You get what you pay for

How many times have we heard that saying...  "You get what you pay for" but really...how accurate is it?  To add to that let's use a play on words and say "no two sets of gear are created equal". 
Perhaps that is more accurate of a statement.

Being in the industry for over a decade, I've seen a lot of gear.  Some made by me and some made by others.  Now...I'm not going to put myself on a pedestal and put anyone else down.  I'm not that type of businessman. It's just not my thing.

Each designer has their own way of doing things but let's face it, your gear is important.  They say clothes make the man but in wrestling....gear makes the Champion.  Great looking and fitting gear can take you to new heights in your career.  And let's face it...gear ain't cheap!  You want it to last.
Expecting a set of gear to last you a lifetime is not realistic but if it's constructed well with quality materials AND you take care of it properly (see my previous post on gear care) you can expect to have it last you for QUITE a while.

So...nice words but what should you look for?  In my opinion here are some things to consider:

Fabrics
This is a biggy!  So many times I've seen gear made from fabric you could spit through.  When you are wearing gear as tight as this stuff is worn you want something with body to it and great stretch. You don't want someone to be able to take inventory through your gear if you catch my drift.
Not only does it have to have weight but the colouring needs to be stable.  I've seen so many pieces of gear that have come to me for repair that the colour has washed out, been sweated out or simply rubbed off in one or two washings.  An example...Beware of some of the lightweight metallics in particular.  A lot have so little finish on them that the colour almost wears off in your hands. 

Fit
This is another important area.  They don't call them "tights" for nothing.  If they don't fit properly you may as well call them "looses".  Nothing is worse than working your tail off in the gym, sweating for hours in the ring to get yourself ready...and come out with sloppy looking gear.  Gear should FIT...not look like you are wearing a diaper.  Ensure that accurate measurements are taken and asked for when getting your gear made.  Those few minutes will save you a lot of "droopy moments"

Construction
This...is the most important factor in my book.  I've seen so much gear out there that screams "look what my mom made for me".   I've seen so many pieces that have open seams, loose seams, sloppy looking appliques or designs that are hung on by a thread (pardon the pun) or even just stuck on with glue.
In my books you are paying top dollar for your gear and it should look professional inside and out.  I had it engrained into me from a wee age...it has to look as good on the inside as it does on the outside and it is SO true!
In my humble opinion, seams should not be zigzagged or sewn strictly on a home sewing machine. They simply don't have the stretch and security necessary to last the test of time.  Those seams will pop and the last thing you want in the middle of a match is to have a "wardrobe malfunction"  Just ask Janet Jackson!
Seams should be sewn and finished with an overlock machine or otherwise known as a serger.  Any edges such as leg openings, armhole or necklines should be finished with a coverstitch.  It gives a professional finish that is neat, flat and secure.  Not only do these machines makes a secure construction but they look clean and professional as well.

So, now that I've chewed your ear off am I saying you should come to me for all your gear needs? Well I would be happy to help you out but that's not a realistic expectation.  Just be an informed consumer.  Ask questions.  You are spending hard earned money.  Make sure you get your money's worth otherwise you might not "get what you pay for"

If you have any questions or want some input on an upcoming design, I am here to help.  Let me help make you look like a Champion!

So you have gear...how do you take care of it?

One of the most common questions I hear is "how do I take care of my new gear"?
There are many schools of thought on care of your gear but before we discuss how...let's discuss the gear itself.

What makes the gear stretch...makes it the one factor to take into consideration as to how to clean it.  Is it magic? Not likely...its a form of rubber actually for lack of a better term. 

What is it exactly? The FORMAL description according to Wikipedia is...

Spandex, Lycra or elastane is a synthetic fiber known for its exceptional elasticity. It is stronger and more durable than natural rubber. It is a polyester-polyurethane copolymer that was invented in 1958 by chemist Joseph Shivers at DuPont's Benger Laboratory in Waynesboro, Virginia.

Great words but in a nutshell...it's a man-made fibre that makes fabric stretch.  Simple as that.  Spandex is a play on words based on "EXPAND". Catchy huh!

However cool the fabric is...the one thing that can damage it is heat. Which brings me to the first and foremost rule when taking care of your gear. NO DRYER!  Heat damages the fibres and destroys the ability for them to return back to their normal state. In other words...It doesn't stretch anymore! It stretches out but doesn't stretch back.  This causes sagging...loss of shape...and all in all destruction of the fabric.

So...now what? How do you take care of this stuff? Leave it in your gym bag? Ya...that ain't pretty!

The quick and easy way of cleaning your gear and retaining color and shape is hand washing and leaving it to air dry. Simple as that!

Step 1---Don't let it sit!  
We sweat...pure and simple...and it ain't pretty. It stinks and it's gross but it cleans up well. If you can't wash it right away...for heaven sake let it air out and dry.  Don't leave it in a bag...in the trunk of your car.  Let it air dry.

Step 2---CLEAN IT!
The easiest way to clean it is hand washing in a sink.  Easy peasy! Fill the bathroom sink with some cold water...add some liquid laundry detergent or a liquid detergent made for fine washables and swish it around!  That's it!  Give it a good swishing around in the sink...then drain it.  Fill the sink with fresh cold water and rinse it out well. A couple of sinks full of cold water and some swishing around and it's good to go!

Step 3---Don't make it smell pretty!
With all the fabric softeners and additives that are available, you might be tempted to make your gear "smell pretty"...DON'T! 
Why you ask? Fabric softeners do just that...they soften your fabric by breaking down the fibres and make them unstable. That process will damage the spandex fibres and the gear will lose its elasticity.  May smell pretty but when it sags and looks like heck...what good does it do you? It can smell clean by cleaning it but doesn't have to smell like wildflowers and sunshine and rainbows. Leave the fabric softener for your other clothes

Step 4---Let it dry!
As I mentioned above...the first and foremost cardinal rule is NO DRYER...so how do you dry this stuff.
The easiest and least harmful way is lay it flat to dry on a couple of towels. No hanging as the gear will stretch and you don't want to distort the fit.  Out of the sun...because the heat can harm the fibres AND the sun can fade the colours 

There you have it!  That wasn't so difficult now was it. You spent good money on your gear...perfected your look...a little extra effort on taking care of it will pay off in the long run!

If you have any questions about the gear...either about its care of if you need a "refresh" as to your current look...let's talk.  You are a Champion...let me help you look like one!

Welcome to Into Gear Active Wear!

They say that a picture is worth a thousand words...and this is true....to a certain extent.  Sometimes the written word has a little more impact than just a simple picture.
That's where this blog site comes into play!

All the social networking apps are fantastic...Facebook...Twitter etc but sometimes...there isn't enough room or opportunity to post the information necessary.  As such...welcome to the Into Gear Blog!

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Stay tuned for updates coming up and remember...You are a Champion...Let us dress you like one!
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