A well-fitting suit can elevate your look and leave a lasting impression. But knowing how to care for your suit is just as important as finding the perfect one. This guide will help you ensure your suit looks its best before, during, and after every event. From finding the perfect fit to handling unexpected spills, we’ll cover everything you need to know to keep your suit looking sharp and feeling comfortable.
Finding the Perfect Fit
A great suit starts with a great fit. You have a couple of options to achieve this:
Custom Suit:
For a truly custom-made experience, consider investing in a bespoke suit. Tailors will meticulously craft a suit to your exact measurements, ensuring exceptional comfort and a silhouette that flatters your body type. Many brands offer a convenient made-to-measure option, allowing you to create a personalized suit without the hefty price tag of a fully bespoke garment. The added benefit of a custom suit is the ability to personalize details like fabric, lining, and buttons, letting you express your unique style.
Tailoring:
If you already have a suit in your closet, don’t underestimate the transformative power of tailoring. Over time, suits can stretch or lose their shape. A visit to a skilled tailor can address these issues, making subtle adjustments to create a more streamlined and polished look. Here’s where a tailor’s expertise truly shines:
- Shoulder Refinement: A tailor can ensure the shoulders sit perfectly on your frame, eliminating any bagging or tightness. This creates a clean and structured silhouette that conveys confidence.
- Sleeve Adjustments: Proper sleeve length is crucial. Sleeves that are too long can appear sloppy, while sleeves that are too short can disrupt the overall flow of the suit. A tailor can adjust the sleeve length to sit comfortably at your wrist bone, with a slight reveal of your shirt cuff.
- Pant Perfecting: The fit of your pants is equally important. A tailor can address issues like baggy knees, unwanted bunching at the ankles, cuff/leg width to a more modern narrow tapered look, or a waistline that’s too loose or too tight. They can also adjust the pant break (the fold at the bottom of the pants) to your preference.
Professional Press
Once you have a perfectly fitted suit, the next step is to eliminate any wrinkles and achieve those crisp creases that elevate a suit from good to great. While ironing at home can be an option, it’s often risky, especially for delicate fabrics. Professional dry cleaners, like Columbus Cleaners, have the expertise and equipment to handle your suit with care, ensuring a flawless finish that’s free of wrinkles and unwanted shine.
Storing Your Suit
Once pressed, you need to maintain that look. Proper storage is key to preserving the shape and longevity of your suit. Here are some tips on how to store a pressed suit to keep it looking its best:
- Use a sturdy hanger: Choose a wide-shoulder hanger made of wood or padded plastic. This will help the suit maintain its shape and avoid wrinkles. Avoid wire or plastic hangers, as they can cause bumps and indentations in the shoulders over time.
- Button the jacket: Button the middle front button of your suit jacket to help maintain its shape and prevent the lapels from flaring out.
- Use a garment bag: Store your suit in a breathable garment bag. A cotton or muslin bag is ideal, as it allows air to circulate and helps prevent wrinkles. Avoid plastic or vinyl garment bags, which can trap moisture and lead to mildew.
- Store in a cool, dry place: Keep your suit in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. The attic and basements can be too hot or humid for suitable storage.
- Let it breathe: If you won’t be wearing your suit for a while, take it out of the garment bag occasionally and let it air out for a few hours. This will help prevent musty odors and mildew.
Beyond the Suit: Taking Care of the Details
Your entire outfit matters. The right accessories can add personality and polish to your suit. Choose a pocket square and tie or bowtie that complement each other but don’t necessarily match perfectly. This subtle detail allows you to showcase your unique style.
Besides, make sure your dress shirt is properly cleaned and pressed. Opt for a crisp cotton fabric in a classic white or light blue. For a more formal setting, consider a subtle pattern.
Expert Care: Consider professional shirt laundering and pressing. Services like Columbus Cleaners’ premium shirt care can ensure a perfect, wrinkle-free finish that elevates your entire look.
Professional Cleaning After Every Event
To keep your suit looking sharp for years to come, have it dry-cleaned after each event, especially if you wore it for an extended period. While you can spot minor stains at home, a professional cleaning will ensure your suit is thoroughly refreshed and ready for its next appearance. Here’s how this service can benefit you:
- Beyond Suits: Professional cleaners handle a variety of items, including dresses, drapes, tablecloths, and linens. This ensures everything used at your event is refreshed and spotless for the next occasion.
- Thorough Cleaning: Pros go beyond surface cleaning. They have the expertise and equipment to tackle deep stains, dust, and allergens, leaving everything hygienically clean.
- Delicate Items: Professional cleaners have the knowledge and experience to clean delicate fabrics and materials safely, preventing damage to your precious belongings.
- Freshen Up: Professional cleaning removes lingering odors from food, smoke, or other event elements, leaving everything smelling fresh and clean.
Taking care of your suit goes beyond just cleaning. By following these tips, you’ll ensure your suit is always ready to make a great impression. Remember, a well-maintained suit can last for years, becoming a trusted companion for countless events to come.
Schedule Your Pickup Today!
Now that you know how to keep your suit, it’s time to take action! And let’s face it, life can get busy. Especially when you’re preparing for an event, the last thing you want to worry about is dropping off your suit at the dry cleaners. With Columbus Cleaners’ convenient Pickup & Delivery Service, we come to you! Our friendly team members will pick up your suit, expertly clean it, and return it to your door – saving you valuable time and ensuring your suit looks its best.