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Cotton Jacket Stiffness

krad54

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So I just recently bought a cotton summer suit but I'm noticing that the material is really stiff. I know that compared to wool, cotton doesn't drape quite as well but this jacket seems overly starchy. Does anyone have any tips on softening the jacket? It's unlined and half-canvassed, if that makes any difference.

I was thinking about soaking it in cold water and air drying, but, since that could possibly ruin it, I figured I'd check in here first.
 

Andy57

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Cotton tailored clothing is, by nature, stiff. That's what I don't like about it. It does not and never will drape as well as wool, silk, or linen. It will soften over time, I think. You could stick it in a dryer on air dry and let it tumble for a period. Personally, I wouldn't. But I also wouldn't wear a cotton suit, either. You'll likely find it's rather hotter than you thought it would be, too.
 

krad54

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Cotton tailored clothing is, by nature, stiff. That's what I don't like about it. It does not and never will drape as well as wool, silk, or linen. It will soften over time, I think. You could stick it in a dryer on air dry and let it tumble for a period. Personally, I wouldn't. But I also wouldn't wear a cotton suit, either. You'll likely find it's rather hotter than you thought it would be, too.

Yeah, I already have a decent collection of normal jackets, so I thought I'd venture out and try something different. Luckily it wasn't too expensive, so I may just use it as a beater jacket/experiment to see how to make it better. Thanks for the advice!
 

circumspice

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The lack of drape is a feature, not a bug - the material isn't going to cling as it might otherwise as it has own shape. Cotton certainly isn't as cool wearing as linen. I have some cotton Boglioli I have beaten on, but they don't lose much rigidity.
 

dieworkwear

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I would be careful about washing tat jacket. Depending on how it's made, the materials can shrink at different rates, which will ruin the tailoring.
 

bdavro23

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There could be some starchiness to the fabric like some linens have. The fabric will break in and soften up over time, but will never behave as wool will. If you want to hurry things along, send it to the dry cleaners. It isn't a magic bullet, but since the fabric likely wasn't pre-washed, this is the next best thing.

I would not wash or dry this garment for the above mentioned reasons...
 

krad54

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Thanks for the responses! I'll probably just wear it for a while and see how it breaks in since it seems like washing will ruin it altogether.
 

Andy57

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Or do what Fred Astaire is said to have done (although with wool suits, not cotton): throw it against a wall a few times to soften it up.

:)
 

starro

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Not sure where you are. See if you can find a skilled presser in your area to give the suit the traditional "Sponge and press." That might wash out the starch.

Seems kind of a pain to make a tailored suit out of a washable fabric like cotton, which attracts dirt much more than wool or silk.
 

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