Rue Sophie

Clothing Care: 6 Pillars of a Sustainable, Transitional Wardrobe With Angelina Jolie, Emma Watson, Zendaya, Timothée Chalamet, and countless celebrities promoting sustainable fashion, you’ll be inspired to take an active part in this movement. After all, following their example can be a powerful step towards adopting an eco-friendly lifestyle.  Supporting this cause starts with knowing the pillars of building and maintaining a sustainable wardrobe, which rests on four key principles: Ethical production Mindful consumption Quality over quantity Sustainable clothing care By embracing these principles, you can be a more responsible consumer with longer-living clothes that let you stay on top of your fashion game.   Eco-Friendly Care Instructions for Clothes Below are the specific pillars to keep in mind to maintain a sustainable, transitional wardrobe that can last for many years:   Pillar 1: Follow Mindful Washing Practices If you want to know how to make clothes last longer, the first thing to remember is that they don’t have to be washed after each wear. Clothes typically last longer when they’re not washed often. This is because washing them frequently can cause the colors to fade and ruin the material. As such, wash your casual dresses and other garments only when they are soiled or start to smell bad. You can wear them at least two or three times before they need to be cleaned. When you do have to wash your clothes, check the label for its washing requirements. Some fabrics need to be washed by hand, such as wool and silk, or dry cleaned, like rayon and suede, while others can be machine washed. It’s important to know the care instructions for clothes, or at the very least, the recommended washing method to ensure your clothes don’t get damaged and last long.   Remember to choose the right detergent when washing your clothes. Opt for eco-friendly laundry detergents, which do not contain chemicals that can be tough on fabrics and the environment. Also, air dry your garments whenever possible. These simple practices allow you to preserve the condition of your clothes and protect the environment.   Pillar 2: Opt for Thoughtful Storage Solutions Proper storage lets you have clothes that last long. Store your garments in a cool, dry area (devoid of heat and moisture) where they won’t be exposed to sunlight. A clothes care tip worth remembering is to use wooden hangers to avoid misshaping the shoulders of your clothes and fold the arms crosswise over the shoulders. You can follow this tip for most fabrics, except for wool, which is best folded to prevent sagging. If you need to hang delicate items, such as your designer evening dresses or lace sweaters, use padded hangers to avoid stretching them. Also, don’t stuff too many garments in your wardrobe since they are more likely to crease. If you don’t want to hang your clothes, store them in airtight containers. Keep them in a dry, cool place. Dried lavender in each container will protect the garments and give them a pleasant scent. Whether you’re storing your clothes in the wardrobe or containers, make sure they are clean because dirt can attract moths and even cause mold and mildew growth. Organizing your wardrobe can help you shift between seasons without the clutter. Start by keeping versatile pieces like lightweight, neutral staples in easy-to-reach areas of your closet. Also, arrange your closet by category to find your layering staples faster. Store off-season items in bins or vacuum-sealed bags to free up space.   Pillar 3: Learn to Repair and Maintain Garments Repairing small damages is an essential part of knowing how to keep clothes looking new. It also lets you get more wear out of your clothes. Watch video tutorials to learn how to sew a hole, replace a button, and mend seams. Get ideas for patching holes to avoid throwing clothes with this issue. Look for tips for removing pilling from garments using scissors or a lint roller to maintain your clothes' appeal. You can also prevent pilling by hand washing or using the washer's gentle cycle, turning the garments inside out, and adding fabric softener during the rinse cycle. You can worry less about maintaining and repairing your clothes when you shop for well-made pieces from trusted clothing brands.   Pillar 4: Choose Fabrics Wisely Certain types of fabric are more durable than others. Cotton, leather, cashmere, silk, and wool are examples of textiles that last long because they are more resistant to wear and tear. With these options, you don’t have to focus too much on how to take care of your clothes. Your choice of textile can also affect your desire to wear clothes repeatedly. For instance, natural, breathable materials like cotton and linen adapt well to seasonal changes; minimalist dresses made of these textiles can keep you cool in summer and warm in winter. Cotton, leather, cashmere, silk, and wool are also eco-friendly, which helps you stay true to your sustainable fashion goals. Buying your clothes from brands that support eco-friendly practices can further strengthen your thrust.   Caring for these garments properly can prolong their quality, allowing you to wear them repeatedly for years. When you opt for clothes made of high-quality eco-friendly fabrics, you can have a more sustainable wardrobe and buy new ones less frequently.   Pillar 5: Focus on Conscious Buying for Versatility Opting for classic, versatile pieces that you can style in different ways also allows you to get more out of these garments. Focus on getting timeless staples like everyday dresses, jeans, coats, knitwear, and women’s luxury tops. These pieces can help you create a capsule wardrobe you can wear all year round and for any occasion. Next, pick clothes in neutral colors, such as black, white, gray, and earth tones. These shades work well with other hues, allowing you to mix and match outfits easily. Skip clothes with noticeable logos and graphics so you can stay true to your minimalist style and ensure your outfit stays stylish over time.   Pillar 6: Practice Ethical Disposal When it’s time to let go of your worn-out clothes, avoid throwing them in the garbage. There are different ways to give them new life and make them usable again. For instance, you can tie-dye faded oversized shirts to create a coverup you can use for a day at the beach and upcycle old jeans or denim shorts into a bag. You can also donate or sell old clothes so that others can use them while avoiding the need to throw them away. These practices help you reduce landfill waste and continue upholding your sustainability efforts. Being stylish and having a sustainable wardrobe is easier when you keep these pillars in mind. With well-chosen investment pieces, you can also have outfits you can flaunt any time of the year. Explore our collection of curated luxury pieces designed to look great for years to start building your sustainable, transitional wardrobe.

Decode Your Fabric Care Symbols: An Easy Guide Excited about the new luxury clothing you just bought? You can enjoy those gorgeous cashmere sweaters or 100% wool clothing longer if you know the right way to care for them. The good news is that clothing manufacturers attach labels to their products that indicate precise care instructions to keep them in good shape. The only problem is that they use icons and symbols that not everyone understands. But don’t fret – we’re here for you. In this guide, we’ll help you decode fabric care symbols so you can confidently care for your garments. No more guesswork, accidental shrinkage, or fading — just clear, practical advice to help you protect your investment. Ready to learn? Let’s decode fabric care together, one symbol at a time.   Breaking Down the Most Common Care Symbols Below are fabric care symbols charts to guide you through washing, drying, ironing, bleaching, and dry cleaning your clothing. Washing Both the washtubs with degrees Celsius and those with dots indicate the recommended water temperature for machine washing. Lines under the washtub indicate a special wash cycle. For example, synthetic fabrics like polyester and other wrinkle-proofed materials must be washed in a permanent press cycle (warm water washes and slower spin) to reduce wrinkles. Machine Wash Machine-washable in a normal wash cycle Cold Wash in cold water Warm Wash in warm water; the more dots there are, the higher the temperature Hot Wash in hot water; the washtub with the dots icon can have as many as six dots Permanent Press Set on a permanent press wash cycle Gentle Cycle Set on a gentle wash or delicate cycle Do Not Wash Avoid washing altogether Hand Wash Hand wash only; applicable to delicate clothing made from linen or silk Do Not Wring Do not wring out excess water   Drying Similar to washing, dots indicate drying temperature settings. Lines underneath the tumble dry icon signal a special dry cycle. Tumble Dry Can be tumble-dried Do Not Dry Avoid tumble-drying Low Heat Dry in a cool setting Medium Heat Dry in a warm setting High Heat Dry in a hot setting Dry in Shade Dry under shade only Dry Flat Lay flat when drying Drip Dry Hang to drip dry Line Dry Dry on a line Permanent Press Set to permanent press dry cycle Gentle Cycle Set to delicate or gentle dry cycle No Heat/Air Cycle Set to tumble dry without using any form of heat   Ironing Fabric care icons for ironing that come with dots indicate recommended temperature settings. Iron Cool Iron in low heat; ideal for delicates like wool and silk Iron Warm Iron in medium heat; ideal for synthetic fabric Iron Hot Iron in high heat; ideal for linen and cotton Do Not Iron Avoid ironing Steam as Needed Use steam ironing as needed Do Not Steam Avoid steaming   Bleaching Do Not Bleach Avoid all types of bleach Bleach as Needed Can use any type of bleach Non-Chlorine Bleach Only Use non-chlorine bleach as needed   Dry Cleaning Dry Clean Dry-cleaned only Do Not Dry Clean Avoid dry cleaning   Why Luxury Garments Need Special Attention Most fabric products have labels indicating fabric care instruction symbols, including designer jackets, dresses, skirts, pants, and tops. Even though these luxury pieces are made with the finest fabrics and exceptional detail, they still need the right care to keep them looking their best. Some are even made with delicate materials like silk or include intricate decorative elements that need gentle, specialized care. With that said, garment care instructions solve those big problems. Each label is tailored to the unique fabric blend and construction of each piece of clothing, ensuring you know the best way to preserve its beauty. Take cashmere sweaters, for example. They benefit from a gentle approach – either hand-washing or using a delicate machine cycle to prevent shrinkage and maintain that plush feel. If you opt for the machine, use a mesh washing bag to protect the fabric from excessive agitation. You must also be careful about using heat in every step of garment care. For instance, silk skirts must be ironed using the lowest temperature setting to avoid burning the delicate fabric. By following manufacturer-recommended cleaning and maintenance procedures, you can enjoy your minimalist designer apparel for years to come.   Smart Care, Timeless Style Caring for your luxury garments doesn’t have to be a guessing game. After decoding these garment care symbols, follow these simple, tailored instructions to ensure your investment pieces look pristine and feel fresh season after season. Ready to elevate your wardrobe even further? Explore Rue Sophie’s minimalist luxury clothing collections today and discover more ways to build a sustainable, stylish wardrobe.

How to Wash Your Wool Sweater Without Shrinking It When you learn how to wash your wool sweater, you'll manage to do more than retain for decades this quintessential example of quiet luxury women’s clothing. Beyond longevity, a care regimen for wool also allows you to minimize your carbon footprint. Why? Because wool does not need to be washed after every use.  But just how often do you wash a wool sweater? Just twice in every season on average. You consume less energy and water to clean it.  When you wash it, the delicate and natural fibers require a low temperature. When you dry it, you just need to lay it flat on a surface. That you don’t have to wash your wool sweater as often as you thought may help you worry less about shrinking the garment.   Lyon Cable Knit Sweater - $298.00 Explore more knit sweater   Why Wool Shrinks The culprits to shrinking wool are heat and movement.  As a protein fiber, wool has a unique scale structure. It’s elastic and naturally crimped, so the fibers interlock and retain their shape. Through heat and movement, the scales swell and catch each other, binding the fibers closer and closer together until the garment shrinks. When you spin dry wool sweaters, the vigorous action in the machine felts the wool. Felting shrinks the fabric and changes its texture, transforming it into a fuzzy, thick fabric. Once that happens, you can’t restore the wool sweater’s original size. The best way to wash wool sweaters is to do it gently and to air dry the garment.   Crémieux Boxy Polo Sweater - $298.00 Explore more knit sweater   How to Wash Wool Sweaters at Home Wool care is not only gentler on the environment, it’s also easier than you think. Handwashing is the best option since it’s quick and more affordable than dry cleaning. Here’s how to clean your wool sweater by hand. Step 1: Use a big basin or a large sink and fill it with cool water. The basin or sink has to be big enough to soak your wool sweater.  Mix a cleanser that’s specifically formulated for wool, one that’s enzyme- and bleach-free. Alternatively, use baby shampoo, which should be mild enough to use on your wool sweater. Step 2: Soak the sweater. Dunk your sweater in the cool water mix, and let it soak for up to 30 minutes.  You can also swirl it a bit in the water before leaving the garment. A key thing to remember when you hand wash wool is to never rub the fabric. Step 3: Rinse by running cool water through the wool sweater. After 30 minutes, drain the soaking water and run cool water through the sweater until it’s no longer soapy. Step 4: Do not wring your sweater. Press the water out of the sweater gently with your hands.   How to machine wash your wool sweater. If you want to use a machine to wash your wool sweater, here’s how: Step 1: Place your wool sweaters in a mesh bag. Turn your wool sweaters inside out before placing them inside the mesh bag. The bag adds a layer of protection for the natural fibers of wool.  Similar to the soap used in handwashing, use wool-formulated soap. Avoid using fabric softeners because they will affect the natural fibers of wool. Step 2: Choose the delicate setting on your machine. Press the gentle cycle on your washing machine; some machines might have “hand wash” or “wool cycle.” Make sure the water is cold and the spin is set to low. Step 3: Take out the wool sweaters immediately after. Once the cycle is done, remove the mesh bag. Immediate removal prevents creasing, so you’ll want to stick around the machine before it stops.  Step 4: Gently squeeze out the water. Make sure your wool sweater isn’t dripping with water. Squeeze out moisture by gently pressing each sweater with your hand.   Here’s how to dry your wool sweaters. Air drying is the only way to dry wool. Even though some wool care instructions may allow a gentle dry cycle,  the low-heat level from your dryer will cause felting and piling, which will shrink the garment. How do you air dry a wool sweater? Lay it out onto a drying rack. If you don’t have one, a clean towel will do. Work the sweater into its original shape. Using your hands, gently press away any creases. This smoothing process will prevent wrinkles from forming. Squeeze out excess moisture from the sweater by rolling it up in the towel. Get another clean towel and lay out your wool sweater on it to continue drying it in a well-ventilated area. Never hang or yank at your wool sweaters. Doing either will warp the shape of your sweater.   Dion Wool & Silk Sweater - $248.00 Explore more knit sweater   Taking Your Wool Sweater to Professionals Before taking your wool garments to a service provider, make sure they can be machine washed. Check the labels of your sweaters. See which ones are strictly for hand washing and which ones can be machine washed. If your wool sweaters come in a variety of colors (always get the best women’s luxury tops in different colors), use separate bags for colored pieces and whites.   Although cleaners know and practice the nuances of washing wool garments, it’s safer to group your garments accordingly.   Versailles S/L Turtleneck Sweater Knit Top - $168.00 Explore more knit sweater   How to Take Care of Your Wool Sweater Wool garments can be washed twice every season, or depending on how often you use them. If you wear wool sweaters more than a few times, make sure they’re clean before putting them away.  We recommend the following steps before storing your garment. De-pile The more you wear a wool garment, the more piling occurs because of friction. Piling appears as little balls on your wool sweaters. You can get rid of them by using a sweater comb, for thinner weaves, or a sweater stone (usually made of pumice), for thicker sweaters. Move the comb or stone in the direction of the weave, never against it. Use gentle motions as you move the tool across the sweater. De-pile along the inseams, shoulders, underarms, and wherever friction mostly occurs. Spot Clean When you spot a stain, handle it with care. Simply drop a wool formulated detergent on the spot. Follow it up with a few drops of cool water, then create a lather. Gently work at the stain by massaging it. Remove the excess soap with a wet cotton ball. Repeat the process until you’re satisfied with cleaning. Lay the garment flat to dry. To store your wool sweaters, fold them carefully. Place them in zippered cotton or linen bags because breathable fabrics protect your delicate garments from moisture and bugs.  Wool is vulnerable to insects, so plastic and cardboard boxes are not suitable since these containers attract bugs. An extra step that can keep bugs away is steaming your wool garments.   Garches Turtleneck Sweater - $268.00 Explore more knit sweater   Shop for Wool Sweaters Natural fabrics like wool present opportunities to minimize your carbon footprint while allowing you to care for your garments. Whether you prefer alpaca to cashmere, wool is a perfect addition to your wardrobe. From versatile basics like black turtlenecks to modern and roomy crewnecks, Rue Sophie’s collection features pieces you’ll want to procure.  Shop for wool sweaters at Rue Sophie today.