A bespoke tailored suit garners more respect than a ready-made one. This obviously goes without saying, but is still bears repeating. Custom suits are simply more valuable. This is certainly true in monetary terms, but also as far as personal value is concerned. Moreover, a custom tailored suit can provide you with more real-world benefits.
From being taken more seriously in your professional life to being seen as more attractive to people whose opinions matter to you, there is simply no substitute for custom attire. As such, it is of paramount importance that you take good care of the suit that’s destined to take such incredibly good care of you. Here’s how…
- Avoid dry cleaning when possible. This goes against many people’s intuition, but the truth is, there are many harmful chemicals being applied to garments at dry cleaning establishments. These chemicals, over time, can weaken and even destroy the fibers of your suit. Limit your dry cleaning visits only to instances where there is a stain which must be addressed.
- Hang your suit up after each use, and don’t wear it on back-to-back days. Like any other type of clothing, your custom-tailored suit needs time to breathe. Use an ergonomic hanger when hanging your suit. This will help it retain its shape, allow any wrinkles to work themselves out, and prevent any mishaps (such as warping) from occurring. You’ll also want to size your hanger to make sure that your suit will fit on it perfectly.
- Keep your suit looking fresh and new with regular brushings. This will keep the wool fibers intact, rejuvenated, and strong. This is especially true when you get into the finer (150 and above) wool. Brushing your suit on a regular basis will extend its life, and keep you looking your best for years, and even decades to come.
- Follow the care instructions to the letter. Your tailor knows what he’s talking about, so listen to him! We’re all tempted to cut corners from time to time, but this is one area where doing so can really come back to bite you. A custom suit is a true investment in yourself, and it’s an investment that requires care and attention. Anything less is unacceptable.
- Get your suit serviced. If your suit design house offers maintenance (much in the same way that a car dealership might), then you are wise to take them up on their services. They have professional tools and techniques available that will keep your suit looking like you just bought it yesterday! Seams, holes, lining, and sweat gaurds are all looked at and taken care of, where necessary. This can extend your suit’s life span like nothing else.
Remember, the differences between off-the-rack suits and custom tailored suits are significant. A suit you acquire as-is most likely won’t live long. These are the suits you may one day find being sold in a thrift shop. Custom suits, on the other hand, are designed to stay with you for life. By following the recommendations above, you are giving yourself the best possible chance of owning a suit you’re proud to call your own for a long, long time to come.
