How many times have you found the promise land blouse. That one collaboration of fabric that hugs you the moment you put it on and says to you, “my purpose in life is to make you look hot”.

It’s love at first try on, and you’re on your way to solidify the union when in line you happen to look at the tag and see three biggest deal-breaker words known to every clothing relationship, “DRY CLEAN ONLY”.
 I guess they feel like putting it in bold means you know they’re serious, as if “Dry clean only” would just read as a suggestion.

What do you do? You have to decide then and there how committed you are to that relationship. Are you prepared to go out of your way for that blouse on your way home from work? Are you willing to pour money into their life on a regular basis?

If there is any hesitation at all, that’s your answer-you’re not.
Now, there are a few exceptions so put the break up tub of ice cream away and ask yourself this…
Is is a blouse you would wear only on special occasions, say Sunday morning, office parties, things like that?
Also, is it a blouse you could wear a cami or other shirt under so as to protect it from your body heat? If it is both of those things then go for it, because you won’t have to wash it often, a yearly stop at the dry cleaners will do (especially if it’s a sweater).

If it is neither of those things, and it’s especially something you would want to wear going out to eat, for example, then you’re going to have to walk away. If you are not prepared to care for that shirt in the way that it requires then there is not sense in dropping any cash on it in the first place.

It’s tough love baby. You’ll thank me in the long run.