Here’s what you can do to extend the life of your suit…

A bespoke suit is a real investment in your success and your confidence. It is created completely from scratch to fit exactly your shape. It’s only natural for you to want your investment to last you a long time. And it can, if you look after it the right way. We have put together a round-up of tips and tricks to help you extend the life of your suit and keep it looking fresh for as long as possible.

Choose your suit wisely

The good news is, if you chose a bespoke suit, you’re already ahead of the game. Clothes that fit well last longer. There is no unnecessary tension in the seams or the fabric because this suit is made to fit your shape exactly and comfortably. Chances are the fabric you chose is also high quality, and it wears better. Remember that your suit’s longevity starts before you buy it – the choices you make about fit and fabric will make a big difference in how well the suit will stand the test of time.

Buy a second pair of trousers

It’s no secret that trousers wear through quicker than jackets. So do yourself a favour and order two pairs of trousers. You’ll basically get two suits for the price of slightly more than one. And don’t keep the extra pair in the back of your wardrobe waiting for its turn. Rotate them so they both wear at the same rate as the jacket. Both pairs will last you longer if they get a good break in-between wears.

Store your suit the right way

How you store your suit has a huge impact on its lifespan. Here are a few key storage tips that will make a big difference to the longevity of your bespoke suit.

Make sure your suit has enough room in the wardrobe so the fibres can breathe easily
Invest in a cloth garment bag to protect your suit from dust and moths
Hang it as soon as you take it off – preferably on wooden rounded edges hangers (they absorb moisture better and they help restore the drape of the fabric). If you take your jacket off at work, make sure you have a hanger ready for it.

When you travel, make sure you use a travel suit bag, and take your suit out of it to let it breathe as soon as you reach your destination. If you must fit everything into one suitcase, rolling is your friend. Don’t forget to turn the jacket inside out, so you protect the fabric from pulls and stains. Wearing your jacket when you travel is also a great option.

The proper way to clean a suit

Keeping your suit clean means more than taking it to the dry-cleaners once in a while. It starts with you brushing it gently at the end of every wear. Use a soft brush and a downward motion to remove any dust particles, hair or dirt. Approach dry-cleaning with care. If you clean your suit with your suit brush and don’t wear it more than once a week, then you don’t need to dry clean it more than a couple of times a year. When you do need to dry clean it, make sure you choose a service that has a good understanding of bespoke suits. Zink & Sons offers a cleaning service for Zink & Sons suits, and we can also recommend dry-cleaners that offer a high quality, tailored service for your other suits.

Don’t go crazy with pressing

You don’t need to press your suit every time you wear it. The natural fibres will loosen and de-wrinkle if you hang it properly after each wear. If you need to press it, use a steamer rather than an iron (which will make your fabric shiny) or choose a specialised service that will do it with care.

Rotate Rotate Rotate

If you have the luxury of being able to buy several bespoke suits, rotating them evenly is the best way to ensure your suits get enough breathing time in between wears and last you longer.

A few little tricks that will make a big difference

Leave your jacket pockets stitched
Don’t store your keys, wallet, phone, in your trouser pockets
Unbutton your suit jacket
Don’t keep pens in the lining of your suit; use a pencil case
Let your suit take regular holidays: give it good regular breaks for the fibres to breathe and relax.

If you need help looking after your bespoke suits so they last you longer, check out the Zink & Sons cleaning and pressing services.

Make your bespoke suits last longer