The Biggest Suit Care Mistakes Men Make

A suit is more than simply a piece of apparel; it is a meticulously made garment with lining, internal canvas, delicate fabrics, and expert tailoring to preserve its elegance and shape. Since we do not use synthetic materials, all C&C bespoke suits are made of natural materials such as wool, which makes them naturally antibacterial, odor-resistant and requires our suits to simply be aired out and lightly steamed at home between uses to preserve their longevity. Any suit can easily be ruined by careless handling, particularly while it’s in the washing machine. One incorrect wash can permanently ruin its shape, causing everything from bubbling lapels and damaged lining to shrinkage and warped structure. In this piece, we examine a machine-washed suit that was ruined and discuss typical errors that might reduce the longevity of your tailoring, and more importantly, how to avoid them.

1. Never Put Your Suit in a Washing Machine

Suits are made from delicate fabrics such as wool. Washing machines can cause the fabric to shrink and damage its internal construction which is a delicate handfinished combination of canvas, lining and padding. Once the damage is done, the suit will no longer drape properly and is almost impossible to restore.

2. Avoid Using a Tumble Dryer

Most often permanent warping and shrinkage of wool fibres happens from the high heat from tumble dryers. The lining and outer fabric may shrink at different rates, creating bubbling, puckering, or twisting in the jacket.

3. Do Not Over-Dry Clean Your Suit

Dry cleaning frequently exposes the fabric to harsh chemicals which overtime weakens natural fibres and can cause the color and texture of the suit to fade. Depending on your usage most custom-tailored suits only need dry cleaning a few times a year.

4. Do Not Use Thin or Wire Hangers

Improper hangers can damage the suit’s shape. Thin wire hangers fail to support the shoulders properly, causing them to collapse or form dents. A suit should always be stored on wide, structured hangers that support the jacket’s natural shoulder line.

5. Avoid Ironing Directly on the Fabric

Direct heat from an iron can leave shiny marks on wool and other delicate fabrics. It can also flatten the natural texture of the material. Professional steaming or pressing with proper cloth protection is recommended instead.

6. Do Not Store Your Suit in Plastic Covers

Suits should always be stored in breathable garments bags made from cotton or cloth and never in plastic ones as the moisture in plastic garment bags prevents airflow which can cause fabric deterioration, odors along with mildew.

7. Avoid Wearing the Same Suit Every Day

Just like any high quality garments, suits take their time to recover after several wears. Avoid wearing the same suit daily as this can cause the fabric to lose its natural shape. Best to always rotate between suits to extend their lifespan.

8. Do Not Overfill Your Jacket Pockets

A common practice that distorts the silhouettes and shape of bespoke jackets is stuffing the pockets with heavy items like phones, wallets and keys.This causes stretching of the fabric which causes it to sag and lose its shape which becomes difficult to repair.

9. Avoid Packing Suits Improperly When Traveling

A common mistake that is often made is when the suit is not properly folded in its garment bag when packing. Not doing so can cause it to crease deeply and damage its structure. If short on space, and depending on the fabric and shoulder pads used, some suits can easily also be turned inside out and folded into a suitcase without compromising its structural integrity.