Note: I post these alerts because they do get readers who are searching for problems with the same company. Unfortunately, of course, people tend to search only once they’ve had a problem. The one recourse we consumers sometimes have is to warn others.
I recently bought a fitted Tencel blouse from the company Tianello. The tag said “pre-shrunk.” It also said “machine wash cold, tumble dry low, steam iron.”
In short, on its first (and only) washing the blouse shrank to such a degree that I can no longer wear it. I emailed the manufacturer, Tianello; they said that the fabric had tightened up and suggested I steam iron it. That helped, but not enough; the blouse is ruined.
And Tianello will not refund me my purchase price. They suggest I contact the retailer; the retailer is in Orgeon.
In short, Tianello clothes shrink to an unacceptable degree, and the company does NOT stand by its products.
UPDATE: after several emails back and forth, insisting that the blouse couldn’t have shrunk (so I gained so much weight overnight, literally, that the blouse no longer buttons?), Tianello agreed to take back the blouse. (One email said that I shouldn’t be contacting them — after all, it said, if I bought a Maytag washer at Sears that didn’t work, would I contact Maytag? Damn right I would — the Maytag would have been under warranty.)
In the meantime, however, while Tianello was being snide, I contacted the retailer and sent it back to them.
12 responses so far ↓
D. Scherr // November 18, 2008 at 10:38 pm |
My experience also. The retailer in Colorado wanted me to send the clothes to the manufacturer when I called her to follow up after washing. When i insisted, she became very adamant and unpleasant. I finally relented and kept the clothes. The texture is no longer silky, or ultra-suede like with a smooth texture, but coarse. The seams shrank unevenly , making a tight drawn look. I am very disappointed as the clothes were drop dead gorgeous jewel tones. I now wear them for knock-around clothes instead of elegant casual. The retailer says I am the only one to report this problem – I don’t think it is my washer, which is about two years old, or my dryer, same. I think it is the fabric. Too bad. Thansk for the info.
Catherine Green // February 22, 2009 at 8:48 pm |
I have had the opposite problem with Tianello Stretch Jeans. In 2005 I bought a pair of XS jeans which fit great in the store. I found however that after a few hours wear that they totally bagged and sagged. I emailed Tianello and told them (politely)that I felt a refund was in order and that i didn’t want to trouble the merchant because it certainly wasn’t her fault. They suggested that I should have bought XXS (ridiculous because the XS fit fine and I am not an XXS person). Initially I thought they would at least send me a replacement pair but then they stopped answering my emails. I love the two shirts that I have of theirs but their customer service is awful!
Janet // February 25, 2009 at 7:55 pm |
I have over 2o tianello blouses. They come out of the wash looking wonderful. I have never had one shrink even an inch. Im large busted so Id know if any of them shrunk. Nope Never Ever…
Steve // March 15, 2009 at 7:46 pm |
I have sold several thousand tianello tencel garments and never had any of them returned for shrinkage problems. If you iron the garment it always goes back the the original size. The fabric contracts when you wash and dry it just like cotton does but after ironing it is perfect.
Try using an iron on it and you should be happy with the fit.
Nanct // March 15, 2009 at 10:01 pm |
I did try ironing it — nope. A complete loss. And I loved that blouse!
Avonna // April 22, 2009 at 2:23 pm |
I just wanted to share that I had the same problem of shrinking and got a refund from retailer…BUT I loved the Tianello shirts so two years later tried again and found the answer—you can cold water wash on gentle, but DO NOT PUT IN DRYER!!!—Line Dry Only, then iron and they are great!!!…They should put THESE directions on the labels!!!
Avonna // April 22, 2009 at 2:26 pm |
I just wanted to share that I had the same problem of shrinking and got a refund from retailer…BUT I loved the Tianello shirts so two years later tried again and found the answer—you can cold water wash on gentle, but DO NOT PUT IN DRYER!!!—Line Dry Only, then iron and they are great!!!…They should put THESE directions on the labels!!! My shirts are now maybe about 4 years old so I hope the newer ones would still work this way.
judy // May 3, 2009 at 12:32 am |
I LOVE Tianello blouses. I’m an xl and have never had problems with shrinkage. I never put them in the dryer because I don’t want the beautiful colors to fade. They dry fast-usually overnight -and then I iron them. Very well made they last and last.
Kate // July 18, 2009 at 2:39 pm |
Have one pair of tianello pants, very happy with them, have not shrunk, but I generally don’t put them in the dryer. never need ironing….
mags // August 21, 2009 at 5:23 am |
I found this discussion while researching Tianello care instructions. I have had both experiences with laundering their shirts — one shrank badly and no longer fit properly and the other one laundered without a hitch — go figure!!! I just purchased a pair of their pants and I have my fingers crossed because when the fabric behaves as promised it is great, but when it doesn’t… big headache (all the stories matched mine). I love Tencel for its great drape and decided to brave it once again because nothing looks as nice to travels in. Wish me luck.
CJ // October 2, 2009 at 8:52 pm |
My sister gave me two of her hand-me-down blouses which I love. She paid a lot of money for them $195 ea. in Alaska. I was happy to read the care label that they could be washed, which I did. I hung dry only because I never use a dryer for “good” blouses. However, it wasn’t until I was ironing the blouse (and cut off and read the little white tag sewn in located at the side waist) that I realized I should not have washed it in Woolite. I called the 800 # on the tag to ask what is wrong with using Woolite and I was told that Woolite has lye in it and it can take out the dye in Tianello clothing. I recommended that they put that on the washing instruction label instead of the little white tag, and she thanked me for bringing that to her attention. My blouse is fine. Using Woolite this one time didn’t fade it, but I won’t use it again. They recommend drying in a dryer because the colors can streak if you hang dry and it makes the fabric softer. Perhaps you can dry flat instead to avoid streaking. Just use an iron, no big deal to make it soft. Reading the other comments I think the company should look into why customers are having their items shrink. People wearing Tianello don’t have the time to hang on the phone, or email endlessly the company unless there is a real problem! Customer satisfaction is the best policy Tianello, ever heard of customer feed-back on Twitter and Facebook? Reaches a lot of people. Your reputation is on the line. Treat your customers right and they will be your best repeat business. Good day to everyone.
lisa // November 11, 2009 at 1:42 pm |
Most manufacturers tell you not to use woolite. Seems to be a problem product.