July 18th, 2012
“Dear Mr. Fashion,
I keep trying to iron my wrinkled neck ties, but it seems to make them worse. They get more stains, lines, and creases from the back seam and heat of the iron, no matter how low the setting. Is it possible to iron a neck tie?
Yours Truly,
John Martinez”
Loyal Reader,
There definitely are a few ways to effectively iron your tie without getting those ugly iron marks, creases, or stains. I’ll let you know the best way first, and then tell you how to remove those shiny iron marks that you may have already gotten.
What you’ll need:
- Iron
- Ironing board
- Cotton cloth, terry cloth, or another clean piece of fabric that you don’t mind ironing
- Spray bottle
- Electricity
- Your tie (any fabric type)
How to Iron your Neck Tie
- Regulate the heat setting of your tie before plugging it in. Cotton ties can take a medium to high setting, wool can take medium, and polyester or anything else needs a low setting.
- Plug your iron in, and wait about 5 minutes until it heats up.
- Put your tie on the ironing board flat, face down (seam side up). Make sure there are no folds that can turn into creases from the iron.
- Drape the cotton cloth over your tie.
- Gently rub out all the wrinkles from the cloth (and the tie underneath).
- Iron directly on the cloth so that the tie gets the pressure from the iron, a little heat, and is protected from the bulk of the heat and metal.
- Do this to the entire tie, moving the cloth if necessary so that it completely covers where you will iron.
- Periodically check that you are not making more creases in the tie.
- Flip the tie over and repeat.
- Hang the tie immediately after ironing it so that it can cool without wrinkling again.
- Turn the iron off and jump for joy.
- Comment on this post and tell me about your Win.
Before you try it, a couple notes of caution:
- Make sure the tie is dry as a whistle (a dry whistle, not a wet whistle). Don’t start by spot cleaning or getting the tie wet, or those spots can turn into permanent stains when ironed.
- When ironing, don’t leave the iron in any one spot for longer than 2 seconds. If there is a deep crease and that spot needs extra care, slide the iron back and forth over that spot rather than keeping it there.
- Don’t iron on top of a mountain.
How to Get Rid of Those Shiny Iron Marks
Think your tie is ruined because of those shiny iron marks? Think again!
You’re probably coming to this post because you’ve already ruined a tie or two. Although those shiny marks are actually melted fabric, there really are ways to take off the scorched crust! Here are some tips:
- Soak a cotton cloth in white distilled vinegar. Rub the cloth over the shiny part of the fabric. This dissolves the crust of the stain. Rub and scrub. This could take up to 5 minutes.
- Rinse your tie gently in warm water (no soap). This is just to take out the vinegar.
That usually works. But if it doesn’t continue:
- Pour 1 tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide, and two drops of ammonia, into a small bowl and stir.Pour it onto the shiny stain.
- Let it soak for an hour. If it becomes dry before the hour is up, add more of the mixture onto the tie.
- Gently rinse the ammonia/hydrogen peroxide mixture off with warm water.
- Hang your tie and let it air dry completely (especially if you plan on ironing it using the above steps).
- If the shiny stain is still there, there is nothing left you can do but cry.
Posted in Accessories | 2 Comments »
July 12th, 2012
“Dear Mr. Fashion,
I’m embarrassed to ask this. When, if ever, is it rude to wear sunglasses? Is it considered rude to leave your sunglasses on when speaking to someone or in a social situation? What about prescription sunglasses? Or indoors?
Sincerely,
FashionistaWannabe”
Loyal Reader,
Don’t be embarrassed! You are not the first person to ask this question. In fact, your question is brought up almost weekly by people like you struggling to know the many American fashion faux pas, however arbitrary they may be. This particular rule has some pretty good psychological merit, though.
Believe it or not, there are some rules that should be followed when it comes to sunglasses manners. Just like anything else in fashion, the term “should be followed” is always relative to culture, changing tastes, the people you are with, and your own style. In this case, we are speaking of current American culture.
Unless there is a good reason, Never Where Sunglasses:
- When indoors (see above)
- In a formal setting. Don’t dare put sunglasses on if you’re the best man/maid of honor at a wedding.
- When pictures of you might be taken, especially formal pictures
- When having a conversation with someone (more than just asking for directions), and the other person is not wearing sunglasses. It usually makes people naturally defensive if they cannot see your eyes when you are talking. Some scientists pontificate that it makes a person seem untrustworthy as well. It implies- right or wrong- that you may be trying to hide something, are deceptive, evasive, or unsure of yourself.
- When meeting someone new. If it is blindingly bright outside, put them back on after the introduction unless a conversation ensues.
- At night
- In a tented, formal social setting
- In the image below
It is OK to wear sunglasses:
- At outdoor, informal social settings. Like a picnic at a park.
- When driving during the day
- If you are speaking with someone that is wearing sunglasses
- If you have sensitive eyes or medical problems
- If you are Will Farrell
Exceptions and Gray Areas:
- If you have medical problems or sensitive eyes
- If you are on drugs
- If you are trying to hide your identity
- If you need to protect yourself from frequent flash photography
- If you wish to hide signals while playing poker
- If you’d like to hide eye injuries or infections
- If you want to get an awesome tan line
Have fun!
-Mr. Fashion
Posted in Accessories, Celebrity styles, Designer Fashion | No Comments »
July 3rd, 2012
Back in the 1940s, the rule was that you could only wear white between Easter and Labor Day. To do otherwise was a shocking fashion faux pa. Now? Most experts feel this rule is outdated and a little ridiculous (…and some of the rules they still follow aren’t?).
But we’re in the middle of summer right now, and it is always “ok” to wear white in the summer! I will talk a little bit about the current Spring and Summer White Fashion, and then get into the history of the No White After Labor Day rule. (Make sure to scroll to the bottom of the pictures to read the good stuff~)
Some of the general trends: High-end designers are using light-weight, sheer fabrics to avoid looking like a fluffy marshmallow and to go for the angelic look for women. White highwater pants are also in for both men and women.
Now for PICTURES!!!!
White Fashion: When is it OK to wear white? Whenever you want!!
White solid, light weight dresses:
White solid and pin striped pants/shorts suits:
Angelic, light-weight fabrics:
Hats and more dresses:
Solid summer dress:
Solid, frilly summer dress:
A new spin on the white dress:
More solids, see?:
white doesn’t have to be your main event:
Unless you’re getting married!:
White oxfords:
White high water pants are looking hot this summer:
Cool, white dress-jacket thing:
Even white bathing suits!:
Check out this barely-known actress wearing white:
Some weird fairy dresses:
The white highwaters aren’t just for women!!:
When is it OK to wear white?
Now that we’ve seen all the images, it’s time for a lesson in fashion history. Why did the whole No White After Labor Day rule even begin? It doesn’t sound like a typical fashion rule, and it has had more staying power than almost all other fashion rules. It’s not certain, but there are a few prevailing theories:
The Nouveau-Riche Theory
Valerie Steele at The Fashion Institute of Technology, along with many other fashion historians, believe that the origination of the rule came from an economic turning point in history between the 1890s and 1950s. There was a rising middle class in the US, England, and a few other western countries. These nouveau-riche, or newly “rich,” people didn’t know the first thing about high end fashion, and needed a few rules. At the time, the upper-middle class had typically worn white mostly while playing tennis and other sports at their country clubs in the summer. Why? Manufacturers of resort- and country club-clothing made white clothes. Why? I don’t know!
When the newly made middle class families began joining the same country clubs, they were judged harshly for their poor fashion decisions. Brooks Brothers, other companies, and fashion designers attempted to help by handing out pamphlets and using their mouths to spread some general fashion rules. One of which, the most popular by far, was the easily-remembered rule to only wear white between Easter and Labor Day.
The Navy Theory
In the traditional Navy dress code, white dress pants were exchanged for blue dress pants after Labor Day. Why? I don’t know!
The Dirty Shoes Theory
Some fashion experts believe the rule began because white shoes are easy to get dirty during the rainy/snowy/cold season.
The Temperature Theory
Others think that white clothes were worn in the summer to keep the heat off of you, and dark clothes during the winter to make you warmer. With all the newfangled fabrics these days, that no longer holds ground.
Some Rules about White Fashion from Today’s Designers
- Match fabric weight rather than colors to the seasons and the weather!
- White denim can be worn in the wintertime, with a big sweater and leather boots. Suze Yalof Schwartz says this look is very Michael Kors.
- The rule originally started with shoes, so keep to that one until everyone believes the opposite (unless you want to be judged).
Posted in Celebrity styles, Designer Fashion | No Comments »
June 27th, 2012
Do you love getting your nails done? Summer nail polish colors are out and I have a collection of some nail designs to bring to your manicurist!
Cute and Silly Nail Designs:
 A spin on typical French Manicure Nail Designs  Awesome animal print nail designs!  Zooey's Tux nail design
Classy and Sweet Nail Designs:
 - “Love” classy nail design
 Sweet and classy sweater nail design Cool Nail Designs:
 Marble Nail Design
 Not all nails need to be designed the same!
Colors for your Nail Designs:
Subdued colors:
.jpg "Nail Designs") Fierce nail design
 - Butter’s Knackered
 - L’Oreal’s Colour Riche Now You Sea Me
 - Butter’s Bossy Boots
 - Butter’s Slapper
 - Deborah Lippmann Snow White & the Huntsman Set
Vivid and bright colors:
 - Orly Flash Glam FX It’s Electric
 - Chanel Holiday
 - Butter’s Disco Biscuit
 - MAC Hey Sailor Touch of Red
 - Zoya Blogger Collection
 Dior Cosmo
 - NARS “Trouville”
 - Butter’s Trout Pout
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June 21st, 2012
Summer is finally upon us! I don’t know about everywhere else in the world, but it has been an extra-long winter here in San Diego. I know “winter in San Diego” is laughable to some of you, but I’m sick of being “cold” nonetheless. Sunshine is needed!
For many of us, summer means sunshine, new clothes, and travelling! What better time to take a vacation? And what better excuse to buy a new wardrobe? We’ll call it a Travel Wardrobe…yeah…that works.
For those of you that have travel plans and don’t know what to wear, I have some general tips for you no matter where you are going in the world!
Here are some necessities for your Travel Wardbrobe:
- Cross-body bag or an oversized tote: This will come in handy when purchasing souvenirs. You can also stuff more clothes into it so you don’t have to check as many bags on the plane! The cross body bag is especially helpful in crowded cities where you’ll need to hold on to your belongings tightly!
2. Versatile layers in one central color scheme: Button up shirts, knits, and nice jeans. Choosing one color family allows you to mix and match pieces to make new outfits (instead of having to bring completely separate pieces for each outfit).
3. Semi-fancy jacket (ideally a color that goes with your Travel Wardrobe’s color family): This can dress up almost any of the clothes in your new Travel Wardrobe since it is usually the focal point of an outfit.
4. A cotton dress: These can be dressed up or down and are easily fit into a suitcase.
5. Colorful scarf: Since you are bringing so many neutrals, a scarf can liven up your travel wardrobe and bring color to it!
6. Bright flats: Same reason as above, just on your feet!
7. Pick two pairs of shoes: A casual pair and a dressy pair. Your bright flats can be either one of these. Both should obviously go with your core pieces. Two pair will be easier to pack and will leave more room for accessories and souvenirs.
8. Swimsuits: For men, board shorts can double as shorts depending on your destination. Bring 2-3 swimsuits if you are going somewhere with water (a pool, the beach, a river).
9. Nice pajamas: You’re on vacation, so you’re hopefully going to sleep a lot! Make sure you are comfortable sleeping, and looking nice for your travel buddy can’t hurt either!
Some other Travel Wardrobe tips:
- Know and list how many days you’ll be gone: This is too often overlooked when travelling.
- List the types of activities you’ll potentially be engaging in: Mostly sports? Mostly leisure? A little of everything? Plan your Travel Wardrobe accordingly.
- Choose wrinkle-free fabrics: Ironing on vacation can be a drag!
- Choose dark or stain-resistant fabrics: Otherwise you might have to re-wear that stained white sweater!
- Roll your clothes instead of folding them!: For most items, this takes up less suitcase space than folding. My grandparents are avid travelers and they taught me this.
I hope this post helped you! Happy travelling!
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June 5th, 2012
It’s almost that time again! The weather is warming up, your hair is starting to feel like a weight on your shoulders in the heat, and you’re looking for a fresh new style to spice up your life. Well I have just the thing….a new haircut! I have collected images of the newest Summer Haircuts to help you choose before you go to your hair stylist!
Women’s Summer Haircuts
The theme this summer revolves around a shorter, more natural, wind-blown, even frizzy look. Depending on your hair and your face shape, here are some awesome new hairstyles to choose from!
The Classic. This throwback Summer Haircut is great for you classy ladies that have an old fashioned flair.
The Short and Windblown. Like a lot of Summer Haircuts, this one takes a little bit of work on both the stylist’s and your end. If you’re looking for a light, easy to wear, and easy to style haircut for a windy area, try this one!
The Bohemian. This one isn’t new, but it is picking up steam this summer. Whether you use a headband or tie a pony tail around the front of your head, this one is also nice and summery.
The Lightweight Summer Look. This style is probably one of the lightest in weight. If you live in, or visit, a hot area for the summertime, this Summer Haircut might be perfect for you!
The Half Dread. Hairstyles like this bring in two or more influences for a whole new look. Part Rasta, part sweet, this style is easy to maintain and is very youthful this summer.
The Long Frizz. Worried about cutting all your hair off but still want to look young? Try these variations on for size. It’s a little piece-y, light, and looks hot!
The Side Fishtail. This new, youthful look can be accomplished with your current hair length. Click on the link for the instructions!
The Retro Anime. If you’re looking for something exotic this summer, try this haircut. It can be done with long or short hair. A mix of short and long bangs can really shape your face!
The Short Frizz. If the Long Frizz is too heavy for you, or if you live in a hotter area, try this one. It’s easy to maintain if you have the right hair product (something lightweight, matte, and piecey).
The Elegant Lover. This is more of a style than a cut. With the back put up, it gives your hair more volume and keeps the heat off of your neck.
The Fanned Actress. This is for you women with straight hair and a big hair product budget. This style looks great, and sometimes requires coloring.
Men’s Summer Haircuts
Like I said, this summer is about short, natural, and wind-blown. Here are some styles for the guys.
The Messy Classic. Shorter than a classic side part, this haircut requires some special scissors from your hairstylist. Use mousse and a blow dryer, or grooming clay, to get the texture.
The Swing Kid. Half Military, half 50s rock. This one is easy to maintain. Adam Levine from Maroon 5 pulls it off really well.
The Short and Frizzy. This style also requires a little bit of simple magic by your barber/hairstylist. Use a grooming clay or a finishing cream to achieve this one.
I hope this helped! KIT…have a great summer!
Posted in Designer Fashion, Trends | No Comments »
May 31st, 2012
In the last few months, 1990s fashion has been declared vintage, historical, and retro, and searches for the subject have been picking up significant steam. Duh! Welcome to the 90s *rolls eyes*! Many readers have asked me to write an article about the trends that inevitably make (and have made) their way back into the main stream. I’ll do it! But you owe me…
Casual Attire
The 1990s was a time of great change and, believe it or not, fashion rebellion in a sense. Because of the recession toward the beginning of the decade and new business philosophies that proved the importance of employees feeling more comfortable at work, Casual attire was the name of the decade. Dressing down in every aspect of life became normal. Going to work in “business casual” clothing was relatively new on a large scale and for the first time, you couldn’t tell who was rich and who was a bum.
Another reason for the uprising in casual attire was the influence that 90s music had on fashion. Grunge, Hip Hop, Alternative, and Boy Bands all dressed in casual-”chic” attire, influencing fans and non-fans alike. Doc Martens and flannel, parachute pants and LA Lights, or oversized sweaters and eyeliner anyone?
In the 1980s, consumers were purchasing products left and right, often spending more than they had. This is normally called “conspicuous consumption,” and it was a lesson learned going into the last decade of the millennium. Minimalism was popular in 1990s fashion, and a rejection of the large fashion icons became mainstream. In other words, people saw other people dressing down and decided to save money (or they were too lazy/cool for fashion!). Overalls, flannel, bright colors that lingered from the 80s, denim everything, and baggy clothes were all a nonchalant rejection to expensive fashion.
Global Influences
Viewing fashion from around the world via the internet and eCommerce were just beginning to take off, making it easier to purchase clothing from around the world. This increased the variety available to consumers, and the sources of influence as well. Inexpensive clothing manufacturers from China, Mexico, and other such countries were able to sell directly to consumers. This might have been one of the causes of the decline in upscale fashion in the 90s. It was also the reason for the strong Chinese influence on mainstream 1990s fashion. In 1997, Britain handed Hong Kong back to China after occupying it for 156 years, creating a sense of Chinese pride in anyone with a smidgen of Chinese in their ancestry. Cheongsam dresses became popular, and influenced other aspects of fashion including shawls with similar embroidery.
1990s Fashion in the 2010s
Did you think you were done with the 90s? Think again. Influences from past decades are always showing up in the future, and the 90s are no different. Shabby-chic, Casual-chic, and any similar “dressed-down, but nice” can all be attributed to cleaned up versions of 1990s fashion. Here are some other aspects of 1990s fashion that you can find in some form today. These weren’t invented in the 90s, just popularized then (or at least a type was created then).
- Lace Blouses
- Chucks
- Pastels (late 90s, and now 2012-2013)
- Displaying designer labels to show off
- Yoga pants (as a style)
- Thong underwear
- Flannel
- Navy blue blazers and boat shoes
- Polo Shirts
- Neon cross trainers
Believe me now?
Posted in Designer Fashion | No Comments »
May 23rd, 2012
Out of your five senses, olfactory (your sense of smell) is the most closely related to memory, and memory is tied to emotion. This means that the emotions evoked by scents are highly subjective, but, except in weird cases, an average person has had positive past experiences with most scents used in perfumes and colognes. Who has had a bad experience with Jasmine? An example to contradict this might be if a man is rejected by a woman that wears Clinique Happy, he might feel like a reject when he smells another woman wearing it.
If you are in a committed relationship, the best thing for you to do is skip the rest of this article and conduct your own tests with your partner to find out what they like the best. Otherwise, you are probably trying to attract a general population, in which case you should follow the research below!
What Scent Should I Wear if I’m Trying to Attract a Man?
Read the Research: A study by Chicago’s Smell and Taste Treatment Research Center found some interesting statistics. Men are turned on by a mixture of the scent of pumpkin pie and lavender above all other scents that were tested. The mixture of the two scents reduced anxiety and eliminated inhibitions, which allowed for…well…you know. The next scent combination in line was Vanilla and Strawberry. I should mention that this research isn’t airtight though, but it does give people a general direction for what a sampling of men like to smell.
Go to brands that try to attract people like you: I’ve found that perfumes and colognes do a great job of making scents that target one specific type of customer. For example, Daisy by Marc Jacobs is made for “Happy, Youthful women,” that have a summery look, and the smell of Daisy by Marc Jacobs reflects that very well.
There are perfumes for women that like to take charge, women that are flashy and love to show off, women that are “earthy” and the list goes on. Because of the highly targeted nature of the perfume industry, you should try to choose perfumes based on your personality. This also helps the person you’re trying to attract know more about you before they hear you speak. Perfume choice tells a lot about a person.
Perfume by Personality Type
Sweet and Sophisticated: You are girly and delicate. Your style of clothing is elegant, but still young. You have somewhat of a sweet tooth, but you like the look of candy as much as the taste. If this is you, you’ll enjoy scents with subtleties and floral hints. Try Clinique Happy or Burberry London.
Flashy:You like going out and showing off your new shoes, making men drool, and partying all night. You may enjoy scents with a punch. Try Stella by Stella McCartney, Very Sexy by Victoria’s Secret
Take charge:You likely have a high profile job where you are the director (if not, you’ll probably get there soon). You wear business suits and consider yourself somewhat of a control freak. Try anything by Jean Paul Gaultier, Chanel No.19.
Earthy and Carefree: You may shop at Anthropologie, enjoy outdoor picnics, cottages, your favorite colors are reds, oranges, and yellows, and you may enjoy listening to folk music of some sort. You wear flowy dresses and shirts. Scents with sandalwood, Clinique Aromatics Elixir ,or Chanel Cristalle.
Classic/Classy:Your clothing style is sophisticated and elegant, and maybe old fashioned (in a good way). You like listening to Classical Music or anything with depth. You likely have a job where you need to wear a business suit. Try Light Blue by D&G for Women.
Sporty: You go to the gym almost every day or you hike, bike, climb, and stay active outdoors. You wear athletic clothing more often that any other type. Try Polo Sport Women or Burberry Sport for Women.
Other things to keep in mind:
Think of the type of person you are trying to attract and why, then cater your scent and style to them. I know that personality and style can vary based on the circumstance you’re in. You may present yourself differently at your job than you would going out dancing with friends. Keep in mind that you might need a scent for every occasion. When you want to feel sexy, wear a sexy perfume!
What Scent Should I Wear if I am trying to Attract Women?
Research:Oddly enough, research has shown that for women, the scent of very fresh man-sweat (not when it is oxidized and left on the body or clothing, of course. That’s just gross) evokes…let’s call it happiness… It’s because of specific type of pheromone. This is especially true during ovulation. This pheromone disappears quickly after the sweat is released, and is just as quickly replaced by a woman-repelling pheromone that smells bad. “So, men who believe that their ‘macho’, sweaty body odor is attractive to women are deluding themselves, unless they are constantly producing fresh sweat and either naked or changing their clothes every 20 minutes to remove any trace of the oxidized sweat.” -The Smell Report
Go to brands that try to attract people like you:I’ve found that colognes do a great job of making scents that target one specific type of customer. For example, men that like to take charge and are outdoorsy each have their own special type of cologne.
Perfume by Personality Type
Flashy and Take Charge: You like going out and showing off your new clothes and partying all night. You likely have a high profile job where you are the director (if not, you’ll probably get there soon). You wear business suits and consider yourself somewhat of a control freak. You may enjoy scents with a punch. Try anything by Gucci or Versace.
Outdoor and Rugged: You like being outdoors (hiking, kayaking, riding horses), your favorite colors are reds, oranges, and yellows. You wear jeans and flannel shirts, or a lot of leather. You may enjoy scents with a musky smell almost like leather. Try Fahrenheit 32 by Dior or CK Be by Calvin Klein.
Classic/Classy:Your clothing style is sophisticated and elegant, and maybe old fashioned (in a good way). You like listening to Classical Music or anything with depth. You likely have a job where you need to wear a business suit. Try CK1, LaCoste, or similar styles.
Sporty: You go to the gym almost every day or you hike, bike, climb, and stay active outdoors. You wear athletic clothing more often that any other type. Try anything with the “Sport” label on it. An example is LaCoste Essentials Sport.
I hope this helped!
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May 17th, 2012
Fishtail braids are all the rage right now! It makes sense, braids in general keep you cooler during the late spring and summer seasons. There are many benefits to fishtail braids. They can be casual or dressed up, and they can be much quicker than blowing out your hair. With a side fishtail as opposed to letting it rest on your back, you are taking it a step further and presenting it face on!
Here, I’ve provided side Fishtail braid instructions:
1. Make sure your hair is nice and shiny! This could be a natural shine from washing, or a hair product with a shine in it (like a smoothing cream). Slightly dampen it if necessary.
2. Divide your hair into two large sections, so that the part is vertical (not horizontal). You have two options here: You can either part your hair 1) On the side of your head a few inches behind your ear, with a part that goes straight down vertically, or 2) on the back of your head like the image below. If you choose option 2, you simply pull both sides over your shoulder, and braid it there. Keep in mind that the braid might be uneven at the bottom.
3. The technique you’ll be using is weave-like, so decide which way you’re most comfortable (right to left or left to right). Grab a thin strand of hair from the outside of one of the sides. Pull this strand over the first section, and add it under the second section on the other side. In other words, the strand of hair has gone over the first section and finishes under the second section.
- The thinner the piece of hair you use, the more complex the braid will look.
- Use the same thickness for each strand throughout, or your braid will look uneven.
- Pulling it tighter helps you to get used to method.
4. Do the same for the other side. Pull a skinny strand of hair out from the outside of the second section and over this section, then weave it under the first section. Make it as loose or as tight as you want it to be, remembering that the tighter method is easier for beginners and it looks less relaxed. Then just repeat!
5. Make sure to tie it off at the end. Use this opportunity to throw in a flower tie or something decorative and cute.
- If your side fishtail braid comes out too tight, simply use your hand to loosen the braid throughout by massaging it.
If you have long hair, try tying the braid in front of your forehead or other creative things!
I hope this helps you!
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May 8th, 2012
Why do I get those yellow perspiration stains in the armpits of my tops? Am I gross? How can I get rid of them? How can I prevent them from happening again?
Fortunately, you are not gross! Thousands of people ask this question every month, so you are not alone. The stains still look bad to you though, so I’ll give you some tried and true home remedies to remove and prevent them. If you’ve already tried the obvious soapy water or washing your stained garments, here are some alternative methods to get the stains out.
At the bottom of this post I’ve included tips for preventing sweat stains so that you don’t have to go through this again!
The reason for sweat stains: Believe it or not, aluminum and other ingredients in your deodorant mixed with the natural salts and proteins in your sweat, and combined with air, friction, and heat, make up the beautiful yellow stains that we know and love. Weird, right? So instead of caking on that deodorant to prevent the stains, reconsider next time.
 Some words of WARNING before we go any further:
- Avoid Bleach with Chlorine: Bleach seems like the obvious solution for sweat stains. Don’t do it! Bleach will actually darken the stains because it reacts with the proteins in your perspiration.
- Avoid heat. Hot water or heat from the dryer will set the stains in.
How to Remove Pit Stains
You’ve probably tried washing and drying your garment, using bleach, and maybe a few other methods. You might feel pretty desperate. Before spending money or trying some of the interesting home remedies below, let me start from the basics to remove pit stains. Forgive me if you’ve tried this:
- Wash the item in cold water, and allow it to air dry until the stain is gone.
- If the top is made of natural fiber, let it dry in sunlight to help remove yellow stains on light-colored fabrics.
- Polyesters will be damaged by sunlight, and sunlight will bleach natural fibers like cotton and linen. Sunlight may cause certain polyesters to disintegrate as well, so make sure you check the label before going crazy with sunlight.
Remove Pit Stains from Leather or Suede
- Add some soap to warm water.
- Shake or swish the solution to create a lot of suds.
- With a sponge, grab only the foam from the solution.
- Wipe onto the stain gently.
- On leather only, follow with special leather cleaning solutions such as Tannery Vintage Leather Cleaner & Conditioner, or Fiebing’s Saddle Soap to condition the leather.
Remove Pit Stains from Washable Fibers
If your top is made of Spandex, Polyester, Acrylic Fabric, Linen, Cotton, Modacrylic, Olefin, or Nylon:
- Try an enzyme presoak product and use according to package directions.
- After soaking, then put in the washer (not the dryer).
- For older laundry stains, sponge area with a diluted solution of white vinegar and water, then put in the washer (not the dryer).
- If fabric color has changed, stretch the stained area over a bowl of ammonia so fumes penetrate while the spot is moist.
- Prompt treatment of perspiration stains is necessary, as they can weaken most fibers. Caution: Never iron a garment with perspiration stains — the heat will set them
Remove Pit Stains from Acetate, Rayon, Silk, Wool:
- Sponge the stained area with water, then follow with an application of a wet spot cleaner and a few drops of ammonia. (Don’t use ammonia on silk or wool.)
- Cover with an absorbent pad moistened with wet spot cleaner.
- Let the pad remain in place as long as any stain is being removed.
- Change the pad as it picks up the stain.
- Keep both the stain and pad moist with wet spot cleaner and ammonia.
- Flush well with water and allow to dry thoroughly.
Alternative Methods and Home Remedies to Remove Pit Stains
Baking Soda
- Mix four tablespoons of baking soda with one quarter cup water.
- Scrub the paste into the armpits of your garment with an old toothbrush or fingernail brush.
- Let it sit for an hour.
- Wash and air dry.
- Repeat as needed.
Hydrogen Peroxide:
- Mix hydrogen peroxide and baking soda into warm water
- Scrub and soak overnight
- Wash and dry
- Repeat
Vodka
- Make a solution of vodka and water.
- Spray it onto sweat stains before washing.
- Dont dry in the dryer
White Vinegar:
- Add to your normal laundry detergent before you add the top.
- Wash with cold water.
- Don’t dry in the dryer
*You’ll smell it only when in the washer before it’s washed, trust me! As a side note, this can get out the smell of mildew as well.
Aspirin
- Crush two aspirins
- Mix the powder in 1/2 cup warm water.
- Soak the stained part of the garment in the solution for two to three hours.
Lemons
- Mix a solution of equal parts lemon juice and water
- Simply scrub the stained area
Meat Tenderizer
- Dampen the stained garment
- sprinkle some meat tenderizer on it.
- Then just wash as usual
Salt
- Dissolve 4 tablespoons salt in 1 quart (1 liter) hot water.
- Just sponge the garment with the solution until the stain disappears
How To Prevent Pit Stains
As I mentioned above, “pit stains” are caused by a chemical reaction between the ingredients in deodorant and the salts and/or proteins in your perspiration. Most deodorants contain aluminum compounds to reduce moisture. It is the aluminum that causes the build-up and the eventual yellowing on fabrics.
Try a non-aluminum deodorant to see if it solves the problem.
First and foremost, you’ve probably tried wearing an undershirt to help protect your more expensive outer shirt. If an extra layer is just not possible, try switching to an aluminum-free deodorant, or one with less aluminum. If THIS is not possible:
After applying deodorant, allow it to dry before dressing to prevent rub-off on fabrics. If you don’t have time to wait, a couple of blasts of air from a hair dryer will do the trick.
If you have perspired while wearing a garment, wash or dryclean it as quickly as possible. Stains are much harder to remove once they become set in (you may have noticed). If you notice the beginnings of yellow stains, stop using the dryer. The heat can set in residual stains making them almost impossible to remove. Dry shirts in sunlight to increase whitening of fabrics and if that’s not possible (or if the fabric doesn’t allow for it), air dry indoors.
Most of all though, don’t cake on that deodorant!
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