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

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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,

I'm looking to start the year off with a healthy closet cleaning. Any idea what I should do with the clothing I no longer want?

Signed,

Cleaning out my Closet

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Dear C.O.M.C.,

Cleaning out the closet is a great way to start off the year. But before you get lured into the temptation of the "retail write-off", there are a few other alternative solutions to consider before bidding your unwanted wears good-bye, that could be just as rewarding.

Once you've separated out what you're planning to donate its always a good idea to consider consignment shops for parting with some of your bigger ticket in-season items. Of course, said profit is based on a sliding scale set by the slippery slope of the economy and retail resale so don't expect too much. You will only earn back a fraction of what you originally paid, but since it was already set to be donated then a cash exchange of any amount is an added bonus. And since its money earned outside of your normal budget you can spend it or save it however you like.

Another idea is to consider organizing a clothing exchange party with a group of friends. Choose friends closest to you (in terms of size and clothing taste) and ask them to clean out their closets and bring over their best pieces they want to part with. Set a limit of how much to bring and what condition is to be considered acceptable for the exchange and you're all set. Within the time it takes to sift through the mall, you and your recessionista fashionista friends could create a new-to-you wardrobe out of each other's discards. One friend's trash is another's thrifty trend.

However, if the idea of cashing in on your clothing in one way or another seems more like a hassle than helpful, then taking the altruistic road may just be the answer for you. Any local charity, such as red cross or goodwill, will be more than happy to take your donation to assist someone in need.

There are many directions to consider and no matter whether you decide to go for retail resale, redistribution amongst friends or contributing to a charity, you have done something much larger than give away old clothing. You've either helped stimulate the economy, helped a budgeting friend shop without spending or supplied someone with not only a new outlook, but a new outfit, for the new year.

Now that you've got your closet cleaned out, use tips from this previous post to ensure it's also cleaned up.

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

Dear Shopping Savage...

Dear Shopping Savage,

I just bought a pair of red suede pumps that I absolutely love - or should I say loved - until I went out a few nights ago and, a few drinks later, tripped on the side walk and got a few smudges on them! So, Shopping Savage, how do I clean my new suede shoes?

Signed,

Smudge On Suede Shoes

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Dear S.O.S.S.,

Suede can be a persnickety material to clean, which is why most would recommend handing your problem over to a professional. However, that could get costly, and there's not much more of a guarantee that they'll do a better job than what I'm about to advise you to try.

First, you need to access the damage. Use a suede brush - or old toothbrush in a pinch - to clear away any loose dirt or debris and to restore the nape of the suede as much as possible. (Note: do not rub vigorously or with too much force. You want to avoid pushing the stain further into the affected area and/or cause discoloration. The purpose of this is to "loosen up" the stain.)

If this doesn't completely clear the area then you need to treat it with a suede cleaner. Wet the stained area and use the suede brush to apply the cleaner. If the bottle doesn't have a spray nozzle then either transfer its contents to an empty spray bottle with a trigger for more control, or use the cap as a measuring tool and either pour it directly onto the brush or dip the brush into the cap. Now, with light effort, apply the solution to remove the stain. Repeat until the stain - or all stains - are lifted.

Now that you've effectively removed the stain you need to wet both shoes entirely to ensure color consistency. Use the brush to apply water evenly to the suede. You may notice some color run off but this shouldn't cause a noticeable color change once the shoes dry.

Some suggest using a towel to soak up the excess water from the shoe. I typically place my freshly washed suede shoes on a drying rack - face down to pull the excess water away naturally and to avoid any more dye loss.

Let them dry over night and the next day, with the brush, go over both shoes to restore the suede's nape. Your shoes should be back to pre-smudge perfection.

For more suggestions on cleaning suede I found this site helpful.

To protect your shoes - or any suede garment - familiarize yourself with these tips.

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