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Proper storage, cleaning, and repair are necessary for caring for vintage jackets made of various fabrics and accents. Avoid hanging heavy pieces, store in a dry and dark place, and use lavender or cedar to repel moths. Professional care is recommended for cleaning and pressing.
As with all vintage clothing, caring for a vintage jacket requires preventative maintenance and proper cleaning and repair. Often the way an item of clothing is stored will affect its condition. The material is also a consideration, as different fabrics require different types of cleaning and storage.
Vintage jackets can be made from a variety of fabrics, including but not limited to cotton, wool, leather, fur, silk, or synthetic materials. A vintage jacket will also have a variety of accents, such as buttons, zippers, embellishments, and beads. Not all vintage clothing is properly labeled, so you may need to take your blazer to a professional to find out what material it’s made of. A dry cleaner, tailor, or shop owner with experience in vintage clothing should be able to help.
Some basic storage guidelines apply to all vintage clothing, regardless of material. Store clothes folded, in a dry and dark place. Attics and basements are generally not controlled for climate or humidity and are not good storage areas. Extreme variations in humidity and temperature can cause fabrics to dry out, fray, and mildew.
You might be tempted to hang up your vintage jacket, but this can put pressure on your shoulder seams, causing them to weaken and burst over time. Heavy beaded pieces are especially prone to breaking if hung. Carefully fold the jacket and place it in a non-airtight storage container. Please do not pack it with many other items, which may cause wrinkles. If you must store your jacket hanging, use padded hangers to absorb the pull of gravity.
Natural fibers attract moths, which damage clothing by laying eggs that hatch into clothing-eating larvae. Lavender and cedar repel moths. Mothballs are not recommended because they have a strong odor that clings to clothing and may not be safe to inhale.
When you wear your blazer, be very careful. Try not to drop food on it or brush it against a dirty or wet surface. Remember that the seams on vintage clothing rip easily, so you may not want to wear your vintage jacket if you’re going to be doing something that puts a lot of stress on the seams and material.
If you accidentally stain the jacket, treat the area immediately. You can use baking soda, talcum powder, or cornstarch to reduce moisture and limit the spread of the stain. Clean the jacket as soon as possible.
Generally, you should not machine wash or hand wash a jacket. If it’s made of wool or lined, machine washing would likely shrink the fabric. The jacket should be professionally dry cleaned. A beaded blazer should be treated with stains only. Leather and fur blazers require special care, as they cannot be dry cleaned.
The jacket must be pressed or steamed by a professional to keep it in its original shape. Although it is less expensive to press the garment yourself, you may burn or stretch the fabric. It is better to have your blazer cared for by a professional to ensure that it can be used for many years.
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