SOFIA BERNARDIN
Keeping great fashion circular is part of my core values. As a co-founder of ReSee and a lover of vintage, I know that my responsibility is not only to cherish these beautiful pieces but also to protect them and prolong their lifespan so that someone can enjoy them one day after me. However, I’m also an entrepreneur and the mother of four children, so my take on closet care has to be realistic. It’s important that nothing be too fussy or complicated—it’s more about small touches than about a rigorous routine.
Invest in a Luxurious Detergent
I’ve recently discovered Dr. Barbara Sturm’s Laundry Detergent. It’s incredibly gentle and ideal for anyone who has sensitive skin, as there are no chemicals, dyes, or preservatives. The light sandalwood scent is also divine.
Treat Stains Appropriately
When I moved to France, I immediately learned about all the fabled tricks to remove stains: salt on red wine, an ice cube on dried blood, and Terre de Sommières for anything grease-related (with all the pommes frites, butter, and cream sauces here, grease stains are a reality!). Terre de Sommières is a natural clay powder, which was discovered in the village of Sommières in the 19th century. It has incredible absorbing qualities and can even be used on silks.
Don’t Fear Handwashing
One of the hardest myths to overcome is that you have to dry-clean your cashmere and wool. It took me a long time to build up the courage to handwash pieces without the fear of ruining them. Now that I have, I can’t turn back. I simply use any all-natural baby shampoo that I have on hand, like Burt’s Bees. Wash lightly in cold water, and never hang wool or cashmere up to dry; instead, lay it flat on a towel so that it doesn’t lose its shape.
Elevate Your Storage
I store my special pieces in these magnificent upcycled organza capes from my dry cleaner in Pairs, La Sirène. They are wonderful for protecting clothes—and they are sheer, so you can still see what’s inside. The company says it’s the only dry cleaner in France to use a liquefied-gas technique. It’s simply the best at restoring garments to their original radiance.
In my closet, you will also always find Santa Maria Novella’s scented wax tablets. My favorite is Rosa Gardenia. They have satin ties, so you can easily attach them to your closet rack or directly on a hanger.
Preserve Purses in Style
The most important thing you can do for your luxury handbags is to store them well and not let the leather dry out. At ReSee, we created a bag-care line, including pillows for Hermès and Chanel bags, which I use for my collection. Storing your bag with a pillow helps the bag keep its form and prevents creases and folds in the leather.
We also have a care box filled with luxurious products to nourish your leather bags. I was so tired of having to go into my husband’s messy shoe-care box that we decided to create a beautiful set catered to women. It comes in a lacquered box, so you don’t need to hide it, unlike your partner’s kit.
jake mueser
A handmade garment should only get better with the charming patina of age. I think of Charles, the King of England, in a perfectly broken-in Anderson & Sheppard coat, well loved and decades old, with visible repairs on the pockets. The goal in garment care should not be to maintain the piece as if it has never been worn, but rather to extend its lifetime to accompany the wearer for years and adventures to come. Here are some important tips.
Safeguard Your Suits
Make sure not to over-dry-clean your clothing. In most cases, I recommend simply having your suit steamed and pressed. This will refresh the garment without exposing the material to harsh chemicals. It will also preserve the natural oils in the fabric that can be stripped away during dry cleaning. My colleague swears by Attirecare’s odorless Garment Protector.
Hang with Care
Proper hangers are critical for tailored clothing. Needless to say, wire should never be used. Furthermore, as every man has a different shape and size, so should his hangers! If hangers are too narrow, the shoulders will collapse, resulting in long-term damage. Hangers that are too wide will stretch out and similarly damage the shoulders of your jacket. I highly recommend Kirby Allison for a wide variety of quality hangers in various sizes.
Splurge on Shoe Trees
If you are investing in custom or handmade footwear, always spring for the corresponding shoe tree, if it is offered. Remember to keep the shoe trees in the shoes whenever they’re not being worn. If custom shoe trees are not an option with your particular style of shoe, invest in high-quality shoe trees such as Woodlore’s.
Sofia Bernardin is the Paris-based co-founder of the luxury consignment site ReSee. Jake Mueser is the co-founder of New York’s bespoke-menswear boutique J. Mueser
