Essential Garment Care Tips for Longevity from Primo Tailoring
Whether you're buying off the rack or investing in a bespoke garment, caring for your clothes is key to ensuring they last for years. At Primo Tailoring, we understand the value of preserving your wardrobe, whether it’s a fine men’s suit, tailored jacket, or quality footwear. Here’s how you can care for your items to make them look sharp and last longer.
1. Choosing the Right Hanger for Your Jackets
When it comes to jackets, the wider the hanger, the better. Thin, narrow hangers will deform your jacket's structure over time, causing the fabric to lose its shape. A wider hanger, ideally padded or shaped, will support your jacket and help it maintain its silhouette.
Travel Tip: If you’re flying, the best way to keep your tailored coat wrinkle-free is to wear it on the plane. If that’s not an option, turn the jacket inside out to protect the fabric, and fold it carefully. By folding it in half and tucking one shoulder into the other, you’ll preserve the jacket’s structure.
(Fig 1)
(Fig 2)
2. Proper Pants Folding
When folding dress pants, avoid the standard pocket-to-pocket method (Fig 1) you might use for jeans. Instead, fold them from side seam to side seam. (Fig 2) This maintains the crease and helps avoid unnecessary wrinkles.
Hanger Tip: If you're using a clip hanger, always clip the pants by the hem. This method allows the waistband to naturally hang and remove wrinkles, ensuring the crease stays sharp.
3. Jeans Care – Freezer Over Washing
When it comes to jeans, resist the urge to wash them too often. Instead, spot clean as needed and freeze them to remove any odors. The freezing process kills bacteria and helps keep your jeans fresh without the wear and tear of frequent washing.
Drying Tip: Always avoid the dryer. No matter what the care tag says, any item that goes into the dryer is subject to shrinkage, fabric deterioration, and loss of shape. Hang-drying is the best option for most garments. If you must use a dryer, opt for the lowest heat setting.
4. Avoid Plastic Garment Bags
Those plastic garment bags you get when you buy clothing? It’s time to toss them. These bags trap moisture and prevent your clothes from breathing, which can cause fabric damage. Instead, store your clothes in breathable garment bags or simply hang them in your closet without a plastic covering.
5. Dealing with Wrinkles – Steaming vs. Ironing
When it comes to removing wrinkles from a jacket, always opt for a steamer when possible. Steaming is gentler on fabrics and helps preserve the garment’s structure. If you must use an iron, place a pressing cloth between the fabric and the iron to prevent direct heat contact, which can damage delicate materials.
Lapels Care: When pressing the lapels of your jacket, avoid creating a crease down the middle. Instead, open up the lapel and press it flat to maintain its shape.
6. Keep Your Garments Clean and Lint-Free
Avoid using lint rollers, as they tend to attract more dust and debris over time. Instead, use a high-quality garment brush. A brush gently removes dust without harming the fabric, and it helps maintain your clothing’s natural fibers longer.
7. Leather Footwear – Conditioning Is Key
When it comes to shoes, conditioning is just as important as shining. Leather is essentially skin, and like any skin, it requires regular hydration to avoid cracking and drying out. Condition your shoes every couple of weeks, even if you haven’t worn them. This keeps the leather supple and helps maintain the shoes' appearance over time.
New Shoes Tip: When you get a new pair of leather shoes, be sure to condition them right out of the box. They may have been sitting on a shelf for a while, and conditioning ensures the leather stays in top condition from the start.
8. Knitwear – Never Use a Hanger
Don’t hang your knitwear on a hanger. This will stretch out the fabric over time, ruining the shoulders and causing the garment to lose its shape. Instead, fold your knitwear carefully or store it flat to maintain its integrity.
By following these garment care tips, you can ensure that your clothing continues to look sharp, feel comfortable, and last longer. Whether it’s a men’s suit or tailored jacket, proper care will help maintain the quality and appearance of your garments for years to come. If you need alterations or advice on maintaining your wardrobe, come see us at Primo Tailoring for the best alterations in town!