In the run-up to the holidays, I was able to take Loskey to a few Christmas fairs and markets.  It was a fantastic opportunity both to take our tees out to a wider audience, but also to get some real-time feedback from customers on our product.  The feedback was invaluable and will certainly go into the production of new products (watch this space!). It also highlighted to me that some customers were concerned about our wash care guidance, so I thought it would be helpful to explain and clarify them here (spoiler alert: there is nothing to worry about!)

First, a little bit of context.  If you have been following Loskey’s story, you will know that sustainability is one of the cornerstones of the brand.  It’s a wide-reaching commitment that includes a number of elements:

• Raw materials: all of our tees are made from GOTS-certified organic cotton and AZO-free dyes.

• Collateral and packaging: the wonderful team at Elhrino Paper make our hang tags and thank you cards from the coolest of sustainable paper sources – elephant and rhino dung! In addition, all the packaging we use for shipping is made from recycled or reusable sources.  Our tissue paper and shipping boxes are made from 100% recycled paper and cardboard, and our handmade packaging pouches can be used for t-shirt storage, or for other storage needs (I’ll write more on that later!)

• Clothes for keeps: last, but not least, we have designed our tees to last.  Not only have we made them with the best quality organic cotton, we’ve made them at a heavier weight (180 gsm – grams per square metre) to ensure that keep their shape and colour, do not get those irritating little holes at the waistline, and therefore stay in your wardrobe for years to come. 

It is this last point that I want to focus on when it comes to wash care.  As a quick reminder, here’s the guidance printed on every Loskey tee:

What compelled me to write this post is the reaction that several customers had upon reading these instructions, which generally went along the lines of, ‘oh, you can’t put these in the tumble dryer.’  The reality is you can.  You can also wash them at much higher temperatures than 30 degrees.  And they will come out as good as new each time.  I have done both, many times.  Purposefully to test the durability, and accidentally on quite a few occasions (mostly when my husband is doing the wash – it does happen!)

While the tees will not shrink or lose their shape or colour if washed at a higher temperature or put in the dryer, I would like you to treat your tops with kindness.  Washing at a lower temperature and not using the tumble dryer will extend the life of your tees, and that’s the outcome I’m after.  Not only that but taking care of your tees in this way is also much kinder to the environment.  In loving and caring for your clothes, you also show your love for our planet.  I’ve written more about this in the Wash & Care section of the website.

Here’s a fun little case study to underline the point!  My lovely friend Alison was wearing her Loskey Layered Cowl when Sam Waterston (yes, the actor) spilled red wine all over her.  I have to admit, I thought it was pretty cool that Jack McCoy had doused her with red wine, but the damage was extensive:

When she texted me this photo, I told her to wash the top at 60 degrees, rather than 30 (she’s already tried washing the top at a lower temperature, and the stains had not come out). However, when washed at 60, the stains disappeared!  

So, there you have it – our tees and tops can endure whatever you can throw at them, quite literally. However, if you treat them with just a bit of tender loving care, you will help to ensure that they reach their maximum life expectancy so they can be worn for many years to come.

Shop the collection here.