Posts tagged Sudsies Blog

The Cloth Behind the Clothes: Part Six – METALLICS

We end our Fall Fashion Fabric Guide series with a bang… or shall we say with bling – metallics!  Let’s face it, women are always going to gravitate towards the shiny and pretty.  Sophisticated pieces of lamé, silks, brocades and jacquard were heavily represented on the runways this year, ranging in silhouettes from 60s-inspired to ethnic chic.  Even everyday items are fused with the trend, as seen with Tee and Cake’s silver metallic sweatshirt, Zara’s otherwise traditionally professional gold metallic pencil skirt, and metallic sheen jeans and leather pants by varying big name jean brands.

CARE CAUTIONS:

  • Metallic fibers are very delicate.  Most garments made from these materials are highly susceptible to damage from the repetitious rubbing associated with washing and drying machines and will need to be dry cleaned.
  • Perspiration and other moisture may cause the fabric to tarnish, therefore, should not be exposed to weather precipitation or heat conditions that may cause the wearer to perspire more than usual.
  • Brocade, jacquard and damask fabrics have raised patterns, so take care not to crush or warp the design by being seated for long periods and avoid jewelry that can catch and snag.

Well, that covers it.  If you need a refresher on what’s fashionable this season, and how to take excellent care of your favorite fabrics, please follow the links below.  We hope you found this guide useful, and remember that Sudsies specializes in intricate garments, including all the trends cited in our Guide.  Now, time to get shopping…Art Basel Miami is quickly approaching!

The Cloth Behind the Clothes:

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The Cloth Behind the Clothes: Part Five – WHITE COLLARED SHIRT

The next pick on our Fall Fashion Fabric Guide is perhaps our favorite – yep, we’re talking about the white collared shirt!  Stock up, as this single garment is perhaps the most important staple, and most versatile, for any closet.  The white collared shirt is a timeless classic for its ability to complement any style.

Feeling empowered?  Pair with this year’s menswear looks, choosing a traditional look or adding a sexy twist.

Feeling flirty and feminine?   Take a cue from Carolina Herrera herself and her signature look by pairing a white blouse with a full skirt.

Not a fashion risk-taker?  A blouse can also tone down any bold trend pieces, so you still look conservative, but current.

Any hairspray, makeup and perfume should be applied before putting on a dress shirt, as these are the biggest culprits that contribute to yellowing and stains.

CARE CAUTIONS:

  • Cleaning these shirts are not as simple as their appearance.  It is recommended that white collared shirts are not placed in the dryer, or if so, for a very minimal amount to of time on low heat.
  • Avoid keeping in hamper too long, as sweat and oils can start to seep in and help premature yellowing.
  • Shirts should be ironed when slightly damp.

Take a look back at the previous parts of this blog series by clicking here:  Part One – KNITS, Part Two – LEATHER, Part Three – CAPES, and Part Four – FAUX FUR.

The Cloth Behind the Clothes: Part Four – FAUX FUR

We’re a warm-and-fuzzy kind of company, so our next pick for the Sudsies Fall Fashion Fabric Guide is faux fur.  A friendlier alternative to the real deal, many faux furs have a quality and texture that provide a soft feel and luxe look.  Northerners are strutting in oversized coats, shrugs and capes, but we South Floridians can pick up the trend with accent pieces, such as an infinity scarf, hat or lined items.

CARE CAUTIONS:

  • For minimal upkeep, select furs that are short in length.  Longer, shaggier options tend to knot and matt and require a higher level of professional cleaning.
  • With great caution, faux furs can be cleaned at home from time to time; however, never place in the dryer, as the fibers can melt and the damage is irreversible.
  • Hats need to be cleaned too, perhaps more so than other garments with all the oils, makeup and hair product residues accumulated from use.  Like coats, it is recommended that hats are professionally cleaned once or twice during the season and before storage.
  • Keep the fluff and sheen of the material with periodic brushing using a soft-bristled clothing brush.
  • Storage in a cool, dry place is especially important for faux fur since moisture can cause the fabrics to frizz.

Need to read up on previous parts of this blog series?  Click here Part One- KNITS, Part Two – LEATHER, Part Three – CAPES.

The Cloth Behind the Clothes: Part Three – CAPES

Ok, in South Florida we may be limited in picking up the cape trend, but it IS a more reasonable alternative to traditional coats with more air flow to the body.  No superheroes here, just super fashionable.  Coverlets have been modernized in a range of ways, from cropped, to short and feminine, to long and sweeping.  For those anomaly cold days, capes can be paired with long leather gloves for an uber chic look.

CARE CAUTIONS:

  • Though probably not often worn in South Florida, these garments should still be cleaned at least once during the “winter” season.  As outerwear, they are touching public spaces and coat checks, as well as accumulating makeup and hair product residues.
  • Before considering a cashmere option, understand that this fabric is very delicate and susceptible to microscopic abrasion.  Those with an on-the-go lifestyle may want to consider a wool/cashmere blend.
  • If opting for the wizard-style, bear in mind the longer hemline attracts debris from the floor and streets.  As such, buyers may want to go with a darker color to help camouflage this effect in between cleanings.
  • Before placing back in storage over the Spring/Summer months, be sure to professionally clean and store in a breathable garment bag of tissue to prevent mold build-up.

Need to catch up on the other parts of this series?  Check them out here!  Part One – KNITS and Part Two – LEATHER

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The Cloth Behind the Clothes: Part Two – LEATHER

In continuation of our Fall Fashion Fabric Guide series, we now bring our attention to leather.  A stand-alone statement piece or used in a hybrid form with other fabrics, leather was this year’s “it” material.  Leather is traditionally associated with a biker or rocker vibe, but this season, designers quilted it, used as trim or paneling, and fashioned into sleek silhouettes to present it in a more sophisticated light.

Care Cautions:

  • This material is an animal hide, not derived and woven from plant materials; therefore is prone to some imperfections.  A leather tanner will treat and color the materials to hide much of these imperfections, but over time, these treatments will wear away, re-exposing them, much in the same manner that makeup covers up blemishes but wears off over the course of the day.
  • Many professional cleaners recommend recoloring after cleaning to replace the finish that is naturally lost over time.
  • With leather and suede, it’s especially important to store in a cool place over the summer months.  Hides will stiffen from heat and humidity.  These materials are also more susceptible to moth damage.  That being said, never store in plastic, for this will only trap in heat and moisture.  A muslin cover stored indoors is the best alternative.

In case you missed it, check out the other Fall Fashion Fabrics in this Series by clicking here:  Part One – Knits.

The Cloth Behind The Clothes: Part One – KNITS

The Sudsies Fall Fashion Fabric Guide includes six of the 2013’s top fall trends.  Up first is knits! Slouchy, oversized, form-fitting, patterned, tightly woven, or intricately crocheted, knits are a classic fall go-to.  In his show, Marc Jacobs paired sweaters and pencil skirts for a new kind of “suit”, while Mara Hoffman showed large pullovers with skinny pants.

Care Cautions:

  • Before purchasing, keep in mind that knit fabrics are often stretched before even making it to stores during the processing process.  Knitted loops should be round.  Elongated or long loops are a sign that the garment had already been stretched.
  • Have extra drawer or shelf space available.  Ideally, knits should be stored flat with tissue.
  • If knits must be hung, use a properly-sized padded hanger for tops.  For bottoms, use a soft-clip hanger and clip so that the garment does not sag, stretch or droop.  Even if the article has hanging loops, do not use, as they will pull and distort the shape over time.
  • Networking is an important part of business, but try not to wear knits for functions that may require name tags, as the adhesive can create “fuzzy” damage when removed.
  • Avoid pushing up the sleeves.  Over time, the fabric will lose resiliency and hang shapelessly over the forearms. For South Floridians, save the knits for assuredly cool days to avoid the urge to hike up the sleeves.

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Our Clothes love Sudsies

Sudsies makes you Smile!

Spreading smiles across the Empowered Womans Success Summit Nov. 11th – 12th 2010.

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Clothes that are Wrinkle Free

In a society seemingly obsessed with eternal youth and perfection, it’s no surprise that “wrinkle-free” clothing has become as prevalent in American closets today as Lava Lamps were on desks in the ’70s.
 
There’s also the matter of time – something fewer and fewer of us seem to have in today’s go-go-go world. Who really has time to painstakingly remove wrinkles – unless they happen to pop up around our eyes? And even if we do have the time on our hands, do we really want to spend it
smoothing out wrinkles?
 
So it’s easy to see why a trend that started in the early 1990s with men’s pants has become a virtual mainstay in today’s fashion world. And while it’s nice to have a closet full of wrinkle-free garments, it doesn’t guarantee that your clothes will never end up looking at least a bit like Clint Eastwood on a hot summer day.
 
After all, you’re still at the mercy of a conventional dryer when you go the wrinkle-free route. Which means you can’t ensure that all your cuffs and collars have the perfect amount of starch. A spot or two might hold on to excess moisture. Stains and smudges may rear their ugly heads. A crease could creep in when you can least afford it. You get the picture.
 
The fact is, the only real way to assure your garments remain wrinkle-free – even the “wrinkle-free” ones – is to take them to a dry cleaner. And not just any dry cleaner, but one that specializes in special care. Like hand-checking. Hand-cleaning. Hand-pressing. And hand-finishing. Your dry cleaner should personally and meticulously examine every inch of every piece according to material type, ornamentation, construction of garment and designer detail. For the best results, look for a dry cleaner who’s professionally trained by the National Cleaners Association(there are only two accredited dry cleaning schools in America).
 
So why not bypass the wrinkle-free label, and buy the clothes you really want to wear and love? And bring them into Sudsies for the proper cleaning care.
 
Because we take the time to assure that your special clothes receive extra special care. Which means that all designer garments, delicates and specialty items are cleaned, treated and pressed by hand. Whether it’s a Giorgio Armani suit, a Christian Dior silk gown or a custom-crafted dress shirt, they’ll all receive this specialized level of attention from us.
 
It’s this meticulous attention to detail that has earned Sudsies a reputation as the finest luxury, or couture, dry cleaner throughout South Florida. It’s why area celebrities, luxury clothiers and the best-dressed Floridians (both full- and part-time) bring their beloved garments to us – or have us pick them up, free of charge.
 
And it’s the best way to truly eliminate wrinkles – and worries.
  
 
 
 
 
 

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Eco-Friendly Dry Cleaning

Green energy. Green initiatives. Green companies.

Green this. Green that. Green me with an eco-friendly whiffle ball bat.

That’s right. Everyone – and everything – is going green. In fact, chances are YOU have already “gone green” (go ahead, look in the mirror…if you dare). Or if you haven’t, your neighbor has (and is probably chastising you for lagging behind the times). But what does it all mean, really? Would you necessarily even know it if you’ve already gone green? And once you go green, can you ever go back?

Simply put, it means living a more environmentally friendly and conscious lifestyle. By choosing to do things – both big and little – a little bit differently than the ways most of us have done them in the past. You know, like recycling bottles and cans. Printing out fewer emails. Purchasing more fuel-efficient automobiles. Biking and walking to local spots. These are all ways we can work to reduce our individual “carbon footprint” on the planet. At a time when it needs all the help it can get.  

Individuals like you aren’t the only ones taking further steps toward establishing and maintaining a more eco-friendly world, however. Businesses are also getting in on the action, perhaps motivated by consumers and their increasingly healthy and conscious choices. Companies both large and small alike are researching and implementing more environmentally sound practices, and often listening closely to consumer feedback and suggestions in doing so.

Examples range from Enterprise Rent-A-Car offering “carbon offsets” (allowing consumers to fund green energy projects to compensate for polluting behavior) to New Belgium Brewery manufacturing and bottling craft beer entirely via alternative energy sources to Clif Bar eliminating shrink-wrap packaging and shipping its organic energy bars via biodiesel-powered trucks. And more and more, such examples are becoming the norm.

You can get more insight into the “greening of mainstream business,” including news, podcasts, videos and job listings, by visiting

www.greenbiz.com <http://www.greenbiz.com>  – the Business Voice of the Green Economy.

The professional dry cleaning industry has also seen a surge in eco-friendly practices and businesses. More progressive dry cleaners, such as Sudsies, employ an “environmental wet cleaning” process that utilizes specially treated and conditioned water, in addition to more traditional solvents. Other environmentally friendly dry cleaner practices include instituting systemic recycling programs, conserving more energy and water, investing in technology or services that exceed regulatory requirements and educating and training staff in environmental regulations and issues.

There’s even a Green Cleaners Council working to promote and reward genuine environmental sustainability efforts and expose “greenwashing.” The council has established a set of benchmarks to rate dry cleaners on their eco-friendly practices, and also provides them with a forum to share their successes and discuss strategies for future growth. The scores achieved on the “blind review” also help customers determine how green their cleaner really is.

You can see how your favorite dry cleaner rates on the Green Scale by visiting the Green Cleaners Council online at www.greencleanerscouncil.org <http://www.greencleanerscouncil.org/>.

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Green Drycleaning

While being green is often associated with being expensive, it doesn’t have to be. Here are some tips on how you can save money while doing what is best for the environment!  

  1. Bring Lunch: It reduces waste from takeout lunches like styrofoam, plastic, and paper; while saving you five to ten dollars a day!  

  2. Eat Vegetarian (at least occasionally):  It is believed that raising animals for food is contributing to global warming. Vegetarian alternatives like pasta and beans are much less expensive than meat! 
  3. Shop Online: It is a more eco friendly way of getting what we need; saving gas and many grocery bags. There are also great online deals and coupons that can save you 10-15% or more! 

  4. Buy Bulk: It reduces the amount of wasteful packaging and trips that you will have to take to the store, it saves money in the long run. 

  5. Buy Used: If you do so, it cuts down on the emissions from manufacturing and transport of new goods. Buying used things are always cheaper than brand new; just make sure to look for gently used while shopping online!  

    Just a word of caution about buying used:  BUGS - MOTHS – SILVER FISH – BED BUGS.  A friend of mine made a ‘like new’ purchase on ebay of a white wool skirt.  The only problem was the skirt came complete with moth larvae, which infested her whole closet.  Sure, you can purchase used, but ALWAYS send it out for professional cleaning BEFORE you add it to your wardrobe or household decorations. 

  6. On line billing and bill payment: Cable companies are doing it. Utilities are doing it, and if your cleaner is a member of the Green Cleaner Council they may be doing it too!  Sign up for on line billing and payments whenever possible.  It saves paper, transportation costs and time! 

  7. Pick up and delivery services from your drycleaner: Make use of your cleaner’s pick up and delivery services.  There is an economy of scale attached to one cleaner travelling to many homes, as opposed to each customer making a trip to the cleaner. Saves you time too!  

Visit www.greencouncilcleaners.com to find a GREEN cleaners near you!

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