Laundry Day with Flowy Fabrics

To me, nothing says “summer” more sartorially than printed A-line skirts and flowy white blouses like this Banana Republic shirred blouse! Off-the-shoulder tops are nothing new, but they’re definitely something I’ve been kind of obsessing over lately and I’m finding them so much more attractive than crop tops! There’s just something subtly alluring about a peekaboo shoulder, and for certain coy moments, it’s all too easy to pull up on the elastic neckline and temporarily hide the off-the-shoulder look!

But more often times than not, you’ll find that these summer-appropriate flowy, breathable fabrics present somewhat of a hassle when it comes to laundry days. Not everything can simply be tossed into the washing machine for a spin! Depending on the fabric, lightweight and delicate materials can easily snag and tear – not to mention shrink – in the wash, so it’s always a good idea to never blindly assume their durability (don’t be fooled by the designer name and number on the price tag; I’ve found that even some of my Forever 21 items have very specific washing instructions). Instead, take a moment to carefully look at the fabric care label on your clothes, but don’t be overwhelmed by all the symbols! Below, I’ve found a very helpful guide that breaks down the code for you:

Photo courtesy of www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com

I have a tendency to gamble in times of doubt, and a personal discovery (note that I’m emphasizing personal) is that if an article of clothing happens to say “Dry Clean Only,” you can probably dodge a trip by placing that piece in a mesh laundry bag and washing it normally (or on the ‘Delicate’ setting, to be on the safe side). It really depends on the fabric, but so far, I’ve gotten away with it with polyester, modal, and rayon. But, as I’ve stressed, this is just my personal experience, so take it with a grain of salt, and always proceed cautiously! When in doubt, it’s just safer to take it to your dry cleaners.

Hopefully this will make your laundry days a little easier and help prolong the life of your beautiful flowy fabrics! Thanks so much for reading!

Top: Banana Republic
Skirt: Trouve (similar)
Heels: Enzo Angiolini (similar here, splurge here!)
Bag: J. Crew
Accessories: Asos belt, Agatha Paris link bracelet, Tiffany & Co necklace, Colors of Heaven necklace