How you choose to dress each day shapes both your own mindset (how you feel about yourself) as well as the reaction of others to you. In a job interview, how you package yourself is extra important. You want to instantly be perceived as competent and confident.

In honor of all the soon-to-be college grads in our midst, here a few of our best wardrobe tips to help land (and keep!) the jobs of their dreams. Please share them with a young person in your life (and/or use it to give yourself a dressing well refresher course!) Wherever you are in your life, we hope some of these tips resonate with you:

1. Suit Up – With today’s more casual workplace rules, many people want to know if they still should wear a suit to the interview. In most fields, the answer is yes, especially for that all-important first interview. When you show up suited, it tells people that you understand job interview etiquette and want to be taken seriously right away.
2. Relax with Thought – If you are told that you don’t need to wear a suit for the second interview, listen and adopt your dress code carefully. For men, we suggest a blazer with well-coordinated dress slacks along with a dress shirt with or without a tie – your call. For women, we also often suggest a blazer with well-coordinated business separates – pants, skirts and tops with conservative necklines – you get the idea!
3. Add Color Appropriately – While dark suiting is the standard for job interviews (it projects more authority and can be price-neutral if you are on a budget), don’t be afraid to add color to your interview ensemble – especially when interviewing in creative and less formal industries. Dress shirts, blouses and other professional tops are the easiest and less risky way to do this. Pick hues that compliment your skin tone and personality and make you feel your personal best.
4. The Details Matter – How you coordinate belts, shoes, socks, hosiery and totes is significant. And don’t skimp on alterations. Sleeves and hems should be the correct length. Be aware that less is often more in terms of accessorizing — you don’t want to create unnecessary distractions. These types of details send subtle yet very significant messages about your attention to the small things that matter a lot in today’s competitive business arena.
5. Don’t Let Outerwear be an Afterthought – You are often wearing outerwear when you first meet someone. Make sure yours stands out in only the best way. A trench coat and a well-maintained tote are essential finishing pieces for most business outfits, especially when interviewing.

Last Word
We all have a tremendous amount of control about how first impressions are formed about us. Like a resume, your interview attire should be part of your overall game plan and not neglected or ignored. Carve out the time early in the job interview process to be sure you have the right look for the job you want. Of course, partnering with a reputable drycleaner like Anton’s is also a smart career move. When you invest in yourself, you invite others to invest back in you.

• 1. A Versatile Dress.
  Choose a sleeveless style that can be paired with jackets, cardigan sweaters and a variety of shawls and wraps. While still a great choice, think beyond the LBD (a.k.a. the little black dress). White, red and coral offer a fresh twist on this perennial classic.

• 2. A Leather Jacket.
  Whether you are conservative or in need of connecting with your inner biker babe, there is a leather jacket for you this season. Coordinated correctly, they work as well with jeans as they do with a wide-range of dresses, skirts and traditional pants.
• 3. Pleated Trousers.
  Lighter weight fabrics make this traditional pant more comfortable, soft and chic. Many have wide, flowing legs meant to skim the ground — others have a slimmer cut, landing at the ankle with a cuff.
• 4. Shades of Yellow.
  A pop of color lightens up black and white, navy, brown and gray for warm weather. Yellow is the perfect accent for all your base neutrals this season.
• 5. A Printed Trench.
  If you already have your bases covered with a black and/or beige trench coat, consider adding a printed trench for extra style. We are partial to animal prints and florals this season.
• 6. Open-Toe Pumps and Flats.
  Whether for work or play, an open-toe can help lighten your look without being too over-exposing. Part sandal (you can see some of your toe) and part traditional shoe (they have a full backing around the heel), they are being shown on every heel height from stilettos to kitten heels to wedges to booties.
• 7. Ruffles.
  Whether cascading down the center of a simple sheath dress or creating soft, feminine details on tees, jackets, blouses and skirts, ruffles add style and can also camouflage a variety of figure challenges when strategically worn on your body. Skinny belts can create just enough of a horizontal balance to a long row of vertically placed ruffles.
• 8. Big, Bold Accessories.
  Items such as over-sized cocktail rings; weighted cuffs and watches; thick, woven belts; long, layered necklaces; and oversized sunglasses add an interesting contrast to spring’s lighter weight fabrics and can ground your look with serious style.
• 9. Top Handle Bags.
  Their signature “clutch” handle makes them more structured than last season’s hobo-inspired looks. Many also feature a longer strap so you can wear them messenger style across your body. Pick a hue you love and wear it with everything!
• 10. The Jumpsuit.
  Finally, our list would not be complete without mentioning this fresh trend. Many are sophisticated enough to go to formal events when you add the dressy extras!

To do your own style searches, go to your favorite retailer or search engine and type in the item you are trying to find (i.e. “print rain coats”). Men, you can do your own style searches too (i.e. “men’s dress suits”). Good luck!

Anton’s wants to recognize deserving moms on our community Facebook page. One lucky mom will receive a glamour gift basket from Anton’s Cleaners. All you have to do is like our page and post a photo of a deserving mom on our wall and we will randomly select a winner at the end of the month.

To keep important garments looking their best year in and year out, it’s important to consider proper clothing storage. Sometimes it’s hard to find the space in your home to store everything the right way. Try Anton’s Closet, our seasonal clothing storage program where we carefully box and preserve your garments in a temperature-controlled facility and press them when you’re ready to pick them up. You only pay for the cleaning. Here are 5 clothing storage tips that will help preserve your garments for future seasons:

1. Start with clean clothing
   You should NEVER store clothing that has a stain. Not only will this attract insects to your clothing, but the stain might be impossible to remove the longer it sits.
2. Cool, dark and dry
   These are the best conditions for storing clothing. Avoid storing clothing in plastic bags because the fabric needs to be able to breathe. Obviously, UV light will cause fading and you want to keep your garments in a cooler temperature. You certainly want to avoid any potential moisture that could lead to mildew or insect activity.
3. Avoid mothballs, and maintain your cedar
   Mothballs are potentially hazardous to unsuspecting children and who wants to smell like mothballs anyway? Cedar blocks or cedar lined closets are a much better option, but you must remember to maintain the wood to ensure its effectiveness. Cedar should be sanded and re-oiled every few years.
4. Don’t leave them hanging
   Leaving certain garments (specifically sweaters and other knit items) on hangers for long periods of time can cause them to permanently lose their shape. You should fold the garments and place them in a storage container. Lightly packing heavier items on the bottom and lighter items on top will allow the clothing to breathe.
5. Containers matter
   More and more people are using plastic containers to store their clothing. This is acceptable, but you should be mindful of how long these items are being stored and make sure everything has been properly cleaned to avoid an insect activity. Cardboard boxes work much better for short-term storage in promoting good air circulation. These are exactly the type of containers Anton’s uses for our Anton’s Closet service. We make sure the clothing is clean and stored properly in a cool, dark space and we’ll press the clothes when you’re ready to pick up. You only pay for the cleaning. Leave the storage to us! Click here to learn more about Anton’s Closet.

Thank you to everyone who made the 2012 Belle of the Ball boutique day an overwhelming success. Over 430 girls walked away from the event with hair accessories, make up, purses, shoes and of course the dress of their dreams.
For a full list of sponsors and event highlights, click here.

Dresses can be fun, flattering and a no-brainer on days when you don’t want to think about coordinating an outfit. They can be ultra-casual, such as a sundress or beach cover-up, or make the most formal of statements when heading down the aisle to say “I do.”

Dresses can also work well as professional attire when they are coordinated to set a business tone. They offer a nice change from traditional business suits and separates, especially this time of year.

Because dresses are not the easiest garment to fit, (i.e., your proportions are different on the top and bottom, you are well endowed or carry weight through your mid-section) you do need to pay attention to the styles that will fit and flatter you best. Classic sheaths, A-line designs and wrap dresses never go out of style because of their timeless appeal and the fit options they offer to various figure types.

With these thoughts in mind, here are 5 fresh tips to help you incorporate the dress trend of the moment into your wardrobes this season – hope they make navigating the dress rack a little easier – enjoy!

1. Beyond the LBD - While the LDB (a.k.a. the little black dress) is where we often start our dress collection journey with our private clients (you just can’t beat the night and day versatility), other solid colors such as red, coral, yellow, navy and white offer a fresh twist on this classic favorite and can brighten up your wardrobe for spring.
2. To Print or Not to Print -Printed dresses are not created equally, especially for professional situations. Subtle, smaller prints work on most body-types and sizes and tend to be more office appropriate than bigger, louder prints. Wearing a solid color cardigan or jacket over bolder prints is one way to tone them down for work. A good rule of thumb to follow is that prints much bigger than your fist tend to be too bold for many work situations.
3. When in Doubt, See a Tailor - A skilled tailor can often perfect the fit of a dress and is worth seeking out before snipping the tags off a dress that you are not sure about. For instance, if the lower half of your body is slightly bigger than the top half, a sleeveless sheath dress in a size that fits through the hips can be taken up at the shoulder to perfect the fit through your upper body. Many of our petite customers also benefit from this style trick if they are interested in a sleeveless dress that is not offered in petite sizing.
4. Become Your Own Artist - The dress provides a wonderful canvas upon which to accessorize like crazy. Long layered necklaces complement the vertical line of a dress well as do long scarves. If you’d like to show off your waist, a skinny belt at the waist of a simple dress is a good choice. Thicker torsos can often be camouflaged with thicker, wider belts that hold you in. Of course, jackets, cardigans and a variety of shawls and shrugs also add individual style to dresses.
5. It’s a Wrap! - Finally, our dress tips would not be complete without mentioning the wrap dress. Those made of matte jersey define the waist, flatter a variety of bust-lines and hug the body instead of clinging to it. The deep V- neck elongates the neck and the slanted vertical line created by the wrap slims the body. If you are well endowed through the bust area and have a hard time keeping the “girls” from popping out, wear a camisole under the dress for extra coverage. It works every time!

Sport coats and blazers are important staples in anyone’s wardrobe. Dressing up a pair of jeans and a t-shirt with a nice sport coat is a very easy way to look casual, yet polished. In order to keep your sport coats and blazers in their best condition, consider these three suggestions:

1. Daily Maintenance – Brushing and Airing Out Your Jackets
   Take 30 seconds out of your day and grab a clean brush with stiff bristles to clean your sports and coats blazers after each wearing. This will remove any particles that settle on the outer layer of the jacket. If not done, the dirt can settle into the fabric and damage it as it decomposes. It can also attract insects to your coat. Doing this simple task can double, if not, triple the time between visits to the cleaners!
   
   By airing your suit for about 24 hours before putting it away will help dry moisture and rejuvenate the wool since it is a natural fiber.
2. Alterations – Make Sure to Keep the Stitching Intact
   Have you noticed some loose threads at the seams or buttons that need tightening? Neglecting these things can make the problem get worse. Get your sport coats or blazers professionally repaired as soon as possible. Having these problems add up over time will end up costing you more time and money. You might even need to replace these items if you put this maintenance off too long.
3. Hangers and Storage – Put Your Coats in the Proper Place
   When storing your sports coats and blazers, it is important to consider what type of hangers you are using. Wire hangers can permanently damage your jackets by creating creases that are very difficult to remove. Wood suit hangers (1/4 inches thick and 1+ inches thick at the shoulders) are highly recommended for this type of garment. They are guaranteed to keep your suits crease-free and you looking your sharpest!

When it’s time to put away your jackets and blazers, try to find a cool, dry, clean and dark environment. This will protect them from bacterial growth, UV damage and discoloration. The length of storage is important to consider as well. If planning to hang a sport coat for longer than a month, consider placing it in a breathable garment bag to prevent dust settlement. If you are running out of room, please try our seasonal storage program, Anton’s Closet. We store your clothes for free. You only pay for the cleaning.

Regardless of how much storage space you have, it never seems to be enough. That’s why we’d like to introduce you to Anton’s Closet. We clean your garments and household items, place them in our dust-free, temperature-controlled facilities where they will stay until you let us know you want them in the fall. The service is free – all you pay for is the cleaning.
Click here to learn more.

Thank you for supporting the 8th Annual Belle of the Ball this year. We couldn’t do it without the generosity of our many customers and community partners. There is still time to help. We’ve collected hundreds of quality prom dresses and donations of all types (in-kind, gift certificates, make-up & accessories) are always welcome.
For more information, click here.

Listen’s to Arthur’s interview on Mind Your Own Business Radio (Jan. 6 episode) as he discusses his strategy on running a successful family-owned company and some of the exciting things on the horizon for Anton’s Cleaners. Click here to listen.