Dear Shopping Savage...

Dear Shopping Savage,

I recently bought a fabulous handbag from an up-and-coming new line that uses Chinese brocade - that is silk and viscose - and has wonderful, very vibrant colors. The problem is that it wrinkles easily. I need a way to store it and keep the interface and brocade from wrinkling. Is there a wrinkle retardant? Can I iron brocade and interfacing or do I steam it? I am also worried about how I would handle keeping it clean or removing a stain. The colors are so vibrant I am worried about them fading easily or stains showing up easily. Help!!

Signed,

Silk Purse Panic

------------

Dear S.P.P.,

Keeping your purse from wrinkling is fairly simple - in theory. When the bag is not being used, fill it with packing paper, bubble wrap or a few pairs of clean socks. This will help maintain its intended shape and reduce wrinkles. (Avoid using newspaper or printed on paper, as the ink has the potential to rub off onto the lining of the bag.) If the purse did not come with a cloth storage bag (also known as a "sleeper") you can use a pillow case to serve as a protector from dust, moisture and light.

Even with this system in place you still want to be prepared for the occasional wrinkle that may occur. You can iron the bag using the silk or delicate material setting, but a steamer would be easier to handle and significantly reduce your risk of causing heat-related damage to the fabric. Depending on how large of an opening the bag has, you want to look at steaming it from the inside. This should release most of the wrinkles and not affect the outward appearance. To avoid burning yourself, invest in a pair of steamer gloves, which may come in handy for future sticky steaming situations like this.

To help combat stains, Scotchgard is safe enough to use on silk, but you will still want to do a color test on a small, inconspicuous spot to ensure it won't alter the bag's overall coloring. In the event that a stain still manages to materialize, these tips on washing silk should help restore your bag back to purse perfection.

Need sartorial advice? Email me: ShoppingSavage@gmail.com

Dear Shopping Savage...

Dear Shopping Savage,

At the end of the work day I always seem to find pit stains in my shirt. Co-workers who have noticed my sweating problem divert their eyes when they see me look in their direction. I know they're trying to be polite but I need help and no one seems to want to address the issue. Will you, please?

Signed,

Sweaty Pits

------------

Dear S.P.,

You have a problem that I'm sure many can identify with, although each person's situation is different. Some medical literature suggests that your condition (affectionately referred to as "Axillary Hyperhidrosis") is a genetic predisposition that would require botox or laser treatment for successful results. Others argue that by just switching your deodorant to one of these antiperspirants you could save yourself from an unnecessary procedure.

I would suggest consulting a dermatologist before making any drastic decisions, although there are a few lifestyle adjustments that you could introduce into your daily routine that may get the proverbial antiperspirant ball rolling and minimize where you fall on the sweat spectrum.

It's true what they say: you are what you eat, but even more, you sweat what you consume. Food high in fat, spicy dishes, lack of exercise or not drinking the daily recommended amount of water could all have a hand in your problem. Even alcohol and cigarettes can contribute to overactive sweat glands.

One tip would be to shave under your arms to allow your antiperspirant to adhere directly to the skin. Another would be to wear shirts that don't have high arm holes to give yourself added room to aerate. Wearing a crew neck undershirt, or dress shields, could also help minimize the appearance of stains by absorbing moisture.

There are a number of options to choose from and many can be combined and tailored to produce the best results for you. Just because life can be the pits sometimes doesn't mean it has to show.

Need help getting rid of the stains left behind on your shirts? No sweat.

Need sartorial advice? Email me: ShoppingSavage@gmail.com