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Submitted July 21, 2026 at 04:48AM by TheLoomPeak https://ift.tt/jXh9iWs
Tuesday, July 21, 2026
LPT What I've learned about caring for silk, after ruining my share of it
I have silk all over my home, pillowcases, bedding, sleep masks, for over a year now. And before learning everything below, I paid for it. A pillowcase that went through the machine with the household detergent and came out stiff as a postcard. Another piece I'd waited weeks for, killed in a single wash. Back then I thought silk was fragile. It's actually tough, it just doesn't forgive the mistakes everyone makes.
This post is everything I wish I'd read earlier. The point is simple: with silk, the purchase matters less than the care. Care is what decides what the piece actually costs you, how long it lives, and what it's still worth in three years.
Money first, and I'll be honest: if price is your only criterion, the €8 polyester "satin" wins every time, nothing beats €8 (I'm in Europe, prices in euros). The number that matters is the real price of the silk itself. A genuine mulberry silk pillowcase runs from €20-25 for entry-level 19 momme on Amazon to €70-90 from specialist brands, and that gap pays for real differences: the weight first of all, a 19 momme is thin and wears out faster than a 22, then the finishing and construction. But here's the thing: whatever you paid, care decides the final bill. Washed wrong, the piece is dead within a year, full price, whether it was €25 or €90. Cared for properly, it's a different scale: talking with people here on Reddit, some told me they've kept the same piece for fifteen years, others five, depending on use and weight. The same money, divided by five, ten, fifteen, just from doing it right. Silk has insane longevity, it only asks for two things: decent weight to start with, and respect in the wash.
That longevity comes down to four habits. Silk is a protein, like your hair. First, the detergent: enzyme-free and pH neutral, those are the only two criteria that matter, because enzymes digest proteins, the fiber included, wash after wash. Silk/wool washes are built for exactly this, and a good delicates detergent can work too, as long as it checks both boxes: read the label, that's what decides, not the marketing. Second, water at 30°C max, above that the weave tightens and it's irreversible. Third, dry flat, in the shade, never the dryer. Fourth, oily stains: don't rub, put talc or cornstarch on the stain overnight, then brush it off gently, that's the dry cleaners' method.
Comfort follows the same logic: it's lost in the wash, not through use. What you're paying for in silk is the glide, the coolness, the fact that it drinks far less of your night cream than cotton does. Washed wrong, it turns stiff and dull within months. Cared for, it keeps its original hand for years. Caring for it means preserving what you actually bought: the feel.
The environment, last, and honestly: producing silk is not eco-friendly, no fiber is. What's eco-friendly is not re-buying. The reference organization on textile impact (WRAP, UK) confirms it: extending the active life of clothing is one of the most effective levers in the industry, carbon, water and waste. The environmental math lands in the same place as the money math: whatever lasts, wins.
One example to make it concrete: the same €70 pillowcase, two possible lives. First life, machine at 40°C with the household detergent, then the dryer. Within a year it's stiff and dull, ready to replace: €70 a year. Second life, washed at 30°C with an enzyme-free detergent, dried flat in the shade. Ten years later it's still on the bed with its original glide: €7 a year. Same pillowcase, same money upfront. The only difference is time: a basin, a soak, flat drying instead of throwing everything in the drum. It's a small ritual, not an invisible chore, I won't lie to you. But that time is what divides the bill by ten.
Almost everything here also applies to wool and your other good pieces.
Happy to answer any questions.
Submitted July 21, 2026 at 04:18AM by Ok-Perception7624 https://ift.tt/hu6WQxs
UAL Masters Online or In-Person
/r/UAL/comments/1v2a7ty/masters_online_or_inperson/
Submitted July 21, 2026 at 02:23AM by Objective_Goat4441 https://ift.tt/HrhAzql
Submitted July 21, 2026 at 02:23AM by Objective_Goat4441 https://ift.tt/HrhAzql
Monday, July 20, 2026
Old jeans
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Submitted July 20, 2026 at 05:36PM by walter--benjamin https://ift.tt/DACB8cj
Submitted July 20, 2026 at 05:36PM by walter--benjamin https://ift.tt/DACB8cj
How many of us sew/knit/etc?
I've noticed a lot of discussion on this sub focuses on brands and I'd love to see more people talking about crafting in sustainable fashion! Mending to me plays a big role, but having to make your own clothes slows production right down which means you end up with less new garments overall regardless of how much money you have to spend.
There's also the flip side where a lot of fabric is non-organic cotton or viscose and it's rare to find fabric brands with certifications around worker exploitation, although there is GOTS and OTO-TEX which certify on environmental impact. One thing I like that can counteract this is the coupon rationing system used by Retro Claude. She's adapted the clothes rationing system of WWII in Britain to her own life, which limits how much new fabric and clothes she can buy in a year. I've used it before and swapped out wool (which uses more coupons) for synthetics and non-organic cotton. Secondhand items don't require coupons, which encourages you to look elsewhere for fabric.
For me though, learning to knit and to mend were the first steps I made in my sustainable fashion journey. I was 13 (bless my socks) and thought if I could knit and make my own clothes, then I could avoid all the issues with fast fashion. It's not as simple as that but it got me to start thinking about what impact I had on the planet and why the system was set up to be so destructive in the first place. I'd love to hear other people's thoughts!
Submitted July 20, 2026 at 02:19PM by infinite-long-stocki https://ift.tt/aFEuT4X
Sustainable basics clothing brands that actually hold up?
I am looking to replace a few worn out basics and want something sustainable that isnt only cute to wear once or twice. Universal Standard, Pact, Kotn and Mate are the main ones on my list right now. Im comparing fabric feel, size range, washing, return policies and how transparent they seem about production. I dont need anything fancy, mostly tees, tanks, pants and easy layers that can handle repeat wear. Which brands have held up best for you?
Submitted July 20, 2026 at 03:24AM by skywarp001 https://ift.tt/ViWBPuE
Sunday, July 19, 2026
What were they wearing in the early 20th century in hot weather/safari?
Hi,
I'm curious about finding sustainable clothing made like in the early 20th century.
If we take example on movies like Indiana Jones or TV shows like 1923. Synthetic clothing wasn't a thing. But if you went to some places in the desert or savannah, you needed something light and breathable, but also protective against the bush, the mosquitoes, etc.
https://www.secretfanbase.com/banana/ventile-poplin-safari-pants/
There are some interesting stuffs here https://www.secretfanbase.com/banana/, but all those clothing pieces don't exist anymore.
Where can I find Egyptian cotton clothing, or drill trousers these days?
Linen is a good option in the heat, but it's very fragile too.
Now if you want some outdoor clothing, it's all synthetic nylon or polyester. Was there something wrong with natural fabrics that synthetic is doing better? Or is it just about production cost?
Thank you!
Submitted July 19, 2026 at 12:46PM by Nic727 https://ift.tt/PQilJ7T
Does anyone know of any online shops that sell Scandinavian clothes (esp. Norwegian) that ship to the US?
Hi everyone-
I’m looking for an online shop that sells a wide variety of Scandinavian (or Nordic) clothes in the Scandinavian style. Id say honestly most Scandinavian brands are sustainable and very focused on that mission, so I’m looking for a site that sells a wide variety of brands and has some Norwegian brands (there are so many but shops always seem to favor danish and Swedish (ew!) clothes every time and almost never even have one Norwegian brand except maybe Envelope1976 or something). If nothing like that exists, if there’s anything even adjacent I’d love to know about it! The closest I’ve found is Wild Swans, but they have a tiny variety and the clothes are more colorful and funky instead of typical scandi style or just what you’d see in regular Norwegian shops today. I’m missing Norway a lot and really want to find some clothes in my style. Thanks!! (:
(And sorry mods if not allowed!)
Submitted July 19, 2026 at 09:10AM by BroadwayRegina https://ift.tt/zeZxT2m
Saturday, July 18, 2026
Are you sourcing for your next collection?
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Submitted July 18, 2026 at 11:31PM by canerozkan https://ift.tt/xtdHs20
Submitted July 18, 2026 at 11:31PM by canerozkan https://ift.tt/xtdHs20
(Mostly) natural fiber bra but with cups?
Hi!
I’m looking for a bra made out of natural fibers (silk, cotton, etc) but I don’t love how the shape of these look under clothes when they don’t have cups. Does anyone have any suggestions for bras with cups where the fabric touching the skin is all natural fiber??
I’m okay with the cup itself being polyester as long as it’s lined with cotton or another material!
I’d appreciate any suggestions! I tried ThirdLove but unfortunately their cup is unlined and the foam it’s made of is actually polyester despite that this isn’t disclosed on their website or tags.
Submitted July 18, 2026 at 04:43PM by Far_Tomato9058 https://ift.tt/0HlGhgf
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