T 800.240.3377     info@garmentcare.com          OUR LOCATIONS     Corporate HQ, Bronx     |     Manhasset, 16 Park Ave     |     Midtown, 57th St     |     Downtown, University Place

Running of the Brides at Filene’s Basement in Union Square is this Friday, February 5th — and we know it’s going to be NUTS! The key to getting the right gown: preparation. Here’s the top ten tips we’ve compiled to successfully run with Filene’s brides:

Photo credit: NY Daily News

From NY Daily News

10). Buy a size bigger

You may think you’re a size four, and we know you’ll starve yourself right up until the wedding… but if you can’t get just the right size, you’re best buying up. All our tailors agree – it’s easier to take a gown out than to add more in!

9). Think about the season you’re planning your wedding for

If you’re planning a tropical wedding, it goes without saying that less gown is more comfortable. On the other hand, brides planning to get married in the fall or winter may appreciate a little extra coverage. You’ll be in the dress all day – make sure you’re comfortable.

8). Consider your comfort when choosing a gown

You’ll wear your gown all day… through the ceremony and dancing as well. Make sure it’s comfortable! We’ll never forget the bride who comes in to preserve a gown two week after the wedding with marks still in her shoulders from her 50lb gown!

7). Planning a destination wedding?

Transporting a gown onboard an airline is major hassle than often ends in wrinkles. Fortunately, we have the solution – specialized travel kits that can comfortably fit in an overhead luggage compartment (and of course we’ll pack it to ensure proper pressing).

6). Don’t be afraid to try on a gown that’s not exactly what you had in mind.

At the Running of the Brides pricing, it very well may be worth your while to have us tweak a dress that’s close to, but not exactly, the gown of your dreams. And with the frenzy of brides out there… those who dawdle may end up empty-handed.

5). If you’re the indecisive type, and can’t decide between more than one dress…

Don’t worry about taking two home. Many brides don’t settle on just one gown during the bridal event, and later consign a second gown, or sell it on eBay (often at a profit!)

4). You like the bodice on one dress… and the skirt from another…

Buy them both! Not only can our seamstresses alter single gowns, but our unique reconstructive surgery can easily merge two gowns.

3). Know your dirt.

Some of the gowns at Running of the Brides have blemishes which may or may not clean completely. On almost all kinds of fabric we can remove surface, or ‘pickup’ dirt. Fabric abrasions, on the other hand, are more difficult to clear up, especially in silk.

2). If a gown has one particular imperfection

Don’t fret! Even if we can’t repair worn fabric, we may be able to help. Some old tailoring tricks include cover-up through ornamentation such as beading or lace, or shifting a fabric panel to move the blemish behind the seam.

1). If you’re mostly happy with a gown, but find it a bit dull

Let us add a little pizzazz! We work closely with M&J Trimming, who will be on hand to supply beads, lace and embellishment. It’s easy to add tasteful accents while preserving the lines envisioned by your gown’s designer.

Our new Meurice Silicone wristband

Meurice Garment Care wristbands

Meurice Garment Care wristbands

Check out or brandy new wristbands. Wait until you see what we’ve got _on_ our sleeves (sorry about that!) for these!

Meurice will be running with Filene’s brides… wish us luck!

We love wedding gowns. We love interacting with brides. We’ve just never answered questions for more than five hundred of them at one time before!

For the uninitiated, here’s the basic premise: once a year, each Filene’s Basement location holds a massive bridal event. Overstock gowns that might have originally sold from $900 to $9,000 are marked down to either $249, $499 or $699. Filene’s Basement doesn’t ordinarily sell gowns. Thousands of brides form a line wrapping around the block before dawn, and when the doors are open, the scene turns to no-holds-barred insanity.

Have a look at this video on YouTube to get an idea of the bedlam we’re in for!

What’s really cool is that many of these gowns are prototypes that never made it into production… which means there’s a good chance Filene’s brides are bringing home truly one-of-a-kind gowns.

Of course, the event isn’t just about saving money. Brides come from all across the country for the excitement, camaraderie and slight hint of danger in the air.

Naturally, we couldn’t resist the chance to be on hand. This February 5th, Meurice is running with the brides at Filene’s Basement in Union Square – just around the corner from our downtown store on University Place. The whole team will be there (in white Clothes Doctor labcoats!) offering Meurice’s unique reconstructive surgery.

Filene’s estimates there will be more than 2,500 gowns at the once-a-year bridal special, but inevitably some brides will be disappointed to see that the gown of their dreams isn’t in their size, lacks a bit of pizzazz or may simply be a bit shopworn.

We’re happy to help! We’ll offer our expert advice on alterations, cleaning, even adding trimming or merging gowns. With Filene’s rock bottom prices, it makes sense for many brides to let us transform gowns which might not be 100% perfect for a particular bride.

In the meantime, we’ll focus on surviving the pandemonium. From what we’ve heard, the best times to shop are early in the day (when the full selection is briefly available) and toward the end of the event (when staffers have had a chance to pull the racks back together).

If you’re in the market for a gown, don’t miss this very unique bridal opportunity.
And if you’re not in the market for a gown, check back on our blog February 6th. We’ll be sure to take plenty of pics of the fun so you can shop vicariously.

At home tailoring — leave the schlepping to us

We listen to our clients. So, when we heard our alterations were fabulous, but a hassle for people with multiple pieces to revamp, we listened.


We’re now excited to introduce at-home tailoring with Meurice. Simply call ( 800.240.3377) or email us to set up an appointment. Enjoy our fine tailoring, and leave the schlepping to us.


Expert seamstress Roma, with decades of experience, is available for travel on alterations anywhere within the five boroughs. Enjoy the comfort and convenience of fittings in your own home, along with Roma’s one-on-one attention.


Don’t replace your wardrobe. Let us make it better.


Roma hard at work with her alterations

Roma hard at work with her alterations

When was the last time your doctor dry cleaned his necktie?

As Lloyd de Vries wrote an article for CBS News, “Concerned about picking up a nasty bug while in the hospital? Forget about whether your doctor washed his hands before examining you. Ask when he last dry-cleaned his tie.”

Most doctors frequently wash their hands, sterilize their white medical coats, and regularly discard their disposable pens. Few doctors are as diligent about cleaning their neckties.

Last year, the American Medical Association introduced a resolution to recommend bans on doctors wearing ties. (That resolution has not yet come to a vote.) The British Medical Association has already adopted a similar measure, barring neckgear in 2006.

We at Meurice have a better idea – hygienic tie cleaning. Our unique cleaning process, available nationwide via UPS, is gentle on textiles while being tough on bacteria. Regular cleanings with Meurice can also extend the life of your favorite necktie and reduce unsightly pulls and abrasion. Of course, no measure will completely halt the spread of germs in hospitals, but we’re still happy to offer one more tool to control their spread.

Hygenic tie cleaning with Meurice

Hygenic tie cleaning with Meurice

Before and after: stroller detailing

This phil & ted sport stroller came to us a bit haggard. The owner tried cleaning it repeatedly, but the dark splotchy stains came back. When she brought it into us, we saw that we were dealing with a severe case of mold.

Stroller cleaned by Meurice Garment Care

Stroller cleaned by Meurice Garment Care

We disassembled the buggy, cleaned each fabric surface individually, and carefully put it back together. Here’s the final product; better than new! Of course, as with all childrens’ items, we used only our safe, gentle, ECO-care processes.

phil & teds stroller, cleaned good as new!

phil & teds stroller, cleaned good as new!

Happy Holidays from Meurice Garment Care

Happy Holidays from Meurice Garment Care

Happy Holidays from Meurice Garment Care

From all of us at Meurice, thank you for trusting us with your wardrobe. We’ve had another exciting year in 2009, culminating in opening our brand new Manhasset store and launching our all new web site. Once again, thanks for coming along for the ride with us. We appreciate your business, and look forward to seeing you in the new year.


Wishing you happiness, health and peace in 2010.


Keep clean,

wesig

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Wayne Edelman


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Beautiful shoe repair on a classic pair of Louboutins

Remember when we took in these Louboutin pumps? If not, here’s a few pictures to jog your memory. The leather along the toes was heavily scuffed, and the signature lipstick red soles were worn thin and bare.

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What a difference an expert cobbler can make. Here’s a few shots of the same shoes, back from being repaired:

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If Meurice can’t save it.. no one can!

Holiday cheer at Meurice Garment Care

It just wouldn’t be the holidays without Wayne risking his life to light up a storefront. Here’s the fruits of his labor — it looks even better in person.

Holiday cheer at Meurice Garment Care in Manhasset, Long Island

Holiday cheer at Meurice Garment Care in Manhasset, Long Island

Sneak preview of the new garmentcare.com

It’s been months in the making, but we’re finally nearly ready to unveil the new Meurice web site — garmentcare.com. Just a single page is viewable for now (click the thumbnail to see a full-sized image) but stayed tuned for the new look sometime this week.

New garmentcare.com to launch this week

New garmentcare.com to launch this week