Looking after the pieces you buy keeps them looking their best for longer, which is better for your wardrobe and the environment. Follow our simple care guide for advice on delicates, denim, outerwear, wool, leather, underwear and swimwear – and always check the care label.

Denim

Denim is rooted in workwear – a durable, hard-wearing fabric that doesn't need to be washed that often. By choosing to wash less, you save on water and energy. In fact, wearing in denim without washing helps to develop natural fades and lines, which give your denim character and make your jeans unique to you.

Between washes:

• Treat stains by spot cleaning: use a clean damp cloth and, if needed, a small amount of mild detergent directly on the stain, then blot to remove excess
• Freshen up your denim by airing them outside, hanging in a steamy bathroom, or popping them in the freezer for a couple of hours to get rid of bacteria and odours

When it's time to wash:

• Pre-washed denim: Wash inside out by hand or in the washing machine. Indigo can bleed, so wash alone or with similar colours
• Raw denim: Ideally wash by immersing in a bath of water, although a gentle machine wash on a cold cycle works too. Always use a mild detergent. Indigo can bleed, so wash alone

Drying:
Simply hang your denim to dry naturally. Avoid putting your denim in the dryer as this can damage the elastane, which is what helps your denim to stretch and recover.

Outerwear

• If your outerwear becomes wet, dry thoroughly in a warm room, but do not put it directly onto a heat source, like a radiator
• If your item is water-repellent, it has been treated with a durable finish that keeps the fabric from becoming saturated, as water beads on the surface. Extend the wear and functionality by maintaining it every season with a specialist PFC-free water-repellent spray
• Once a season, check buttons and fastenings are tightly secured and keep any spares in a safe place for future repairs
• Only wash a jacket if necessary, following the care instructions
• To restore the loft of padded jackets, tumble dry with a few tennis balls

Underwear and Swimwear

Underwear and swimwear are both items you wear close to your body, so to clean these items thoroughly you'll need to wash them a little warmer than your body temperature.

Washing:

• We recommend a 40°C wash in a mesh washing bag
• Swimwear needs extra care: After swimming, rinse with cold water to remove any salt or chlorine

Woollen Items

Woollen items do not need to be washed often and can be maintained by spot cleaning and airing.

When it's time to wash:

• Always check the care instructions, paying particular attention to the temperature
• Use a low spin cycle and a mild or specialist wool detergent
• Gently reshape whilst damp and dry flat to prevent stretching

Caring for wool:

• Pilling (small bobbles on the surface) is normal, caused by loose fibres rubbing together during wear. They can easily be removed using a special wool comb
• Don't hang woollen items – fold them to keep their shape
• Between seasons, use products to protect against moths

Leather

• Keep away from humidity, heat and chemicals
• Avoid contact with sharp objects or rough surfaces, which could mark, scratch or damage it
• Protect your leather item from the rain, but if it does become wet, air-dry at room temperature. Never dry directly on a heat source, like a radiator
• Remove light stains with a damp cloth and seek advice from a specialist leather dry cleaner for all other care needs

Delicates

Delicates are made from materials that need a little extra attention, like silk, viscose, linen or cupro, or those that have special embroidery, embellishment or trim. Some can be machine washed, others need to be washed by hand, and some are dry-clean only. Always follow the instructions on the care label.

Between washes:

• Don't wash your item after every wear – instead freshen them up by airing outside or try wearing a fitted cotton top underneath, so you wash the base layer rather than the delicate item
• To ease creasing between wears, hang in a steamy bathroom

Machine-washable delicates:

• Choose the delicate cycle, which is designed to be less abrasive
• Check the temperature setting and use a mesh bag to help protect the item during the washing cycle

Hand-wash delicates:

• Wash in cold water using a special detergent for delicates
• Avoid stretching the garment when wet
• Easy tip: Roll the hand-washed garment in a clean towel and press out the excess water, remove from the towel, and dry flat

Additional care:

• When ironing, follow the temperature instructions
• For dry-clean only items, seek specialist advice
• Pay attention to storing these items and be careful when wearing with other garments that have a sharp or rough surface, as it can snag or mark the delicate fabric

Remember: Always check the care label on your garment for specific instructions. Taking good care of your clothes helps them last longer and reduces environmental impact.