Don't Frette

It's that time again girls...Fall Sales! And nothing warms my heart more as the cooler weather starts to come than climbing into layers of comfort and simplicity at the end of the day. That's why the Fall Essentias Sale at Frette.com is definitely on our radar. With sheet sets priced from $350-$1500 and accessories on the rise from there though, is it deliciously worth it or just a monetary misuse? You decide.

Hyde Parker has a mixed experience. Our first pair of Frette Linens came to us under the Christmas Tree in December of 2007--the Bicolore Bed Set. We cried. I mean, have you ever seen a pair of linens wrapped so beautifully? And we're not talking gift wrap. No gift wrap necessary! I mean, as I was opening that box I can remember thinking to myself that Frette was a prime example of luxury and premier packaging. Just as many cosmetic companies strive to set themselves apart through their package branding, Frette does so with their packaging too.


The box that my sheet set arrived in was thick and wide--done in a wrapped parchment of ecru tone, emblazoned with the Frette logo and finished with gold accents. Upon opening the box, there were layers of French Tissue piled high and wrapped tightly around the sheets. I saved that tissue paper, with its signature auburn pattern...for what...I don't know. The crisp linens, neatly pressed and wrapped inside (in a way I could not get them back again) emitted a scent that I can not describe as anything other than pure and clean.

My set was everything that I wanted, from day 1. And I had never told anyone in my family what my color pallet was either. I believe that is because the design behind Frette is so classical and inspired, that you truly couldn't go wrong, no matter what you ordered. They were pure cotton sateen. They were ivory. They were framed with a burgundy single hemstitched border. They were simple. They were lovely. They even came with a booklet called "Care Instructions", which told me how to wash and "care" for my sheets.

Well...I guess this is where the SLIDe begins. Care Instructions.

To make a long story short, it took me about a month to get the sheets out of the box and then onto the bed. The first night that I slept in them, they were not all that comfortable. I found myself actually missing my $29.99 whites from Burlington Coat Factory (don't knock it). But, since I had been my oh-so-Hyde-Parker-self for so long about these Frette sheets, I grinned and bore it and told everyone that it was sleeping on a cloud. After deciding that all they needed was a bit of washing to soften them up, I threw them in the washer with some Woolite and Fabric Softener on the cold cycle (as indicated) and hoped for the best...but unfortunately got the worst.

Not only did they not soften up (at first...read on), but they came out in a wrinkled ball, the worst I had ever seen, and my beautiful burgundy stripe had ran in tiny little spots onto the sheets. I was horrified. My $850 sheets, ruined. I called Frette and asked them what to do, but was very ill received by the woman on the other end of the phone who curtly told me (I imagined her drinking a soy latte and eating a chocolate croissant all the while perched on a Eigg Cushion) they would take my sheet back to do testing on the color, but certainly not for exchange or refund. So, I kept them. And despite the small spots of faint red that had spread, and that they were not as comfortable as I had hoped...and that they looked wrinkl-y on the bed and I did not have time frankly to iron the sheet or money to send them out...I slept on them still. Because deep down inside, this Hyde Parker girl wanted to be a Frette girl too. I mean have you seen their new Gerda Classic sets? Eek! To us here at Hyde Park Shop it is kind of like walking in those 4" Christian Louboutin Anemone Pigalle's...when you bump the heel, and when your feet hurt so bad that you hate the designer's guts...do you stop wearing those shoes? Please.

I am happy to report today, however, that my Bicolore Bed Set and I have made it over the hump. After a few more washes, and many more sleeps the bleeding burgundy spots managed to lift themselves out of the sheets themselves, and they did in fact become soft as I had dreamed they would be from that first Christmas Morning when I saw them.

I do not know if every Frette product is like the set that I bought, and I will admit if I was willing to press the sheets, all the world of difference would be made. I also learned from experience too however, that little things like prompt removal from the dryer makes a world of difference. Maybe in the future I will iron, or lightly starch, maybe even send them out sometime for special treatment...you never know (most likely I'll save those pennies for another set, but you never know...) I will say that I am just a glutton for luxe though and I still frequent the stunning designs and sale section Frette.com and adore reading about their designer of month (ERIC ROSEFF this month) and...would, with a sigh, purchase again...afterall, they do look just unbelievably smashing in my boudoir.

To purchase your Frette luxury sets for the home, visit www.Frette.com and don't forget to check out their Fall Essentials sales featuring up to 60% off on selected items.

Hyde Parker's
Ivory & Burgundy
Bicolore Bed Set
available on sale NOW
at
Frette.com!