Kentucky Derby Attire Guide
The Kentucky Derby is coming up on May 7th, so it is time to start planning your attire. The Derby is well known for bringing out bright colors and bold patterns that the wealthy don as they place money on their horse of choice and sip a mint julep. Derby style is traditional but has modern twists each year when it comes to color, pattern, and of course, hat etiquette. Here is our attire guide for the 2016 Kentucky Derby:
Men: It’s time to let the prints do the talking! The Kentucky Derby is all about showing off with bright spring colors and wild prints. Whether starting with a pastel palette or going bold with a spotlight-stealing print, this is the time to let your fashion shine. If you’d like to opt for a more classic, elegant look, a plain navy suit or a light seersucker pattern with a bright tie or even a bowtie will fit the bill.
If you’d prefer your style stand out in the spotlight we recommend starting with a bold but solid color scheme and building from there. Bright pants in tropical colors will go a long way in standing out in the crowd at the Downs. Choose a shirt that fits within the color scheme with a bright pattern like gingham or plaid. Finish out with a suit jacket in a coordinating color or pattern and don’t forget the tie! Your tie or bowtie is a great opportunity to add in some understated flair by mixing colors and patterns for a trendy look.
Ladies: Hats, hats, hats, and more hats! As you’re already well aware, a coiffure topping masterpiece will be the star of the show. But what comes first; the hat or the outfit? Experts say it can go either way! No matter which you pick out first, the most important thing is that they complement each other in style and color.
If you’d like your hat to make a strong statement, you can opt for a more subdued outfit in a matching or coordinating shade. But if you’d like your Derby style to have more understated elegance, you may want to keep your outfit on the same plane as well with a light pattern or none at all. When it comes to a brighter, funky style all bets are off! Steal the spotlight with a wild hat and an outfit that stays consistent in both color and pattern.
For more fashion tips for both the ladies and the gents, as well as a guide to dressing for each event, take a look at the Kentucky Derby website, here.
While you’re searching for the perfect eye-catching outfit, let us worry about the dry cleaning. Schedule a home pick-up and delivery for your Derby attire and expect it to arrive clean, pressed, and ready to wear for the Downs. Click here to sign up for home delivery. You’ll have more time to coordinate the perfect colors without needing to fuss about the cleaning. Best of luck and may your horse win!
You have a non-stop day. Up early, hit the gym, then to the office where you’ll be in meetings all day, off to happy hour, and the another dinner meeting. You need to look sharp all day and never get phased by the chaos. Dry cleaning should not be on your mind. You don’t have time to think about how your clothes are getting cleaned and pressed, let alone the time to drop off or pick up your garments. So what is your time worth?
We understand that you need your day to stay on schedule for success. Here are some quick tips for keeping organized and on track:
- Schedule, Schedule, Schedule- We’re sure you’re already a pro at this, as every day runs on a tight schedule. Take it to the next level by prepping for your day the night before. Lay out clothes, lunch, snacks, and important files the night before. Even on the most hurried mornings you’ll be organized and prepared for the day.
- Breakfast on the Go- It is the most important meal of the day, but we know there’s not always time to sit down at the table for a meal. With the rise in popularity of overnight oats and pre-made smoothies there are nearly endless possibilities to grab a nutritious breakfast on the go. To make it even easier, we recommend taking a few minutes on Sunday night to prep breakfast for the week. Then simply grab it and go!
- No Fuss Laundry- Don’t use your valuable free time to run to the dry cleaners; we’ll come to you! We’ll pick up the laundry from your home and deliver it the next day, clean, pressed, and ready to wear. Take a look at our website for more details.
- Take Over Your Tech- You always have your laptop, tablet, and smartphone on hand, so make them work for you! Stay on task and organized with helpful time management apps. Apps like Mindnode, Freckle, and RescueTime will do wonders for keeping your time managed and your workload organized with less effort and stress from you. Learn more about these helpful apps and other great options
- Exhale, Inhale- It can be easy to get so caught up in your busy schedule that you forget time to yourself. While a day or an afternoon off is the most ideal option, we know your schedule won’t always allow for that kind of break. Take a few minutes before you start your day to take some deep breaths and reflect. Whether that means taking some time to yourself on your commute, waking up a few minutes earlier for a cup of coffee, or a quick walk over lunch, you’ll be surprised at how freeing up a few moments in the day can affect your mood and productivity.
A busy schedule may be unavoidable, but with these quick organization tips you’ll be on the road to stress-free success. And remember, we’re here to help you look sharp on that journey!
Having alterations done to your favorite clothes can be nerve-wracking. You want to make sure you find a trustworthy and experienced seamstress/tailor. Here are some helpful tips for finding the right place to take your alterations and how to care for garments afterward:
- Be prepared: When meeting with your tailor or seamstress, be sure that you’re ready to try on the garment to be altered. That means bringing the correct undergarments and other items that affect the garment. You may need to bring in shoes or jewelry if they affect how the garment will lay.
- Quality Over Cost: As with most services, you may need to pay a bit more for quality. It helps to discuss price and costs before the alterations begin, so both you and your tailor or seamstress agree. It’s better to have an idea of costs up front than wait until the alterations are completed.
- Care: The care for altered garments varies depending on the level of alteration needed. For simple hem fixes and small alterations, the care level will be the same. But for major alterations and additional embellishments, your garments will require more careful cleaning and handling.
Finding a seamstress or tailor to alter your garments shouldn’t fill you with worry. With these tips, you’ll be stepping out in your altered clothes in no time!
Complete Fabric Care Guide
Every type of fabric requires a personalized care routine, which can make laundry very complicated. Here is a list of some of the most common fabrics, their qualities, and how to care for them:
Polyester – Chances are, you have quite a bit of polyester in your closet. It’s one of the most used synthetic fibers in clothing due to its wrinkle and shrink resistant qualities. Polyester can be washed in your machine at home with no issue.
Linen – Due to its breathable texture and lightweight feel, linen is a favorite for warm days. Some linen blends can be washed in your machine at home, but to keep the original look and feel of linen it should be dry-cleaned.
Silk – Luxurious as it may be, silk items take a little extra care. Some silk items have already been treated and pre-shrunk but it’s best to check the label before tossing it in the washing machine. For best results your silk items should be dry-cleaned.
Cotton – The easiest fabric you could ask for, cotton typically doesn’t call for specialized care. Because it’s one of the most popular fabrics used for clothing, most all cotton items have been pre-treated and shrunk and are ready to be washed in your washing machine.
Rayon – Similar to cotton and linen, rayon is a comfortable fabric that seems to get even cozier with wear. Since it’s made from natural fibers and prone to shrinking, rayon should be dry-cleaned or carefully hand washed.
Take the worry out of laundry day by dropping off your delicate care items with us. We guarantee a professional and timely cleaning for the most beloved pieces in your wardrobe.
We all know that wearing the right outfit can drastically increase your confidence but it can also improve your productivity! The way you dress can put you in the proper work mindset and allow you to focus better. Trends in work fashion change every year. Take a look at these 2016 trends to make it your best (and most fashionable) work year yet!
For the Ladies:
Mix it up with light fabrics and pops of color. As is the trend with spring, pastels and floral prints are always a great choice, but don’t be afraid to go a bit bolder with color and pattern. A brightly patterned blouse or dress paired with a structured neutral jacket, skirt, or trouser will be a great look for spring. And don’t forget the shoes! Step out in a bright heel with a neutral dress or choose a classic flat with gold metallic finishes for a brighter outfit.
For the Men:
While the last few years have seen a trend in close cut suits, look for them to loosen up a bit. Styles will still be tailored and cut close to the body but the looser fit will show a little less ankle and will be a bit more conservative. The cut of the suit may be a bit more conservative but this season will be the time for colorful and patterned suits to shine. Look for the trendy “new navy,” a shade of blue a bit brighter than the classic navy shade. Besides color, subtly patterned suits will be making a comeback as well.
Stay stylish throughout 2016 and trust us with your delicate care pieces. We guarantee professional and quick results every time, keeping your favorite items looking runway ready.
Holiday parties are one of the greatest parts of this season, but the cleanup afterwards is never a desirable chore. Take some stress out of your cleanup routine by tackling your table linens with our simple tips for care. And if you want to make your cleanup list even shorter, bring the table linens to us for a quick, professional clean.
Polyester: A simple fabric to care for, polyester is machine washable in cold water. If your polyester table coverings have stains, stain remover is also safe for this fabric. Polyester is also safe for dryers, on a low heat setting.
Satin: As satin is a more delicate fabric and treating stains can be more difficult. Take time to assess the stains,
Lace: The best way to clean lace is by hand washing and using a mid detergent in cold water. Avoid using force to scrub at the material as it can damage the delicate fabric. After washing your lace tablecloths don’t wring out the excess water, instead gently squeeze and press out the remaining water and air-dry only.
Linen: For delicate linens, it’s best to hand wash in warm water. Use gentle detergent or soap to keep the material intact. Do not use a chlorine based bleach to remove stains and be sure to clean quickly when stains are fresh.
These care tips will keep your favorite table linens party-ready for the years to come. And remember, for any difficult cleaning, large jobs, or delicate materials, bring your table linens in to us for a professional cleaning!
It’s officially sweater weather! Start sweater season out right by taking your favorite cozy sweaters to the dry cleaner for a professional cleaning. They’ll need a fresh start after they’ve been hidden in the back of your closet!
While most synthetic blends are fine in your washing machine, extra care needs to be taken for natural fibers and fabrics. Check out our guide to proper cleaning for your favorite sweaters:
- Sheep Wool- Do you have a cozy Merino or Lambswool sweater? Heat can easily dam
age your favorite wool sweater, so leave the cleaning to the professionals! We’ve been trained to treat delicate fabrics and keep your favorite garments in perfect condition.
- Cashmere- Keep that cashmere luxurious by hand washing in cold water. Always dry the sweater on a flat surface to reduce shrinkage.
- Angora- Keep your sweater comfy for years of wear by taking it to the dry cleaner. Angora is very prone to shrinking when washed in a machine or by hand; not the fate you’d like for your sweater.
- Chenille- Your sweater will quickly lose it’s soft, silky feel when put in the washing machine. For best results, always hand wash the sweater inside out and dry on a flat surface.
Always read the care label on your sweaters before washing to keep your favorite sweaters looking runway-ready all season. And remember, when in doubt, you can bring your delicate fabrics to us for a professional clean!
Dry cleaning has become a part of our society as one of the best solutions for washing and caring for clothes, linens, and other fabrics. Today, sending out clothes for dry cleaning has become routine for many professionals. Dry cleaning has been around for centuries, but have you ever wondered how it all started?
Dating back to the ancient Romans, the ruins of Pompeii have records of “fullers”, professional Roman clothes cleaners. Fullers utilized ammonia and lye for laundering, as well as a type of clay known as “fuller’s earth”, used to absorb grease and soils from clothing.
Dry cleaning that bears more of a likeness to today’s methods is attributed to Jean
Baptiste Jolly. A dye-works owner in 1825 France, Baptiste Jolly noticed that oil had evaporated from an area of cloth where his maid spilled spirits of turpentine. After conducting further tests with turpentine, Baptiste Jolly and his son-in-law, Petite Didier developed a process for cleaning clothing they called “nettoyage á sec”, or dry cleaning.
As time has passed, dry cleaning methods have changed. Petroleum based solvents were done away with because of their highly toxic and flammable properties as well as lingering scent. While the dry cleaning industry has made strides in cleaning solutions and techniques, there is still a push to provide the best possible service with the least environmental impact.
We are proud to offer a safe, silicone solvent that cleans garments without hazard to you or the environment. In addition to our solvents, we offer reusable garment bags to reduce waste. We’re proud to make a difference through our Advanced Dry Cleaning methods and services, offering better and more efficient service for you, our customers.
| Oscar Wilde so wisely said, “A well-tied tie is the first serious step in life.”
We believe an expertly cleaned suit is an even greater step to a professional appearance and elevated career mojo. The suit demands and portrays respect. A well cleaned suit could make a great first impression or seal the deal in an important meeting. But suits don’t only apply to business. For any special occasion like a wedding or charity gala, your suit can set the tone for a great event.
That being said, caring for your suit properly, in between cleanings, is essential. We will do everything we can do make your suit look it’s best, but with these three tips you can extend the lifetime of your suit and prevent irreparable damage in the long run.
Tip 1: Don’t Treat Stains. If you stain your suit, your first action should be to take it straight to a professional. Do not try to treat a stain yourself. You may cause more damage or make a stain permanent. Read here for the full list of DON’T’s when it comes to stain treatment.
Tip 2: Hang Your Suits. Do not fold your suit or lay on a surface. Hanging the suit, allows the fabric to recover from being worn and the pull of gravity can take out most wrinkles. Make sure the pockets are empty to avoid odd shapes in the suit.
Tip 3: Cover Your Suit. Use a cloth cover to prevent stains and allow the air to circulate through the suit even when it’s stored.
Follow these tips and your suit will provide many years of use. Don’t forget to professionally clean your suits with Crest. We are the experts in suit cleaning and will do our very best to keep you looking sharp for your business and personal events. |
Can Dry Cleaning Shrink Clothes?
We’ve all made the mistake of shrinking a favorite sweater or dress in our home washing machine. This commonly occurs when certain fabrics are exposed to the wrong water temperature for too long. But what about when you bring your clothing to a professional dry cleaner? Can they make the same mistake and cause shrinkage?
Here at Crest Cleaners, we can proudly and honestly say that the answer is a resounding NO! Crest Cleaners does not use water in our dry cleaning, but you already knew that. Our dry cleaning uses eco-friendly components to pristinely clean your favorite garments and do so without a chance of shrinkage. Not only will your garments return to you clean and fresh, but also toxin-free! We don’t use the dangerous chemical perc in our dry cleaning process, which means you’re not exposed to anything harmful to your skin.
While we offer traditional laundering services as well as dry cleaning, we are the experts when it comes to laundry and won’t damage your clothing no matter what the medod is.
Save yourself the hassle and worry of reading labels on your clothes, go ahead and buy those delicate fabrics! Bring them to your local Crest Cleaners and ensure your clothes leave crisp, clean and in the exact shape and form they were when they came in to see us.
Why choose Crest Advanced Dry Cleaners?
