Preview: Fall menswear a landscape of handsome neutrals

The average guy will find plenty in stores this fall to please him, the sort of dark, masculine clothes that are impeccable tailored and easy to wear.

Black is the new black, which should excite guys who make it their year-‘round go-to. Shades of gray and browns complement the dominance of neutrals through the coming fall and winter, with the fashion landscape rising just above tedium with bold plaids and other prints and accent colors such as bold greens and rich purples.

But make no mistake — the emphasis on underwhelming earth tones doesn’t mean menswear will bore anyone to tears. The styles that better American designers have stitched up and retailers are serving up feature body-conscious, fine tailoring and interesting details that present a more refined image.

Tweeds dominate in pants and flannels continue to make a comeback in shirts. The velvet jacket may rule as the must-have casual-meets-dressy garment of the season. Perry Ellis, Boss Hugo Boss and Dolce & Gabbana are among the brands weighing in with an option, and Burberry even has a rich velvet suit due to arrive at retail soon.

The three-piece-suit returns as a major player in menswear for fall and winter, worn to the nines with a crisp shirt and a rich necktie or more casually with a turtleneck and pocket square. Lapels on the vest are an essential tailored touch.

Layering is as much a part of winter as bare trees, and outerwear is bigger in proportion with luxury accents such as fur trim and buckles. From dressy to casual, many of the season’s looks are anchored by large boots that balance an almost nerdy vibe with a tough, modern edge.

Creative, chic collections close out fashion week

As Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week glided to a close last week, more of New York’s big guns lined up at the plate and hit home runs out of the park.

Luxury without extravagance was the trend. Designers went the extra creative mile, using luxury fabrics, superb tailoring, and embellishment with purpose to nudge consumers toward retail cash registers.

Stephen Burrows used five models to show off a series of edgy day and evening looks to two intimate audiences in his Midtown showroom. A legendary innovator who gave the world the wrap dress, the lettuce hem, and the runway fashion show, Burrows composed a sartorial symphony of fit, drape, and color. From a sexy black motorcycle jacket with matching cropped pants to a regal maroon goddess gown, each look evoked a sense of yesteryear with a hip modern twist.

Badgley Mischka reminded the world why they are a go-to for celebrity dressing and special occasions, sending out a chic two-suite collection that included daywear and eveningwear. Bryan Reyes channeled the faces of nature in a strong and wearable collection of day, evening and outerwear for women, and Dennis Basso was back with smart gem-tone ensembles that incorporated luxury materials ranging from alligator and chinchilla to fox and Finnish raccoon.

American womenswear designers are redefining power dressing for fall-winter 2010

Four of the strongest trends emerging for the season are an incredibly strong military influence; unapologetic opulence and luxury; the ubiquity of grey and its connotations of independence and authority; and black as the new black.

Designers are incorporating epaulets, strong shoulders, double-breasted silhouettes, and other military themes into sportswear and even eveningwear. Crystals, jewels, and fur are a bigger part of collections than they have been for several years. Shades of grey are everywhere, from Chanel-like tweed suits to sweaters and dresses. And black is by far the most ubiquitous color coming down runways.

Stir in some other trends — lacey black overlays, fashion boots of all heights, fiercely angled wide-brim hats — and the result is a fabulous femme fatale ready to take on the world.

The key directional look for women is that of a powerful, confident, ladylike sophisticate who not only knows the power of fashion but embraces it as a tool for forging ahead in uncertain, ever-changing times.

The feel of it is, at times, strangely and attractively dark. Such is the case in the collection presented by Monique Lhuillier, which was inspired by Chinese warrior and military suits. With the long sleeves, pronounced shoulders, and high necks in black and navy fabrics, the looks could have become too severe and edgy. But Lhuilier, whose background is in bridal, still struck a feminine and ladylike chord with lacquered velvets, lace and printed jacquards.

For those who still hunger for color, shades of red — key on many runways — and metallics provided welcomed interludes. There was a crimson jacquard strapless dress with a gold leather chain bolero and a glamorous Shanghai red duchess draped gown with a floral skirt.

Carolina Herrera debuted one of her strongest fall-winter lines in years, combining the masculine allure of Prince of Wales and windowpane patterns with the softness of printed silks, intricate embroidery, ruffles, and voluminous sleeves and skirts. There was some black in the palette, but it took a back seat to rich camel, chocolate, deep reds and Prussian blue.

Herrera is about all elegance all the time, whether her client is heading to the office, lunching with a friend, or heading off to a charity gala. So it was no surprise to see looks as diversely gorgeous as black silk crepe wide-leg pants with a black silk belt and a white silk taffeta organza full-sleeve blouse; a camel wool-cashmere cape over a white top with camel-and-ivory mohair windowpane plaid pants and an embroidered, fox-trimmed mohair scarf; and a steel blue and black etched floral jacquard gown cinched with a red eel belt.

Carmen Marc Valvo again did not disappoint, returning to NASDAQ in the heart of Times Square to present a well edited line of dazzling cocktail dresses, gowns, jackets, and other pieces for special occasions. Each ensemble was as sumptuous as the next, from a gold caviar beaded brocade cheongsam under an onyx wool sateen trench to a stunning fan-pleated cocktail dress in malachite metallic brocade.

Valvo went to the well once again to draw deeply from timeless elegance and sophistication, and sharing a sartorial sip with him was completely satisfying.

Show-stopping glamour by Georges Chakra and Zang Toi

There always have been and always will be cheapskates, those for whom a perceived bargain price trumps everything — even poor quality.

There is another demographic that influences the economy, especially during recession. While not as visible, this segment of the population keeps the bottom from falling out, preventing a recession from becoming a depression. This cautious consumer — not always a person of wealth — is compelled to buy not necessarily because of cost, but because that object of desire is of undeniable quality and durability. This buyer makes not merely a purchase, but an investment.

Some American designers make a living appealing to this market. Zang Toi and Georges Chakra are two of them, and the fall 2010 womenswear collections they showed yesterday in New York City on the third day of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week gave investment dressers something to talk about now and to anticipate at retail later.

Chakra lent elegant shimmer, glimmer and gleam to his 42-ensemble Edition line, presenting a succession of timeless dresses, suits and coats for special occasion and cocktail. The collection was heavily black, a wise choice and the best backdrop for jeweled embellishment, with a number of pieces popping in red, silver, copper, off-white and a regal blue.

He is the new master of the dramatic exit, finishing the backs of dresses and jackets with dramatic and tasteful buttons, lapels, and backlines. He added peak lapels to the back of a Wedgwood blue, short-sleeve cocktail dress, for example, and a silvery lace collar to the back of a copper gabardine lame off-shoulder, long-sleeve suit.

Black lace is emerging as a big fall trend, and Chakra put it to good use. Black Chantilly lace covered a black gabardine strapless cocktail dress as a peekaboo, A-line overlay, took on an elegant edginess as a cocktail pantsuit, and complemented a lovely fitted black tuxedo jacket as a long skirt.

In some of the hottest special-occasion looks seen so far, Chakra sent out a succession of four black beaded chiffon gowns. Each was topped with a distressed and glazed outerwear piece, from a copper satin trench to cropped jackets in navy and red to a red opera trench.

The looks were the sartorial equivalent of sweet and salty — tasty apart, delicious together.

By now, Zang Toi must be accustomed to the bursts of applause that erupt during his shows. Yesterday was no different, with many guests struggling to their feet in the crowded confines of a Manhattan nightclub to give the designer a standing ovation.

Once again, he earned it. The signature color for his fall line is black, with purple as the only secondary color.

He continues to target the confident sophisticate, the woman with great taste who is just enough diva to stand out in a room and just enough lady to look like she isn’t trying.

Toi introduced the collection as “timeless beautied reflecting the mood of the current economy.” He believes that women “who are making serious purchases are seduced by beautifully crafted collections that are stylish and timeless — an investment that never goes out of fashion.”

Each of his 29 looks spoke eloquently to that, whether they would be worn to a social lunch or to a formal gala. There was a black cashmere-silk-wool ribbed turtleneck with a black suede high-waisted pencil skirt with a black leather-lace overlay, accessorized with a vintage black fox stole. Then there was a flawlessly chic purple wool tweed suit featuring a mink-trimmed blazer over a sheath dress with a sensual organza illusion front.

There also were fabulous pieces in black and purple mohair-silk hombre, from a sheath dress with side slits to an A-line coat with a matching A-line dress.

Just when you think Toi can wow you no further, he does. The show’s last looks were one-two-three knockout punches: a dazzling black silk-velvet strapless gown with a sparkling crystal and pearl estate necklace with a high neck and bib effect; a stunning black jet bead draped choker above a purple silk organza strapless gown with black sequins and beads in hombre effect; and his head-turning, grand-finale piece de resistance — a black knit strapless minidress sprinkled with purple beaded blossoms worn under a black silk gazar opera coat with pouf sleeves encrusted with purple beaded blossoms.

Any who doubt that such luxurious clothes turned out by the likes of Toi and Chakra will find a home come fall might take a look at history.
Jean Patou’s Joy, the most expensive perfume made up to that point, debuted and sold well during the Great Depression.

Cynthia Steffe: lovely fusion of romantic, military

Sometimes strong designer labels falter for one reason or another, whether there’s a new creative talent calling the shots or the brand fails to remain relevant or true to its clientele.

It’s always good to see them rebound, returning better than ever. That’s what appears to be happening at Cynthia Steffe with Shaun Kearney at the helm as the latest creative director.

Kearney brought significant experience and skill to the table when he too charge first for the spring 2009 collection, having designed womenswear for Donna Karan, Kenneth Cole, and Max Mara.

The fall-winter collection Kearney sent out yesterday managed to fuse the best of both. He fused the comfort and fit of Karan, the young urban flair of Cole, and the easy sophistication of Max Mara, a synthesis that was lovely and fresh.

The collection exuded a vivacious exuberance, a joie de vie sorely missing from a season rife with neutrals as dreary as Ohio in January. For clothes to be desired, fit and function are not enough for many women. They want the life and energy that color brings, and Cynthia Steffe is serving it up for fall.

One of the trends emerging in fall womenswear is the juxtaposition of hard and soft, tough and tender. Kearney’s take was a seamless fusion of military and romance that provided structure without rigidity and polish without formality. There were cropped jackets and short pleated skirts, cardigans and slouchy sweaters, shrunken suits and pretty dresses layered over white t-shirts.

Kearney chose dark neutrals — black, navy and gray, which are favorites among designers for fall. He also introduced two gorgeous prints that complemented the palette.

The collection will have strong hanger appeal at retail. For shoppers who aren’t sure what to wear with what, take a hint from the runway show. Wear the chic chocolate and ivory tweed cape with the ivory georgette ruffle blouse and moleskin pocket skirt, for example, or the black pleated wool skirt with the beautiful faded floral print cotton silk trench coat with satin and leather insets.

Angsana reigns on NY fashion week’s first day

Farah Angsana showed up and showed off at Bryant Park yesterday.

Her line of cocktail, evening, and special-occasion looks for fall-winter 2010 gave a jolt to the opening day of Mercerdes-Benz Fashion Week in Midtown Manhattan, electrifying an audience during an otherwise ho-hum day. As they left the show, some guests praised the line as the best they had seen all day.

For many, Angsana came out of nowhere.  She showed her first special-occasion collection last September at  a nearby hotel during fashion week. Before that, she had become an acccomplished designer of bridalwear, a subcategory of fashion with a much smaller base and less media exposure.

But the fall-winter line she debuted inside the big white tents yesterday was, look for look,  one to rival anything done by the likes of Badgley Mischka, Carolina Herrera, and Oscar de la Renta. Like Monique Lhuillier and Vera Wang before her, Angsana made a logical creative progression from wedding gowns to after-five ensembles. Her leap, however, was more appreciable in terms of creativity and sheer beauty.

Spontaneous applause marked several “aaah” moments during the runway show. Angsana incorporated touches of lace, sequins, feathers, and fur into jackets, dresses, and gowns cut from luxurious silks, cashmere, and chiffon. Her palette encompassed black, metallics, scarlet, and rich shades of blue and purple.

Angsana gave Hollywood’s A-list women ample reasons to look her up when it’s time to stroll the red carpet. At the same time, there was plenty to appeal to ordinary women who want to look extraordinary for a special affair: a black silk chiffon halter dress with a hand-pleated bodice worn under a black silk wool evening coat detailed with ostrich feathers and black sequins; a Lurex-woven gunmetal evening coat with silver fox cuffs and collar; a fuchsia silk duchess one-shoulder evening gown with a black floral-sequined tulle overlay; and her final showstopper, a dramatic scarlet silk gazar gown with a crystal and sequin bodice and a layered bias-front petal skirt.

Angsana is a designer with a sharp eye and a deft hand who knows how to manipulate and embellish fabric so that her creations are wearably elegant and don’t cross the line into costume or cliche. She’s a breath of fresh air, one to watch for years to come.

Other shows from Thursday:

Ports 1961

One of Tia Cibani’s strengths as a designer is that her concepts are consistently intelligent and inspired. One of the dangers ever present is that the process could become so cerebral and technical that something essential is lost in translation. We are, after all, talking about clothes that must be worn and that ultimately must make sense. That said, the organic and innovative vibe of past-meets-future that gives Ports fashion so much of its unique appeal was a bit overwrought and at times confusing in the latest collection. There were some moments nwhere it soared, however, from gorgeous print dresses in silk and velvet to a jumpsuit, cape coat, and dolman-sleeve dress in a lovely flecked gray dubbed “pepper.”

BCBG Max Azria

The BCBG girl is one who never grows up. She’s happy to live every moment of her life in loose, deconstructed garments with just enough tuck and drape to look like they weren’t home-ec projects. The problem is, each look comes off as indulgently self-derivative as the one before, differnt only in color and pattern.  This time around, belts were used to cinch tops and dresses, and  bias and handkerchief hems managed to extend the life of a well worn cliche. The most interpreting looks were the handful that were more tailored and fit. They almost seemed to nudge the BCBG girl reluctantly toward maturity rather nthan allowing her to remain a fashion victim trapped in an optionless past.

Farah Angsana

Mackage

Well known for great-looking coats and outerwear, the brand has made a foray into complete looks for men and women. It was a smart move. Who among Mackage’s devotees wouldn’t want the chance to wear an entire Mackage ensemble? While fellows are sure to find several coats and jackets to make their own come autumn, ladies who appreciate sexy and smart day-to-evening ensembles are sure to fall in love with dresses and jackets in menswear-inspired checks.

Bryant Park bids adieu to NY fashion week

Inquiring minds are wondering how this Feb. 11-18 will be commemorated as the last season that New York’s twice-yearly fashion shows will be staged at Bryant Park. Will any designers salute the storied Midtown setting in their shows? Will event organizers memorialize it on billboards, the tent’s façade, or on the coveted registration goodie bag?

Whatever happens- or doesn’t - TheStyleArbiter.com will be there to document, describe, and deconstruct for your reading pleasure.

More than 100 fall-winter 2010 collections will be shown. As always, Bryant Park will be the hub of the action with eight days of morning-to-night shows in the white, three-venue tent beginning with Mackage at 9 a.m. Feb. 11 and ending with Tommy Hilfiger’s presentation at 8 p.m. Feb.18. Some designers and labels plan presentations at their showroom or other off-site locations, but still under the auspices of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.

There are many fashion week events planned outside that purview. One of the best-organized and increasingly popular is the 6^th annual STYLE360, a fashion showcase Feb. 13-17 at Studio 37 that this year will feature designers such as Emu Australian, Claudestine Industries by Pete Wentz, bebe Kardashian hosted by Kim Kardashian, and Project Runway alum Malan Breton. The event has attracted some major sponsors, including Sephora, Tigi, TONY&GUY, and Sony.

Meanwhile, IMG, the parent company of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, has lined up more than a dozen major backers in addition to the title sponsor. TRESemme, Maybelline, American Express, Chambord, Rums of Puerto Rico, and AOL are among them. Tent guests who guzzled tens of thousands of free McCafe sweet coffees the last two seasons are sure to swig record amounts of similar beverages by the sponsor replacing McDonald’s with that freebie - Starbucks.

Perks aside, fashion week is foremost about what American designers will be wanting us to wear come autumn. Along with new visions are some new faces - and old faces in new places.

Coach president and creative director Reed Krakoff, who engineered the luxury brand’s international presence and stratospheric ascent, is debuting his much-anticipated accessories line, which bears his name. I still remember the launch of the first Coach fragrance at one of his private residences in Manhattan during the February 2007 fashion week. This is a man who knows something about luxury.

Generra has been around for a while, but this season will mark the debut of the first full men’s and women’s collections spearheaded by creative directors Christina and Swaim Hutson. The lifestyle brand recently brought the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund-nominated duo onboard to inject a fresh perspective.

Custo Bareclona, known for graphic color and pattern combinations in edgy sportswear for men and women, is projectiung a more energetic and contemporary vibe with a collection themed “Hairy Metal.” It fuses the coolness of metallic bronzes, golds, and steel with the warmth of fur and dusty blues and mauves in dramatically accessorized ensembles that are architectural yet still sensual.

Vivienne Tam will present her newest collection, “Chinese Zodiac,” in celebration of 2010 as the year of the tiger. Rebecca Taylor will show a women’s sportswear line inspired by an urban New York City girl with 70’s Parisian attitude and an urban New York City girl. Tracy Reese is serving up “an eclectic mix of urban and rural style,” Milly’s Michelle Smith took her cues from chic girls of Paris’ Left Bank, and Elie Tahari pays homage to “the great women who traveled the globe in style.”

As event organizers plan to move fashion week to the Lincoln Center starting in September with the spring 2011 collections, the industry’s titans will be at Bryant Park starting Thursday for the site’s last hurrah.

“Bryant Park became the beacon of what U.S. fashion stands for - fearless, tireless, and always moving forward,” said Vogue editor Anna Wintour.

TheStyleArbiter.com will keep you updated on the trends for fall-winter 2010 with daily coverage.

5 winter-survival grooming essentials for men

Any man of style worth his collar stays knows that he can’t follow the rest of the pack and hibernate for the winter, casting most of his grooming regimens aside until spring. Preserving the handsome is a year-around job.

To help you do that, I’m recommending a half-dozen of my favorite products that can keep any guy in shape from head to toe. Winter weather is much harsher than summer’s, so it doesn’t make sense to slack off at such a critical time.

Incorporate some of these products into your ritual, along with exercise, healthy eating, dietary supplements, and lots of good water. The economy and weather might be dismal, but your appearance doesn’t have to be.

What it is: Gillette Fusion Power Razor

Where it is: AtHisBest.com

What it costs: $9.99
Why it’s important: It’s a sad day at my crib when I’ve run out of cartridges for this, the king of disposable razors. Wet shaving is better for the skin than dry shaving, especially in the winter, because it provides the many benefits of water. Shaving helps exfoliate dry, dead skin from the face, which is more likely to occur in winter’s harsher weather. The beauty of this five-fold blade is that it ensures a clean shave through stubble with a single swipe. There’s a special blade on the reverse side made just for trimming mustaches, goatees and special-attention areas such as near the ears and just under the nose. Each blade head lasts for quite a few uses, making it perhaps the best value among disposable razors on the market. For under $10, you get the razor and two cartridges.

What it is: John Masters Organics Moroccan Clay Purifying Mask

Where it is: Beautorium.com

What it costs: $30

Why it’s important: .Everything else might look weather-beaten this time of year, but your face doesn’t have to. Like living room carpet, everybody’s face needs a good deep-cleaning on the regular. Whether once a month or every two weeks, this product does a great job cleansing pores. Formulated for oily and combination skin, it sucks out impurities and dead skin that cause blackheads, pimples, ingrown hairs and razor bumps. It purifies and balances without drying, thanks to ingredients such as sunflower, lavender, and an anti-inflammatory ingredient - oat beta glucan - that also protects against UVA damage and stimulates collagen production.

What it is: Jack Black Protein Booster Skin Serum

Where it is: AtHisBest.com

What it costs: $60

Why it’s important: Yep, we’re parking on the face with one more product because your face is your number-one billboard. It’s never enough to just wash your face, especially in the winter. Nourish, protect, and heal it and it will be one of your biggest assets for decades. Serums just might be the best over-the-counter products to maintain a healthy complexion, and this one is one of my favorites (along with Erno Laszlo’s and La Mer’s). It also may be the most environmentally correct. It contains ingredients such as peptides, certified organic green tea and omega-3 antioxidants, and natural sorghum stalk. It’s also free of colorants, parabens, and fragrance. The result is a vegan, high-performance potion that firms, strengthens, smoothes, moisturizes, and protects skin. And it makes aftershave and moisturizer unnecessary.

What it is: Juara Invigorating Coffee Scrub

Where it is: Juaraskincare.com

What it costs: $37

Why it’s important: Beneath all those warm layers of clothing, your skin is crying for moisture. You would be wise to apply lotion or cream from neck to toes every day in winter months. But first, you’ve got to eliminate scaly, flaking skin caused by cold, dry weather and clothing that chafes. The solution? A scrub that does the job without irritating or burning. This might be the most man-friendly body scrub on the market. It’s a paraben-free, one-step shower - no need for a cleansing bar or body wash because it contains gentle, sulfate-free cleansing agents. It stimulates circulation and, when used in the morning, has the added benefit of an invigorating java aroma courtesy of fresh Indonesian coffee beans.

What it is: Bond No. 9 Riverside Drive

Where it is: Apothica.com

What it costs: $135 for 1.7 ounces

Why it’s important: There are colognes, and then there are colognes. What separates the men from the boys of men’s fragrances are the ones that are sophisticated without being stuffy, uncommon but not bizarre, and lasting yet never overpowering.  The New York-based cult brand Bond No. 9 makes such scents. And this one, in eau de parfum concentration, is one of my favorites. With notes ranging from pineapple to basil to sandalwood, it combines a diverse range of olfactory categories: earthy, woodsy, spicy, fruity . As such, it’s a liquid microcosm of The Big Apple. Riverside Drive will put you in a New York state of mind. And what could possibly be wrong with that?

Purple is winter’s hottest pop color

It’s not always clear why a particular color emerges as a strong trend each season. Color is always in style, but it seems that each new season is defined by a pop color or two common to many designer collections and clothing lines.

Purple has emerged as the most prevalent signature color this fall and winter.

Fusing the coolness of blue and the heat of red, purple is mysterious and intriguing, often associated nobility, royalty, spirituality. It tends to be a favorite color among children and artists.

Eggplant, amethyst, and other deeper shades of purple evoke a sense of wealth. Lighter hues such as lilac and lavender conjure images of romance and cheer.

For this winter, Lela Rose and Nanette Lepore incorporated menswear-inspired purple plaids into attractive coats while Tadashi Shoji and Zac Posen were among those stitching soft, shiny purple fabrics into elegant uptown gowns and cocktail dresses.

Menswear also has taken to the color, with Victorinox using varying shades in pants and shirts and Banana Republic offering a cashmere V-neck sweater in a handsome color right up the middle of the purple spectrum.

Purple is like pink in one respect - it can be worn by anyone, it’s just a matter of finding the right shade, hue, or tint to fit your skin tone.

Check out a few of the season’s hottest purple pieces below.

Stylish knitwear a haute winter trend

Any time is the right time for a knit, from the sweaters that keep you warm in mild first days of spring to lighter weaves that skim the body and help you stay cool in the summer heat.

Fall and winter, however, are when designers churn out an abundance of knitwear. They went all out this season, throwing in some crochet and macramé for good measure. Retailers have stocked up on it all, from roomy caps and super-long scarves to big sweaters and dramatic dusters.

For women, the sweater dress has returned, along with knit ponchos, capes and even knit hosiery. Guys can find handsome knit toggle coats and full-bodied sweaters in various styles: vests, cardigans, crewnecks, V-necks, sweater coats.

Here are 10 tips for buying and caring for knitwear:

• Before buying a piece, examine it thoroughly for snags, pulls and holes.
• If you have allergies or sensitive skin, find out what if any, chemical treatments or artificial dyes were used.
• Make sure any irregularity in the weave is barely noticeable and due to handcraftsmanship rather than machine error.
• Always try the piece on. It should be warm and lightweight rather than hot and heavy.
• Remember that knit apparel is a layering piece for warmth as well as style.
• Obey instructions on the care label. It’s usually best to have knitwear professionally cleaned before storage. Some pieces can be cleaned effectively by handwashing them in cold or tepid water with a mild detergent formulated for knits.

Diesel Black Gold



Gucci

• Allow knits to flat-dry in a well ventilated area on a surface that allows air to circulate above and below the garment. They should be dried fairly rapidly to avoid mildew or a musty odor. To hasten drying, roll pieces gently in a lint-free towel, press gently to remove extra water, unroll and reshape the garment, and then smooth it out to dry.
• Handle wet knits delicately, especially looser weaves. Heat and rubbing can cause wools and other natural fibers to felt.
• Lavender and red cedar have become a more preferred deterrent of moths-and carpet beetle larvae than mothballs and is just as effective, if not more so.
• Hanging a knit is likely to warp its shape. Store each piece folded.

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