A suit is much more than a piece of cloth. It is an investment in more ways than one. Primarily, a good quality suit can be expensive. Secondly, these make you stand out and put your best sartorial foot forward.
As is the rule, anything that produces a return on investment needs maintenance. A suit is not an exception to this. Therefore, it is imperative to take care of your suit in order to keep it looking new for a longer period of time and to increase its overall lifespan.
Here are a few ways to take care of your suit:
1. Store it Better:
Hang it Right
Selecting the wrong hangers for your suit jacket can cause distortion in its shoulder fit. If you want your tailored suit shoulders to fit you like a glove, whenever you put your jacket into your wardrobe, it is important to choose thick wooden hangers of the right shoulder size. These will keep your suit shoulders from sagging, and help them keep their shape for the long term, even when stored.
Use Garment Bags
Your suit when stored in a stuffy closet can lead to major wrinkling. This can dull the charm of your smart pair of formals. To prevent this, it is advisable to keep your suits a little separated in the wardrobe and store them in cloth garment bags. These will help your suits remain in pristine condition when stored for longer periods of time. When choosing a garment bag, remember to select a bag big enough to fit your suit comfortably to keep your suits from wrinkling, thus avoiding the need to iron them out when you want to flaunt them the next time.
Store with Cedar Shavings
This one’s a bit extra but adds a great touch.Cedar wood has a lovely smell. Additionally, it also soaks up extra moisture. Consequently, when you add it to your suit bag, it helps your suit fibres by keeping away the humidity. It also makes your suit smell fresh the entire time.
2. Clean it Up:
Brush off Dirt
The most common way to clean a suit is by rubbing it down lightly with a suit brush. This will ensure that all the dirt, dust and crumbs are kept off it and that you can wear it without washing.Follow it up with a lint roller to get it absolutely spotless. Washing the suit too many times can cause its fibres to weaken and its durability to suffer. Therefore, choosing a high quality brush to keep your suit maintained is the easiest way to maintain its longevity. Another advantage of doing this is that suit brushes are a reasonably cheap way of keeping your suits clean.
Spot Clean Easily
In case you notice a spot on a stain on your suit jacket or trousers that can’t be brushed off, you can try cleaning it up using a damp cloth. Be sure to blot the stain rather than scrub it. You can use a little bit of washing detergent or vinegar to help get the stain out but if in doubt, take it to the dry-cleaners.
Avoid Dry Cleaning
Dry cleaning your suits often can weaken its fibres and affect its longevity. In fact, it is advisable that you get your suit dry cleaned only once or twice a year or when absolutely necessary. This will help your suits remain looking new for a longer time.
3. Wear it Right:
Steam it Up
Ironing might not be the perfect choice for your suits. The heat from the iron may damage the fibers of the suit. When your suit is covered in creases, steaming them can help straighten them out while maintaining the plush of the fabric. If you don’t have a steamer, another way to get rid of creases is by hanging your suit in the bathroom while you take a hot shower. If you have to use an iron, make sure it’s on a low heat setting.
Don’t Overstuff
Carrying items in your suit pockets can stretch these out and cause your suit to lose its fit and cause the pockets to wear out faster. Hence, it’s best to store only essential things in your pant and jacket pockets. If you do use your pant pockets for your wallet and keys, try to take them out when sitting down to help prevent wear and tear. And if that’s too much of an ask, make sure to get an extra pair of pants with your suit so that you can extend the life of your suit.
Let it Rest
Instead of using the same suit everyday, it is beneficial to let it rest in your cupboard to avoid constant exposure to dirt and other wear and tear. Therefore, as mentioned earlier, it is profitable to bank on more than one suit.
Following these care instructionswill ensure that your suit stays well maintained and save you from having to replace your suits often.Because wool has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, a good quality, 100% wool suit may cost a bit more than the wool blends but will also last you’re a lot longer.
Are you looking for a long-lasting, well-fitted suit in Melbourne? The Suit Concierge tailors will tailor one especially for you. We can also help renew your old suits. Make an appointment by giving us a call today on 0478 119 300.