A CLOTHING VALET- DO I REALLY NEED ONE?
I have had two similar valets for 25-30 years. One upstairs and one in my den that folds up and slides out of the way. If you want to optimize the longevity of your clothes or prepare an outfit for the following day, EVERYONE needs a valet/butler stand and at least two pairs of shoe trees. This is particularly true if you go with quality over quantity regarding your wardrobe and footwear.
Some of the greatest damage to your clothes, especially suits, sports jackets and shoes is sweat or not letting clothes air out properly. Sweat buildup and not letting clothes or shoes air out cause a breaking down of the fibers and also leads to more cleanings as a result. In most cases unless there is a major OOOOPS!, suits, jackets, and outerwear can be spot cleaned and left to air out. This prolongs the fiber life and helps keep the item looking newer and often helps preserve the color and the "crisp look" of a jacket or suit or even pant/ slacks and heavy shirts/blouses. (Yes blouses is correct. Ask a marine about "Dress Blues" if you don't believe me.) It also allows wrinkles to "fall out" naturally.
We even have special hangers that attach to the headrest in our vehicles. We hang our jackets, coats, blazers, etc. on them when traveling. Not only do the valets and hangers help keep the clothing looking "crisp" or unwrinkled but it allows a bit of time to dry out even when you do not realize you have sweated wearing the item. Too, from having a best friend who was brought up in the dry cleaning/laundry business and whose dad was the president of the Ohio dry cleaners for a number of years.... I can tell you ALL cleaners eventually take their toll on clothing. And, not all dry cleaners change their chemicals as regularly as they should to save money. That is why, if you "brush up" ( pun intended) on proper cleaning of clothes, most recommend suits, sports jackets, wool slacks, etc., to be cleaned only once or twice yearly assuming no major faux-pas. If I am going to invest in good clothing I want to get the maximum potential out of the items.
Folks, it is an old adage but it is true. Clothes DO make the man. ( Or at least help a heck of a lot.) From my years of weddings, special occasions and being on both sides of the job interview I have learned a constant. A $300.00 suit with a bit of tailoring worn over a tailored shirt and well shined shoes will be remembered or be MUCH more impressive than the $2500.00 2 piece suit on top of a wrinkled $300,00 shirt and dingy or scuffed bespoke footwear. Too, it is kind of flattering when you get a second look from a lady walking buy BECAUSE you take the time to get the max effect from your clothes.
Ladies and gents, whether you think you need a clothes valet or not.... you really do. You just haven't seen the actual benefit of one yet. Better looking longer lasting clothes and by preparing your outfit for the following day the night before it saves a LOT of time. It gives you the leisure of switching out an item and even pick the watch or other jewelry and accessories that go together the best.
Last bit of advise ( Or is it unwanted preaching?) before I claim down off of my soap box- invest in a good quality clothes brush or two and a good shoe horn. A small steamer is a major benefit too, for when your clothes have some deep or heavy wrinkles. And, if you don't have a steamer or for when you travel, hang the items in the bathroom while you clean up and shower. The steam from a hot shower works fairly well in a pinch to help the wrinkles "fall out".
Respects to all- John
I have had two similar valets for 25-30 years. One upstairs and one in my den that folds up and slides out of the way. If you want to optimize the longevity of your clothes or prepare an outfit for the following day, EVERYONE needs a valet/butler stand and at least two pairs of shoe trees. This is particularly true if you go with quality over quantity regarding your wardrobe and footwear. Some of the greatest damage to your clothes, especially suits, sports jackets and shoes is sweat or not letting clothes air out properly. Sweat buildup and not letting clothes or shoes air out cause a breaking down of the fibers and also leads to more cleanings as a result. In most cases unless there is a major OOOOPS!, suits, jackets, and outerwear can be spot cleaned and left to air out. This prolongs the fiber life and helps keep the item looking newer and often helps preserve the color and the "crisp look" of a jacket or suit or even pant/ slacks and heavy shirts/blouses. (Yes blouses is correct. Ask a marine about "Dress Blues" if you don't believe me.) It also allows wrinkles to "fall out" naturally. We even have special hangers that attach to the headrest in our vehicles. We hang our jackets, coats, blazers, etc. on them when traveling. Not only do the valets and hangers help keep the clothing looking "crisp" or unwrinkled but it allows a bit of time to dry out even when you do not realize you have sweated wearing the item. Too, from having a best friend who was brought up in the dry cleaning/laundry business and whose dad was the president of the Ohio dry cleaners for a number of years.... I can tell you ALL cleaners eventually take their toll on clothing. And, not all dry cleaners change their chemicals as regularly as they should to save money. That is why, if you "brush up" ( pun intended) on proper cleaning of clothes, most recommend suits, sports jackets, wool slacks, etc., to be cleaned only once or twice yearly assuming no major faux-pas. If I am going to invest in good clothing I want to get the maximum potential out of the items. Folks, it is an old adage but it is true. Clothes DO make the man. ( Or at least help a heck of a lot.) From my years of weddings, special occasions and being on both sides of the job interview I have learned a constant. A $300.00 suit with a bit of tailoring worn over a tailored shirt and well shined shoes will be remembered or be MUCH more impressive than the $2500.00 2 piece suit on top of a wrinkled $300,00 shirt and dingy or scuffed bespoke footwear. Too, it is kind of flattering when you get a second look from a lady walking buy BECAUSE you take the time to get the max effect from your clothes. Ladies and gents, whether you think you need a clothes valet or not.... you really do. You just haven't seen the actual benefit of one yet. Better looking longer lasting clothes and by preparing your outfit for the following day the night before it saves a LOT of time. It gives you the leisure of switching out an item and even pick the watch or other jewelry and accessories that go together the best. Last bit of advise ( Or is it unwanted preaching?) before I claim down off of my soap box- invest in a good quality clothes brush or two and a good shoe horn. A small steamer is a major benefit too, for when your clothes have some deep or heavy wrinkles. And, if you don't have a steamer or for when you travel, hang the items in the bathroom while you clean up and shower. The steam from a hot shower works fairly well in a pinch to help the wrinkles "fall out". Respects to all- John