Has anyone hand washed Alice + Olivia silk shirts?

[Chanbal]

I would like to hand wash my Alice + Olivia silk shirts to avoid the Dry Cleaner during COVID. I was wondering if someone here did that and wouldn't mind sharing the outcome. Do they shrink? Thanks!

 

[randr21]

No experience with A&O silk shirts, but I've thrown Vince, Theory and Valentino silk shirts and camis into the washer and none of them shrank. These are the simple, no frills type. I'm pretty sure hand wash will be fine, in cold water.

 

[Chanbal]

No experience with A&O silk shirts, but I've thrown Vince, Theory and Valentino silk shirts and camis into the washer and none of them shrank. These are the simple, no frills type. I'm pretty sure hand wash will be fine, in cold water.

Thanks so much for you reply. Are your shirts supposed to be dry cleaned? I've previously hand-washed 'dry clean only' clothes with both good and terrible results.

 

[Gabs007]

Thanks so much for you reply. Are your shirts supposed to be dry cleaned? I've previously hand-washed 'dry clean only' clothes with both good and terrible results.

If you got a washing machine that has the wool cleaning or delicate programm, I would recommend that, then hang up and dry, do not iron, use a hand steamer, usually comes out totally fine, not done it with A&O but quite a ton of other high end items

 

[Chanbal]

If you got a washing machine that has the wool cleaning or delicate programm, I would recommend that, then hang up and dry, do not iron, use a hand steamer, usually comes out totally fine, not done it with A&O but quite a ton of other high end items

Thanks, I usually use the delicate cycle for my regular shirts that are supposed to be hand-washed. I'll experiment with one of my least favorite blouses from A+O.

 

[randr21]

Thanks so much for you reply. Are your shirts supposed to be dry cleaned? I've previously hand-washed 'dry clean only' clothes with both good and terrible results.

Yes, all say dry clean. I only wash items that I don't have a deep attachment to and/or something I've had for many years . I've washed cashmere, wool sweaters and even pants.

 

[Haute_Luxe]

All my bespoke and RTW silk blouses are hand washed. The dry cleaner's is one of the worst enemies of fine fabrics... the other being moths.

 

[mskaria]

I would like to hand wash my Alice + Olivia silk shirts to avoid the Dry Cleaner during COVID. I was wondering if someone here did that and wouldn't mind sharing the outcome. Do they shrink? Thanks!

Did you try? I have a silk bluse from Alica and Olivia with colorful patterns, and considering to hand wash it, even if it says to dry clean. But would like to hear if anyone has tried

 

[mal]

I’ve hand-washed Tom Ford and Saint Laurent silk shirts… I love them too much to let a dry cleaner ruin them. It’s important to use high quality soap.

 

[mskaria]

I’ve hand-washed Tom Ford and Saint Laurent silk shirts… I love them too much to let a dry cleaner ruin them. It’s important to use high quality soap.

I am worried that the colours on the pattern will not handle the water. Heard from somewhere that it's more the pattern than the silk itself, that can be very sensitive. The shirts you mention, do they have different colours on it?☺️☺️

 

[mal]

I am worried that the colours on the pattern will not handle the water. Heard from somewhere that it's more the pattern than the silk itself, that can be very sensitive. The shirts you mention, do they have different colours on it?☺️☺️

No, sorry but one is black, the other is cream. You’re right, it could be a problem. It’s really hard, because dry cleaners never seem to take care of your clothing no matter what they say.
If you have a high end fabric store around, you could consult with someone there. They are super knowledgeable about fabrics. Most people who love fabric are really anti-dry cleaners! Silk does take dye really well. I’m not sure that it will run. I recommend LeBlanc silk and luxury wash soap.
Worst case scenario, is there a corner at the bottom of the shirt that you could test on?

 

[papertiger]

I am worried that the colours on the pattern will not handle the water. Heard from somewhere that it's more the pattern than the silk itself, that can be very sensitive. The shirts you mention, do they have different colours on it?☺️☺️

With ye olden vintage with excess dye from screen-printing, I would say don't wash unless there's no other way. If it's modern laser, should be fine even with high contrast. I still haven't worn/washed a high contrast '90s H scarf (Napoleon) - so I totally understand resistance to DIY. I also hate what some dry cleaners have done to my RTW in the past. I have a great dry cleaners now, but unless really necessary, I prefer hand-washing silks, cashmere and wools.

Having had to hand-wash a vintage couture (Gabrielle) Chanel jacket (padded silk lining and chain-hemming included) that a most prestigious dry cleaner "wouldn't be responsible for" (scant Ecover and tepid water - prob 20º - thoroughly rinsed and dried outside on lavender bushes) and even more cautiously, a late-'60s Gucci Flora scarf, mostly navy/off white but other multiple colours, I feel a lot braver these days. The scarf was so discoloured with grime, the dry cleaners were worried the solvents would break down the fabric before dissolving the dirt/grease. I painted Ecover Delicate on the discoloured portions rinsed, dried and repeated X 3 (main thing is not to attempt perfection in one go).

IMO, it's not what you do, it's the way that you do it.

 

[mskaria]

No, sorry but one is black, the other is cream. You’re right, it could be a problem. It’s really hard, because dry cleaners never seem to take care of your clothing no matter what they say.
If you have a high end fabric store around, you could consult with someone there. They are super knowledgeable about fabrics. Most people who love fabric are really anti-dry cleaners! Silk does take dye really well. I’m not sure that it will run. I recommend LeBlanc silk and luxury wash soap.
Worst case scenario, is there a corner at the bottom of the shirt that you could test on?

Wow, thank you for a very good answer and good advice!! And like you say, in worst case I can try a little corner on the bottom part, since I will wear it tucked in. This was very helpful

 

[mskaria]

With ye olden vintage with excess dye from screen-printing, I would say don't wash unless there's no other way. If it's modern laser, should be fine even with high contrast. I still haven't worn/washed a high contrast '90s H scarf (Napoleon) - so I totally understand resistance to DIY. I also hate what some dry cleaners have done to my RTW in the past. I have a great dry cleaners now, but unless really necessary, I prefer hand-washing silks, cashmere and wools.

Having had to hand-wash a vintage couture (Gabrielle) Chanel jacket (padded silk lining and chain-hemming included) that a most prestigious dry cleaner "wouldn't be responsible for" (scant Ecover and tepid water - prob 20º - thoroughly rinsed and dried outside on lavender bushes) and even more cautiously, a late-'60s Gucci Flora scarf, mostly navy/off white but other multiple colours, I feel a lot braver these days. The scarf was so discoloured with grime, the dry cleaners were worried the solvents would break down the fabric before dissolving the dirt/grease. I painted Ecover Delicate on the discoloured portions rinsed, dried and repeated X 3 (main thing is not to attempt perfection in one go).

IMO, it's not what you do, it's the way that you do it.

Thank you for taking your time to answer!! this was very helpful. I feel more confident now. It's a quite new blouse, so I think I will try on a small corner as Mal suggested

 

[JennaAnn]

Dry cleaner destroyed my alice & olivia niko dress. While it's not silk. I try to hand wash smaller garments in cold water with a mild detergent. Bigger. in a mesh bag,gentle cycle inside out. No dryer. No heat.