Take Care of It
In L.A., the only things that remain constant are the weather and the Hollywood sign. The former is an open invitation, the latter a reminder that, here, appearance often trumps reality.
Everything else--your home, your mate, your job, your car and especially your clothes--is supposed to be in flux as you tirelessly trade up in search of that chimera called happiness.
But when it comes to dress, the double-breasted suit, cashmere cardigan and black wingtips are probably already in your closet. Fashion’s return to timeless styles proves that classics become so for a reason. You’ve been told since you were in college that if you invest in quality, clothing can last a lifetime. Do yourself a favor and believe it.
So in the spirit of conservation, we present tips for preserving what you’ve already got. From keeping your cashmere sweaters pill-free and in their original shape, to how to get the ultimate shine on your shoes (hint: when women look down, that’s where they’re looking), here’s to ensuring that an impeccable appearance is reality.
Smarty pants
A hundred years ago most men had their clothes made by a tailor, and a trouser crease was a gauche signal that one’s pants once sat folded on a department store shelf. Today, a razor-sharp crease is a hallmark of the well-dressed man, and is available with Brookstone’s Professional Trouser Press. A variable heat adjuster creates a perfect press for everything from gray flannel to white linen, and the extra-wide design can handle your Oxford bags. Doubles as a valet to hold your daily essentials. $250 at www.Brookstone.com
The executive’s new clothes
One of the chief perks of success is having an intern pick up your dry cleaning. For those not there yet, consider Whirlpool’s Personal Valet Clothes Vitalizing System, a welcome alternative to squeaky ironing boards and time-consuming trips to the cleaners. The system, which resembles a small wardrobe closet, steams away wrinkles and removes odors in the time it takes to shower and breakfast. And it’s safe for most fabrics, from silk to leather. Find a dealer at www.family-studio.com
Ffuzzy was he
Pilling on your wool and cashmere sweaters is as inevitable as scuffs on your shoes. But it can be kept in check with the Fabric Shaver by Brookstone. Gently glide the battery-powered rotary blades over almost any garment to remove lint and pills for a fuzz-free surface. $20 at www.Brookstone.com
Valet guy
In the future, every guy will have a Jeeves 2.0 robot butler to lay out his clothes and keep his shoes shined. Until then, make do with the Personal Valet Clothes Stand, which comes equipped with a jacket hanger, trouser bar, shoe rack and tray and drawers for personal items. Plus, you get to pick out your clothes yourself. $300 at www.vintageshopper.com
Gem dandy
Sartorial sages recommend that a man limit his jewelry to one ring and a watch. For those who say it don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that bling, stay scintillating with Sharper Image’s Deluxe Ultrasonic Jewelry Cleaner & Tarnish Remover. Add water and a few drops of cleaning concentrate and “millions of microscopic cleansing bubbles go into places not reachable by hand or brush.” Safe for silver, gold and platinum, for the tiniest shirt stud or the largest hood-ornament necklace. $120 at www.Sharperimage.com
Time off
A man needs several watches to coordinate with different outfits and degrees of formality. Once you acquire a sporty Rolex Submariner for the office and a Patek Phillippe for evening, you don’t want to toss them in the top drawer of your dresser as if they were loose change--especially because they represent about 10 grand worth of loose change. Give them a respectable home with Silver Gallery’s Domed Watch Box. Made of teakwood and lined with faux suede, it holds six watches and locks with a tasseled key. $352 at www.Silvergallery.com
Sweater set
When you pay $500 for a cashmere sweater, you don’t want to use it to shine the lenses on your sunglasses. But it’s a mistake to consider the fabric--the raw material of which is culled from the beard of a mountain goat--high maintenance, says Marisol Gerona, designer at Raw 7, an L.A.-based line of cashmere pullovers that are more rock star than rocking chair.
Hand-washing is preferable to chemical-heavy dry cleaning, says Gerona, but make sure to use a mild garment soap. Rinse and dry flat. Iron if necessary, using a white towel as a pressing cloth. Finally, “Never hang a sweater, or it’ll keep growing and growing. So always fold all your knits.”
For summer storage, make sure your sweater is clean and dry. Moths are attracted to body oils and food stains as much as natural fibers. Place it in a plastic bag or box and store in a cool place with cedar chips--one of those old wives’ tales that actually works and makes your sweaters smell great.
