Shopping can be challenging, but remember the consequences of getting it wrong.
An image consultant offers advice on washing.
When buying clothes, consideration should always be given as to the cleaning requirements of your new garment.
Can it be machine-washed or is a more delicate hand-wash needed, perhaps your new item is dry clean only which also has cost implications.
Unless you take good care of your clothes by regular cleaning, mending and correct storage they will start to look worn out and shabby very quickly and their life expectancy will reduce dramatically.
This is not ideal, especially for investment items like coats and suits.
Once of the most important ways to look after your clothes is to store them on quality wooden or padded hangers that won't pull the fibres out of shape.
Another way is to ensure that any stains are removed as soon as possible so they don't completely soak into the fabric and a third way is to make sure that you always wash your clothes at the temperature that is right for the garment and recommended by the manufacturer.
Linen and cotton, which are both natural fibres, should be washed at a maximum of 50°C, since a higher temperature may make them shrink.
Even when ironed, linen is badly prone to creasing so, like cotton, it's best to iron while the fabric is still a little damp.
Poly-cotton mixes are a little more crease-resistant and require slightly less attention.
Wool is another natural and very versatile material.
Cashmere is the most expensive type of wool and is the softest and most lightweight to wear whatever the weather or occasion.
Wool should always be hand-washed on a delicate cycle and never washed at a high temperature or it will definitely shrink.
Wool and cashmere items should never be tumble dried but be left to dry naturally away from direct heat.
If hung up to dry certain garments will lose their shape so to prevent this, roll items in a towel to absorb any excess water and then lie them flat to dry.
Silk, like cashmere, is a beautiful and luxurious fabric which requires careful and special cleaning.
Although some items can be hand-washed in lukewarm water with a gentle detergent added, other silk garments have to be dry cleaned.
If you do hand-wash silk then a tip to prevent static build-up is to add a few drops of fabric conditioner to the final rinse.
Never ever tumble dry silk and, if absolutely necessary, ironing should only be done using a steam iron set on a low heat and by placing a cloth over the silk to protect it from the iron's hotplate.
If you do not want to hand-wash delicate beaded or sequined items then another tip is to put them in a well secured pillowcase and wash them on the cold cycle of your washing machine.
Like wool, they should be dried flat on a towel.
For dry-clean only items, remember to remove any shoulder pads, special trim or expensive buttons since these could be lost, tarnished or chipped during the chemical cleaning process.
Also, it is advisable to keep dry cleaning to a minimum since, over time, some cleaning fluids can weaken and damage delicate garment fibres.
For more advice on how to wash various fabrics, speak to an image consultant.
An image consultant offers advice on washing.
When buying clothes, consideration should always be given as to the cleaning requirements of your new garment.
Can it be machine-washed or is a more delicate hand-wash needed, perhaps your new item is dry clean only which also has cost implications.
Unless you take good care of your clothes by regular cleaning, mending and correct storage they will start to look worn out and shabby very quickly and their life expectancy will reduce dramatically.
This is not ideal, especially for investment items like coats and suits.
Once of the most important ways to look after your clothes is to store them on quality wooden or padded hangers that won't pull the fibres out of shape.
Another way is to ensure that any stains are removed as soon as possible so they don't completely soak into the fabric and a third way is to make sure that you always wash your clothes at the temperature that is right for the garment and recommended by the manufacturer.
Linen and cotton, which are both natural fibres, should be washed at a maximum of 50°C, since a higher temperature may make them shrink.
Even when ironed, linen is badly prone to creasing so, like cotton, it's best to iron while the fabric is still a little damp.
Poly-cotton mixes are a little more crease-resistant and require slightly less attention.
Wool is another natural and very versatile material.
Cashmere is the most expensive type of wool and is the softest and most lightweight to wear whatever the weather or occasion.
Wool should always be hand-washed on a delicate cycle and never washed at a high temperature or it will definitely shrink.
Wool and cashmere items should never be tumble dried but be left to dry naturally away from direct heat.
If hung up to dry certain garments will lose their shape so to prevent this, roll items in a towel to absorb any excess water and then lie them flat to dry.
Silk, like cashmere, is a beautiful and luxurious fabric which requires careful and special cleaning.
Although some items can be hand-washed in lukewarm water with a gentle detergent added, other silk garments have to be dry cleaned.
If you do hand-wash silk then a tip to prevent static build-up is to add a few drops of fabric conditioner to the final rinse.
Never ever tumble dry silk and, if absolutely necessary, ironing should only be done using a steam iron set on a low heat and by placing a cloth over the silk to protect it from the iron's hotplate.
If you do not want to hand-wash delicate beaded or sequined items then another tip is to put them in a well secured pillowcase and wash them on the cold cycle of your washing machine.
Like wool, they should be dried flat on a towel.
For dry-clean only items, remember to remove any shoulder pads, special trim or expensive buttons since these could be lost, tarnished or chipped during the chemical cleaning process.
Also, it is advisable to keep dry cleaning to a minimum since, over time, some cleaning fluids can weaken and damage delicate garment fibres.
For more advice on how to wash various fabrics, speak to an image consultant.