When shopping for clothes, it is worth some attention to detail. Check that the quality is to your standard. Seams should lie flat and pucker or pull. Make sure they are sewn up properly. Often mass-produced, they won’t last. Luxury clothing is the exception, and the materials used will be better. Expect to pay a higher price, but it will be worth it if it ends up being of good quality.
It is easier to be a balloon than it is to fill it. Some notes on fitting are useful, but a full explanation is best. A great way to do this is to wear a slip. Not all clothing is fitted, so be sure to double-check. Sleeve fit may be important too. It may be that one arm is larger than the other. Check if it sags or pulls over your shoulder.
If the stomach area is a problem, it may be a good idea to go for a different style. You can hold it in with a waistband that doesn’t gap at the waist. Another trick is to avoid pockets that are too deep. If they are on the front of the clothing, they aren’t doing you much good. You may want to make a suit with slacks or pants.
When putting on trousers, you may have to hold them up. If they aren’t padded, put them at an angle, so they aren’t likely to gap open. Stay away from creases in the front. Fabric softener will go a long way toward flattening appear and holding the ridges away. Stapping will make an area look larger.
If the pants fit well but aren’t comfortable, try either moving up a size or moving down to the extent that suits you better. If it is a good fit at the waist, it will hold up better if it fits tightly at the other places. Get a tailor to help get the measurements around.
An easy way to keep your clothes looking good, preserve their shape, and keep them in mint condition is by not washing them. Shred them yourself if you need to. Be careful about spot cleaning, especially when white and gray shirts are involved. Always dry clean, in the event they are stained.
For those school or office shirts, either have them hand washed or dry cleaned. This should be as it is impossible to tell the color of blood or dirt on them if they are full of folds and soft tissues.
You can do it yourself in terms of ironing, but it may cost you a dollar or two to get a site or two. Find out the facts you can about the commonly used household detergents, or take along a professional if you have that option.
If you prefer to take your shirt to a cleaner, find out what charges they will pay for and then make your choice. My wife, who has been the right customer for a long time, will rarely buy a shirt she has ironed herself. If you have to take your shirt to a cleaner, have a higher-priced shirt on hand to save slipping in that bill.
When washing, turn the shirt inside out to protect the stretchy fabrics and to protect the light colors. Never use a dryer or any other source of heat.
And most importantly, even if you are supposed to take the shirt to the dry cleaner, consider an all laundry bag with a container of hot water (or cold). Or, if they are giving you the option, bring along a small portion of your own to take the place of the container. The clothes that never make it to the dry cleaner are in the “do not send to a cleaner” pile, along with tags for individual pieces. If you never recover them, it is not worth the time.
For those pieces that cannot be sold at the consignment store, offer them to other customers. You may find someone looking for a bargain on used clothing. If the piece is in pretty good shape, even if it has a little fading or moths, it may be worth considering selling.
Take your shirt to the buyer the next time you are ready. If it looks like it may not sell before a certain period, take it to a cleaner.
When you go to thrift and consignment stores, look for the garments with a visible tear or stain. If there are no tattered pieces, more than likely, these are new garments.
Check the garment for any sign of past laundering. Find out if there is a way to spot clean the clothing.
In most cases, fluids and body perspiration can be laundered away or removed easily. However, if the garment is given to a cleaner, be sure that your clothing has been soaked with a solution that is for sensitive fabrics or is backwashed regularly.
