In our last couple of posts, I mentioned that we’ve been invited to several balls, galas, or events that require some type of formal wear. Two were work-related events where the invitation indicated ‘Semi-Formal Dress.’ Semi-Formal Attire is the trickiest of all the dress codes because it typically means tuxedos and long dresses aren’t required, and clothing choices are dependent on the time of the day.
It seems like spring is party season where every charity and non-profit have a gala, ball, or festival. I have a closet full of clothes and have made an art of rotating party dresses, but this season I needed to purchase two. Last month I mentioned passing on a spot-clean only dress, and I ended up purchasing something quite practical. Even though that dress was more practical, it still requires special attention because like most formal items, it will not be worn often.
When purchasing a new piece of clothing, I never check the care label, but that’s because I know Shores can handle whatever I happen to place inside my dry cleaning bag. Recently, I went shopping for a cocktail dress for an event my husband and I are attending in April, and I found a dress with the most delicate floral embroidery lace. I absolutely loved it, but for some reason I deviated from my norm and checked the care label – SPOT CLEAN ONLY.
Once upon a time, I was a slave to fast fashion, particularly when I was in college. Short on funds with a need to always look cute when heading somewhere, I frequented those places that took the look from what was in style and reproduced the garments quickly and inexpensively.
What defines a fast-fashion garment?
The number one thing I look for in bedding is quality: after all, I’m going to be spending a third of my life laying on or under it. So, I consider bed linens and coverlets to be an investment, not something I plan to replace on a whim. It’s good that I have that approach because getting my husband to agree on a new comforter is nearly impossible, so we usually invest a lot of time investigating before making a change.
What if you could get all your clothing care needs covered without having to leave the house? Shores can do that for you with our new Valet Service. On Monday, October 18, Shores launched this new service with the help of our Valet, Marsha Brown. You will love Marsha. She has over 30 years of experience in customer service; plus, she is incredibly friendly and uniquely qualified, making her the perfect fit for Shores Valet Service.
How Shores Valet Service Works
It’s not necessary to start from scratch to build a fantastic fall and winter wardrobe; odds are you already have a great base to start from. It’s likely that you just need some help sorting, organizing, tailoring or repairing, and filling in with a few pieces. Below are some tips to help you get started.
My son attends a school that requires a uniform. Four days a week, he wears khaki pants, a logoed polo shirt, and dress shoes, and on Tuesdays, which is chapel day, he wears khaki pants, a white dress shirt, a navy blazer, dress shoes, and a necktie or bow tie. Just last week, I went to start a load of white clothes and noticed a dirt ring around the collar of his dress shirt. How is it that he’s old enough for ring around the collar?
Outdoor living spaces are a wonderful way to expand the size of the gathering areas of your home. Our home has a fantastic pergola and deck off the kitchen/dining area, and it gets lots of use in the warmer months. When it’s just the three of us, we often dine al fresco in the evenings. Plus, it’s like having a second living and dining space, especially when we have guests during warmer months. And while it doesn’t need attention weekly like most indoor rooms, it does require care so that cushion and fabric items last longer than 1-2 seasons.
Last month I went wedding gown shopping with my niece, and it was exhausting. She made two appointments – one in the morning and one in the afternoon at two local boutiques, and it seemed to me that she tried on every dress in each location. When she arrived at the first location, the attendant asked her questions on cut and fabric preferences. I had no trouble understanding what she was looking for when it came to cut, but when she started talking about fabrics, I admitted I was lost. I had no idea what tulle was.