Unshrinking 100% wool tweed jacket?

[Ben Klesc]

A few weeks ago I bought a used tweed sport coat and it had a thick smell of tobacco caked onto the fibers. I had figured if you do not throw a wool suit into the dryer then it could be wet cleaned without shrinking. I made sure to let it dry flat and made sure to only use cold water. I should have never took the advice from the internet. It did not work.



For some reason my jacket did shrink. It did not wrinkle but the sleeves and chest have no chance of fitting now. The suit is supposed to be a 38 and now it's closer to a 34. So here is my question...

I was reading on the internet some advice for unshrinking wool. Someone told me you should iron and stretch wool jackets out with steam. Others have suggest getting the wool a little damp and using a steamer and stretching. Yet some have said never use a steamer on wool. Others have suggested I need to rewash the suit with conditioner and warm water and leave it to dry stretched out. Is there anything I could do?

 

[dieworkwear]

No, the garment is ruined.

Do not put tailored clothing through a wet cleaning process, especially if it's made with materials inside.

I recommend giving it to someone who's going through homelessness and may need a jacket for warmth. Donate it to a shelter. No need to throw a jacket away.

 

[Phileas Fogg]

A few weeks ago I bought a used tweed sport coat and it had a thick smell of tobacco caked onto the fibers. I had figured if you do not throw a wool suit into the dryer then it could be wet cleaned without shrinking. I made sure to let it dry flat and made sure to only use cold water. I should have never took the advice from the internet. It did not work.

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For some reason my jacket did shrink. It did not wrinkle but the sleeves and chest have no chance of fitting now. The suit is supposed to be a 38 and now it's closer to a 34. So here is my question...

I was reading on the internet some advice for unshrinking wool. Someone told me you should iron and stretch wool jackets out with steam. Others have suggest getting the wool a little damp and using a steamer and stretching. Yet some have said never use a steamer on wool. Others have suggested I need to rewash the suit with conditioner and warm water and leave it to dry stretched out. Is there anything I could do?

its ruined. Just donate it and walk away. Lesson learned for the next time.

 

[Ben Klesc]

For those interested this was a Hart Schaffner Marx, or at least was. Lesson learned.

 

[Ben Klesc]

These should be taken off the internet!

 

[maxalex]

If structured clothing could be washed, dry cleaning would not exist. That said, lots of “dry clean only” clothes can be washed by hand or in a delicate cycle—including many wool trousers and silk shirts. But never jackets with interior structure.