When it comes to being a professional, your clothes play a big role in how others perceive you. But looking good isn’t just about buying the right pieces; it’s about making sure they last.
Good wardrobe care will keep your clothes looking fresh and neat, allowing you to wear your favorites for years without needing to constantly replace them. In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know to care for your clothes like a pro.
Why does wardrobe care matter?
Imagine you’re heading into an important meeting or networking event. You want to make a good impression, right? The way you dress can influence how confident and put-together you feel. Your clothes are an investment, and taking care of them means they’ll last longer, stay looking sharp, and save you money in the long run.
Replacing quality pieces can be expensive. When you care for your clothes properly, you’ll extend their lifespan, avoid unnecessary wear and tear, and have more flexibility in your work wardrobe.
Wardrobe Care: Washing
To ensure your clothing remains in prime condition, focus on understanding and adhering to care instructions for garment longevity.
Before initiating the wash cycle, identify and address any colorfastness issues to prevent dye transfer.
Additionally, sorting your laundry not only by color but also by material type and lint production can significantly affect the outcome.
Here are some key points when washing your work clothes:
- Detergent. Use the correct detergent type and amount for your laundry needs.
- Cycle selection. Select the washing cycle that best matches the fabric type and soil level.
- Temperature. Opt for cold water since warm or hot water increases the chances of your clothes fading, wrinkling, or shrinking.
- Drying. Utilize settings such as a cool-down period to minimize wrinkles and air-only cycles for gentle drying.
Fabric-Specific Care
Each fabric type has unique characteristics that require tailored care so having an understanding is essential to maintaining the integrity and appearance of your wardrobe.
For example, air drying your clothes not only saves energy but also helps extend the life of fabrics by avoiding the high heat of dryers.
While specific care for these common workwear fabrics is usually found on the care labels, here are some recommended good practices to care for them effectively:
| Fabric | Known for | Washing | Drying |
|---|---|---|---|
| COTTON | versatility, breathability, comfort | cold water temp | air dry |
| WOOL | warmth, elegance | • hand wash or gentle cycle • cold water temp | lay flat to dry |
| SILK | luxury, sophistication, delicate | • dry clean • for washable silk, use gentle detergent & cold water temp | hang away from direct sunlight |
| DENIM | sturdy | • wash denim inside out • spot clean (less frequent washing) | air drying |
Spot Cleaning vs. Full Washes
Sometimes your clothes don’t need a full wash, especially if there’s just a small stain or spill. Washing clothes too often can wear them out faster, so spot cleaning is a great way to keep your clothes fresh without overwashing.
First off, you can simply grab a clean cloth or paper towel and dab (don’t rub!) small stains. Rubbing can spread the stain or damage the fabric.
You may also keep a stain remover pen handy for when you’re on the go. These pens are perfect for quickly treating spills before they set in.
Then, for gentle spot cleaning, use mild soap and cold water for delicate fabrics like silk or wool. For cotton or denim, a bit of detergent on the spot will work wonders.
💡 Keeping it eco-friendly: Biodegradable, plant-based detergents are becoming more popular as they reduce harmful chemicals in laundry routines. These detergents are better for the environment and are less likely to cause skin irritation.
Wardrobe Care: Ironing
Some of the common mistakes professionals do with their workwear is wearing visible items of clothing with crease marks all over the place. No matter the price tag, wrinkled clothes can make you look sloppy that’s why we highly recommend ironing your clothes before wearing them to look polished.
When it comes to ironing, you’d want to have a sturdy ironing board and a quality iron that offers precise temperature controls and strong steam output. This setup will prevent dripping and ensure the iron glides smoothly over your garments.
Here are some techniques for ironing your work clothes:
Shirts
Begin with a clean, damp shirt, ideally using spray sizing for a crisp finish without excessive stiffness.
Always iron shirts starting with the inside of the cuffs and moving towards the tabs, followed by the sleeves, and finishing with the collar.
To avoid direct heat on the buttons and ensure a smooth finish, iron over the button areas from the backside of the fabric.
Structuring your ironing process in this manner will keep your shirts looking professionally cared for.
Trousers
When ironing trousers, always start with the waistband and end with the hems, using a cotton handkerchief as a pressing cloth for wool fabrics.
This approach helps preserve the fabric’s integrity and appearance. Pay special attention to pockets by turning them inside out and ironing both inside and outside areas to ensure they lay flat.
Align the trouser seams carefully and iron each leg individually to avoid creases, providing a neat, sharp finish. Always hang trousers on a clamp hanger immediately after ironing to maintain their form.
Dresses
When ironing dresses, start from the top, focusing first on the collar and shoulders, using the iron’s tip for precision around buttons and embellishments.
Quickly move to the sleeves, laying them flat to avoid introducing wrinkles, and use your hands to smooth them out before pressing.
The main body of the dress should be ironed from the top down, paying special attention to maintaining the integrity of seams, darts, and pleats by carefully working around them. End with any hems or frills, treating them gently to preserve their shape.
Read: Style Edit: The Best Elegant Dresses to Wear for Work
Wardrobe Care: Mending
One of the biggest decisions when caring for your wardrobe is knowing when to repair an item versus when it’s time to let go and replace it.
For minor issues like missing buttons, loose seams, or small tears, a simple DIY repair can bring your clothes back to life. A basic sewing kit for your work clothes is all you need to handle these quick fixes. It should include the following essentials:
- Needles
- Thread
- Scissors
- Seam ripper
- Measuring tools
- Buttons
- Pins and pincushion
- Knit picker
Now when your favorite suit or dress needs more than a minor adjustment, it’s worth visiting a tailor. Tailoring can fix complex issues like resizing, adjusting hemlines, or repairing zippers. Well-tailored clothes make all the difference in how you look and feel in them.
That said, there comes a point when an item is too worn to save. Whether it’s a pair of shoes with holes in the soles or a shirt with irreparable stains, knowing when it’s time to let go can save you closet space (and headspace too).
If ever you’re having a tough time tossing them away, just think of this: letting go of old items frees up an opportunity for new wardrobe essentials that better reflect your elevated style.
Must-Have Items to Care for Your Clothes
Below we handpicked some of the top-rated items for wardrobe care:
1. An instant stain remover that you can take with you wherever you go.
Tide to Go
Buy on Amazon | Walmart
2. A set of no-slip wooden hangers that are high-quality and sturdy enough to hang your clothes well.
Luxury Natural Lotus Wood & Velvet Hangers
Buy on Amazon
3. A bar of soap hack to slip into your dresser drawer to perfume your clothes.
Yardley London English Lavender Soap
Buy on Amazon | Walmart
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