Are you in the hunt for a cool fabric this season, but want to try something other than cotton? Flax is the oldest known fabric, and is commonly referred to as linen. Flax is eco-friendly and great for areas with high moisture and humidity. Flax is less likely to mildew, keeps the body cool, and can cost less than cotton. Another bonus – flax is less likely to fade in the sun, so bust out bright flax t-shirts and summer dresses this sizzling summer. And don’t worry if one care label says Flax while another says Linen – designers are capitalizing on the “go green” boom and putting flax on their care labels instead of linen – but have no fear, they are the same great fabric.

Scared of shrinking your fancy new jeans? Remember, it’s the last 15% of the hot dry cycle that causes shrinkage. Clothing has a base moisture level when “dry,” but overdrying causes the fabric to shrink, fade and lose softness. Instead of using a hot dryer, hang dry or “air only” dry those items you are worried about. A trick to maintain the right shape: when taking out of the wash, tug at the legs and the waist to tension them out to size before hanging to dry. This removes wrinkles and restores the original shape. When in doubt, bring them in for professional laundering or dry cleaning.

Fashion first aid kit. Emergencies happen, and quick fixes can save the day (or night). Double stick tape removes lint, fixes falling hemlines. Use a black Sharpie on a scuffed heel. Use a piece of hangar foam to remove deodorant or makeup stains from fabric. Keep a coffee filter in your makeup bag to blot a shiny nose or brow. Chapstick can hold flyaway hair. And keep our phone number handy for tailoring, cleaning and pressing.

—The Clothing Doctor

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The unbreakable rule: keep the spotlight on the bride and never wear white, cream or pale pastels. Prints with light backgrounds are fine, as long as they don’t read as white from a distance. If the ceremony is in a house of worship, cover your shoulders with a sleeved dress or jacket. If the wedding’s outdoors, skip the heels and wear comfortable flats that won’t sink into the lawn. A fancier evening reception demands a cocktail dress or your standby little black dress. Beachside festivities are casual, time for sundress with a cardigan or short denim jacket for after dark. And don’t forget the sunscreen.

Women have it easy just wearing a simple non-white dress. But in summer, the men’s traditional dark suit can be a little warm, somber and predictable. For a city wedding, choose a light weight suit in gray, blue or a subtle pattern. Style it up with a sky blue, pink, mint green or lavender long-sleeved Oxford or poplin shirt. In the country, blazers and sport coats reign, paired with well-cut chinos. Seaside or resort? A tailored white shirt, colored chinos and a light-colored linen blazer. Keep everything understated. And crisp.

We quote Erma Bombeck, popular newspaper humorist and author.  “You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness.  You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism.” Join us and celebrate our nation’s freedom, liberty and blessings. Happy Birthday America!

White canvas shoes are perfect for summer – until they start looking beige. Here’s how to remove stains, thanks to How to Clean Stuff. Scrub away dirt stains with shampoo on a nail brush, wipe residue away with a damp sponge. Use dish soap on grass stains, and nail polish remover on grease or tar. After you’ve removed as much as possible, apply oxygen bleach with a nailbrush or toothbrush to any remaining off-white areas. If you don’t mind losing the new look, canvas shoes can usually be machine washed on a gentle cycle with warm water. Hang to air dry.

It’s a wedding season like no other. With pandemic restrictions lifting, finding a venue, caterer, florist, dj & photographer is going to be even more difficult than before. Whether you are bride or bridesmaid, groom or groomsman, our expert staff can help make the clothing part of the day go great. We can do pre-ceremony spot cleaning and pressing, as well as alterations and fittings. After the ceremony, remember to get precious gowns and dresses to us right away – stains set in (even those ones you don’t see) and begin to oxidize and turn color within 30 days. And if you would like to save your gown for future generations ask us about our boxing services. Even if you sell the gown, professional cleaning and boxing adds a greater value than those left on the hanger.

Presenting a business-like image when working from home? Always make sure your shirt (and tie, if that serious) are professionally cleaned and finished to wrinkle-free crispness. Going back to the office? Bring those unused suit trousers, slacks and chinos to us. We’ll make them look fresh and ready for work.

Most things can be washed at home, but specialty table linens and decorations, like flags and bunting, should be professionally cleaned to ensure they last year after year. Bring them to us now and you’ll be ready to entertain with your favorite decorations bright and bountiful. Once the party is over, get them back right away – grease stains and mustard spills set faster than other foods, and can become permanent in as little as a week.