How to Store Clothes Long Term Without Ruining Your Gear
Look, good clobber isn’t cheap. Whether you’ve got a Harrington hanging by the door, a drawer full of knitted polos, or a stack of check shirts you’re dead proud of, you want them to last. The thing is, most people know how to buy decent gear. Not everyone knows how to look after it.
Here’s what you need to know.
Know What You’re Working With Before You Wash
Before you even think about throwing something in the machine, check the label. It sounds obvious, but half the damage done to good clothes comes from someone skipping this step.
Knowing how to wash delicate fabrics starts with understanding what you’re dealing with. Knitted polos, especially anything with wool or a wool blend, will shrink fast if they get too hot. Cotton knits are more forgiving, but still need a gentle hand.
Woven shirts in bold checks or paisley patterns can bleed colour if the water’s too warm or the cycle’s too rough. Your Harrington’s got an outer shell and a lining, and both need to be thought about separately.
The label isn’t there to annoy you, we promise. Read it. Follow it.
Dry Cleaner vs Washing Machine: Does It Even Matter?
Not everything needs to go to the dry cleaner, but some things really shouldn’t go near your washing machine.
Head to the dry cleaner for Harrington jackets with zips or inner linings, and for anything wool-heavy that you can’t risk shrinking. The same applies to tailored trousers, whether pinstripe, dogtooth, or tweed, where the structure of the fabric needs protecting. If you’re not sure, that’s a sign to take it in rather than chance it.
For cotton shirts, whether check, paisley, or plain, a gentle machine cycle is fine. Turn them inside out and keep the temperature down to keep them looking good. The same goes for light cotton knitwear and denim.
How To Wash Delicate Fabrics
To keep delicate items in good nick, use cold water and always turn the garment inside out before washing. If you’ve got a mesh laundry bag, use it for knitwear and finer shirts. This prevents pilling and visible wear and tear. Keep it on a gentle or delicate cycle and use a mild detergent.
Skip the tumble dryer. Seriously. Heat ruins the shape and fabric faster than almost anything else. Knitwear should be dried flat on a clean towel so it holds its shape, and shirts can go on a hanger once most of the water’s out.
Between Washes: What Actually Works
You don’t need to wash clothing every time you wear it. Airing a jacket or a polo out overnight does the job for light wear and puts less stress on the fabric over time. Spot-treat small marks rather than throwing the whole thing in the machine. A damp cloth and a bit of patience sort out most minor spills before they become stains.
Rotate what you wear and check your gear every now and then, buttons, zips, seams. Small fixes done early stop bigger problems later.
How To Store Clothes Long Term the Right Way
If you’ve got this far, you’ve smashed it. This is where most people slip up. You can wash something perfectly but store it badly and still end up in a pickle.
First Rule: Never Store Dirty Clothes
Even if something looks clean, body oils and light marks will set over time and become a proper nightmare to shift. Give everything a wash before it goes away for the season.
Fold Your Knitwear — Don’t Hang It
Hanging pulls the shoulders out of shape over time, and you’ll end up with a stretched-out collar. For shirts, do the opposite and hang them on decent hangers so they don’t crease.
Don’t Bother With Plastic
Plastic bags and airtight containers are a bad idea for long-term storage. They trap moisture, and that leads to mildew. Use breathable garment bags instead, or just fold things neatly in a drawer with a bit of space around them.
Keep Clothes Dry and Away From Direct Sunlight
Light fades colours over time, even on darker garments. A wardrobe or a chest of drawers is ideal. If you’re rotating seasonally, give everything a proper check before putting it back in storage and address any issues before they get worse.
What To Do When Something Goes Wrong
Even with the best intentions, things happen. A zip sticks, a seam comes loose, a button goes missing. The mistake most people make is leaving it. Small problems left alone become bigger ones, and a garment that could’ve been sorted with five minutes and a needle and thread ends up unwearable.
Keep a basic repair kit to hand. Needles, thread in a few standard colours, spare buttons. If a seam starts to go, sort it before it splits further. If a zip starts catching, a bit of beeswax along the teeth usually does the job. For anything more serious, a good tailor or alterations service can help. Good for your pocket and the planet.
Gear Made To Last
Our clothes go the distance. The same styles that have been part of mod, ska, and street culture for decades aren’t going out of fashion any time soon. Look after them properly, and they won’t let you down.
Now you know how to store clothes long term, shop the range and get kitted out with retro-inspired pieces you’ll want to take care of.