Stonewashed

The term stonewashed comes from the English “stone washed,” meaning that a fabric or garment has been washed together with stones to achieve a deliberate “used look.”

Stonewashed: Definition and Manufacturing Process

What is "Stonewashed"?

The term stonewashed originally comes from the world of denim fashion and became a fashionable attribute in the 1980s.

The stonewash look is meant to give the impression that a garment has been worn many times and has a worn-out appearance (“aged look”).

For colours, this effect makes them appear deliberately faded and washed-out, rather than bright and vibrant.

This effect has been especially popular for denim fabrics, like blue jeans: the strong, dark blue fabric is designed to look faded and used even when purchased new.

Stonewashing Methods:

The stonewashed effect can now be achieved using different techniques:

Stones in the washing drum: These rub against the fabric, roughening it.
Pumice stones in the washing drum: These damage the fabric and roughen its fibers.
Sandblasting: Spraying the fabric with sand creates targeted effects in specific areas (e.g., on thighs, seat areas, etc.).
Enzyme wash: Enzymes soften the fabric fibers, leading to colour fading, but with less damage compared to mechanical methods.
Fungal treatment: This produces similar effects as other methods, but the fungi must be carefully removed afterward.
Bleach and mild acids: These can also produce a stonewashed look in the fabric and colour, for example, by spraying specific areas with potassium permanganate, a strong oxidizing agent.

Special Applications of Stonewashed Fabrics

Stonewashed fabrics are most commonly used in fashion for cotton fabrics with a twill weave, such as denim.

However, other fabrics, like linen, also come in a stonewashed look. Stonewashed linen is perfect for home textiles, as well as clothing like blazers, blouses, trousers, dresses, skirts, or tops.

At Iris von Arnim, the stonewashed effect is uniquely applied to cashmere wool. Here, raw yarn-knitted cashmere models are given a thin coat of colour by hand using a spray gun.
The applied liquid is then fixed under a heat lamp, followed by drying at 130°C.

Afterward, the pieces are allowed to cool and rest for a day. Then, it’s time for the subsequent dye bath.

They are dyed in a classic dye drum, and the colour does not adhere to the pre-treated areas, giving our cashmere garments their typical and unique stonewashed appearance.

Before final production, each piece is carefully checked to ensure that the washing and dyeing meet the standards of the Iris von Arnim collection.

Cashmere Care Guide at Iris von Arnim

Our stonewashed cashmere models require proper cleaning and care to preserve their luxury, quality, and beauty for a lifetime or even across generations.

Here’s what you need for basic care:

A special cashmere shampoo
A pill shaver and a pill comb
A laundry bag
Fragrant cedarwood

Tip: Find all the detailed information for caring for your high-quality Iris von Arnim stonewashed cashmere garments here.