Under this lesson is explained the care of clothes. How to keep them looking fresh and clean. How to be well dressed.
Care of clothes: Cleaning, brushing, repairing and pressing frequently is a step in the right channel, for a man's appearance depends largely upon the care he takes of his clothes. Clothes should be brushed often especially after being worn in the dust and dirt, and should be hung up in a clean place where they will be out of the dust. Coats and vest should always be placed on coat hangers together to retain their shape, and to be ready for wear when wanted. The loop at the back of the coat collar, should never be used to hang coats up by but for a few minutes, as the weight of garments will pull the collar out of shape.
Trousers after being brushed thoroughly, should be turned inside out, and placed on hangers, by doing this you are reversing the folds and wrinkles that have formed while wearing, thereby allowing the cloth to fall back into place. It is impossible to prevent trousers bagging at the knees, but may be prevented in this way. Fasten a piece of silk to the forepart of trousers on the inside to both leg seams across top and bottom of silk, seven inches above and ten inches below the knee, being careful when sewing not to let the stitches show through on the out side. Another suggestion and a good one, is to buy two pairs trousers with each suit (except a dress suit, then it is not necessary) and wear them alternately, two days at a time, and have them pressed each time you change, and turned inside out each night.
It is a good idea to have a row of hooks at the top of one's wardrobe from which to hang these forms, thereby saving much space especially in the smaller houses. Care should be taken to draw trousers up well when wearing, so that they will set properly. When trousers are worn without suspenders, they must be cut shorter waisted, shorter in the legs and closer around the waist. If one wears suspenders it is a luxury to have a pair for each pair of trousers. Then when one adjustment is made saves any further bother.
Brushing clothes is a very simple but necessary operation, a fact which few people thoroughly appreciate. Fine clothes require brushing lightly with a soft brush, except when mud is to be removed, then a stiff brush should be used, after garment has been lightly beaten to loosen the dirt. Never use a whisk broom to brush clothes as they injure the fibre of the cloth. When brushing lay the coat on a table, and brush in the direction of the thread or nap of the fabric.
A well made, well fitting garment should not be thrown away when slightly worn, but should be repaired, cleaned and pressed. Many times lasting as long after being repaired as at first. Unless absolutely necessary never patch, when darning will answer the purpose better. If the garment is not too badly worn baste a piece of cloth, the same as the material in the garment (or as near as possible) under the weakened part and darn to this piece. One may back stitch with silk to match the cloth, or make a small running stitch. When the entire part has been thoroughly darned, turn the garment inside out and herringbone all around the piece of cloth (or patch to the inside) being careful not to allow stitches to show through on the outside. Press and they are ready for wear. This is especially good when repairing the seat of trousers.
Tape is invaluable in repairing, as it may be used to strengthen weak places and where buttons are to be sewed, acting as a stay, also saving time of turning the edges of the cloth in, and is less clumsy.
Ruskin says, "Clothes carefully cared for, and rightly worn, show a balance of mind and respect."
The freshness of a garment depends upon the care taken of it, and only requires a few minutes each time they are taken off; they should be carefully brushed, to remove all dust and dirt, removing all spots, buttons sewed on and replaced when worn, new braid on the bottoms of skirts, cleaning and pressing, making little necessary alterations. All these little duties given proper attention, will keep a wardrobe fresh and in good order.
It is not always the wear on the clothes, that tell so sadly upon them. It is the care that they receive. A few garments, well made and properly fitted, and good care taken of them, is far more preferable than a number of inferior quality and make.