How to Properly Care for, Clean, and Store Your Custom Suit

Whether it's your first custom suit for just under 2,000 RMB or an exquisite, fully bespoke piece costing over 20,000 RMB, it represents a smart investment. A great suit equips you to handle any social or professional occasion with confidence, making its proper care essential.

A well-maintained suit:

Ensures you always look sharp.

Extends the garment's lifespan for years to come.

The Essentials of Suit Storage

Caring for your suit boils down to two main principles: proper storage and mindful cleaning. Based on accumulated expertise, here are the five most fundamental and important tools and practices:

1. Use the Correct Hanger
2. Allow Ample Space and Use Garment Bags
3. Employ Cedar Wood Blocks or Chips
4. Avoid Over-Dry Cleaning; Use a Brush and Steaming Instead
5. Always Let It Rest and Breathe After 24-48 Hours of Wear

It's that simple? Yes, it truly is.

Below are some detailed explanations to expand on these simple rules.

1. The Right Hanger

We all have hangers, but are you using the correct ones for your suits? A proper suit hanger supports the jacket's shoulder shape, allowing the garment to hang correctly and maintain its form. For instance, someone with a broad build and wide shoulders might need a 22-inch hanger (the standard is about 18 inches). It's not just about width; the hanger's thickness and contour should also match the garment's structure.

2. Ample Closet Space and Garment Bags

Give your suits plenty of room in the closet. Cramped conditions can cause wrinkles and distort the drape. We recommend storing each suit in a breathable garment bag. This protects against dust—a suit's biggest enemy—and other airborne particles.

3. Cedar Wood Blocks and Chips

The benefits of cedar are clear:

• It acts as a natural moth repellent.
• It absorbs excess moisture, keeping garments fresh.
• It leaves a pleasant, subtle scent.

4. The Correct Way to Clean Your Suit

(Avoid Over-Dry Cleaning)

While dry cleaning is sometimes necessary, it should be done sparingly. The chemicals involved can degrade natural fibers like wool and cotton, diminishing the suit's appearance and longevity over time. Furthermore, avoid wearing the same suit more than once or twice a week, as the fibers need time to recover their shape.

Use a Horsehair Brush

Correct Cleaning Method One:
Prevention is better than cure, and this is especially true for suits. After each wear, gently brush the entire garment about sixty times with a soft-bristled brush. This effectively removes surface dirt and dust. A horsehair brush is ideal—it's soft, reasonably priced, and perfect for protecting delicate fibers.

Use a Steamer

Correct Cleaning Method Two:
Steam is the best way to remove wrinkles. A quick pass with a garment steamer or a handheld steamer is highly effective. If you're traveling without tools, hang the suit in the bathroom while taking a hot shower. The steam will relax the fibers and release wrinkles naturally.

5. Let It Rest and Breathe

After a day's wear, your suit collects dust, dirt, and absorbs moisture from the air. While brushing removes the particles, the absorbed moisture needs to evaporate. Hang the suit in a well-ventilated area with moderate humidity for 24 to 48 hours (depending on the fabric weight). This "rest period" allows the fibers to relax, recover their shape, and regain their optimal drape before being worn again.

These five simple practices from Hangzhou's custom tailor, Randigny, will keep your suit looking fresh and extend its life significantly.

Many people also wonder how to pack their precious custom suit into a small suitcase for travel. Here's the method:

1. Lay the jacket face down. Turn one shoulder inside out (there's no need to invert the entire sleeve).
2. Tuck the other shoulder inside the inverted one, so they overlap neatly.
3. Straighten the jacket vertically, aligning the collar and front placket.
4. Fold the jacket in half horizontally, matching the top and bottom edges.

Perfect! Your Hangzhou custom suit is now ready for tidy travel in your suitcase.