| Have you often been shopping and excitedly | | | | 4. Drape and dress. Have a careful look at the drape |
| unpacked your purchases only to be disappointed at | | | | of the fabric. If your body shape is one that is |
| what has happened to them on the journey home? | | | | flattered by a 'drapey' skirt or dress then check that |
| For example they seem to have got very crumpled | | | | the fabric will hang nicely and is not too stiff. Likewise |
| and not be of the quality that they appeared in the | | | | if you need a stiffer material, either to suit your |
| shop. Using this essential checklist when purchasing | | | | body shape or in a summer jacket, check that the |
| items will enable you to avoid such disappointments in | | | | fabric's construction/weave suggests it will hold its |
| the future. | | | | shape. Fabrics can be treated to make them appear |
| 1. The washing instructions. Check these carefully; | | | | stiff (called 'dress') but when they are washed they |
| does the item need a hand wash - if so will you | | | | appear limp and lifeless. |
| honestly manage this with your lifestyle? If you risk | | | | 5. Fibre content. Check the label for this. If your body |
| the machine you may change the item completely, | | | | is suited to items that fit, particularly over your |
| for example a pure wool jumper may felt and be | | | | curves, then look for an indication of this on the label. |
| un-wearable if washed in a machine. The item may | | | | 'With lycra' or 'with elastane' indicate that some |
| need a cool wash, several items say 30oC, | | | | stretch has been built in and fabrics incorporating |
| nowadays - will you have a full machine of such | | | | these fibres can be more flattering. If you have |
| items? Ignoring this advice is likely to prove | | | | chosen knitwear, then do check the content of the |
| disastrous. Does the item need to be washed on its | | | | yarn. Wool and acrylic can appear similar but they |
| own- for example the colour may run- will you | | | | both wash and wear differently and you need to be |
| manage this? It may be that the colour will run each | | | | aware of this at purchase. Acrylic is more likely to be |
| time you wash it? Does the item need special | | | | machine washable, whereas wool is more likely to |
| washing liquid, this may well be the case for silk | | | | keep its shape and not stretch in wear. |
| items, as the enzymes in biological detergent may | | | | 6. Fabric construction. Is the fabric knitted, for |
| eventually rot the silk fibres. Does the item say 'dry | | | | example like jersey or is it woven for example like |
| clean' only - if so calculate the cost of this and | | | | cotton. Knitted fabrics drape more easily and if your |
| remember to add this to the price of the item to | | | | body shape is more suited to this sort of fabric do |
| see if it still seems a good buy. | | | | be cautious when choosing woven fabrics. It is |
| 2. Ironing temperature. If the label implies a very cool | | | | important that you know which sort of fabric suits |
| iron only then think if this is feasible- how will you | | | | which part of your body. |
| remove the creases that inevitably arise during | | | | 7. Decoration. Decoration can make a plain item look |
| washing? Suggesting a low ironing temperature | | | | really special. There's no need to be put off an item |
| seems particularly common in fine knitwear and it can | | | | because it has sequins, beads, lace, buckles or |
| be very difficult to remove the creases without | | | | buttons but do just think about how you will care for |
| damaging overall fabric. | | | | the garment so it continues to look good on you. |
| 3. Crushability. Some fibres are more prone to | | | | If you feel that you need help understanding about |
| creasing than others and these include linen. A linen | | | | your body shape and how different fabrics and |
| skirt may look wonderful on the hanger in the shop, | | | | finishes can flatter you then get in touch with an |
| but what is it going to look like when you have sat | | | | image consultant. They will be able to advise you on |
| down in it? To test this you could just scrunch a | | | | what clothing choices are best for you as an |
| small section of the garment in your hand, let go and | | | | individual. Once you are equipped with your personal |
| you'll see the crease factor. Without testing for | | | | advice and this checklist you should not be |
| crushability before you buy you could end up with a | | | | disappointed when you take your garment purchases |
| skirt that you can only stand up in. | | | | out of the bag or look at cleaning them. |