How to care for a suit

To make a suit last, brush it after every wear, hang it on a shaped wooden hanger, give it a day or two of rest before wearing it again, steam out creases instead of ironing, and dry clean it only when it is genuinely dirty. Those few habits do more for the life of a good suit than anything else.

Brush it after every wear

Dust and grit settle into the weave during the day and slowly wear the fibres. A clothes brush with natural bristles lifts them out. Hang the jacket up, then brush firmly downwards with the grain of the cloth, working from the collar and shoulders to the hem. A minute is enough. Do the trousers too, paying attention to the hems, which collect the most dirt on a wet Melbourne day.

Hang it properly

A wire or thin plastic hanger leaves the shoulders unsupported and can push dents into them. Use a wooden hanger with broad, shaped shoulders that fill the jacket out to the edge. Before you hang it:

• Empty every pocket. Phones, keys and wallets pull the cloth out of shape.
• Fasten the top or middle button so the front sits naturally.
• Hang the trousers by the hems from a clamp hanger, or fold them neatly along the crease over a padded bar.
• Leave a little space in the wardrobe so the suit is not crushed between other clothes.

Let it rest

Wool is naturally resilient. Given time, the fibres relax, creases fall out and the moisture taken up during the day evaporates. Try not to wear the same suit two days running. A rest of at least a day, ideally two, lets it recover its shape. If you wear a suit to the office every day, this is the strongest argument for owning two or three and rotating them.

Steam, do not iron

An iron pressed straight onto wool can flatten the cloth, leave a shine and crush the shape built into the chest and lapels. A handheld steamer relaxes creases gently without pressing. Hold it a short distance from the cloth and let the steam do the work. No steamer? Hang the suit in the bathroom while you shower and the steam will lift most light creasing. If the trousers need a sharper crease, press them through a damp cotton cloth on a low wool setting, never directly.

Dry clean sparingly

Dry cleaning uses solvents and heavy pressing that strip natural oils from the wool and, over time, wear the cloth and the structure inside the jacket. For most suits, a clean once or twice a season is plenty, or when there is a stain you cannot shift yourself. Always clean the jacket and trousers together so they age at the same rate and stay the same colour. Choose a dry cleaner who handles tailored garments with care.

Deal with spills straight away

Blot, never rub. Rubbing pushes the stain deeper and roughens the surface. Dab a fresh spill with a clean cloth dampened in cold water, working from the outside in. For anything oily or stubborn, leave it to a professional rather than reaching for household cleaners, which can bleach or mark fine wool.

Store it safely from moths

Clothes moth larvae feed on wool, cashmere and silk, and they are drawn to cloth that carries traces of sweat or food. Before you put a suit away for the season:

1. Make sure it is clean and brushed.
2. Store it in a breathable cotton garment bag, never the plastic cover from the dry cleaner, which traps moisture.
3. Add cedar blocks or lavender sachets and refresh them each season.
4. Take it out, brush it and air it every few weeks.

A YB Signature suit comes with its own suit bag, which is made for exactly this job.

Travelling with a suit

A garment bag is the simplest option. If the suit has to go in a case, turn the jacket inside out at the shoulders, tuck one shoulder inside the other, fold it once in half and lay it on top of your other clothes. Hang it up the moment you arrive and let the bathroom steam ease out any creases. For a long trip, a crease resistant cloth such as an open weave wool will arrive looking better.

Rotate your suits

Rotation is the simplest care of all. Two or three suits worn in turn will each last far longer than one suit worn every day, because each gets its rest, needs cleaning less often and wears more evenly. It also means a spill or a sudden downpour never leaves you without something to wear.

Look after the shoes too

Shoes wear on the same principle as suits. Rotate them so the leather can dry out between wears, and put cedar shoe trees in them as soon as you take them off: they absorb moisture and hold the shape. Clean and polish them regularly, and have them resoled before the wear reaches the welt. Made to order shoes looked after this way will keep for many years.

Small habits, long life

Unbutton your jacket before you sit down, avoid stuffing the pockets and take the jacket off for a long drive. These small habits save the seams and the cloth from strain.

A suit built for your physique is worth looking after. If you are planning your next one, read about our made to measure suits, try on a YB suit in our virtual fitting room, or book a fitting with us.

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