Have a New Holiday Outfit? Here’s What to Do Before Wearing It

Everywhere you look at department stores, big discounts make it nearly impossible not to pick up something new for the holidays. And who doesn’t love the feeling of bringing home the perfect outfit? But don’t let the excitement rush you into wearing it straight from the bag.

New garments often carry signs of handling, storage, and manufacturing. Some pieces even hold on to color or odors from transit. To help you feel fully prepared for your holiday plans, here are the key things to check before stepping out in a new outfit.

New clothing often comes with more hidden extras, such as those little plastic tags, adhesive size stickers, and even temporary stitches meant to hold a garment’s shape during shipping. They’re easy to miss in the excitement of trying on a new holiday outfit, but leaving them in place can affect how the piece fits and moves.

On delicate fabrics, even a small sticker or tag can leave behind glue marks that are tough to remove later.

What to Remove Before Wearing

• Basting stitches – These loose stitches are meant to keep pockets, vents, or pleats flat during transport. Use small scissors to snip them gently so the garment drapes naturally.
• Thread loops – Many dresses, skirts, and suits come with thread loops for hanging or folding. Remove the loops attached to the waist or underarms if they show through your clothing.
• Adhesive stickers – Size stickers or branding decals on the outside of fabric can leave residue if peeled too late. Lift them slowly to avoid tugging delicate materials.

Even well-made pieces can arrive with tiny flaws, loose threads, skipped stitches, or seams that don’t lay quite right. It’s not always a sign of poor quality – it’s simply what happens when a garment passes through multiple production stages before reaching your closet.

Catching these small issues now can spare you from discovering a pulled seam or uneven hem an hour before your event.

How to Spot and Address Fit or Construction Problems Early

Once you do a quick visual check, it’s time to address anything that needs fixing.

• Loose threads and skipped stitches – Tug gently at seams to see if anything separates. If the seam opens without much tension, it may need reinforcement.
• Gaps at stress points – Check the underarms, back zipper, waistband, and side seams. These areas often show early signs of strain and may need a quick repair.
• Fit adjustments – If a jacket pulls, a dress puckers, or pants twist at the thigh or waist, a tailor can make small tweaks that dramatically improve the overall silhouette.

Most new clothes carry more than just style – they often come with traces of dyes, finishing chemicals, or even warehouse dust from the production process. Giving your outfit a quick refresh helps it feel cleaner, softer, and more comfortable against your skin.

But it’s also important to know which fabrics can handle washing and which should never be exposed to water.

When to Wash, Steam, or Leave It to the Professionals

Before you reach for the detergent or steamer, check the label so you know exactly what you’re working with.

• Washable fabrics – Cotton, polyester, denim, and many knits handle a gentle wash well and benefit from removing chemical finishes before first wear.
• Steam-safe fabrics – Rayon, blends, and certain synthetics respond well to steaming, which refreshes the fabric without the risk of shrinkage.
• Fabrics to avoid washing – Silk, wool, velvet, taffeta, and any structured or tailored garment should skip the wash cycle entirely. These pieces are safest with professional care.

Holiday clothing tends to lean toward bold colors – vivid reds, deep greens, rich blacks, or metallic blends – that make a statement. The issue is saturated dyes sometimes bleed onto skin or other fabrics, especially when the garment warms up from body heat.

A quick color transfer test can save you from unpleasant surprises, like dyed undergarments or stained accessories.

How to Test and Prevent Dye Transfer

Take a moment to test your piece now so you won’t have to worry about discoloration later.

• The white cloth test – Dampen a clean white cloth and gently rub it on a hidden part of the garment. Any transferred pigment is a sign the dye isn’t fully set.
• Set the color – For washable fabrics, a gentle wash may help lock in the pigment. For delicate pieces, a professional dry cleaner can safely apply color-set treatments.
• Avoid friction and moisture – If the garment tends to transfer color, pair it with darker layers underneath and avoid wearing it in humid or high-activity settings.

Even brand new clothes rarely come out of the package looking smooth and ready for a big event. Creases from shipping, folding, or tight hanging can flatten a fabric’s natural drape and make a great outfit look a little tired.

Taking the time to freshen the fabric helps bring the garment back to life and gives it that crisp, polished look you see in store displays.

Your Options for Smoothing and Perfecting the Fabric

Once the fabric is ready to go, you can decide the best finishing method for the material.

• Steaming – Works for most garments and releases deep wrinkles without risking shine marks. Ideal for delicate dresses, blouses, and lined jackets.
• Pressing with an iron – Best for structured fabrics like cotton shirts, suiting pieces, and trousers that need sharp definition. Always test the heat level first.
• Professional finishing – Cleaners offer pressing and finishing services that deliver that “store-window polish,” especially helpful for wool coats, formalwear, and embellished holiday pieces.

Your holiday plans need the best outfits you can find! Bring yours to Brian’s One Day Cleaners, and we’ll make sure it looks freshly pressed, expertly finished, and completely ready for its first wear. Our team has over 30 years of garment care experience, and we know exactly how to prepare delicate fabrics, vibrant holiday colors, and special-occasion pieces.

With same-day services available and free no-contact pickup and delivery, there’s no reason to wait. Now is the perfect time to get your outfit event-ready. Let us handle the details, so all you have to do is look good, feel good, and enjoy the moment.

Call us today at (315) 633-4024 for all your garment care needs!