TheCleaners.net

Somebody told me the other day, "You haven't changed a bit!"  Problem was, he hadn't seen me in over 10 years.  Although I was initially flattered, it started me thinking.  Was it true?  Had I really not changed at all in 10 years?  How depressing.

We all go through the inevitable aging process, and know we can't look young forever.  But some people are so determined to hold on to their elusive youth that they never let their wardrobe grow up, either.  How are you doing on that score?  This week, we'll help you sort out the issues to being dressed age-appropriately and still have fun.

Hope to see you soon!
Jim Nixon,
The Cleaners

"Age is something
that doesn't matter,
unless you are a cheese."

-- Actress Billie Burke

Don't Sweat It Coupon

There are still days when a sweater is all that will take the chill from the air, so give those old friendlies a break and let us freshen them up.  We'll take $2 off the price of drycleaning any sweater when you bring in at least three other items to have cleaned.  (Include a copy of the first page of this e-mail with your order.  Offer expires March 6, 2004.  Cannot be combined with other offers.)

Have you seen what Mary's
wearing today???

The whisper goes through the hallways at the office, school or the club and suddenly all eyes are on Mary.  She's dressed to the nines, as usual.  Only problem is that she's overdone it.  Again.

Fashionable vs. Fashion Victim

Everybody likes to feel "in" sometimes.  It makes you feel knowledgeable and as though you're on top of the wave.  There's a fine line, though, between being fashionable and being a fashion victim (also known as a "fashion lemming").

• Wearing a great suede jacket with jeans, even a fringed one, is interesting and fashionable.  However, adding a belt with huge silver buckle, cowboy boots, a gingham shirt and a Stetson makes you a caricature, not a fashion plate.
• If the "in" thing is low-rise slacks and exposed midriff, and you have big hips and stretch marks left over from Baby #3 but you wear it anyway, you're a fashion victim.
• Fashion lemmings often pile on the fashion accessories to look more in than anybody else.  Too much of what might actually be a good thing, however, looks clownish and contrived.
• Wearing any fashion that is uncomfortable, not suited to your age or the activity you're involved in is something only a fashion victim would do.

But I Love this Outfit!

OK, we admit that it's human to fall in love with certain outfits.  If they also happen to be durable, you may go on wearing them for years.  But that doesn't mean they look good!

Clothing and hairstyling is supposed to make you feel good about yourself.  After all, it's YOUR self image that matters, not what you think others might be thinking about you (and probably aren't.)  But when clothing or accessories or hair styling becomes the focus, with you and your personality taking a back seat due to the distraction, things have gotten out of hand.

Right now, go look in the closet and see what you've got in there that's more than 3 years old.  Unless it's a classic style (and no, Disco is NOT coming back!) then it's out of date and a good candidate for disposal.  Even if you love it.  Unless you can update it and make it new again (see tricks below.)

What Is Age Appropriate?

"Age Appropriate" sounds a little too close to your parents' telling you to "grow up" doesn't it?  In reality, wearing garments that reflect who you have become (and are continuing to become) shows your sense of security and comfort with yourself.  Dressing like you did in college doesn't make you look younger.  Wearing clothing that is inappropriate for your age actually makes you look older and somewhat dowdy -- not to mention how it reflects on your taste and maturity.

Appropriately Easy

Here's how to judge your current wardrobe and look, and update it if necessary.

• Look yourself over.  Not just in a mirror, but really look at yourself.  If you have a video camera or digital camera that shoots short bits of video (if not, borrow one from a friend) then shoot footage of yourself standing, walking (both walking toward the camera AND walking away) and sitting down.  Then comes the hard part: review the video.  What age do you appear to be?  Do your clothes flatter you at this age?  Be brutally frank with yourself.
• Look around you.  Look at everyone you know.  Which do you find to be appealing because of how they dress?  Try to find people your age who are carrying it well and have learned how to dress with style.  Look in magazines, at television, movies.  Watch for people who are not only your age, but also your body shape.  Then study the successful ones and begin emulating them.
• Look to the future. Enjoy fashionable clothing, but buy inexpensive fad clothing that you can (and must) get rid of when the fad is over.  Yes, fashions often repeat -- but usually 20 or 30 years later.  Why not just promise yourself you'll buy it again in a few decades if you still like it?
• Let Go.  When you go through your current wardrobe and find garments that are no longer current or appropriate, you may need to let some go.  Others you can update by mixing them with more current looks, accessorizing them, or layering them with other garments.  You'll be surprised how many new looks you can get out of your closet if you get creative!
• Let yourself grow.  Though you feel essentially the same inside no matter what your age, you are in fact growing and changing all the time.  Your tastes grow up, your level of sophistication increases, your preferences mature.  Give your wardrobe permission to grow up with you, instead of keeping it at one age and hoping it makes you look young enough to wear it.  Welcome change, and embrace a fresh look as often as you want one.
  

At any age, clothing should be clean, well-pressed, and color/pattern coordinated.  Unless you're 6 years old, mix and match patterns just don't cut it if you want people to take you seriously.  No matter what your profession, a well-put-together look speaks volumes about your competence and judgment.

Professional care for your garments will ensure that you not only look great (and that adds a bounce to your step every time) but will prolong the life of those garments.  Buy quality and invest in its care.  It'll keep you looking good no matter what your age.

AGE APPROPRIATE
SEWING COUPON

Spring weather is coming (isn't it?)! Now is the time to spruce up your age appropriate wardrobe with some alterations or repairs - just in case they don't fit so well.
Take 10% off the price of any sewing order.
Include a copy of this coupon with your order. 
Coupon expires March 15, 2004. No other coupons or discounts may be used with this coupon.