Suit care

[Etienne]

I have recently dramatically improved the quality and number of my suits. I also have a new job which involves wearing a suit much more often. I'd also like to improve my suit-care habits...

I know the basics: brush the suit as often as possible, don't wear it two days in a row, but let it hang, steam once in a while, dry-clean as infrequently as possible.

I have two more specific questions.

1/ What are your steaming habits? I use the Whirlpool Prêt-à -porter apparel and have so far steamed suits after every wear (which is once a week in my case), but I am starting to think that this might be too often.

2/ How do you deal with the pant crease? I am a bit anal about this and have difficulty coping with the fact that simply hanging the suit will not make the crease as sharp as it could be, especially in the backseat area where it fades fast (steaming the suit so often actually seems to make it worse). But I cannot really picture myself pressing the pants every 2 or 3 wearing. Is there no other option? And in that case, do you use a valet pant press?

 

[Etienne]

Come on guys, doesn't anybody care for his suits?

 

[HomerJ]

1. You can't harm the wool by steaming too often.
2. ?

 

[CharlestonBows]

Originally Posted by Étienne

2/ How do you deal with the pant crease? I am a bit anal about this and have difficulty coping with the fact that simply hanging the suit will not make the crease as sharp as it could be, especially in the backseat area where it fades fast (steaming the suit so often actually seems to make it worse). But I cannot really picture myself pressing the pants every 2 or 3 wearing. Is there no other option? And in that case, do you use a valet pant press?

Simple solution from Corby. I love mine.

 

[JayJay]

Originally Posted by Étienne

But I cannot really picture myself pressing the pants every 2 or 3 wearing. Is there no other option? And in that case, do you use a valet pant press?

I press mine after or prior to each wearing with an iron and a pressing cloth.

 

[Tomasso]

I've found that hanging trousers by their cuffs minimizes wrinkles in most fabrics.

 

[The_Foxx]

yep, I second the motion for a Corby trouser press. Mine has lasted several years and is still going strong, even after two home-moves. Also, I recommend a small travel steamer be added to your suit care toolbox-- good for getting the wrinkles out of the trouser crotch and other areas the Corby might not hit as well.

I assume you're using either trouser-clip hangers (so the pant hangs full length, suspended from the cuffs/ hem as tomosso illustrated) or the "savile row fold" on a smooth trouser bar, right?

Can you explain how the pret a porter works? Does that thing create steam by plugging it in and adding water? Does it use anything else besides steam (scent, etc.?) If it's anything but pure steam, it would concern me for use on your tailored clothing.

 

[Etienne]

Originally Posted by The_Foxx

or the "savile row fold" on a smooth trouser bar, right?
I was simply folding them, I'll try to use the SR fold from now on. Hanging them from the cuffs would be difficult. I am tall and my pants are long, I did not buy my cupboards with that in mind and have limited space for long garments, which is taken by various coats and formal wear.

Can you explain how the pret a porter works? Does that thing create steam by plugging it in and adding water? Does it use anything else besides steam (scent, etc.?) If it's anything but pure steam, it would concern me for use on your tailored clothing.

It's pure steam, from demineralized water. The cycle is about 30 minutes, and from what I hear the steam is present for the first 5-10 minutes or so, the rest of the time is a gentle drying.

Anyway, for the crease I'll simply have to get a good pant press, suck it up and press as often as possible (not sure I'll be able to constrain myself to press after every wearing).

 

[The_Foxx]

I generally pop the pants in the press when they look like they need it-- not sure it is actually after every wearing. come to think of it, when i decide on clothing to wear the next day, i give the trousers a look to see if they need pressing.