Whatnots & Bon Mots

Dry Cleaning? Dry Clean!

Sometimes clothing gives you direction and other times it asks so little. But when you invest in fine clothing, the monetary commitment doesn’t stop at the cash register; taking care of good pieces is, I would argue, even more important than just buying them. In other words, well-made clothing makes demands, and well-made clothing needs to be dry cleaned.

While sitting in my lecture tonight, I noticed that the girl’s jacket label in front of me read “Dry Cleaning.” This seemed like a very nonchalant way of instructing the owner how to care for it. But, then I read the label and it all made sense: American Eagle Outfitters, the local mall outpost vending carefree relaxation as a pre frayed polo which will eventually go popped against pasty neck skin. This is the label kids wear when they are at an outdoor festival, frat party or to high school in Sandusky, Ohio. A downgrade Abercrombie, but a cut above American Living, the landlocked version of brands like Hollister or Quicksilver.

This coat did not demand things of you, this coat was meant to be a standby favorite- the one you keep in your closet and keep wearing even though its replacement is a bit overdue. “Too many memories in this coat,” you think. “Dry Cleaning,” is a friendly suggestion here, and not so much as an order, a gentle way of reminding you that this is how to take care of your things.

That the jacket itself was a light brown corduroy with a matted fur collar, made it look endearing, like the standby fleece everyone has in their closet or the old pair of jeans that are worn to the store.

My clothing labels, usually below “Made in Italy,” yells, “Dry Clean!” The exclamation point is mine of course. My labels are a bit presumptuous but they are also trusting. They are ordering me to dry clean them, but they also believe that I’ll do so. They know they are, pardon the expression, a cut above.

There is an agreement here. A person should wear their clothes, not the reverse, but “Dry Clean” also says, this piece of clothing will make you look better, longer, if taken care of. Inevitably, that which you “Dry Clean” will see a better class of place than the old favorite.

Everyone makes compromises with their wardrobe. The secret is to know what these entail, but in the end only one trusts your judgment enough to assume you will live up to your commitment. As a result, words are spared and action is had.

posted by UpperWestSideGuy @ 11:01 PM