Heavyweight garments are built to last. But how you care for them determines whether they actually do.
Most garment damage happens in the wash — not through wear. Incorrect temperatures, aggressive cycles, and tumble drying are responsible for more shrinkage, pilling, and structural breakdown than years of regular use. The good news is that caring for heavyweight pieces correctly is straightforward once you know what to avoid.
Here's the D o n e s t a t e care guide.
Washing
Cold water, always. Heat is the primary cause of shrinkage in cotton and cotton-blend fabrics. Even at 250–380gsm, heavyweight cotton will contract under sustained heat. A cold wash preserves the fabric structure, maintains the garment's dimensions, and extends the life of the colour.
Turn garments inside out before washing. This protects the outer surface from friction against other items in the drum — the main cause of pilling on fleece and brushed fabrics.
Use a gentle cycle. Heavyweight fabrics don't need aggressive agitation to come clean. A shorter, gentler cycle is sufficient and causes significantly less wear on the fibres over time.
Avoid fabric softener on fleece and brushed cotton. Softener coats the fibres and reduces their ability to breathe and recover shape. It also accelerates pilling on textured surfaces. Skip it entirely.
Denim
Wash denim as infrequently as possible. Heavyweight denim — particularly at 400gsm and above — doesn't need frequent washing. Spot clean where possible. When a full wash is necessary, cold water, inside out, gentle cycle.
Avoid washing denim with lighter fabrics. The weight and friction of heavyweight denim can damage lighter pieces in the same load.
Never wring denim. The weight of wet denim is significant — wringing distorts the waistband and seams. Shake out and hang immediately after washing.
Drying
Air dry everything. Tumble drying is the single most damaging thing you can do to a heavyweight garment. The combination of heat and mechanical agitation causes shrinkage, breaks down fibres, and degrades the structure of the fabric over time.
Hang hoodies and sweatshirts on a wide hanger or lay flat to dry. Hanging on a narrow hanger while wet can stretch the shoulder seams under the weight of the fabric.
Denim should be hung by the waistband or laid flat. Never by the hem — the weight of wet denim will stretch the leg.
Allow garments to dry fully before storing. Storing damp fabric causes mildew and permanent odour.
Storage
Fold hoodies and sweatshirts rather than hanging for long-term storage. Hanging heavy knitwear and fleece over time causes the shoulders to stretch and the body to elongate. Folded and stored flat, they maintain their shape indefinitely.
Denim can be hung or folded — the fabric is stable enough to handle either.
Store away from direct sunlight. UV exposure fades colour over time, particularly on darker washes and vintage-finish denim.
The result
Treated correctly, a D o n e s t a t e piece will look the same in year five as it did in year one. The fabric weight that makes these garments feel substantial also makes them resilient — but only if the care matches the construction.
Buy it once. Look after it. Wear it for years.