How to Make a Suit Last Forever
Posted on 10 November 2019
There is no question that a well-made suit can last for many years. But for it to last, it needs some tender loving care. There is nothing more upsetting then spending your hard earned money on a beautiful suit and finding noticeable wear after only a year.
A suit is a delicate garment that should be well taken care of.
According to Alan Flusser, author of "Style & The Man", “most suits are constructed to provide at least several years of wear.” When you buy a good suit and you take care of it as you should, you will stop wearing it not because it wore out but because it no longer fits you or because your tastes have changed.
How do you make your suit last longer?
Here's what you can do:
1. DRY CLEAN ONLY WHEN NECESSARY
It is common knowledge that suits need to be dry cleaned as opposed to laundered. However, unlike what you may have been told or what you have been doing, you should only dry clean your suit as a last resort.
Unlike other articles of clothing, suits don’t need to be washed as often. Natural fibers like wool and linen are actually self-cleaning and scent-free. Any scents can be aired out by hanging your suit up in fresh air.
Dry cleaning is an intensively chemical process that uses high heat. The process will wear down the natural pill and hand of your suit. So, simply put, you should only dry clean your suit if it’s absolutely necessary (it is stained). When possible, try to spot clean and steam your suit at home before bringing it to the cleaners.
You should also avoid cheap dry cleaners. Treat your suit like your baby and don’t give it to anyone. Do your due diligence by looking at reviews and asking your entourage about their experiences. The world has lost too many suits to excessive dry cleaning and poor treatment.
2. TAKE YOUR JACKET OFF WHEN SITTING
Whether you’re at work, in the car or at home, you should try to take your jacket off when you sit.
If you’re in the habit of always keeping your jacket on, you are creating creases and are probably stretching the armholes and back seams ever so slightly. While this may not seem like a big deal since it will look like a wrinkle, if you keep your jacket on every time you sit, your jacket won't last as long. Besides, let's not forget about the elbows, where the main marks will be.
3. USE AN UMBRELLA
While you may not like to use an umbrella, exposure to rain can actually wear your suit and warp the fibers. So, even if it isn't still raining when you leave the house, just take your umbrella with you just in case. After all, it is better to be safe than sorry.
4. AVOID HANGING YOUR BAG OVER YOUR SHOULDER
Most men have the habit of hanging their bag over their shoulder. While this may be more practical, you should avoid doing it if you want your suit to last longer.
Just place your bag on your shoulder and take a look in the mirror. You’ll see that your bag will always be over the same place - the shoulder and lapel. So, these parts of your jacket will start to wear and tear and you are going to need to buy a new suit soon.
A far better option is to simply hold your bag in one hand. Just remember that this is all a matter of habit and that by doing it, you will be prolonging your jacket's life.
As a side note, if you usually tend to put items in your pockets, you should also avoid doing this. Weighty pockets will quickly start to pull and stretch, which will alter the profile of your suit.
5. USE A SUIT BRUSH
Over time, your suit accumulates all kinds of dust, dirt, and hair. If you don’t brush your suits regularly, the buildup will weaken the fabric and lose its attractiveness. Make it a habit to brush your suit after every wear. It only takes about 30 seconds and can extend the life of your suit.
6. HANG ON APPROPRIATE HANGERS
When it’s time to hang your jacket, make sure that you never use a wire hanger. The best hangers for suits tend to be wooden hangers. But don’t worry, the hanger your suit came on works just fine. What’s great about wooden hangers is they pull any moisture that naturally builds up in the interlining and canvas of your suit.
Using appropriate hangers will allow your jacket to maintain its shape no matter how long you have it on there.
7. LEAVE SPACE TO BREATHE WHEN HANGING
After wearing your suit, you want to make sure to hang it on the right hanger and leave it out to air. And when you put it back in your closet, leave enough space between your suits to let the fabric breathe. This is a great practice since this way; you will be removing all the smells that you may have picked up during the day and the fabrics won't be squished together.
In case you are considering storing your suit for a longer period of time such as winter or summer, then you want to ensure that you also use a good quality and breathable bag to store it for the season.
8. USE A STEAMER
There's no question that your suit will have some wrinkles from time to time. After all, this is a natural thing that occurs when you wear it. However, you should make sure that you always avoid ironing. Instead, you stick to a steamer.
The main reason to avoid the iron is that too much heat and pressure on your suit will distort its lining and damage the fabric and it won't ever look the same again.
If you don’t own a garment steamer, hanging your suit in the bathroom while running a hot shower does wonders.
CONCLUSION
As you can see, there are many things you can do to ensure that your suit lasts longer and stays in great condition. It may seem like a lot of work, but once you create these small habits, you will be able to get much more use out of your suits.
Thanks for reading. Drop a comment below, we would love to hear your experiences and any tips you might have.
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2 comments
Thanks for these advices. I have seen so many public speakers wearing suits with bulging pockets, instead of admiring the suit all you see is the bulging pocket. Disgusting
Love all the smart advice you all give us, keep up the awesome work!!