Kunle Bakare Tells Simple Secrets To Elevate Your Garbs

Kunle Bakare, the man of style who is teaching others how to look has shared “simple secrets to elevate your garbs”.

The power behind bespoke cloths and related fashion items place , Omoluwabi By KB provided the tips in narrative with the header “from frumpy to fashionable and fabulous: 2 simple secrets to elevate your garbs”.

It reads…

Friends far and near, the charitable and good natured, forget where you stand on the richter scale of style. Whether you are a fashionista or dandy, style leader or keen student, a fresher or novice, don’t fret or fuss.

And don’t agonise over all the duds and accessories you have assembled or dreaming to call your own.

Wherever you stand, two things are crucial when we are separating winners and losers, the well-dressed, best-dressed, the fashionably flawed and sartorially sloppy.

And these two secrets rank so high that you cannot win without knowing and living them. What’s more, they require little resources. Just attention, time, energy and a little cash!

The secrets, the bedrock of the fashion-forward and elegant, are as simple as they come:

o   Getting our garments clean, spot-and-wrinkle-free. 

o   Getting our footwear clean, dirt-free and shimmering.

And some of the leading designers, whose primary objective is to sell more fashion items, admit that keeping outfits clean and crisp and shiny give you more than a head start:

§  ‘Cleanliness is next to stylishness.’ 

–Marc Jacobs (American designer who started his eponymous label in 1984)

§  ‘A well-kept secret to style is keeping your clothes well-kept.’

–Michael Kors (American designer, began his fashion house in 1981)

§  ‘Quality, cleanliness, and attention to detail make all the difference.’

–Tom Ford (joined Perry Ellis in 1986, and went on to work for Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent before launching Tom Ford in 2004)

§  ‘Dressing well starts with taking care of your clothes.’ 

–Dolce & Gabbana (the Italian duo, Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, founded their company in 1985)

§  ‘Clean shoes, clean conscience.’

–Manolo Blahnik (the Spanish shoe designer launched in 1972)

Like they said, everything else—knowing what’s trendy or timeless, assembling a capsule wardrobe or exuberant regalias—comes after you have fulfilled these two commandments with all righteousness.

Though many elements rank high for the discerning and gifted—from fit, comfort to appropriateness—they don’t count when your togs are unclean and rumpled, your shoes begging for a good wipe and polish. That rough, trampy and disheveled look takes away everything. 

So, one thing you cannot compromise is keeping your garments, accessories and shoes pristine. And you have two options: get the most experienced dry cleaner, laundry man or cobbler you can afford, or attend to your apparels yourself.

If the option is to pay to have them taken care of, you only need to test the workmen or enterprise, let them know your expectations. There are quite a handful of enterprises that will deliver beyond the call of duty, just ask around.

The more difficult task is caring for your attires yourself (as you will require some knowledge and a basketful of appliances and items to get the job done). But it is not impossible!

We are forever bombarded with innumerable resources, but here are some tips to keep your clothes clean and crisp:

Washing: sort clothes before washing, separate whites, colours, and delicates; use the right detergent, choose a gentle or strong detergent depending on fabric type; avoid overloading the washing machine, leave space for clothes to move (or hand wash whenever you can); wash in cold water unless specified (cold water preserves colours and fabrics).

Drying: remove clothes as soon as the cycle ends (prevents wrinkles and creases); hang clothes to dry (ideal for delicate or special-care items); use a low heat setting for synthetic fabrics, wool, or silk; remove wrinkles with steam (use a steamer or iron).

Ironing: iron while clothes are slightly damp (easier to remove wrinkles); use the right temperature (check fabric labels); iron clothes inside out, or with a cloth between the iron and your garments (protects outer fabric); hang clothes immediately (prevents wrinkles from reforming).

Storage: fold or hang clothes neatly to prevent creases and wrinkles; store clothes in a cool, dry place to avoid moisture and mildew; use breathable storage bags for delicate or special-care items; consider cedar blocks or mothballs as natural pest repellents (some recommend charcoal).

Additional tips: check labels to follow specific care instructions; avoid over-drying which causes wrinkles and shrinkage; use a fabric refresher (spray or dryer sheets for freshness); consider professional cleaning for delicate or specialty items.

Crispness boosters are: starch or fabric finisher which adds crispness to cotton and linen; fabric spray (refreshes and smooths fabrics); dryer sheets (reduces static cling); steam spray (smooths wrinkles and adds freshness).

And here’s a simple guide on how to keep your shoes clean and shining:

·        Clean shoes regularly to prevent dirt buildup.

·        Use a soft-bristled brush to remove loose dirt and debris.

·        Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive materials.

·        Condition leather shoes to maintain moisture and flexibility.

·        Dab with the right wax and shine.

·        Store shoes in a cool, dry place to prevent mold and mildew.

Everyone, whatever your rank, can easily unlock effortless elegance with these two essential secrets:

Ø  Impeccable garments: clean, pressed, and fitted

Ø  Polished footwear: clean, shiny, and well-maintained

Please, ditch the notion that style requires only huge resources and luxury labels. Attention to detail is key. Commit to regular laundry and shoe care routines and you are more than halfway to the top of the league.

–Kunle Bakare for Omoluwabi by KB (Sunday, 17.11.2024)