A suit is an investment, and like any investment you want to get the most out of it. A few simple habits will add years to its life. Maintaining a suit properly saves you money, and it means not having to say goodbye to a garment you like.
Storage and everyday use
1. Use the right hangers
Not all hangers are equal. A proper, thick wooden hanger can add years to the life of a suit: it supports the shoulders and helps the jacket keep its shape, where a thin wire hanger distorts it.
Choose the correct width for your size so the shoulders do not droop — ask us if you are unsure and we will tell you which to buy. Wood absorbs a little moisture from the cloth, and cedar is better still, because it also repels moths.
2. Give it room
Avoid cramming a suit into a full wardrobe. Suits need airflow so the fibres can breathe and dry. Leave a little space between jackets to prevent creasing and trapped moisture, and if you use a garment bag, choose a breathable cloth one rather than a synthetic bag that holds damp in.
3. Let it air after wearing
After each wear, hang the suit properly and let it air for a day or two, depending on the weight of the cloth. Through the day a suit absorbs moisture from your body and from the room; letting it rest and dry fully between wears is the simplest thing you can do to extend its life.
4. Rotate
Like you, a suit needs recovery time. Try not to wear the same one more than twice a week — rotating lets the fibres relax and keeps their resilience.
Consider a second pair of trousers with each suit. Trousers take the most stress and will always wear out before the jacket.
5. Packing
When travelling, use a thick hanger and a garment bag wherever you can. If you have to fold it, turn the jacket inside out, hold it by the shoulders and fold so the lapels line up neatly, then roll it gently rather than folding it sharply. In our experience that creases a suit least in a suitcase.
6. Empty the pockets
Overstuffed pockets look untidy and strain the cloth and the seams. Carry only what you need, and keep heavy things — a large wallet, a phone, a bundle of keys — out of the same pocket every day.
Cleaning and maintenance
1. Brush it
Dust and dirt settle into the cloth through the day and damage the fibres over time. After each wear, brush the suit gently with a soft-bristled clothes brush — animal hair, ideally. A quick brush-down is enough to lift surface particles, and regular brushing also makes a suit less attractive to moths.
2. Steam, do not iron
High heat flattens and weakens wool. Use a small hand-held steamer to relax the fibres and drop the wrinkles out. Without one, hanging the suit in the bathroom while you take a hot shower will release light creases.
3. Deal with stains quickly
Spills happen to careful people too. Dab gently with a clean, damp cloth — do not rub — and if it does not lift easily, stop rather than working at it.
For particle stains like dust or dry food, a steamer will loosen them before you brush. For oil, a little talcum powder can draw some of it out. If a stain is stubborn, take it to a dry cleaner who understands tailored clothes.
4. Dry clean less than you think
Dry cleaning helps, and too much of it shortens a suit's life. Depending on how often you wear it, a suit needs cleaning only a few times a year. Spot-clean and steam in between rather than sending it out after every few wears.
Ask us
If you would like advice on looking after your own suits, or you are unsure about cleaning, storage or a repair, talk to us. We have been cutting in Bangkok since 1951, and we are as happy to help you keep what you have as to make you something new.
