November 2004 Issue
In this months Issue:
Skirts: To Wear or Not to Wear, That is Not the Only Question
Your Table Looks Good!
Savvy Shoe Tips
Skirts: To Wear or Not to Wear, That is Not the Only Question
To skirt or not to skirt? In today's workplace, despite the trend towards more casual attire, many women are wearing skirts. The eternal dilemma, of course, is what length skirt you should wear, what fabrics are best, and how do you determine what type of skirt will truly be a wise investment?
Although very short skirts seem to be in with the under-25 set, fashion consultants and experts do NOT recommend them for office wear. Save your short skirts for after-office hours when you don't have to worry so much about sitting for hours in a meeting or bending over to pick up items in front of co-workers!
Our fashion experts also say it's best to avoid skirts with very revealing slits; besides being impractical, you have to have great legs and pantyhose that never runs! The best choice is a skirt that either falls slightly above the knee or is even slightly longer.
Avoid style extremes that seem like a fad: conservative is probably your best bet, unless you work in the fashion industry or in a field where funky attire or colors are the norm, not the exception. Stick with colors that will remain in style, like navy, camel, winter white and black and choose fabrics that can be worn all year. That will make it easier to mix and match blazers and tops.
Once you've shopped and seen a skirt that you like, try it on! Then, make sure it passes the "movement" test. Practice sitting in it to see if it's still comfortable or if it pulls or rides up too far; then stand up and raise your arms above your head to make sure the skirt stays put.
Finally, before purchasing a skirt (or any item), examine the workmanship of the garment. Check the linings to see if they are properly cut and sewed, with all raw edges having a hem. Seams should lie flat and not have gaps or bumps. Last but not least, check the care label to make sure you will be able to follow the cleaning instructions.
Follow all these tips and you will end up with new skirts in your wardrobe that will really help you dress for success!
Your Table Looks Good!
If that's what you want your guests to say this holiday season, then you'll need to purchase some table linens that will really make an impact.
If you're a fan of linen tablecloths, you're probably familiar with pilling. Pills are actually balls of entangled fibers attached to the surface of the fabric. When the item is washed, some of the fabric's short fibers break at the ends and lift to the surface. There, they twist and form pills. You'll find that pills will remain on the surface of the fabric if they get entangled with longer fibers that are still securely attached to the yarn.
We hate to place blame, but this is a manufacturing problem. When purchasing a linen tablecloth, be sure to look for one with a tighter weave, since this can help anchor the fibers in the yarn. Looser weaves are more prone to pilling.
One final tip: try washing the linen tablecloth in a small load at a higher water level with some fabric softener in the rinse cycle. This may help cut down on those pills.
Savvy Shoe Tips
Shoes can be an expensive part of your wardrobe, but if you know how to buy them, you'll be able to make a wise investment. Here are some tips from the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society:
* The best time of day to buy shoes is at the end of the day when your feet are the largest. Be sure to wear the right kind of socks or nylons. For example, don't try on high heels with tennis socks! (And speaking of high heels, they may look good, but they're terrible for your feet, since they push your weight forward onto your toes!)
* Before buying shoes, check your size. As people get older, their feet get wider and longer. Also, many people have one foot that's larger than the other, so be sure to fit the larger foot. Don't choose shoes by the size marked inside; judge the shoe by how it fits on your foot!!
* Always be sure that there is 3/8 of an inch to 1/2 inch beyond your longest toe; don't buy shoes that are too tight expecting them to stretch.
* Once you've got the shoes on, be sure to stand up and walk around. Make sure the ball of your foot fits snugly into the widest part of the shoe and that the shoes are comfortable around the heel. They should not slip too much.
Once you've bought your shoes, it's important to treat them well so they'll last for years. Store shoes in a cool, dry place and never leave them on top of a radiator, heater or in the sun. Be sure to unbuckle or untie shoes every time you put them on or take them off, rather than stepping on the back of the shoe or stretching the material.
If the soles or heels start to wear down, let us know. Many people think of us only for drycleaning and laundry services, but we also offer an extensive shoe repair service, too!