Do you keep wearing shiny wool?

[The Louche]

Other threads have gotten me started thinking about this, namely the epic one about being too perfect. So, do you continue to wear wool once it gets shiny? If so how anal are you about it? Do you just get a bit of shine on the seat and then give up on the garment or do you allow yourself to look like one of those asshole train conductors in old time black and white photos that have so much shine on their elbows you can see it from 6 feet away?

 

[Don Carlos]

Generally speaking, no. But I guess it depends on the shine, and to what extent it stands out from the rest of the wool on the suit. If you've got shiny, obvious patches that don't match the matte finish of the suit itself, it looks f'ing terrible. But if your suit itself is somewhat shiny (sharkshin or what have you), you can probably get away with a tiny bit of extra shine picked up from normal wear & tear.

With the possible exceptions of Starbucks baristas and Jay Leno, shine on suit elbows is my worst nemesis. I can't stand it, and I'm extremely anal about it. But it'll happen sooner or later if you wear your suit regularly over the course of many years. You can stave off its inevitable arrival, however, by taking off your jacket whenever you're sitting down.

 

[The Louche]

Originally Posted by Arrogant Bastard

With the possible exceptions of Starbucks baristas and Jay Leno, shine on suit elbows is my worst nemesis. I can't stand it, and I'm extremely anal about it. But it'll happen sooner or later if you wear your suit regularly over the course of many years. You can stave off its inevitable arrival, however, by taking off your jacket whenever you're sitting down.

I agree. But it happens. Sometimes when the rest of the suit is still in great shape. So what do you do then?

 

[SkinnyGoomba]

elbow patches.

or Ass less suit pants.

 

[Don Carlos]

Originally Posted by The Louche

I agree. But it happens. Sometimes when the rest of the suit is still in great shape. So what do you do then?

I'll wear a suit if it's just one elbow (it's usually the left elbow only for me, for whatever reason) that's getting shiny. Eventually, though, that shine will start to give way to a tear in the fabric. If you've got a tear in your jacket's elbow, a good tailor can repair it. But there are only so many times you can have this done. At that point, the suit jacket needs to be retired. If the trousers are still in decent shape, they can live on as odd trousers.

 

[SkinnyGoomba]

do you guys even own suits?

 

[lasbar]

A bit if shininess is nothing to worry about..Normal wear and tear ,some people even call that character...
I usually not a great fan of shiny fabrics in general ..

 

[David Reeves]

slight sheen on the seat isn't so bad. Any on elbow or coat or shine noticeable to onlookers and I get rid. If I have to stare at it to see if it's shiny then it's ok.

 

[The Louche]

Originally Posted by SkinnyGoomba

do you guys even own suits?

What??? Yes. Worn one every work day for 5-6 years.

 

[Don Carlos]

Originally Posted by SkinnyGoomba

do you guys even own suits?

Dude, you're totally that guy who is always trying to be really witty and biting, and obviously thinks highly of himself, but doesn't quite get there. You're the Dane Cook of Styleforum. Congratulations.

 

[js4design]

 

[bowtielover]

I consider it damaged and go shopping for a replacement.

 

[Pundit]

Froma quick search ...

"Removing Shine.- Sometimes, in the construction of woolen garments, certain parts, especially seams and overlapping edges, become shiny or glossy from improper pressing. Also, as is well known, a woolen material that consists of hard or firmly twisted threads is likely to become glossy from hard wear. To remove the shine, first place over it a press cloth that is slightly damper than one needed for ordinary pressing. Then hold a hot iron very close to the press cloth, but not on it, keeping the iron in one position long enough to allow the steam an opportunity to penetrate the fabric. Then lift the press cloth and brush the fabric briskly to roughen its surface a trifle in order to take away the shine.

Repeat this process until every trace of the shine is removed. Then, dry the steamed material thoroughly, holding the iron close enough to the press cloth so that the fabric will appear to have been carefully pressed, although the iron has not touched it."

 

[The Louche]

^

Does that actually work. I feel like a clown for constantly brining this topic up here and on AA but I can't get a definitive answer.

 

[yachtie]

Until it develops holes, it's fine.