Your wardrobe is more than a coordinated collection of
fine custom shirts and other made to measure garments. It is an investment in
your career and overall enjoyment of life. You do not need to hire an
investment counselor to maximize the returns from this investment. You need
simply to invest a little time learning how to care for your assets.
Your clothes should not live only on your body and inside the closet. When you
return home or to your hotel room, drape suit jackets and sport coats over a
chair and let them air out overnight. Slacks should also enjoy a respite over
the arm of a chair and never be hung on a wire hanger.
Dry cleaning is a miracle of modern times but not a solution for every stain
or blemish that makes an appearance on your garments. Trust the advice of a
custom shirt shop owner: Dry cleaning actually shortens the life of clothing,
as it tends to weaken fibers with harmful long-term effects. Many stains can
actually be addressed using proven remedies that range from water and soap to
dry cleaning products. Some specifics will be detailed in this section.
Storage
In your closet
Custom shirts, jackets and suit coats should be kept on padded and rounded
hangers that a fine tailor provides as a matter of course. These substantial
hangers are the same types used by the custom shirt shop. They are perfect for
preserving the shape or shoulders and preventing unsightly creases and droopy
shoulders.
Slacks or slacks should be hung from the cuff or hem, or placed on hangers with
a horizontal bar that allows the garment to fold over without leaving a crease.
Avoid wire hangers, as they may rust and leave stains on fabrics, or even tear
garments. In Hong Kong, the world's tailoring capital, legend has it that the
very sight of a cheap hanger in a custom shirt shop is sufficient to ask the
user to pack his bags and pursue a different career.
Be sure your closet is clean, well ventilated and maintains a moderate
temperature and humidity. Remember to give your clothes a little breathing room
by leaving some space between hangers.
Tight Knit Groups
Sweaters and other knitted garments are a sensitive lot. They should be folded,
as this allows them to maintain their shape (Hangers are not so
understanding). Fold them a little differently each time so they will not
develop creases. Underwear and socks should be rolled to save space and avoid
wrinkles.
Changes of Season
When a garment is retired for the season, be sure to launder or dry clean it
prior to storage. This procedure will ensure that there are no residues of food
on the garment that may attract moth larvae.
The storage area should be clean, well ventilated and away from sunlight.
Canvas storage bags are ideal. Plastic bags are to be avoided, as they tend to
create a sauna effect that is not exactly rejuvenating to the garment and can
cause mildew.
Lengthy Storage
Custom shirts should be laundered and suits and slacks dry cleaned prior to
long-term storage. Choose a well-ventilated storage area that maintains a
moderate temperature close to 75 degrees F and a humidity of around 50%. The
containers you use depend on the garment types. Woolen clothing should go into
a cedar trunk or chest that is sealed and lined with a well-laundered white
sheet. Other clothing can be stored in lightweight plastic boxes that have
vents and are waterproof. Ideally, an acid-free tissue paper should be placed
between folded items to preserve their good looks.
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