Here are some quick fixes to get you out the door and on your way.

• Safety pins, placed inside the garment, is the best no-sew solution.  Just fold the hem under, place the pin through the fabric and catch a small piece of the hem with the pin.  The hem is held but the pin is invisible. 
• If you can’t find a safety pin, look for some tape.   Anything sticky should do the job temporarily. Scotch tape, masking tape, electrical tape or even a band-aid if that’s all you have.  If your hem loosens while you’re at work, look around for clear tape, packing tape or duct tape.  Taping the fabric to itself on the inside of your pant leg will hold for a short time.
• Paper clips could aid in clipping the hem if the hem is intact.  In the middle of the loosened hem, attache a paper clip with the fold of the bottom of the pant leg deep in the curve of the paper clip.
• White glue from the bottle or a glue stick will work as long as you don’t use too much. It will wash out later. You’ll have to pause to hold the fabric in place while it dries but it may be quicker than picking out an entirely new outfit.
• Your last resort would be to staple the pant leg.  This is not our favorite option and beware, staples can damage the fabric. For less visibility, keep the staple on the side, rather than on the crease, and staple on the inside near your ankle.

If the above hasn’t happened to you yet, you have time to invest in a few items to keep on hand at home, in your car or at your desk at work.  We recommend the following items for a temporary hem fix:

• Fabric Glue can be found in fabric and craft stores.  Just fold the hem under and glue it together. 
• Double sided tape can be cut to size and used for a variety of things.  Simply place a length of tape around the inside of the hem and fold the hem up to seal.
• Velcro dots won’t last forever but they can be found just about everywhere and are easy to keep in your purse, glove box or desk drawer.  Stick them to the inside of your hem to hold until you are able to permanently repair the hem.
• Iron on tape can be used if you have a bit more time.  It’s still a quick fix but you’ll need to heat up your iron and take off your pants to hem the repair.  The hem tape melts and fuses the fabric together.  Iron on tape can be found at fabric stores and may hold after a washing or two.  It’s recommended that it not be your permanent solution but it will rescue you in a pinch.

For a permanant hem repair, you can count on the Classic Cleaners team to quickly take care of that for you.  Bring the item into one of our 17 locations and we will gladly repair the hem.  Or, if you are one of our Free Delivery customers, leave a note with your driver and the pants will be repaired and returned to you the following week*.

There’s still time to take inventory of your closet and take advantage of our Limited Time Offer of 20% off Alterations until February 11, 2012! 

*Alterations cost applies

Fortunately, with a little tailoring, you do not have to try to fit the clothing.  The clothing can be modified to fit you.  

Do you have an item hanging in the closet right now that you’d wear more if it fit better?  A tailor can alter the item to improve the fit as well as salvage any “older” items hanging in your closet.

The cost of tailoring an item will vary depending on the item, it’s fabric and the intricacy of the alteration.  But, for something simple like taking up the hemline or taking in the waist it could cost just a few dollars.  A tiny nip and tuck could completely transform the fit of the item so don’t be fearful to get an estimate. 

Once receiving an estimate, use this easy formula to help you decide if you should invest in alterations:  Add the cost of the item to the cost of the alteration and divide it by the number of times you’ll wear the item.  You’re goal is to get to a 1:1 ratio or below.  This ratio number of one or below means you will invest in the garment no more than what you’re going to get out of it. 

For example, if you find a great pair of well made black pants you can wear year round for $20 and it costs $20 to hem and tighten the waist, your investment is $40.  Wear that pair of pants once a week and your tailor ratio is .76.

Classic Cleaners’ alterations services are not limited to repairing tears, hems, and replacing buttons. Our team has experience with more complex alterations to custom fit your wardrobe from neckline and shoulder resizing to modifying the fit and lenth of a skirt or formal dress.

Our Bash Street location allows you to come in for fittings.  Stop in and consult with our tailor, Ohi Suhre, who has 20 years experience as our on-site Manager of Alterations.  Visit any of our 17 locations and one of our Associates will be happy to take your alterations order.

Come see us now until February 11th, 2012 and take advantage of our Limited Time Offer of 20% off Alterations!

Consignment shopping is a lot like a treasure hunt.  You can find so many wonderful, one of kind items but you will also find top brands that are about 60-80% below current retail prices.  Because consigning has become so popular, the consignment stores only offer items that are currently in season, in demand, and in 100% perfect condition.  Some items still have the tags on them!  You don’t have to worry about looking “dated” if you were to buy from a consignment store.  Store owners know that if you shop their store and the items are not current, you won’t come back.  

You may be thinking, “I don’t have the patience” or “I’m not good at hunting through the racks”.  If so, here are a few tips on how to find a great item at a consignment store.

• Take inventory of your closet & make a list of items you “need” or “want” such as a new cashmere sweater or dress pants for work.
• Note what brands fit you well and what size you wear in similar items in your closet now.
• Make a list of items that you’re also interested in finding such as accessories, shoes, a coat or jacket.
• When you enter the consignment store, tell the associate what you are looking for and ask him or her to direct you to the appropriate area.  Consignment stores typically categorized their store by type of item then size and occasionally by color.  New items come in every day and if you are specific, the associate my have just gotten in exactly what you came to buy.
• If you have the time, browse the other departments for the other items of interest.  You never know what you could stumble upon!

If you don’t find what you were looking for, don’t be discouraged.  Since the merchandise rotates quickly, you can pop back into the store in a few days or a week.  Some stores even have a “wish list” in which you can write down items you’re on the hunt for and the associates will call you when they get them in the store.

You can also MAKE money at a consignment store because consignment stores get their merchandise from you, the public.  You can bring in items crowding your closet and the consignment store will pay you anywhere between 40%-60% of the selling price when your items sell.  Or, you can use the money in your account to purchase something in the store!  Anything that doesn’t sell, within a designated time, can be donated to an establishment of your choice. 

Buying and selling at a consignment store is a great way to save a little money, make a little money, go green by way of recycling, support a local business and find unique fashionable items for 1/3 of the retail price. 

Happy Treasure Hunting!

Group Items into Categories:

• Hang skirts and pants on one end of your closet and group dress shirts, cardigan sweaters, sleeveless tops and blazers/jackets on the other end.  This will help you locate items quickly when putting an outfit together.
• Sweaters, sweatshirts, T-shirts, shorts & jeans are best folded on a shelf.  Tell your dry cleaner you’d like these items returned neatly folded.

Take Inventory:

• Decipher which items need mended or tailored.  Classic Cleaners has an on-site seamstress at our main location.  Is it worth the effort to repair or is it just taking up space?  Be honest:  If it’s been forgotten for years simply because it needs a hem, a button, or properly sized, you don’t love that piece enough to keep it in your closet.  Have a donation bag handy and pass it on. 
• It was your favorite outfit and it still fits but is it relevant?  Chances are you are keeping some items because of the memories they allude.  Take a picture of all the articles you once loved but know you’ll never wear again.  Keep the photos but purge the items. 

Purge, Purge, Purge:

• Each season, purge the items you did not wear this same season last year.  The chances of you wearing them now, a whole year later, are slim to none. 
• Pretend you are packing for a week’s vacation in a climate similar to this season.  You need a professional outfit, a formal outfit, a casual outfit and a few pieces in between.  Most would pack their favorite items.  What items would you pack?  Use these items as your base wardrobe and purge the items that are just taking up space.
• Look carefully at the remaining pieces.  Do they compliment you in size, color & style.  Do they fit comfortably and wash & wear well?   Do you feel confident when wearing them?  Enlist an honest friend if you find this task difficult.  He or she can help you decide what items help you put your best foot forward and which items need to go.

Ongoing Maintenance:

• For hanging items, try this popular tactic:  After the item has been worn, hang the hanger backwards, looping the hook from the inside out.  If at the end of the season, you still have hangers looped from the front to the back, you didn’t wear the item all season, and it is time to consider passing it on. 
• For folded items, once they’ve been laundered rotate them by placing them at bottom of the stack on the shelf or in the drawer.  If rather than wearing the items closer to the top, you find yourself digging to the bottom to find your favorites, it may be time to shave off the top of the stack and purge them from your wardrobe. 

The time and effort spent maintaining an organized closet will result in extended wear of your favorite items and save you money in the long run.  Maintain the integrity of your clothing by following the care instructions on the labels and take them to a professional to clean when necessary. 

Classic Cleaners will return your folded items neatly and your skirts, pants and shirts ready to wear- giving you a jump start on an organized closet.