I’m so in! And I live to vanquish clothing moths. The bottom line is bag any you are presently wearing ( I use xl ziplocks with the zip closure). Store the ones not worn this month in airtight bins. A dresser drawer is just a moth motel. Sachets deter adults but do not kill them.
Ok, your thanks earn you more! When you bring the secondhand pure-fibre jumper home, freeze it for 3 days (freezer or in freezing temps on your balcony.) That kills any eggs, which are invisible. Still do bag thing b/c you may have some already present in house. I also use the sticky pheromone traps, best I've found are from KritterKill, a UK firm on eBay. They keep the population down, but all it takes is one male to find one female and sister, you know what happens next.
Okay, you are my guru. I never even thought of any of this, and it's genius. And yes, we do know what happens next because moths are the OG jumper sluts.
I have so, so SO many secondhand sweaters. Because I started thrifting in the 80s I can now spot good cashmere or a nice Irish knit from 20 feet away. It’s a joy and a curse because having an abundance of knitwear means that sometimes I forget to wear one for a while and then dig it out only to discover it was lunch for moths. All of which is to say I am here for this feature!
She's incredible!! I've got a trusty Fringe Supply Co. knitting bag at my side, holding the beginnings of a new cardigan :) Long time fan <3. When skeins collide!
You're much bolder than I'll ever be in the sweater arena - 95% of mine are black or grey (grey is a 'color' for me). The first 22 years of my life were spent in NY, which may explain the black default. But I love the respect and care you give your clothing, something I'd never given much thought to before. Thanks for the fun post!
Yay! Saw the Jumper Slut bat signal as soon as I opened the app!
I've been doing all my thrifting online since I moved to small-town Portugal because there aren't a lot of charity shops near me.
What there are, and what I think I finally have the language skills to patronize, are old school shoe and leather repair places and seamstress studios. Those businesses might explain why a lot of the folks in their 80s around here run errands looking like they're dressed for a retro photo shoot. Beautiful wool jackets and leather shoes that were made to last, cared for, and still look sharp. Portuguese octagenarians are my style and sustainability icons now.
I sit here wearing a 20 or 25 YO merino wool sweater “made in Europe” says the label, sold by Nordstroms, in a color block black/purple/fuchia/turquoise scheme, purchased second hand for about $10. It’s really warm, perfect at 5 am in the winter. Although I knit my own sweaters, I can’t pass up a good old wool sweater in a thrift store. Sometimes I’m able to pass them on via our local food banks “warm winter clothing” drive. Unfortunately, the recently-made stuff in the thrift stores is shit, because clothing companies have been selling unbelievably crappy fabrics (nylon-acrylic-polyester-wool yarns, for god’s sake) for more than 10 years. I could go on. Re moths & bags, wool sweaters do not love to be in plastic. They love to be in old pillowcases, which are breathable but will not admit moths. If you have beautiful handknits, especially , find an old pillowcase for them. Check it for holes.
Important question: where do you get your sweaters mended? I have a wool sweater with a fraying hem and it’s too fine a knit to repair myself. I have a recommendation for a place in Brooklyn but would prefer someplace closer to home.
How good is it to feel old being so young. I always feel wiser with old clothes. It's like i'm wearing the wisdom people gained with the item of clothing i'm wearing that use to belong to them
I’m sorry I can’t hear you I’m curled up next to my new (to me) Pringle of Scotland cashmere jumper in the softest seafoam green. I am addicted to thrifting Pringle cashmere off eBay. The ancient retro label styles. The thickness of the wool - no current cashmere can match it. I can’t think of anything that brings me as much pleasure.
Pringle is the GOAT. I got a vintage cashmere this fall (it's the blue one on the left in the picture) and it's the thickest cashmere I've ever owned. You know the good stuff!
All down to the nutrition available to cashmere goats in days of yore, I understand. The Mongolian steppes are so overgrazed now the goats diet has radically changed leading to a deterioration in the quality of their wool used to make the yarn. And of course I know the good stuff, that’s why I subscribe to your substack, baby!! Red blazers forevah
I’m not a jumper slut. Southern California weather really doesn’t call for them. But I will say I still wear some clothes that must be 10-15 years old because they still fit, are in good shape & are not fashion backward. May clothes live on without heading to stores.
There's a young YouTuber I like who's been on a journey of learning to sew and I find her really fun and inspiring! https://www.youtube.com/@leenanorms/
This is me but for blazers. I like the idea that owners before me never touched their bare skin to it, and I also like that they likely wore it to matters they considered an occasion, and that they were likely OG boss babes daring to play a man’s game before we realized it’s all rigged anyway
Yes! I never feel quite "me" in a blazer but I thrifted two simple classic styles recently precisely to get my head in an OG Boss Babe but make it dark academia mindset!
Thank you! I agree that something shifts when you care for things -- I have a thrifted shirt that had a tear when I bought it but I just KNEW I loved it. Had it repaired and it's become part of my uniform ever since. It makes me so happy to wear, and to feel like I "rescued."
I’m so in! And I live to vanquish clothing moths. The bottom line is bag any you are presently wearing ( I use xl ziplocks with the zip closure). Store the ones not worn this month in airtight bins. A dresser drawer is just a moth motel. Sachets deter adults but do not kill them.
This is the SOLID jumper slut advice I've really needed. Thank you.
Ok, your thanks earn you more! When you bring the secondhand pure-fibre jumper home, freeze it for 3 days (freezer or in freezing temps on your balcony.) That kills any eggs, which are invisible. Still do bag thing b/c you may have some already present in house. I also use the sticky pheromone traps, best I've found are from KritterKill, a UK firm on eBay. They keep the population down, but all it takes is one male to find one female and sister, you know what happens next.
Okay, you are my guru. I never even thought of any of this, and it's genius. And yes, we do know what happens next because moths are the OG jumper sluts.
I have so, so SO many secondhand sweaters. Because I started thrifting in the 80s I can now spot good cashmere or a nice Irish knit from 20 feet away. It’s a joy and a curse because having an abundance of knitwear means that sometimes I forget to wear one for a while and then dig it out only to discover it was lunch for moths. All of which is to say I am here for this feature!
Fisherman knit is the through line of my entire life. I have never not had at least one Irish sweater.
I’m a jumper slut crossed with a yarn slut. You are my wool people!
Love a yarn slut! Do you know my friend Karen Templer? https://www.instagram.com/karentempler/
She's incredible!! I've got a trusty Fringe Supply Co. knitting bag at my side, holding the beginnings of a new cardigan :) Long time fan <3. When skeins collide!
Ha! Karen and I worked together long ago and she's the coolest. I've loved watching her evolution.
You're much bolder than I'll ever be in the sweater arena - 95% of mine are black or grey (grey is a 'color' for me). The first 22 years of my life were spent in NY, which may explain the black default. But I love the respect and care you give your clothing, something I'd never given much thought to before. Thanks for the fun post!
Thank you! And I left my hot pink and bright yellow sweaters back in NYC; this is my conservative dark academia wardrobe!
🤣
I have the Electrolux sweater shaver and it is…mind-blowing
OMG like a Dyson for your fuzz!
Taking notes because my little generic one seems to be dying -- it only works if I hold it at a specific angle
"I’ve realized that I don’t feel good about myself when I am wearing things that I don’t respect."
I never thought of it that way but yes.
Yay! Saw the Jumper Slut bat signal as soon as I opened the app!
I've been doing all my thrifting online since I moved to small-town Portugal because there aren't a lot of charity shops near me.
What there are, and what I think I finally have the language skills to patronize, are old school shoe and leather repair places and seamstress studios. Those businesses might explain why a lot of the folks in their 80s around here run errands looking like they're dressed for a retro photo shoot. Beautiful wool jackets and leather shoes that were made to last, cared for, and still look sharp. Portuguese octagenarians are my style and sustainability icons now.
Jumper Slut bat signal!
And I love those Portuguese elders, they sound fabulous. I was so sad when my local shoe repair shuttered during the pandemic.
Love it !!
I sit here wearing a 20 or 25 YO merino wool sweater “made in Europe” says the label, sold by Nordstroms, in a color block black/purple/fuchia/turquoise scheme, purchased second hand for about $10. It’s really warm, perfect at 5 am in the winter. Although I knit my own sweaters, I can’t pass up a good old wool sweater in a thrift store. Sometimes I’m able to pass them on via our local food banks “warm winter clothing” drive. Unfortunately, the recently-made stuff in the thrift stores is shit, because clothing companies have been selling unbelievably crappy fabrics (nylon-acrylic-polyester-wool yarns, for god’s sake) for more than 10 years. I could go on. Re moths & bags, wool sweaters do not love to be in plastic. They love to be in old pillowcases, which are breathable but will not admit moths. If you have beautiful handknits, especially , find an old pillowcase for them. Check it for holes.
Ohhh, this is interesting about moth prevention.
And I want to see that sweater -- I live for a good colorblock!
Important question: where do you get your sweaters mended? I have a wool sweater with a fraying hem and it’s too fine a knit to repair myself. I have a recommendation for a place in Brooklyn but would prefer someplace closer to home.
VIP Cleaners in Washington Heights are amazing. I looked for YEARS and went to a lot of other places and they are unmatched.
Address: 605 Fort Washington Ave, New York, NY 10040, United States
Phone: +1 212-923-2761
How good is it to feel old being so young. I always feel wiser with old clothes. It's like i'm wearing the wisdom people gained with the item of clothing i'm wearing that use to belong to them
Yes! Same with old homes -- I like to think of everyone who lived their lives in these walls before me.
I’m sorry I can’t hear you I’m curled up next to my new (to me) Pringle of Scotland cashmere jumper in the softest seafoam green. I am addicted to thrifting Pringle cashmere off eBay. The ancient retro label styles. The thickness of the wool - no current cashmere can match it. I can’t think of anything that brings me as much pleasure.
Pringle is the GOAT. I got a vintage cashmere this fall (it's the blue one on the left in the picture) and it's the thickest cashmere I've ever owned. You know the good stuff!
All down to the nutrition available to cashmere goats in days of yore, I understand. The Mongolian steppes are so overgrazed now the goats diet has radically changed leading to a deterioration in the quality of their wool used to make the yarn. And of course I know the good stuff, that’s why I subscribe to your substack, baby!! Red blazers forevah
Fascinating! And I saw a "100% cashmere" sweater recently that had the heft of tissue paper. GOAT BYE.
And the sisterhood of the red blazers lives on!
I’m not a jumper slut. Southern California weather really doesn’t call for them. But I will say I still wear some clothes that must be 10-15 years old because they still fit, are in good shape & are not fashion backward. May clothes live on without heading to stores.
Hear hear! And jumper slut is a state of mind, so you definitely qualify!
I also love thrifted sweaters. I’m going to learn visible mending for the ones with lots of holes. 🤞that I can do it.
There's a young YouTuber I like who's been on a journey of learning to sew and I find her really fun and inspiring! https://www.youtube.com/@leenanorms/
Thanks!!
This is me but for blazers. I like the idea that owners before me never touched their bare skin to it, and I also like that they likely wore it to matters they considered an occasion, and that they were likely OG boss babes daring to play a man’s game before we realized it’s all rigged anyway
Yes! I never feel quite "me" in a blazer but I thrifted two simple classic styles recently precisely to get my head in an OG Boss Babe but make it dark academia mindset!
Thank you! I agree that something shifts when you care for things -- I have a thrifted shirt that had a tear when I bought it but I just KNEW I loved it. Had it repaired and it's become part of my uniform ever since. It makes me so happy to wear, and to feel like I "rescued."