SUIT CARE 101
How to care for your suit all year round
When it comes to suiting, the best advice is to wear your suit with care. Suits are made in a variety of fabrics ranging from cotton, silk, linen, wool, bamboo and other synthetic fabrics as well. One thing is important to know, suit fabrics are significantly stronger and more resistant than conventional fabrics. Also, these fibers are of much higher quality than regular clothing fibers.
Technology advances have helped create fabrics that are soft, light, breathable, hypoallergenic and incredibly durable. With that said, we can safely recommend a very simple care guide for your new suit; and, like someone said, when it comes to suit care, “less is more”.
1. Always keep your suit hanging.
Always keep your suit hung on a wide-shoulder wood hanger to preserve the suit’s original shape.
2. Brush before and after every wear
Use a natural bristle brush (horse hair) to remove dust and to stimulate the fibers’ natural properties.
3. Light steam before wearing
A portable hand steamer will add life to your suit and keep you looking great in a short time notice. for linen blends, you can lightly mist the wrinkled areas and leave hanging or iron medium heat.
4. Dry Cleanning as little as possible
The natural fibers used for suiting are designed to perform. These fibers are naturally hypoallergenic, odor resistant, wrinkle resistant (in the case of wool) they regulate body temperature, stain resistant, and some can be naturally water resistant. DRY CLEANERS USE EXTREMELY HARSH CHEMICALS LIKE PERCHLOROETHYLENE ALSO KNOWN AS “PERC”. While widely used, PERC can cause fabric damage, color fading, shrinkage, and can also be detrimental to human health and the environment. We recommend to practice diligence when choosing to dry clean your suit.
5. Instead of dry cleaners...
Instead of sending your suit to the dry cleaners, we recommend to spray the lining of your jacket and trousers with fabreeze and air out for 24 to 48 hours in a well lit, dry and cool area. Your suit will come back to life and will be ready for your next adventure. If you spill liquids on the suit, spot cleaning is recommended.
6. Wearing your Suit
Some refer to the suit as “The Gentleman’s Armor”, Let your suit do the talking and avoid extrenous activities. Suits were meant to make you look amazing with the least amount of effort. Avoid activities and situations that make you perspire profusely. Remember, no running, no kicking, no fighting. You are wearing a gentlemans’ armor.
7. Storing your suit
If you wear your suit seaonally or sporadically, keep your suit on a suit hanger and in a garment bag. Make sure the jacket hangs unbuttoned and empty the pockets from heavier objects. The trousers should fold flat with the crease lined up and waist band unbuttoned. Add a baggie of Lavender and/or cedar pack to keep it fresh and avoid bacteria and odor-causing moisture (you can also use a slice of your favorite soap in a little fabric baggie and keep it at the bottom of the garment bag. It will make the suit smell great next time you wear it).
Every fabric requires slightly different care but following these basic tips, will extend the life of your garments 10 fold regardless of the composition/fabric type.
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if you happen to rip the fabric of your suit, a skilled tailor might be able to re-weave most rips, tears
or holes very close to their original condition.
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Most well made suits will have enough fabric for alterations in case you fluctuate in weight and they should be fully customizable. A skilled tailor can alter a good suit up to 1 size up or 2 sizes down.
