Let's face it, every guy needs a suit. Even if your job or occupation doesn't require you to wear one, there will always be occasions that call for dressy formal wear. From weddings and graduations to parties and social gatherings, a good suit is essential for many different occasions. But some men avoid purchasing suits, fearing they will break down and fall apart just months later. While it's true that some of the cheaper suits on the market are made with low-quality materials and poor craftsmanship, this isn't the case for
all suits. So, what can you do to increase the life expectancy of your suit? Check out the following tips and tricks to make your suit last.
Choose Thicker Fabrics
Don't underestimate the importance of choosing a suit made of the right fabric. Generally speaking, thicker fabrics tend to last longer than thinner fabrics.
Wool and corduroy, for instance, are both excellent choices for this very reason. Because they are thicker than other common fabrics used in suits, you can expect them to last longer. The only downside is that wearing suits made of thick fabrics such as these may be uncomfortable during the hot spring and summer months. In any case, you should try wearing a suit made of a thick fabric to see if it works for you. Even if it's too thick to comfortably wear during the summer, you can always hang on to it for the colder months ahead.
Purchase a Second Pair of Trousers
Technically, this isn't going to prolong the life of your suit, rather it will allow you to continue wearing the suit even if your original pair of trousers become damaged or otherwise unable to be worn. There are a few basic components of a men's suit, including the jacket or coat and trousers. Normally, it's the trousers that become damaged first. So by keeping an extra pair on hand, you can still wear your suit even if something happens to your original pair. Just remember to choose a pair of trousers in the same color and style as the original pair.
Avoid Machine Washing Your Suit
Try to avoid washing your suit in a washing machine, as this may damage or otherwise degrade the fabric. Washing machines are great for casual t-shirts, jeans and other everyday garments, but they are not suitable for suits. The back-and-forth rotating of the drum combined with exposure to water can wreck havoc on a suit, shortening its lifespan. If your suit is dirty, take it to a professional dry cleaners to have it cleaned. They'll use a special steam cleaning solution to remove dirt and debris while leaving your suit nice and crisp afterwards. Of course, you should also read your suit's care label for specific cleaning and maintenance instructions given by the manufacturer. Steps to cleaning a suit will vary depending on the fabric from which it was made and who made it.
Keep it Dry
It's virtually impossible to keep a suit dry all the time. Maybe you're forced to run from your car to a nearby office building in the rain, during which your suit becomes wet. Exposure to small amounts of water such as this shouldn't cause any major damage to your suit. But if your suit remains wet for long periods of time, it can degrade the fabric while shortening its overall lifespan. So, try to get into the habit of drying your suit whenever it's exposed to moisture. Keeping your suit dry will protect the fabric from moisture-related damage while also preventing stains from setting. And if you are really worried about moisture damage, keep an umbrella in your car for those not-so-sunny days and evenings.
Keep it Clean
Conventional wisdom should lead you to believe that a suit will last longer if you keep it clean. Unfortunately, many guys are guilty of ignoring stains, waiting until the day before they need to wear the suit to try and clean it. The longer you leave a stain on your suit, the greater the risk of setting. If you discover a smudge, blemish or other stain on your suit, try spot cleaning it with a damp washcloth. Take the damp washcloth and blot the stained area until it comes clean. If this doesn't work, you'll need to take the suit to a local dry cleaners.
Hang it Up
When you are finished wearing the suit, take a few minutes to hang it up in a closet. Some guys have a tendency to toss their suit jackets and trousers on the floor without thinking twice. While this may seem harmless enough, it can encourage the formation of wrinkles while exposing the garments to additional dirt, dust and debris. It only takes a minute or two to hang your suit jacket and trousers up on a clothes hanger, and doing so could protect them from damage.
Choose Quality Over Quantity
The allure of all of those gimmicky "buy one get two free" suit deals can seem enticing to say the least. After all, who wouldn't want to receive two full suits for free? Well, this is one case in which the mantra, "you get what you pay for" holds true. Sure, you may receive three suits for the price of one retail suit, but they will almost certainly be made of low-quality fabrics and poor craftsmanship, resulting in a significantly shorter lifespan than a premium, well-made suit. So instead of buying a handful of low-quality suits, stick with just a single high-quality suit. By purchasing your suit here at
StudioSuits, you can rest assured knowing that only the finest fabrics and craftsmanship were used in its construction. These are just a few tips and tricks to prolong the life expectancy of your suit. Most importantly, though, read the care label for specific instructions on how to clean, dry and maintain your suit. No two suits are the same, which is why it's a good idea to read, and follow, the instructions provided on the care label.
