The good news is that you can now get your hands on a replica of Princess Diana's iconic bad sheep jumper, which she wore to the polo in June 1981 to support her then fiancé, Prince Charles. US knitwear brand, Rowing Blazers, put the pattern back into production after the original was found in the co-creator's attic during a declutter. (The actual jumper sold for $1.14 million in 2023, which makes me think it's time for another attic declutter...)
The not-so-fun news is that the replica will cost you £295 plus delivery and there's usually a waiting list. The even worse news for me is that having waited three months for my gloriously Eighties red knit to arrive from New York, it's now become very pricey prey for the moths in my wardrobe. Having worn it after a bit of a gap on a particularly cold day at work this winter (it's a very thick, chunky wool knit, so essentially like in-built central heating), I realised mid-meeting that it was ridden with holes, particularly along the arms.
It wasn't as though I hadn't been warned either. Both my mum – who is always right; I also didn't heed her advice about never spending big on a suede handbag and then spilled taco on my Gucci, but that's a story for another time – and GH's household advice editor, Katie Mortram, told me to protect against this fashion pest.
Consider me your cautionary tale. As we are currently in peak moth season (not nearly as fun as hot girl summer), when the warmer weather encourages the female moths to find somewhere dark and cosy to lay their eggs, here's what you can do to avoid your precious wool, cashmere, silk and even carpets from becoming dinner.
What I should have done to avoid clothes moths
Moths love dark wardrobes and hidden spots. Check your spaces for their creamy white larvae with brown heads and giveaway musty smell. If you see the signs (I definitely ignored the signs), remove everything from your wardrobe and vacuum the bottom, taking care to get into all the crevices. Follow up by vacuuming your carpets throughout the house.
At the same time, wash or dry clean your clothes at the highest possible temperature (following the care instructions). If it's a non-washable fabric, put it in a plastic bag and pop in the freezer for 48 hours to kill those larvae.
Finally, use a moth spray in any areas where you've spotted adult moths.
What to do once you spot moth damage
I'll be getting out my darning thread to repair the holes (which I actually think adds to the charm), but how do I stop the tiny fashion haters coming back?
As Katie reminds me, prevention is always better than cure. She recommends using cedar wood rings in my wardrobe and drawers to help keep them away (but reminds me that they'll need to be replaced every six to 12 months). She also suggests spritzing my carpet with a lavender fragrance (who knew they weren't into lavender?). I wonder in my head if my lavender pillow spray suffices?
And if you plan to store your winter knits away for the summer, Katie's advice is to wash and dry your items thoroughly before putting them away (moths love anything stinky or stained, which I've taken as a personal slight). She also recommends a breathable and sealed garment bag to keep it safe until autumn.
I advise listening to Katie (and my mum). Always.
Your moth prevention kit
The Cashmere Choice Extra Large Cashmere Sweater Storage Bag
Carpet and Fabric Moth Killer Spray
