Buying clothes which have been made to last is one thing, but taking good care of your most favourite pieces is the way to go— IRMA has some tips for you on how to do it.
TREAT YOUR INTIMATES VERY DELICATELY
And never wash them in a machine, even if the machine has a hand washing program. Let them soak in lukewarm water over night and use either a special delIcate washing powder or shampoo in the bathroom sink when travelling.
Make sure that your lingerie is not stuffed together in a tiny drawer. Lace and silk need space to breathe and a little fragranced silk paper or an empty perfume bottle will leave your dessous with a hint of your favourite fragrance.
CRISP WHITE SHIRTS ARE MADE FOR A LIFETIME
Pay close attention to the insides of the collars – this is where most stains from skin products, like lotion or make-up will be. Be sure to wash them immediately, especially before hanging shirts back in the closet. Never use a dryer for your shirts, Instead, air-dry them on wooden hangers, they have a solid form so that the shoulders form up nicely while drying. Make sure the shoulders are well laid on the hanger and tug the fabric to limit creases and facilitate ironing. When storing hangers in the closet, leave space between them in order to keep the pressed shirts smooth.
Iron with water in the right order: collar, cuffs and then the rest of the shirt.
When you travel pack them properly so they come out of your suitcase looking crisp. How you do it:
• Button the shirt completely.
• With the shirt front-side down, place a sheet of paper or tissue paper on the back of the shirt before folding it (to avoid creases).
• When piling the shirts, alternate their directions, so collars are never on top of each other.
• Take a small spray bottle with you and fill it with fresh tap water to give the shirts a quick spritz and tug on the bottom of the hem, and then the wrinkles kind of come out naturally without needing to press it again.
SKIRTS
Clip or hang your skirts on hangers and if the material is very delicate, put some padding like silk paper under the clip so that the material does not get any marks.
When traveling try to get a suitcase size that holds knee-long skirts in one layer without having to fold them and separate them from other garments with white silk paper.
DRESSES, BLOUSES, TOPS
As with skirts and shirts, a good quality hanger matching the material of the garment is key.
Spaghetti silk tops and dresses hold best on padded silk hangers, while dresses, coats and jackets made from a firmer material need a solid wood hanger with well formed shoulders.
In general, separate all different kinds of clothes in groups from each other and put silky, thin materials together, separated from heavier materials. Space and a good air circulation is necessary so your clothes always smell fresh and do not get winkled.
Protect them against moths by using linen sachets filled with lavender.
SWEATERS
Never hang your sweaters, rather fold them neatly and separate them into matching coloured groups. If you have the time, put silk paper between the stack and clean them before storing them after they had been worn.
PANTS
Do not overwash your pants. Instead shake them well after wearing them or brush heavier material pants instead of washing them too often. Make sure they hang well organized in your closet. Flared pants together, next to coulottes for example, divide them into groups and you will find them easier afterwards.
When I travel I just roll them up tightly and put them between my shoe bags. This way they take up less space.
HANDBAGS
Your handbags should always be stored in their original dust bags. Like this they are protected from scratching and dust and they do not damage each other.
Use tissue paper to stuff them so that they will keep their shape when stored. When you store them, leave enough room so they are not squeezed against each other.
Store them in a dark, cool place so their colour does not loose brightness and the leather does not crack of too dry air.
Some handbags which have not been used for a long time are best stored in their original boxes, covered in silk paper.
SHOES
Use shoe horns to help keep the shape of the shoes.
Don’t toss shoes into a pile. To prevent shoes from being wrinkled or smushed, store them in special shoe devices, available in wood or plastic, that help a pair keep its shape.
Always check your shoes after wear before placing them in your closet, wipe leather clean with a cloth or brush before putting away, and brush off suede of any dust.
Condition regularly by wrapping a soft cotton cloth tightly around your index finger and dabbing it in conditioning cream. Apply to the shoe using small circular motions. Leave the cream to seep into the leather for around 15 minutes and then brush off excess with a soft brush.
If you get caught in a storm and your shoes become soaked, make sure to let them air-dry in an open space laid flat before storing them away.If you store them damp, the uppers may become deformed and you may lose the shape of the shoes. If the shoes are wet from rain or snow, you should immediately rinse them in clean water before allowing them to dry in order to avoid the white marks that appear on the upper leather.
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