Expensive Suits -- Are you scared of the dry cleaners??

[drew4392]

For most of my professional life, I've worn $300-500 off-the-rack. No issue with taking them to the local dry cleaner. In the last year, I've started upgrading my wardrobe and spending a bit more money on my shirts and suits.

Now, I am worried about the cleaning process.

I am about to acquire my third bespoke suit, and at $2000 a pop, I am re-thinking the dry cleaners. Seeing them throw a bunch of suits in a big machine getting agitated and thrown around doesn't make me feel comfortable.

So... is this the process.... the only process... and I just need to shut up and deal with it? Or, do you folks with $2000+++ suits use a different cleaning process?

I would think there is a more gentle cleaning process out there that costs more money. Like a hand cleaning or alternative method.

Any thoughts?


Thanks!

 

[Will]

Send the bespoke to Rave Fabricare in Scottsdale once a year. Cleaning will cost $50 but they will return in perfect condition.

 

[comrade]

If you are in the SF Bay Area, I have a dry cleaner that will be a little cheaper.

 

[GBR]

To answer your question 'yes'.

There are specialist cleaners out there if you really need to clean a suit, the job is finding them.

 

[Holdfast]

Honestly, it doesn't bother me too much, but I appreciate that I'm in a minority. I'm also lucky in having a cleaner that generally does a good job, even with weird stuff like 3-2 roll jackets.

I don't dry clean very frequently, but every suit does need a clean occasionally. No point worrying about a necessary part of life. If you're really concerned, there are more specialist services out there as GBR suggests. But don't ask me to recommend; I just give mine to the local branch of Johnson's/Sketchley's. I am fairly specific about how to press things like the lapels (they say they hand-press, and it seems to be true as everything comes back OK).

 

[drew4392]

Thanks for the recommendation in AZ.

I'm in L.A., so the Bay Area is a bit far. But, it's good to know there are local specialty cleaners. I'll just have to look for them.

Glad to hear there are alternatives.

 

[comrade]



Thanks for the recommendation in AZ.

I'm in L.A., so the Bay Area is a bit far. But, it's good to know there are local specialty cleaners. I'll just have to look for them.

Glad to hear there are alternatives.

An idea: Go to a very high end mens's shop, like Carroll & Co on N. Canon,
Beverly Hills, or Nieman Marcus, etc. and ask them for a recommendation.
I got my genius alterations tailor in my area by checking with the highest end mens shop-
In this case Wilkes Bashford The Dry cleaner was his suggestion.