Why this matters

Natural fibres reward attention and punish neglect. Most garments do not wear out — they are washed out. The instructions below add years to a piece for the cost of a little patience.

Cashmere & merino wool

Washing

Hand wash in cold water with a wool-specific detergent, or use a wool programme at 30°C in a mesh bag. Never use fabric softener — it coats the fibre and destroys the handle.

Drying

Press water out gently between towels. Never wring and never hang — wet knitwear stretches under its own weight. Reshape by hand and dry flat, away from radiators and direct sun.

Pilling

Some pilling in the first weeks is normal and is not a defect. It is short surface fibres working free. Remove with a cashmere comb or a knitwear stone, in one direction. After the first few wears it largely stops.

Storage

Fold, never hang. Store in a breathable cotton bag with cedar. Wash before storing for the season, since moths are drawn to skin oils rather than to the wool itself.

Between wears

Air knitwear for a day rather than washing it. Wool is naturally odour-resistant and most pieces need washing only every [4–6] wears.

Linen

Washing

Machine wash at 30°C on a gentle cycle with mild detergent. Wash with similar colours. Linen is strong when wet, so it tolerates machine washing far better than wool.

Drying

Line dry in shade. Remove while slightly damp — linen presses far more easily then, and over-drying sets creases hard.

Pressing

Iron damp on a medium-hot setting, on the reverse for darker shades. Or do not iron at all: a relaxed crease is intrinsic to linen and is part of why the fabric looks the way it does.

Over time

Linen softens with every wash and reaches its best hand after [10–15] wears. It is the rare fabric that genuinely improves.

Leather & suede footwear

Before first wear

Treat suede with a protective spray and let it dry fully. Apply a thin coat of neutral cream to smooth leather. Both steps take ten minutes and materially extend the life of the shoe.

Routine care

Use cedar shoe trees after every wear — they absorb moisture and hold the shape. Rest a pair for a full day between wears.

Suede

Brush with a suede brush in one direction once dry. Lift marks with a suede eraser. Never use water or soap.

Smooth leather

Wipe with a soft dry cloth. Condition with neutral cream every [8–10] wears, allow to absorb, then buff.

If they get wet

Dry at room temperature, away from any heat source. Heat cracks leather permanently. Stuff with paper to hold the shape while drying.

A question about a specific piece?

Write to support@calvieri.com with the item name and we will give you guidance for that exact fabric.