Skirt Care
Looking after a skirt by its fabric keeps its shape, colour and finish for longer. This hub gives plain-English care guidance for the main skirt materials and details. Browse women's skirts (/collections/womens-skirts-shorts).
Washing and drying
Washing Denim and Cotton
Cool washes inside out protect colour and shape.
How to do it
Wash denim and cotton skirts cool and inside out to guard the colour, and avoid over-washing denim so it keeps its depth.
Avoid
Hot washes that fade and shrink. Browse women's skirts (/collections/womens-skirts-shorts).
Washing Jersey and Ponte
Gentle cool washes keep knits from stretching.
How to do it
Wash jersey and ponte skirts on a cool, gentle cycle and reshape while damp so the knit does not stretch or bag.
Avoid
High spin speeds that distort the fabric.
Washing Satin and Chiffon
Hand wash or dry clean delicate occasion fabrics.
How to do it
Hand wash satin and chiffon skirts cool with mild detergent, or dry clean, and never wring them.
Avoid
Machine agitation and heat that mark the fabric.
Dry-Clean Fabrics
Tweed, wool and structured skirts often need dry cleaning.
How to do it
Follow the care label; tweed, wool and tailored skirts usually dry clean to keep their structure and finish.
Avoid
Home washing that can felt or misshape wool.
Drying
Air dry away from direct heat to protect shape.
How to do it
Hang or lay skirts flat to dry away from radiators and direct sun, which fade colour and can shrink fibres.
Avoid
Tumble drying delicate or structured skirts. Browse women's skirts (/collections/womens-skirts-shorts).
Pressing and storing
Ironing and Pressing
Match iron heat to fabric and use a cloth for shine-prone cloth.
How to do it
Iron on the setting for the fabric, and press satin and dark cloth through a cotton cloth to avoid shine marks.
Avoid
A hot iron straight onto synthetics or pleats.
Keeping Pleats Crisp
Gentle washing and hanging keep pleats sharp.
How to do it
Wash pleated skirts gently, hang to dry and, if needed, re-press each fold lightly; many synthetic pleats hold permanently.
Avoid
Cramming pleated skirts into a full machine.
Storing
Hang by loops or fold to avoid creases and stretch.
How to do it
Hang skirts by their waistband loops on clip hangers, or fold heavy knits to stop them stretching on the hanger.
Avoid
Overloading rails so skirts crease against each other.
Frequently asked questions
How do I stop a jersey skirt stretching?
Wash jersey and ponte skirts on a cool, gentle cycle, use a low spin and reshape them while damp before drying flat or hanging. Avoid wringing and high heat, which loosen the knit and let it bag out of shape.
Can I machine wash a pleated skirt?
Many pleated skirts in synthetic fabrics can be machine washed gently and will keep their pleats, but always check the label. Wash on a cool, gentle cycle, do not overload the machine, and hang to dry so the folds set cleanly.
How should I store skirts to avoid creases?
Hang skirts by the loops inside the waistband on clip hangers so they fall straight, or fold heavy knitted skirts to stop them stretching. Leave a little space on the rail so skirts do not crush and crease against each other.