“A well-tied tie is the first serious step in life,” said poet Oscar Wilde, famous for “Living well is the best revenge.” Before your well-tied knot has a chance to help, be sure your tie is spotless. It’s another universal truth that the more expensive the tie, the more prone it is to stains from soup, café au lait or wine. Our stain experts know how to gently restore your neckware to like-new condition.
You may not play as strenuously as a pro hockey player, but your gear doesn’t need to smell like a combination of sweat, plastic and fungus. Technical tshirts and compression shorts help prevent sweat getting into top layers, pads and leather. Air out gear after use to reduce bacterial growth encouraged by dampness. Wash everything in cold water after removing leather or padding. When home laundry’s not enough, we can provide and cleaning for technical sports gear using professional-strength cleansers, enzymes and stain removal agents.
According to Inc. magazine’s survey of 500 firms, relaxed dress leads to relaxed manners, morals and productivity. What you wear impacts your attitude, affects others and can influence the reputation of your entire company. Wearing traditional business attire puts you in the mood to work, performing at your best. Wearing sneakers puts you in the mood to exercise. We specialize in helping maintain your professional image – from crisp shirts and blouses to impeccable jackets, suits, skirts and trousers.
Displaying our national symbol is actually covered by an official Flag Code. For instance, the flag should not be flown in the dark or inclement weather. It should not be used as decoration – that’s a job for bunting, streamers and decorative materials. Always display the blue part on top. When the flag is lowered, it should never touch the ground or any other objects, it should be gathered by waiting hands and arms, respectfully and ceremoniously folded (ask a veteran how). Flags should be mended and cleaned when needed – we clean American flags at no charge as a courtesy year-round. Show your pride today on Flag Day, and fly the flag proudly year-round.
Summer stains. When the heat is on, sweat happens. Temperature, humidity, stress or activity can trigger perspiration, it’s natural. But stains aren’t. Moisture combined with deodorant can create hard-to-remove yellowing or white residue. Too much product is often the culprit – apply one thin layer and allow it to completely dry. A little is enough to do the job. Good old-fashioned dress shields contain perspiration and protect your garment. Men’s cotton undershirts absorb dampness. When a stain does happen, bring the garment to us for professional stain removal. Our experts use specialized products and techniques, specific for fabric type and finish.
With bold prints and patterns, men’s camp collar shirts will be popular this summer with open-neck casual comfort, boxy fit and straight bottom hems. Tuck into chinos or wear oversized over a t-shirt for a youthful look, under a sports jacket for a more classic look. Valet magazine recommends classic camp collar shirts with wild prints and colors for the latest look.
A woman’s first rule: keep the spotlight on the bride by avoiding 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 the classic little black dress. Beachside festivities are casual, time for a graphic sundress with a cardigan or short denim jacket for after dark. And don’t forget the sunscreen.
A few simple steps can save a trip and add at least another wear to your dressy clothes. After wearing, hang the garment on a sturdy wooden hanger, remove pocket contents, belts or accessories, then give jackets, skirts or pants a thorough brushing to remove lint, dust and surface grime. Ease out wrinkles with a steamer or a hang near the shower. Let the garment air overnight before storing.
Add a few new pieces to bring your wardrobe into style. Look for a bomber or army-style jacket to wear with lived-in jeans and a graphic t. This season’s relaxed-fit pants are far from baggy: legs are tapered, cropped or cuffed, there’s room in the seat and thighs. Lived-in jeans have rolled or frayed bottoms and may have a couple of holes, scrapes or shreds, authentic or factory-made.
Most loads in your washing machine can be effectively cleaned with cold water. The only time you really need to use hot water (with bleach) is for germ-killing sanitation on diapers or sickroom linens. Today’s detergents are formulated to work in warm or cold water, and heating water for laundry can chew into your utility bill. Be sure to carefully measure detergent – most people use up to twice as much as needed.