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Repair to inside of suit collar?

sippyCUP

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Good morning,

I own a navy Suitsupply suit jack which has developed what I believe is abrasion damage to the inside of the collar. It is typically not visible except at particular angles from the front. Unfortunately underneath the wool the material is white, so it is highly visible under the right circumstances. I'm also concerned that this damage will worsen over time due to tensile (pulling) stress at that location. The overall area of damage is smaller than a penny right now.

Here's a photo of said damage: https://goo.gl/photos/XMdmT6YbCuko5Q5w7

I'd rather not buy a new suit altogether if I can satisfactorily repair this damage. Since it's not "front and center," my standards for this repair aren't sky-high - I just want to cover the area missing wool and prevent future deterioration in this area.

Anyone have any experience or advice with this type of repair? I've requested an estimate from https://www.withoutatrace.com/ , waiting to hear back from them.

Please keep in mind I'm not looking for stylistic advice for or against Suitsupply wares, but merely repair advice for this particular suit jack.

Thank you very much!

Eric
 

scatterbrain

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Unfortunately, I don't have any advice to offer.

But the curiosity is killing me. Do you have a ponytail?
 

sippyCUP

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Haha, no, my hair is pretty short on the whole. Is your inquiry informed by the brush on my sinktop?
 

GBR

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Burn it and buy a new suit. It is worn out and cannot be repaired satisfactorily
 

Academic2

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Good morning,

I own a navy Suitsupply suit jack which has developed what I believe is abrasion damage to the inside of the collar. It is typically not visible except at particular angles from the front. Unfortunately underneath the wool the material is white, so it is highly visible under the right circumstances. I'm also concerned that this damage will worsen over time due to tensile (pulling) stress at that location. The overall area of damage is smaller than a penny right now.

Here's a photo of said damage: https://goo.gl/photos/XMdmT6YbCuko5Q5w7

I'd rather not buy a new suit altogether if I can satisfactorily repair this damage. Since it's not "front and center," my standards for this repair aren't sky-high - I just want to cover the area missing wool and prevent future deterioration in this area.

Anyone have any experience or advice with this type of repair? I've requested an estimate from https://www.withoutatrace.com/ , waiting to hear back from them.

[...]
That's appalling. I look forward to learning what the re-weaver has to say.

If you don't mind my asking, what Suit Supply model is this? Did the trousers show similar wear?

Cheers,

Ac
 

scatterbrain

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Haha, no, my hair is pretty short on the whole. Is your inquiry informed by the brush on my sinktop?
That and the location of the wear. If you did have a ponytail, it would constantly rub on that spot on the collar.

How long did you have the suit for? Some suitsupply buyers have complained of fabric wearing out quickly in that thread.
 

sippyCUP

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Scatterbrain and Academic2,

I have owned it nearly two years now. Worn perhaps 4-5 times. No similar wear to the pants. It's a Napoli.

I think the wear is a result of "overhanging" jackets in my vehicle during a move from the west to east coast. I think there are some funky stress on the collar during the ride that caused this abrasion.

I got a quote from a reweaver for about $160, may go that route.

Then again, why not just patch it? It's not a highly visible area on the suit, and would perhaps prevent further wear?

Thank you,
Eric
 
Last edited:

Academic2

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Scatterbrain and Academic2,

I have owned it nearly two years now. Worn perhaps 4-5 times. No similar wear to the pants.

[...]

That's even worse than I thought. Which Suit Supply suit is it?

Cheers,

Ac
 
Last edited:

scatterbrain

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Scatterbrain and Academic2,

I have owned it nearly two years now. Worn perhaps 4-5 times. No similar wear to the pants. It's a Napoli.

I think the wear is a result of "overhanging" jackets in my vehicle during a move from the west to east coast. I think there are some funky stress on the collar during the ride that caused this abrasion.

I got a quote from a reweaver for about $160, may go that route.

Then again, why not just patch it? It's not a highly visible area on the suit, and would perhaps prevent further wear?

Thank you,
Eric

I think it depends. I don't like the idea of throwing something away that can be repaired, but the fact that it has this issue suggests that the rest of the suit probably won't last that long either. Also, GBR has been around the forum for a long time and knows what he's talking about. I'd worry about spending $160 + shipping + time only to wind up with something sub-par that would sit in the closet, anyways. Or worse, just wear out in another place immediately next to the reweave after two more wears.

If it were me, I would probably only reweave if I needed the suit for interviews and had no money for an alternative.

I wear suits 4 days a week, and sport coats on fridays. Realistically, in my current position I would probably just wear it as is on days when I don't have court or client meetings, etc., and think of the damage as character. Wabi-sabi.
 

CriticBespok

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It will be really hard to find the same fabric for the reparation. You should ask to the tailor who made it if he can still get that fabric.
 

Caustic Man

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Anyone have any experience or advice with this type of repair? I've requested an estimate from https://www.withoutatrace.com/ , waiting to hear back from them.

Without A Trace is in my local area and I have used them before. They are expensive, but they do an excellent job and have great customer service. Reweaving seems to be a rare and valuable skill today and they charge appropriately. Reweaved areas are noticeable to close inspection most of the time, but I don't doubt that they can make it nearly unnoticeable. I would be cautious about reweaving a SuSu Napoli though, simply because the cost of repair is high and the value of the suit is low. If you really must keep the suit, just have a local tailor sew the holes shut. Save your $160 + shipping and put it toward a new suit.
 

sippyCUP

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Caustic Man,

I like the idea of having the hole sewn shut or patched since it's not a prominent area on the suit. As long as I can maintain the physical integrity, it should be fine.

One of these days I'll perhaps invest in a custom navy suit, but in the mean time I can make due with this one since my wear frequency for suiting is pretty low.

Thanks,
Eric
 

chippneckwear

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Take a navy pen and color the white that is showing. Have a tailor put a few very small bind stitches to close the holes and prevent spreading. It should cost you less than $10.

Paul Winston
Winston Tailors/ www.chippneckwear.com
212 687-0850
 

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