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Regardless of what you do for a living, every man needs at least one suit in their wardrobe. Unless you’re a hermit, you’re bound to attend a wedding, job interview, or formal event at some point.
The problem most of us have though, is that a suit will be the only item of clothing we own that can’t just be thrown into a washing machine and left on a pile on the bedroom chair (we all know that’s what the bedroom chair is for, right?). Formal suits often have a high wool content and delicately woven linings that make them a terrible bedfellow for your washer and dryer.
The good news is, that they don’t necessarily need cleaning as regularly as most clothes. When they do though, it’s important to follow a few simple guidelines. Here’s just a few tips to help you get the most out of your suit.
Let it rest
Suits aren’t made for intensive daily use: fibres will stretch, patches will wear, and the whole thing will start to get whiffy real soon. While this isn’t a problem for those who only wear their suits for special occasions, those who regularly wear one for work may find that they need to invest in at least one other suit. Alternating between suits allows each one to breathe and freshen up a little between each wear. Plus, you don’t want to be the guy at work who’s noticeably worn the same suit every day for the past 34 months.
Invest in a good-quality suit in the first instance
As with most things, when it comes to suits, you get what you pay for. Cheap suits may look a bargain at first, but after a few wears, the cheaper materials and lesser craftsmanship will start to become apparent. There are several good-quality suit manufacturers to choose from, and if you can’t get down to Saville Row, you can opt for something from a trusted designer instead. As always, the place to look for quality fabric and design is Italy. Long-standing staples such as Armani and Gucci will always see you right, but it pays to widen your search by becoming more au fait with some of the leading Italian fashion houses. Your enhanced knowledge will help you navigate away from cheap formal wear, and towards quality items meant to last.
Give it a brush
Think of your suit as an exotic pet sloth: it needs to breathe, it needs to rest, and occasionally it’ll enjoy a good brush too. Soft suit brushes are sometimes able to gently remove light debris and marks. Just ensure that you brush along the fabric rather than against it to avoid damage.
Get it dry cleaned
After a while, all the airing out and brushing in the world isn’t going to bring a funky-smelling or soup-encrusted suit back to life. You’ll need to get some professionals on the job.
Don’t be tempted to try to scrub out a stain or smell on your own. Many a suit has perished this way after their owners couldn’t be bothered to drive them across town to the dry cleaners. To be fair, this can be a bit of a faff to try to fit into a hectic schedule, especially if you don’t live or work close to one.
Thankfully, we live in the 21st century now, and services such as Laundyheap make dry cleaning even easier than using the washing machine. They’ll pick up your suit from your door and deliver it back to you freshly cleaned, often within 24 hours. This means that there’s no excuse now not to give your trusty old suit the clean it deserves!
Laundryheap will also take care of all your other clothes too, washing all your normal laundry (even bedding) at the same time. Hell, they can even do your ironing as well! If you know you’re going to be short on time, or just want a professional to ensure your clothes are looking as sharp as possible, then this service is a godsend.
Laundyheap are popping up in new places all the time. Check out this list of areas in which you can currently take advantage of their services –
- UK: London, Manchester, Birmingham, Coventry
- ROI: Dublin
- Holland: Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague
- Sweden: Stockholm
- Denmark: Copenhagen
- Arab Emirates: Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi,
- Qatar: Doha
- Kuwait: Kuwait City
- Bahrain: Manama
- Singapore: Singapore
- US: New York,Miami, Dallas, Washington DC, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Jose
Invest in an extra pair of trousers
The trousers are really the only part of the suit that is in contact with your body, meaning that it’s often the first component that will show signs of needing a freshen up. They’re also the garment that accrues the most wear and tear, namely on your seat and at the knees.
An extra pair of trousers will extend the life of a suit considerably. You don’t even need to worry about finding an exact match for your jacket. A contrasting-coloured pair (eg. grey with a navy jacket) is an easy way to mix up your look.
Proper wardrobe storage
As mentioned before, your suit needs to breathe in order to regain some freshness. For this reason, be careful not to absentmindedly keep it in any plastic bag that it might have come with. Specialised suit bags are fine, but at least leave a decent opening to allow air to circulate around it.
If you only have skinny wire or plastic hangers, you may find that they cause unsightly lumps and bumps on your jacket. Try to use thick hangers that slope gently with the cut of your jacket. Cedar hangers are especially recommended, as the wood is a natural deterrent for moths looking for a posh dinner.
Follow these tips, and you’ll be able to enjoy your suit for many years to come. A good suit is an investment, so treat it as such! My only problem is that I have an immaculately cared-for suit, but a body that doesn’t fit in it anymore. Does anybody know of a tailor that can convert suit trousers to an elasticated waist?