So you’ve just received your new suit from Pocket Square and can’t wait to show off to the world how well it fits. You wear it a couple times a week and it endures the stresses of everyday life with you, just like a trusty side kick. Follow the tips below on how to care for your new suit and keep your suit looking as good as new all year round.

Hang your suit

Always hang your suit up when you’re not wearing it to maintain the shape and avoid wrinkles. The ideal hanger is one wide enough which can reach the end of the shoulders, as well as one that is thick enough to maintain the natural shape of the shoulders. Wooden hangers can help absorb the moisture out of your suit after a long days wear. Never use one of them flimsy metal hangers. Hang the suit with a bit of room in between the next garment to allow it enough space to air out. To keep dust away from the suit, hang it in a travel bag and leave a bit of the zip open to allow the suit to air out and the moisture to evaporate.

Use a garment bag

When you need to carry your suit with you when travelling, it is best to store it in a garment bag. Using a garment bag will ensure that your suit remains wrinkle free and protected from getting damaged and accumulating unwanted dirt.

Brushing and rolling

Wool is a natural fibre and can accumulate unwanted dirt, dust, hair, skin and lint. If left to settle, these particles can seep into the material and damage it over time. A suit brush can be a relatively inexpensive investment to maintain your suit. After each wear or before storing your suit in the wardrobe, be sure to clean any unwanted particles on your suit by brushing it softly with your suit brush. Similar to shaving, remember to always gently brush down with the grain, from the shoulders downwards, to avoid damaging the material. You can also occasionally use a lint brush to remove any stubborn particles.

Minimise dry cleaning

It is a common misconception that once your suit is dirty that it should be taken to the dry cleaner to clean. Unknown to many, but dry cleaners often use chemicals which can harm the natural fibres of the suit which over time will ultimately damage your suit. Your suit should only be taken to the dry cleaner when necessary and no more than one or two times a year. You can spot clean stains with a damp cloth and dabbing at the stain until it has been removed.

Steaming

We understand not everyone will have a steamer on hand, but a good quality one can be relatively inexpensive and can be bought for around $150. Steaming is the most effective way to deodorise and air out your suit after a big night out, as well as removing any unwanted wrinkles or creases. However, there are certain areas of the suit which can be steamed and others which should be avoided as it may risk damaging the structure and integrity of the suit. Steaming the chest and lapels of the suit may deform the inner canvassing but these areas of the suit seldom wrinkle. The main parts which are susceptible to wrinkles are the arms and back and can be steamed as there is no canvassing within these areas.

Alternate your suits

Try and avoid wearing your suit consecutive days in a row to minimise the wear and tear of the fabrics. Rotate your suits evenly during the week to allow for the fabrics to rest and recover.