A 30-Year-Old Down Shawl Has Been Found

This time our search was successful. One of our staff found at home a warm shawl that had been kept in a cupboard drawer in his parents' flat for a considerable time. In their words: the down shawl came from his grandmother and has outlived almost three generations (the approximate "lifespan" of the item is 35–36 years from the moment the shawl came into the family).

It should be added that no special storage conditions (apart from moth repellent) were applied to the item. When the shawl was not being worn, it was simply folded and put away in a cupboard drawer.

Impressed by the background, the staff member set about examining the item and established the following:

- The shawl's "presentable look" is satisfactory, considering the long storage period and the fact that the item was actively worn and is still periodically used as a throw: the shawl is small (120x120, but quite warm).

- A small hole in the item (according to the parents) appeared as a result of mechanical damage, not wear or moths.

- The shawl is quite soft and not prickly; some of the down has come out, but the item is not completely bare.

- The item has hardly faded; the original grey colour has been preserved.

- The item has not "sagged"; its original proportions have not been lost over the years.

It should be said that for many years the shawl was used as head covering and as a wrap; moreover, a one-year-old child was swaddled in it. The mechanical defect – a small hole in the border – is shown below:

In the end, we can say that this experience confirms the durability of high-quality down items. The shawl studied is more than 30 years old; of course, it can hardly be used as an item of clothing any more, but the item has been preserved quite well, is still warm and soft, and no visible damage due to wear was found on the shawl.