Black Crane quilted top | small
6397 Shorty jeans | size 28 (via Garmentory – use my referral link for $20 credit)
Rachel Comey Dover clogs
I have a thing for Black Crane, but the pieces don’t always work out for me, or suit my style over time (I’ve sold most of the Black Crane I’ve acquired over the years). But I ALWAYS HAVE TO TRY one or two pieces each season because I love them so, and you never know what’s going to stick until you try, right?
Anyway, I had some credits at Garmentory and was going to order these 6397 Shorty jeans anyway (I have them already in a size 29 in a more “dirty” wash) so I added the Black Crane top in to try as well. I loved the color and the shape, but honestly, didn’t have very high hopes for it, given my track record with the brand lately. But I got it, put it on, and wore it all evening from then on.
Leo and I happened to decide to go out to a favorite restaurant that night, and I wore this with my skinny Goldsign jeans and Beek sandals (my husband HATES MY CLOGS). And whether eating or drinking at the bar, I promptly stained my new top. Which I have been doing often lately, for some reason. Ugh. You can’t take me anywhere!!
It’s a small spot, and hopefully will come out with some stain remover, but it got me thinking about stains on garments, and what to do when one just won’t come out. Actually, more than just this got me thinking; I get pieces in to SLOWRE here and there with minor stains and imperfections and I’m torn about what to do with them. I also have things in my own closet with stubborn small stains that I’d love to pass on, but don’t because…stains…
On the one hand, a small stain or dye imperfection isn’t the end of the world and doesn’t affect the wear of the garment, so why not try and sell it as is for a discounted price? On the other…who wants to buy a stained top, or dress?? Do you?
I’ve already decided to try and put a couple of pieces up at deep discounts just to see what the response is, but I’d love to hear your thoughts on this issue. And if you know any amazing stain removal techniques, I’m all ears!!!
Dawn w an oxygen booster for grease based stains. Simple Green (enzyme based) for almost anything else. Power Orange sometimes works as well for khaki type materials. Hydrogen peroxide. I have a lot of tricks!! I am a stain magnet.
I am forever dropping food all over myself. I use Tide stain remover stick right away(it’s in my purse always) or a chalk /talc grease absorber stick for oily stains. Then I spray it to death with a stain remover before washing. It usually comes out. I purchased a product that you rub onto a stain from the Basin store that works really well, too. It looks like a bar of soap. Sorry I can’t remember the name of it. That is a really cute top on you and I hope you can rescue it. I will not keep a top or pants if I cannot remove the stain. I can never un-see it! Even if I use it for “just around the house” , that is the time someone will knock on the door and think I am a slob.
haha. i am the same way about clothes at home…
i should carry a tide pen with me, but most of the time, i don’t even NOTICE small stains until i go to wear the piece the next time!! i have no idea i’m such a slob in the moment LOL
i bought my mom a jane stain stick for traveling once, at the container store, is that what you’re talking about? i think a reader recommended it a long time ago…
I have the Jane stick on one of my Wish Lists – can’t remember if I read about it here, or Amid Privilege? I know it was a blog 😉 I stain a lot too (which is why my travel wardrobe is almost 100% black 😉 but I’ve been fortunate I can usually get stuff out.
I use Lestoil for stubborn stains …if that doesn’t get it out I can’t usually get it out with anything else. I have also used hairspray for small ink stains.
I sometimes embroider something beautiful over a stain that just won’t go away…..use the same color as the garment. I’ve had some nice results! [This might sound tacky, but I am a really good embroiderer…..]
that sounds really awesome actually!! i love the idea…
Thanks, Grechen. LOVE your blog!
I swear by The Laundress Stain Solution – both the liquid and their solid stain bar that you lather with a brush. They work wonders.
So cute, Grechen – I love this on you. I have some stain removal tricks I use – and all mentioned above, I think. Good luck because this top is you!
PS Why does Leo have such strong feelings about clogs (and other things you wear)? Not a criticism, just curious.
I have a great eco-friendly dry cleaner who works magic on stains and has yet to fail getting out a spot. I think it’s well worth the nominal cost to restore the garment. I would never purchase a higher end garment with a stain, even at a deep discount, but I am also very picky.
For myself, I don’t try to sell or donate stained items, even if very minor. I have creative sewing and crafting friends I will offer things to if they think they can use the material. Another option is to see if you have a textile recycling facility in your area. It can be hard to send something to recycling that you’ve spent money on, but really, better that than being not of use in my closet!
I agree, Juli. Stain = No purchase
My mom taught me the same thing about Dawn for grease-based stains, McK. If it’s good enough to clean an oil-spill off a duck, then it works for me! I also agree about an enzyme stain remover for blood stains (I have eczema and itch a lot….the things I’ve ruined! I know, TMI!) I keep a bar of Ivory soap in my laundry supplies, too, for just such stains. Wet it, and scrub it in. It usually works.
Agreed on the Laundress products Cola mentioned. And the stain solution can be mixed with a bleach alternative (the Laundress makes one but OxyClean is fine) for more stubborn jobs. The Laundress website has good info/videos on types of stains and how to tackle them.
Another product I swear by is Wine Away. It’s marketed as a stain remover for red wine but it works on many other stains too. Like espresso so dark and strong that a spoon would stand straight up in it. And MAC Ruby Woo lipstick. Seriously. Though for lipstick or anything with oils in it, you’ll need something to take care of the grease stain as well. Rubbing a little cornstarch into the fabric and letting it sit for awhile before dusting off the excess powder will pull a lot of the oil out. You may need to repeat that a few times, but I find it’s very effective, and it lessens the amount of scrubbing you’ll need to do to get the rest of the stain out, so it’s nice to use on more-delicate fabrics.
I wouldn’t purchase a stained garment – unless the stain was in a truly inconspicuous place, and even then, I’d know where it was and would probably feel uncomfortable wearing it. I would assume that the original owner already tried and failed to get the stain out.
Grechen, I’m curious about what it is about Black Crane that you think doesn’t work for you in general. Is it the fits? The aesthetic? Or just something that you can’t put your finger on? I’m asking because I’ve never tried the brand but I’m really drawn to it.
he doesn’t like any shoes with any sort of platform, or wedge. he’s very “conservative” when it comes to his ideas on how to dress, for both men & women 😉
i don’t care, i just usually will wear shoes he doesn’t hate so much when we go out together…
just bought the stain solution, used it, and it is MAGIC!
my dry cleaner is useless at removing stains…
re black crane – i just think it veers more towards “high school art teacher” than i like generally, but in a good way? i don’t know what it is, i just know that i see it online and i want everything, and love the looks, but when i get pieces, i love them at first, but they don’t always jive with my “vision” you know? i can’t explain very well, because it doesn’t make sense LOL
I get why it would be hard to explain a gut feeling. I’m struggling with my own feelings about Elizabeth Suzann – the clothes are so beautiful and they look amazing on everyone -but me. I just haven’t loved most of what I’ve tried so far and I can’t figure out why. Until I do, I’ll probably keep lusting and hoping …
It’s funny when you say “high school art teacher” I get a very different image in my head – accessories overload and clothes dripping with embellishments – not clean-lined minimalism!
haha! yes, that too, but for some reason that’s what I see when I wear black crane, and even some eileen fisher. maybe not high-school art teacher, but middle-aged artist? LOL not that that’s a bad thing? i still have no idea what “my style” is obviously. i like so much…just not always on me. but i love to try!!!
Mine too. In fact, I’ve had several dry cleaners over many years that have done more harm than good, almost without exception.