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Swimwear care.
After each use, rinse swimwear in cool tap water to remove sunscreen, sand, sweat and chlorine. To wash after every few wearings, turn the swimsuit inside out and hand wash in the sink, using a few drops liquid detergent in warm water. Gently squeeze the suds through the garment, don’t wring or twist. Rinse well and lay…
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Summer stain relief.
Beer stains should be blotted as dry as possible. As soon as possible, rinse the stain with cold water from the back of the stain. Mix liquid laundry detergent (or dish soap) with cold water and soak the stain at least ten minutes. Rinse thoroughly and launder in warm water. Yellow mustard can be tough…
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Polo shirts, a brief history.
This warm-weather classic is seen everywhere, from beach to casual office. Introduced at the 1926 U.S. Open by French tennis champ René Lacoste, the shirt quickly became favored tennis attire. Soon, polo players ditched traditional button-down Oxford-cloth long sleeves for his crocodile-marked shirt. The combination of comfort, breathability, long tuckable tail and soft collar quickly…
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Neckties.
“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…
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Odorous sports gear.
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…
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Dressing for success still works.
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…
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Flag etiquette.
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,…
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Camp collars.
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…
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Summer wedding tips.
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…
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Between cleanings.
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…