| As an image consultant in the credit crunch, I've | | | | Before being returned to the cupboard, jackets |
| found hundreds of women who are looking for ways | | | | should be left out for at least 24 hours to enable |
| to save money and make items last a little longer. | | | | them to breathe. This also applies to any garments |
| When we buy clothes and shoes we invest not only | | | | made of natural materials such as silk, wool or linen. |
| a lot of time in their selection but also quite | | | | Leather shoes and boots also absorb moisture when |
| considerable sums of money in their purchase. We | | | | they are worn so this needs to evaporate before |
| want them to look good and last for a long period of | | | | you wear them again. Once aired, use shoe trees and |
| time. Ensuring our clothes and accessories are cared | | | | store your shoes in clear boxes. This makes choosing |
| for properly and don't look shoddy is a very | | | | the correct shoes for your outfit quicker and easier. |
| important part of our image. Even the most | | | | For unjumbled underwear and tights, drawer dividers |
| expensive items will look tatty if they are not | | | | are essential. |
| maintained well. | | | | Any items of clothing that cannot be hung up should |
| Investing in good quality wooden or padded hangers | | | | always be folded carefully to avoid ironing. Sweaters, |
| is essential to keeping your clothes looking their best. | | | | cardigans and t-shirts are best folded to avoid hanger |
| Using the cheap wire ones given away with dry | | | | marks and kept on shelves or in drawers. |
| cleaning will not support your clothes well and could | | | | To make outfits quicker and easier to choose, try |
| leave ugly hanger marks which will ruin any outfit. | | | | grouping clothes together in type and colour order. |
| Blouses and dresses are best hung on padded | | | | T-shirts, for example are best stored on a shelf |
| hangers and skirts and trousers on clipped hangers. If | | | | according to colour with darker colours at the |
| possible, always zip or do up buttons on clothes to | | | | bottom working up to lighter colours at the top. |
| help them keep their shape while not being worn. | | | | Finally, only ever have clothes in your wardrobe that |
| Belts and scarves can be stored on special tie | | | | are ready to wear. Never put anything back that it |
| hangers rather than being screwed up in drawers. | | | | not up to scratch and that is unwearable due to |
| Every night before you put your clothes away, be | | | | being creased, dirty or in need of mending. This will |
| disciplined and check if they need mending or are | | | | just clutter up your closet and make choosing the |
| dirty and need laundering. Also, use a clothes brush to | | | | perfect outfit very difficult. |
| remove dust, stray hairs and fluff - it's amazing how | | | | If in doubt, contact your nearest image consultant. |
| much collects by the end of the day. | | | | |