The English Maximalista

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and I am going through my clothes, trying to decide what to wear for the approaching feast. Preferably something with a stretchy waistband.

Over here in the United States, a lot of folks abide by Fashion Rules which dictate how one should only wear certain colours at certain times of the year. For instance, pastels may essentially only be worn in the Spring. Scarlet red and forest green are Christmas colours. Black is reserved for funerals. Navy is formal. 

God forbid if one makes the decision to wear white after Labor Day!

On more than one occasion, I have literally had strangers remark to me that I was looking very St Patrick-y that day, because I had the audacity to wear Kelly green when it was not March!? See what I mean? There are TOO MANY RULES!!!

Anyway, I digress…

This morning, I am in my closet, choosing my outfit for Thanksgiving. The irony is not lost on me when today, my eye is drawn to orange. Which is, as the Fashion Police will attest, an acceptable colour to wear during the Fall.

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One of my favourite handbags is an orange Fendi 2Jour top handle bag, which I have had for years. So long, in fact, that Fendi no longer makes them. Anyway, as I reverentially took her out of her felt storage bag, I was reminded that her handles were peeling, and this is when I had the idea for today’s blog: I am going to write an essay about how I store and care for my investment pieces.

Perhaps it is evident to those of you who don’t know me very well that I can be a bit of a prissy you-know-what when it comes to my clothing. I take good care of my belongings, especially my clothes, which I absolutely adore. I occasionally have a good purge through my clothes, but admittedly do keep a lot of things for many, MANY years. They are all well-loved, yet remain in good shape because I take care of them.

All of my handbags are kept in their felt storage bags; I stuff them with bubble wrap to help retain their shape. Several of my older bags were poorly stored over the years, which is regrettable to me now — lesson learned!

My cobbler’s kit comprises of some items I cannot live without, including leather conditioner, several shoe brushes, various shades of shoe polish, and this amazing gym shoe whitener by Kiwi, which I use on any white leather items that get scuffed or grubby.

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Maybe it is the European side of me causing me to generally stick with European brands. I also abide by the European tradition of finding a good cobbler wherever I live.

When I find a professional I can trust, I am a loyal customer.

Cobblers can be found all over European cities and towns. But in the US? Not so much. It is rather more difficult to track one down. Cobbling and seamstressing are a dying art over here, I think because fast fashion is so utterly prevalent: clothing is basically disposable. 

And for someone who values well-made clothes made in gorgeous fabrics, I find it to be such a shame.

As you can see from the above photo, this gorgeous pair of sequined shoes was practically ruined by a local cobbler, who butchered them when he replaced the degraded soles. He even scoured the sides, which I’m still upset about. Fortunately I can still wear them, because the damage is underfoot and therefore not too noticeable.

Three guesses to whom I shall NOT be returning?!

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Having learned valuable lessons over the past 2 or 3 decades, I religiously store my cashmere in plastic bags, because of my lifelong battle with tineola bisselliella. (Or as I affectionately refer to them: those bloody moths.) 

Yes, yes, I know that long-term storage in plastic goes against the recommendation of the dry cleaning fraternity. Nevertheless, I have been storing things this way for over 20 years, and guess what? My woolens are pristine. Not a moth-hole in sight.

Whilst on the subject of wool (please forgive me if you already know this): contentiously, it does NOT require regular washing. Airing is generally sufficient.

Spot cleaning is essential, yes. But washing is only necessary if the item is actually dirty. I have occasionally put mine on a cold, gentle wash in the machine, but I usually hand wash, restretch, then air dry. 

I highly recommend using Woolite or Wolford wash… the latter of which isn’t readily available in the US, so snap it up whenever you can source it!  

And word to the wise: NEVER EVER PUT WOOL IN THE TUMBLE DRYER!!

I regularly use this special tool to wipe away those annoying pills that breed and multiply on one’s jumpers. It seriously makes one’s clothes look like brand new.  

You’re welcome.

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Controversially, I do wear fur, and I am not going to write a treatise defending my choice. Get over it. 

My furs are all vintage — most of them inherited from long-deceased relatives, which would have otherwise been bound for the landfill. (The furs, not the relatives.) I keep them individually stored in fabric garment bags, which hang in a cool, dark closet.

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In a nutshell, here are the English Maximalista’s Top Tips for clothing and accessories:

• Caveat emptor. Poor quality items are a waste of money 
• Keep shoes and bags in their original felt bags and/or original boxes
• Make sure your items are thoroughly dry before putting them away
• Store in a dry place, ie not a damp basement or humid attic
• Store in a dark place, or at least out of direct sunlight 

My two most indispensable housekeeping books are:

Laundry: The Home Comforts Book of Caring for Clothes & Linens, by Cheryl Mendelson 

Homekeeping Handbook, by Martha Stewart 

If you need any further advice, you will probably find me lurking in my closet. It’s my Happy Place.

Lots of love,

M xo

PS, for those of you who were wondering, this Thanksgiving I have decided to wear dark brown (a suitably Autumnal colour) and… WHITE!! Such a little bucker of tradition!