The Italian Vest is THAT vest. That throw on over a tee shirt to take out the trash vest; that wallet/keys/phone always in the pocket vest; that ball up and use as a pillow on the plane vest. Less a statement more a standard, the Italian Vest will be your constant companion.
The down inside is 100% recycled, from a company called Tersus, which collects used or dead stock down outerwear from large companies and processes the down through a waterless washing system.
The Italian Vest is made of 60/40 fabric, a historic heritage fabric designed for down mountain gear. There is far more technical fabric on the market, but Crescent Down Works holds on to this traditional fabric for cultural preservation and its wind and rain resistance.
Features: Down filled hand pockets and collar, interior lining pocket, leather snap reinforcement, and #5 black 2-way zipper
Materials: Water resistant 60/40 cotton/nylon shell, super soft 100% nylon lining, and 5 oz 700+ fill power ethically-sourced goose downYKK
Care: Regular washing is the best way to ensure the long lasting quality of your down garment. Once or twice a year should be enough for the average wearer, though if you’re LIVING in it you might consider a few times a season.
A front-loading washer is best (cold wash). We recommend using any mild detergent, however, there are detergents on the market specifically designed for washing down clothing. (see:NIKWAX)
• Tumble dry on low until completely dry. Use an agitator, like dryer balls or clean tennis balls, to help break up the clumps of down and ensure even drying/lofting.
• If your garment looks flat when taken out of the dryer don't worry you didn't lose any down, spend some time manually fluffing it back up. Don’t be shy, this is a good time to get out some pent-up aggression.
Crescent Down Works machine washable products are treated with DWR (durable water repellent), over time the treatment can begin to wear off. If you suspect that this is the case for your jacket or vest we recommend buying a DIY kit for replenishing the DWR on the product.
Storage Tips: While it’s tempting to want to save space and squeeze your down garments into the smallest bundle you possibly can, with continued compression the down can become more resistant to re-lofting (reducing the down’s effectiveness). While many down jackets and vests come with a compression sack, it’s best to use them as a short term travel quick-fix rather than a long term storage solution. Keep your down jackets and vests balled up for as little time as possible and away from long term vacuum sealed plastic storage bags.
After washing and letting them dry completely, store either on a hanger or folded loosely in a breathable cotton/canvas/mesh bag (a large cotton pillow case can do the trick). Ideally, you’ll want a storage space that is opened occasionally for regular airflow. The cool damp basement is not your friend. Try and keep them dry, away from any humidity, and make sure to never store them away wet or damp - Clothing put away wet is a recipe for mildew and rot.
When you’re ready to pull your garments back out for the next season, toss them into the dryer and tumble dry on low for 10 minutes to give them that newly fluffed up feel. A high quality down garment is a worthwhile investment, and with these few simple steps to clean and store them properly, you can keep your down warm and fluffy for years to come.
Made by: Crescent Down Works in Seattle, Washington