I'm Deep Cleaning in a Prada Sweater

I found this Prada sweater at a thrift store; based on the way the zipper waves, it looks like someone accidently shrunk it in the wash. It is really warm and good quality, but I only bought it because it is Prada. If I had the means to buy Prada, this isn't what I'd buy.

What do you think? This is your chance to pick something apart with brutal honesty! I'm going to keep it of course, because scrubbing the toilet in Prada makes me smile. Is it decent enough (size and style wise) to keep wearing when I pop out to pick up my son from kindergarten? I'm really trying to look consistently well dressed this year, not to schlop around in my running clothes every other day.

Edit: I just want to add that it was $3, which makes me feel not a bit bad for using it to scrub in.

This post has 2 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

14 years ago

kimlee

Veteran

I am by no means an expert...so please take my opinion with a grain of salt. On first glance, I thought that the sweater was fine for wearing out of the house. However, the more I look at it, the more the waves in the zipper begin to bother me. How does the sweater look if you leave it unzipped - and use it more like a sweater jacket?

The thought of you scrubbing toilets while wearing Prada cracks me up!

It's a nice color and cropped fit. The elbow patches are fun! I say keep and enjoy. You could always cover up the wavy zipper with a scarf.

BTW I envy your running routine. Now I know how you stay so sleek!

catgirl

How does it look open? I avoid items in the thrift store with that zipper issue, so I would say keep it for when you feel like wearing Prada to clean.

Can you wash it and weight the bottom to see if the zipper can be straightened?

I once passed up a $5 Missoni sweater at Value Village that I will always regret, so I know why you bought it!

wilson

Active Member

It looks horrible with the zipper left open, the zipper waves are even more prominent. I didn't weight the bottom, I will try that. Good idea about the scarf AJ. I did pop out and get my son in this and I didn't feel schloppy like I do when I wear my workout gear. I know I would have regretted passing this up so I'm glad I did get it.

AJ: My running routine is coveted, that is why I end up going all day in my running clothes. Finding the time to do it is hard so I end up wearing the gear just in case I get an opportunity, a habit I'm trying to break.

mamaKate

Based on what the other moms in my neighborhood wear to pick up the kids from school, you would be runway-ready despite the minor flaws!

Anonymous

Nice! Do the knit stitches look shrunk? I bet this sweater is super warm if it is shrunk. When you get tired of it, or splash bleach on it, you can shrink it some more and use it as fabric to make slippers or flower pins.

Kristine

Yeah, try weighting the zipper or handwashing it and blocking it, tugging gently on fabric around the zipper. I wonder if I a dry cleaner could help straighten it for you.

Bianca

Coming from another stay home mom (or MOTG!) I think it is perfect. With the little ones, things get wrecked anyway....and it still makes you look put together and you have a nice shape. You said it was warm who couldn't use another warm sweater? Maybe not for date night. $3 is a FAB bargain!

MNsara

Yes, it's a wonderful find and I completely understand (I have a great citron Saks cashmere from the Goodwill that is part of my winter loungwear - LOVE IT!!)

You can try "blocking" it - that's what we called reshaping wet wool to dry back to size, or even damp pressing it.

Going on what MNsara said, I seem to remember reading/hearing something about a salt bath for your sweater that can help resize it. Then with a good pressing....worth a try. (Not that you have a lot of extra time with little ones!)

I tried reshaping it by tugging on it but I think I'll try weighting the bottom next time. If that doesn't work, the dry cleaner idea would be fun to try.

San: the knit stitches are not shrunken looking to me, but I don't know what Prada sweaters look like normally! When I bought it I thought if it doesn't work then $3 is a great price to felt it and use it to make wool toys for my son!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Wear it over a skirt 70's style. Add the drama

elpgal

If you want to rescue it, you could remove the zipper, even out the hems and get a replacement sewn in? But I think it is more fun to clean in Prada!

Lovely sweater, but the wavy zipper doesn't look all that great. However, I agree with the suggestion of removing the zipper. Just snip the darn thing off yourself and use a simple blanket stitch with a needle and matching thread and wear the sweater open. :o)

Angie: Aha! A skirt and scarf will be coming up shortly.

Elpgal: It is extremely fun to clean in Prada! Everyone should have a Prada sweater to clean in.

Loves Moose: That is the fun thing about this sweater, there are so many things I can do to it and I don't feel the least bit nervous about doing any of them. If it had been perfect it would be in my closet waiting for the "just right" occassion lest I ruin it inbetween.

Karin

Member

I "unshrunk" my old sweaters by soaking them in water with lots of conditioner. I used Biolage detangling solution (about 1/2 cup in average sink). My sweaters went back to their original size.

Thank you Karin! It makes sense to me; from what I understand what makes the wool shrink is the loss of lanolin. Smoothing out the fibers by coating them with conditioner seems logical. I may have a totally wearable Prada sweater after all!

londonkiwi (now back in NZ)

This has got to be one of my favourite posts ever! I love the image of cleaning in Prada, especially when doing the most unglamorous of tasks! If I had a Prada sweater to clean in I would never grumble about cleaning the bathroom again...

rute

ah ah.. cleaning with a Prada Sweater?? That IS stylish!!!!

Lisa

Great suggestions here already but the thought of cleaning in or with a Prada sweater, too funny!

I read somewhere that soaking a shrunken sweater overnight in hair conditioner, then (I assume you rinse in cold water but maybe not) pulling and reshaping and letting it air dry away from heat will return it to its original shape. I haven't had an opportunity to try this. I'd also try weighting the zipper. If it doesn't work, housework in a Prada sounds delicious.

Category