Skip to main content

Wardrobe Maintenance Tips

I think almost every blogger has done a post about wardrobe maintenance, but I'd just like to add my two cents worth.
Washing Black Clothes

  • Put off washing the garment as much as possible, so it doesn't fade as fast.
  • Before putting the item in a washing machine, turn it inside out. This also slows fading.
  • Always wash with like colors. This may sound really obvious, but a lot of people don't do this.
  • For black items that are already faded, stop by a fabric store or a Walmart and buy fabric dye. I recommend Rit brand, and it's about $3 a bottle.
  • Always pay attention to the washing instructions on the tag. I once made the mistake of dying a dry clean only skirt in my washing machine. By the time it was finished, the skirt was ripped to shreds. 
Velvet
  • Let velvet air dry, and make sure the threads are all facing the same direction.
  • Never iron velvet unless you plan on making cool patterns like this:
source
  • You can, however, steam velvet if need be.

Fraying Fabrics
  • If you want to stop fraying edges, just brush on a coat of clear nail polish. Stores sell special anti-fraying glue, but this works just as well.
Leather
  • Try to keep a bottle of black (or white) shoe polish around.
  • To keep leather supple, rub on petroleum jelly (vaseline).
  • If you don't like the color or if the leather is too scuffed, fabrics sell special leather paint in many colors. 
  • I've also painted shoes with just acrylic paint,  but I do not recommend it as much. It doesn't work nearly as well as the leather paint, but acrylic is still good for painting on little details like this.
If anything has any tips I may have left out, feel free to comment below. 

Comments

  1. Very useful tips. :)

    I just got a few velvet things so I'm happy to find some good advice on how to care for them. :))

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Halloween Update: A Change of Plans

So everyone, I am a little disappointed to say that my Marie Antoinette costume is not a go this year. There has been so much piling up on me between things in my personal life, work, and school, that I have been unable to find the time to get the rest of my costume together. I bit off more than I could chew this year, but I know for next time to plan better. Perhaps you'll see the Queen next year... Although I will not be doing Marie Antoinette, I do have something planned that I can easily do with what I have! I will be using my red dress, a hat, roses, black lace and accessories, and of course some creative make-up, to throw together a Día de los Muertos costume. I think it might even be a better option this year, as I plan on visiting my aunt's house who has decorated her home in a  "Dead Hat Society" theme this year. If you don't remember the aunt to whom I am referring, here is the link to my post about her house.  I will take pictures! It's really spe

My Birthday!

Today (November 9th) was officially my 19th birthday! (It is also Dorian Gray's birthday.) Jessica, Justean, and I took a trip up to the beautiful Blue Ridge, Georgia to go see Frankenweenie at the Swan Drive-In Theater. This was my first time going to a drive-in. They're very rare where I live, and Swan was highly recommended by my aunt. I thoroughly enjoyed every part of my little celebration. The movie and the whole drive in experience were wonderful, and even the car ride was far from dull. Aside from the fact that I nearly got us killed on the drive up, I enjoyed being vulgar, singing badly, and laughing maniacally with my friends in the car.  Official Website The famous Blue Ridge Mountains. The beautiful Jessica I don't really know what to say...Justean's enjoying her funnel cake? Derp This is Cocoon Justean. This movie was so cute! It was pretty cold out tonight, at least to us, since we could see our breath. Taking the conver

My First Ghost Tour

source As you probably know, I'm now officially a ghostly tour guide in my town! I'm so happy about this. What were the chances of me finding a job where I get paid to be creepy and tell ghost stories?  Before tonight, I was a ghost tour virgin. I was a little nervous at first, but life has prepared me for public speaking since I've been on stage and done presentations before. Overall, I think it went pretty well. I had an unusually large group (19 people) of mostly serious older adults who appreciated the history more than anything else. My walking cane even broke a few times, there were 4 or 5 trains to go by during the tour (which is irritating), and my new shoes rubbed my heels raw. Despite all that, everyone seemed to have a good time and I even creeped a few people out! Here's what I wore minus the Top hat: I love my little coffin locket. :) And for your listening enjoyment: