Student clothing tips

2009-01-06 – 12:57 下午

Across the country, parents are preparing for the return of university students who’ve completed their first term and are coming home for Christmas. And what comes with them? Their washing!

It seems that the student youth of the UK has never been so badly able to look after its clothing, nor even to decide what to pack and wear, and ‘textile management’ in their book seems to mean throwing everything they own into a bin bag: clean and dirty, worn and unworn, and bringing it home for somebody else to launder, repair, return to them for next term.

If this sound familiar, make it your new year’s resolution to empower your student offspring to be ‘textile managers’. Here’s how:
What to take

  • Comfortable clothes – fashion is great, but even those taking a fashion degree need clothes that they can relax and learn in. And there will be days when your kid is hungover, or ill, or has split up with somebody and that’s when they need to feel comfortable. This means T-shirts, sweatshirts, and jeans. As a parent you might feel they should have smarter clothes but get real – they won’t be doing anything that requires them to look formal.
  • Nightwear – it’s amazing how many students forget to pack something to sleep in, and that can be embarrassing for their roommate or for surprise guests who pop in to borrow milk or lecture notes first thing in the morning. If your teen doesn’t wear pyjamas, an oversize T-shirt and jog pants will do the job
  • Comfortable shoes – more than one pair, and preferably not stinky. At this point adults may wish to ‘donate’ shoe spray to the Christmas present list
  • Clothes they can layer – they’ll be moving from the cold outdoors into overheated classrooms and back again and that means pulling clothing on and off: hoodies are a good investment here, especially for males who have a profound aversion to wearing jackets, even if it’s Arctic outside.

    What to leave at home

    High heels, anything that has to be dry cleaned, most things that need to be ironed.

    What to wear and what not to wear

    Whether they are male or female, try to discourage your student offspring from going to class half naked, while girls may want to wear navel-exposing tops, try to get them to team them with large baggy trousers and boys who wear their trousers at half-mast can be encouraged to pair them with big sweatshirts or baggy T-shirts. It’s sad but true that while they may not realise it, giving off an overly sexy and casual vibe can affect the opportunities young people are offered during their college years. Those who don’t look reasonably mainstream can find themselves marginalised in certain aspects (public speaking, meeting visiting dignitaries and celebrities) which look great on a cv.

  • Recession Wear: don’t look old in the workplace

    2009-01-06 – 11:18 上午

    As the recession hits home, many people are losing their jobs. Of course if the company you’re working for goes bust, you’ve got no choice but to look for another job, but if the need is for redundancies, you don’t want to look like an old stick-in-the-mud when management are hoping to hang on to the best, brightest and most likely to help them beat the down-curve. While we can all ignore clothing rules in our personal life, it’s going to become increasingly important to look right in the workplace to ensure we keep our jobs in the tough times ahead.

    THE CLOTHING RULES FOR MEN

    Never tuck anything in unless your workplace dress code insists on suits.

    Tucking in tee-shirts, polo-shirts or even casual shirts suggests you are old, formal and possibly difficult to get on with. It may seem unfair, but outside of the military and the professions, being too smartly dressed can be a definite downer for your career.

    Don’t stick to one colour.

    It’s a temptation to say that if you buy everything in light blue: shirts, T-shirts, polos etc then you can be sure that everything matches, but actually this says that you have no dress sense and don’t care about your appearance. To look younger and trendier, invest in a couple of items in ‘non-standard’ colours such as pink, yellow or red and wear them every couple of weeks. A red polo shirt with chinos looks lively and sporty, while a red or pink shirt with black trousers suggests you’re relaxed and approachable.

    Lose the helmet cut.

    Smoothing down your hair says you’re ready to retire and invest in Brylcreem shares. Too neat is always aging. Go to a hairdresser or barber who doesn’t know you and tell them you want an easy to maintain but modern cut. You’ll be surprised how many years it takes off you.

    THE CLOTHING RULES FOR WOMEN

    Don’t dress like your mother.

    Never wear anything with braid on. It immediately says you’re a granny and proud of it. Instead, invest in single colour clothing (checks imply you’re into patchwork covers and knitting) and match it with textures: a plain white shirt with a lacy cardigan looks elegant, the same shirt with cargo pants looks casual and down to earth.

    Double-breasted jackets are only for headmistresses.

    Double-breasted clothing is never as flattering as single-breasted, especially if you happen to be less than slim. It has connotations of matronly figures and humourless school nurses. Stick to single-breasted wear and never button a polo-shirt or cotton shirt right up to the neck unless your company dress code insists on it as this too implies you’re more keen on the rules than on the business.
    Men's Cotton T-Shirts

    EDUN LIVE MODEL TOPAZ PAGE-GREEN

    2009-01-05 – 9:53 上午

    Our EDUN LIVE model Topaz Page-Green is no novice when it comes to making a difference. The stunner was recently featured in New York’s Page Six Magazine, giving insight into her worthwhile charitable efforts.

    Topaz, a Johannesburg native, set up the Lunchbox Fund, which is a nonprofit organization that provides meals for African students. It is already an incredible success, with support from influential people such as celebrity friends Mario Batali, Helena Christensen and Mike Myers, while Balthazar Getty and Joaquin Phoenix sit on the Lunchbox Fund’s board.

    Cotton T-Shirts, Wool Acrylic T-Shirts, Silk T-Shirts, Merino Wool T-Shirts.

    For her December 11 gala at Milk Studios, Topaz recruited Gwyneth Paltrow, Cameron Diaz and Salman Rushdie to design lunchboxes for auction. Check it out here: http://www.nbsweater.com

    Cotton T-shirt and maintenance

    2009-01-04 – 11:01 上午

    Washing clothes to be different for different materials washing, so that it will not hurt the beloved clothing.
    To mention here on cotton T-shirt and maintenance:
    First, cotton T-shirt washing, the use of the weak alkaline detergent or cleaning agent will not undermine the quality T-shirt.
    The second, cotton T-shirt Tangde formation is not easy, so hot when appropriate more evenly spraying water, water infiltration and then to be iron, the effect will be even better.
    Third, over-exposure would have a cotton T-shirt oxidation, so that the white T shirt or turn yellow and brittle, so that the T-shirt printing and dyeing patterns easily fade or a burst of recommendations from drying up.
    Fourth, cotton T-shirt vulnerable to acid erosion, so similar to the fruit acids, such as dirty T shirt, it is best used fresh water as soon as possible to deal with water washing, the stain so as not to stay too long and hard to remove.

    Barack Obama Wins! How would you have voted?

    2008-12-30 – 11:06 上午

    Here at 8Ball we have been following the US election and throwing our support behind the man of change, Barack Obama. After a long night now he’s emerged victorious, ushering in a new era in US and world politics.

    We’ve been speaking to some US ex-pats living in the UK who have been hooking themselves up with some of our Obama tshirts.

    We thought it would have been interesting to canvas opinion in the UK and Europe to see how people in the UK would have voted, for no other reason but to see if people outside of the USA would have voted the same way as us.

    We’d love it if you the 8Ball users would let us know which way you would have voted?

    Cashmere wool

    2008-12-29 – 1:06 下午

    Cashmere wool, usually simply known as cashmere, and sometimes known as Pashmina, is a fiber obtained from the Cashmere goat. The word “cashmere” derives from an archaic spelling of Kashmir.

    Cashmere wool is fine in texture, and it is also strong, light, and soft; when it is made into garments, they are extremely warm to wear, much warmer than the equivalent weight in sheep’s wool.

    How should I care for my cashmere?

    2008-12-23 – 3:35 下午

    Always read and follow the garment’s own cashmere care label when washing your cashmere knitwear or homewares. Cashmere can normally be hand washed, or sometimes even gently machine-washed, but if in doubt should be dry cleaned. However you wash your cashmere garment, we suggest turning it inside-out before washing for extra protection.

    We generally recommend regular hand washing by immersing your garment in a solution of warm water and a gentle wool wash product. We supply a range of specialist cashmere care products, designed to help you maintain, store, and transport your garments in pristine condition.

    When washing by hand, do not rub but instead squeeze the suds gently through the fabric. Never wring or stretch the fabric in any way. Finally, rinse several times in clean lukewarm water until the water runs clear with no trace of detergent.

    Some cashmere can also be washed using the handwash, delicates or woollens cycle on your washing machine. When washing your cashmere in a machine ensure you use a specialist cashmere or delicates washing liquid. Never wash it at more than 40 degrees, and ideally less, and we suggest avoiding biological detergents. Check the garment’s care label first to ensure that it is suitable for machine washing.

    Do not leave your cashmere wet; dry it as soon as soon as possible or odours may develop. Squeeze out any excess water before lifting a wet cashmere garment (or perhaps use a slow spin cycle on the machine if permitted by the care label). It may stretch if you are not careful, so take great care.

    When washed, smooth your cashmere gently back into its original shape. Place it flat on a towel and allow it to dry naturally. Avoid any direct heat such as radiators or strong sunlight. Never hang cashmere on a line to dry as this will cause lines and stretch marks. And tumble dry cashmere only if the care label specifically permits this.

    When your cashmere garment is dry it can be gently pressed with a cool iron to remove any creases.

    Men’s Scarves: Sexy Winter Styles

    2008-12-19 – 2:11 下午

    Someone please tell me why more men don’t take advantage of automatic sex appeal? Men’s scarves are like dress shirts – every man can look good in one. So why don’t y’all wear them more often? Even if you live somewhere like Texas, there will be at least one opportunity for you to wear one during the year!

    European men wear them on a regular basis, but American men, not so much. And I say that as someone who grew up in a part of the US that saw at least 12 school snow days each year.

    The fact is, scarves make you look good. In fact, the right scarf can make the average man twice as hot. Seriously, you know I wouldn’t lie to you! The trick is wearing the right kind scarf – cos they don’t all have sex-appeal factor.

    Men’s Scarf

    Merino Wool Sweater

    2008-12-15 – 12:36 下午

    We’re willing to put up with the dark, cold days of winter only because we get to wear gorgeous sweaters like this one. The one silver lining in that snow-filled cloud, this cozy rib-knit sweater is made from the softest 100% merino wool, hand-dyed with natural, azo-free dyes. Good looking and good for the planet, it’s hand knit by women in Nepal as part of an organization that provides educational and vocational training for impoverished, low caste women, allowing them to make a living wage while also creating beautiful handmade garments. Available in Small and Medium. Choose Green or Pink.

    TransFair USA is the Fair Trade Certifying body for the USA. This product was produced with the least environmental impact, and is sent in our exclusive eco-packaging and shipped with care. All growers and handlers must meet rigorous performance criteria in the following areas before being awarded the Fair Trade certification:

    1) fair labor practices
    2) comply with rigorous environmental standards
    3) eliminate hazardous agrochemicals, work towards organic practices
    4) democratically elect joint body of workers that invest profits into community development
    5) development projects including scholarships, micro-lending, adult literacy, and community gardens

    Lambswool sweaters

    2008-12-08 – 10:02 上午

    Although there are now many designs and types of garments which could be called sweaters, there is one thing for sure: a beautifully soft, form-fitting pure lambswool sweater should be a part of everyone’s wardrobe.

    Wool Overs are proud to be able to offer the finest quality products at the best possible prices. Our beautiful lambswool sweaters illustrate the fact that, although our garments vary from range to range, we continue to sell top quality and luxurious wool and lambswool sweaters.

    We promise you guaranteed satisfaction with our no quibble return policy. We are confident our lambswool sweaters are every bit as good as you would expect, if not better, and at a modest price.

    Wool Overs only use the best of British lambswool in the making of its full range of lambswool sweaters. The first wool from lambs is sheared at about seven months. The soft and resilient lambswool fibres are perfect for making the softest and most cosy sweaters.

    Luxurious yet not ostentatious, you can’t beat Wool Overs’ spectacular range of lambswool sweaters for both quality and price. Robust and built for the British winter, these lambswool sweaters are of the highest quality, wash well and always look great on both men and women.