Holiday Clothing

Give your holiday clothes more new years

There’s no need to buy new clothing every holiday season. Proper care will keep festive garments looking new, year after year.

Satin

Care: Thick and lustrous, satin clothing is elegant for the holidays. Once satin was only made of silk, but now it’s available in acetate, rayon, cotton, nylon and polyester. Always read the care label. Acetate and silk should be drycleaned; other fibers may be washable.

Tip: Satin is easily damaged so be careful of anything that can catch the fabric and snag it such as jewelry, fingernails, ornate purses, etc. Never rub a stain as this will result in permanent loss of sheen and color.

Cashmere

Care: Cashmere garments are luxurious and can last for many years. Care instructions usually are to dry clean or carefully hand wash in cool water using a mild detergent. If hand washed, rinse well and never wring the garment. The item should be dried flat and reshaped during drying. If pressing is needed, it should be done while the garment is still damp and always on the wrong side using a press cloth between the iron and the cashmere.

Tip: Buy a brand you can trust. Lower quality cashmere will have more pilling and shape problems. When storing cashmere be sure it is clean; moths may go after any food particles that are on the garment.

Beads

Care: Fancy adornments such as beads, sequins and pearls are great for holiday festivities, but can be a challenge to care for. They can lose their color, break, fall off or bleed onto other parts of the garment. Often, the care label does not apply to these decorative items or may say, “Exclusive of beads and trims.” Drycleaners usually test before cleaning. If you are confident the garment can be washed, proceed carefully. Use mild detergent and cool water and rinse gently. Never put in the dryer. Knits should be dried flat.

Tip: Before purchasing, carefully examine the beads or sequins to be sure they are securely attached. Inquire about the availability of extra beads or sequins. Always buy from a reputable store.

Velvet

Care: Stunning and luxurious, velvet is woven from silk, rayon, acetate, while velveteen, a lower grade, is made from cotton. Most require drycleaning, only cotton velvet can be washed without changing the direction of the pile. Always read the care instructions.

Tip: Moisture is deadly on velvet. Water, perspiration and liquid spills can damage the pile fabric permanently. For children’s wear especially, it can be a real challenge to keep it clean. Do not iron, since a hot iron can leave permanent dents in the pile.