire circumstances ... like if I knew I had to be packed onto a bus with a football team
that for some reason could not shower after a sweaty game.
But the coat was grungy enough I doubt I'd wear it even then.
Oh, I thought about taking it to the cleaners.
But I don't love the idea of spending a zillion dollars on something that may not come clean and I don't love the idea of dry cleaning chemicals. And since the football team scenario was unlikely, made one of those "what do I have to lose" decisions and threw it in the wash. Delicate cycle, cold water. Tumble dry low.
Surprise, suprise. It came out just fine.
Surprise, suprise. It came out just fine.
And while it's not as crisp as before and should be lightly pressed,
I now happily wear it for the best situations.
I wore the washed trench over the above outfit when I went to:
With some good friends and we had pre-theater dinner here:
I ate every bit of:
 |
Carried this:
And was not disappointed in any way.
 |
| Kate Spade book clutch. |
And was not disappointed in any way.
The evening far exceeded every expectation.
Many have wondered, some have asked and I said I'd try it so
I washed the minnie pant in bi-stretch wool.
Same way: delicate cycle, cold water, tumble dry low.
I measured before and after, the width shrunk by about 3/16".
Like jeans after they're washed and dried, they felt tightened up.
Still quite wearable but more legging-like.
The bigger difference was the length, they're shorter by about 1/2".
If you study the above carefully, you'll notice the more snug and bunched up washed minnie pant on the right. Slightly shorter.
For reference, I'm 5'2"-ish and wearing the regular length size 00.
Not sure if I prefer them before or after the wash and dry but I sure wish there was a way to shrink the waistband by about 2".
Then they'd be perfect. Like my recent evening out.
So have you had wash and wear dastardly disasters or surprise successes?
Surprise success. Just threw my Hermes scarves in a sink of cold water and sweater wash. Was absolutely horrified at how much dirt came out in the water. Rinsed in cold, many, many times, hung to dry then ironed on hot. They look like brand new! I hate dry cleaner chemicals too. Looks like a fab night out!!
ReplyDeletexo Jennifer
I can see how a silk scarf can come out well that way though I did hear recently how they are not supposed to be washed, something about sizing they put on the scarves. But I'm with you, scarves are worn close to the face and I can't stand the thought of grime or chemicals near.
DeleteTR - So happy you had an amazing dinner! Whenever I take my Kate Spade book clutches out I am so happy! And you washed the trench - I am so impressed! I try to wash everything now at home for the same reason, but I think I would have been nervous of the trench. Did the minnies seems any softer?
ReplyDeleteThe dinner was delish and I love carrying my KS book clutches too. I'd normally not be so brave to put the trench in the wash but it was so awfully dirty I had half a mind to throw it away. I can't say the minnies got softer, the fabric got spongier, if that makes any sense to you.
DeleteI'm terrified to wash anything from J. Crew with wool in it. I won't even put flannel shirts or most tees in the dryer now. You were brave to wash the Minnies and I'm glad they turned out pretty well. I think the trench looks good, and you had nothing to lose with that one. Glad it worked!
ReplyDeleteI'll still machine wash my ancient J. Crew lambswool sweaters, but anything recent I've tried (Tippi, Tippi cardigan, last year's popcorn sweater) have all been a disaster, in spite of having washed them in the front loader on cold/hand wash and not putting them in the dryer. I don't like the idea of dry cleaning chemicals either, so mostly I try not to buy anything I can't wash at home.
Does a pair of sunglasses fit inside the Kate Spade clutches? I always like the looks of the clutches but never bought one because I need to fit sunglasses.
Nope, had nothing to lose with the trench and why I did have the nerve to put it through the wash. I have several pairs of minnies, love them and picked up some when they were on super sale plus big percentage off a couple years back, so I was willing to risk a pair in the wash. Not bad but I'm also thinking they'd turn out even better if I would just iron them to flatten out the fabric a bit. The material has "scrunched up" some after washing.
DeleteWool sweaters are funny. I've had some that were fine, fine, fine after several washes, then all of a sudden, they'll decide to shrink up to doll size even if I'm washing them exactly the same way as always. Be most careful of loosely knitted sweaters like the popcorn, they seem to always shrink up substantially.
Sorry to disappoint you as far as fitting sunglasses inside the Kate Spade book clutches, it's a no. They are cute and a conversation starter but they are not good for carrying anything other than a couple keys, small and flat wallet and small and flat phone. What is it they say ... just the essentials: your credit cards, license/ID, some money, keys, (small/flat) phone and your lipstick!
Like Cate, I try not to buy anything that requires dry-cleaning, although it's sometimes unavoidable. That said, most of my clothes are inexpensive, so I tend to just throw everything in the washer, no matter what the label says. I also air-dry a lot of my clothes. No problems yet. Glad the trench came out well! And I'm very envious that you saw Priscilla. Loved the movie!
ReplyDeleteI put a lot of things in the wash even if the label says dry clean only, seems clothes never really feel clean unless through the soap and water routine.
DeletePriscilla was wonderful entertainment. What could be more fun than 80s music sung and danced by outrageous drag queens?
I'm so impressed! I hand wash my Tippis, and they still shrink a bit, good thing that Jcrew has vanity sizing and the xxs is sometimes too big :)
ReplyDeleteI often shrink my stuff on purpose and often disappointed when they don't shrink enough or at all. :)
DeleteSo nice to know the Icon can be washed. I haven't soiled mine yet but I'm such a klutz that it is bound to happen. I love how you tie the belt.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it was meant to be washed but I'm really happy to learn it can survive quite well. Ah ... the belt, that reminds me I should post an ETA.
DeleteThe trench looks FANTASTIC on you! I feel like I need every inch of space I have in my Minnies so I'm afraid of "significant shrinkage" as George C would say. Leggings are not my look (I'm too short and hippy). You however, look tall and slim and fabulous in them!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Danielle! Though the washed minnies are not as sharing of details as leggings, I do wish they were like the before washed minnies width wise.
DeleteI like the afters of the Minnies, doubt i could wear the wool ones, I was born itchy, but I looked so bad in the twill ones, my butt was down at my knees.
ReplyDeleteI would like the befores of the minnies in width but the afters for length. I find the wool minnies to be comfortable to wear, they don't seem to bother me like some wool sweaters can. I know about butt down to the knees, that's what these minnies would be like if I don't belt it to hold up.
DeleteYou are very brave to have thrown both items into the wash! I am very impressed by the results. Good to know I can put the Icon trench in the wash!
ReplyDeleteDesperation drives desperate move, I'm afraid, not bravery. ;)
DeleteI was really happy to get it clean and the trench did great going through the wash but I forgot to note I air dried all the belts ...
Who makes the black, pointy-toed shoes in the first photo (with the trench coat)? Must. Own. Now.
ReplyDeleteThose are Daniele Ancarani, I am not sure if they're still around but all my shoes from that designer are wonderful. Even though they are pointy-toed, the toe box is quite wide with plenty wiggle room. I got them from yoox, talked about in this post.
DeleteAmazing wash story. Is your washer a top load or front load?
ReplyDeleteAnd what show did you see? I feel like I should know it, but I'm drawing a blank.
DeleteMy washer is a top load but without the "center pole" (I don't know the technical term but ykwim, right?) common to top loaders.
DeleteThe show was Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. If you click on the pic, it takes you to the website. See it if you get a chance, it's a ton of fun.
You look so much taller than that - I thought you were at least 5.7. People always think I'm shorter than Im (people I know in real life) the results of bad posture despite all the efforts of Mrs Shirley Dibble and her ballet school. Is that a Burberry? The drape is wonderful and spruced up well, washing machines are great these days aren't they?
ReplyDeleteI feel taller than I am and people think I'm taller even IRL, lol. I remember thinking men shorter than 5'10" were too short for me, when I was dating.
DeleteThat trench is J.Crew's icon trench. I've never tried a Burberry so don't know how it compares but it does spruce up well. I doubt I'd dare put a Burberry in the wash ...
The trenchcoat looks great post-wash! I like surprises like that too. The fit on the minnie pants looks very similar to before. Even the shortened length isn't too obvious. Your KS book clutch is adorable and the perfect accessory with your grey/black outfit. What a lovely evening! Thanks for sharing, Tiffany Rose. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for coming by, ABC. With washing things that say dry clean, you're always taking a chance so thank goodness it worked out this time. I like the shortened length of the minnie pant but do wish it had stayed width wise, but think it would be pretty close had I ironed it, if I would only drag out my iron. :)
DeleteI wash *everything* and tumble-dry nothing. Things I worry about I run on the hand-wash cycle - and we don't have a tumble-dryer. But I have shrunk a pea-coat (I had been out in a storm and was soaked though to my skin; the coat was literally pouring water by the time I got home so I thought a gentle handwash wouldn't hurt (I actually did hand-wash it myself, in the bathtub). It did. Sadly the cotton lining dried more quickly than the thick wool of the coat, making it slightly puckered on the inside, and the sleeves shrunk way above my wrists!). I would have been terrified to tumble those wool trousers. They look great though!
ReplyDeleteThings never feel really clean to me unless through the soap and water drill and it is the dryer that usually does the damage on shrinking so you're smart to do what you do. I was willing to experiment with the wool minnies since I bought a few pairs when they went on super, super sale.
DeleteSorry about your pea coat, hate when that happens!