Our cutters suggest that a single suit is worn once or twice a week, rotating your wardrobe regularly. This will prolong the lifespan of each individual suit drastically.
Care Guide
Here at 10 Savile Row we know a thing or two about how to take care of bespoke pieces and high quality clothing. Using this wealth of experience, we'd like to guide you on clothing care, helping you protect your bespoke wardrobe investment.
A well made and well maintained bespoke garment can last generations, but not without conscious care from its owner.
01
Buying an extra pair of trousers with every suit will double its life expectancy; due to friction, trousers are always the part of the suit to show signs of wear.
02
Always hang your jacket, trousers or coat from a correctly shaped wooden hanger, preferably with thick, rounded shoulders as soon as you take it off. It can be so inviting at the end of a long day to discard your jacket on the back of a chair, or from a cloakroom hook, however this is the easiest way to dishevel a well pressed suit.
03
Before returning your garment to the closet, take a few minutes to spot check it for any lint, hair or debris; you can use a medium bristle clothes brush or a lint roller to quickly refresh.
04
Give your garment time to air in a ventilated space. This will allow natural fibres to naturally dispel any odours accumulated throughout the course of the day. You’ll find most superficial odours are easily eliminated, and this will keep your entire wardrobe smelling fresh.
05
If you’re packing your garment away for a longer period of time, it’s a good idea to use a garment bag to store your clothes. Be sure to keep clothes out of direct sunlight for prolonged periods. If your dressing room has a source of natural light, store your clothes either behind closest doors, or in garment bags.
In safeguarding against wardrobe invaders, more pleasant alternatives to mothballs include lavender and cedarwood balls; these have a much more pleasant, floral scent, compared to the pungent smell of chemicals.
06
When your garments are in need of attention, ensure that work is carried out by experts. The inexperienced pressing of the body of a jacket can easily ruin it.
07
If you’re unable to access appropriate laundry services, should your clothing look a little tired upon arrival, try hanging it up in a hot, steamy bathroom. The humidity will encourage any superficial creases to drop out. A small portable steamer can be effective in tackling more stubborn creases on knitwear or trousers; but approach this with caution. The over-liberal application of intense steam on coats and jackets can alter the structure of the garment.
Tailoring Care
Top tips
Do an annual dry clean with a trusted dry cleaner with good reputation and experience in caring for bespoke clothing. If it’s a suit, ensure that the whole suit and any additional trousers are cleaned at the same time to maintain colour consistency.
- Rotate your clothing to balance wear and to allow it to return to its intended shape between wears.
- Air your clothing to help reduce superficial odours, without the need for washing/dry cleaning.
- Pack for travel with minimal folds, ideally using a suit carrier.
- During the year, opt for a sponge and press clean.
Shirting
08
Before returning it to your wardrobe, air the worn shirt to remove superficial odours and sponge clean any spots of dirt or superficial marks.
09
Undo all buttons and remove collar stiffeners before washing to prevent stitch strain, collar damage, and potential loss.
10
Wash at 30–40ºc, unless otherwise specified in the garment’s washing instructions.
Line dry or dry in an airing cupboard to prolong the lifespan of the shirt. Avoid tumble drying. The motion of the steel drum can cause wear on the collar and cuff points and damage stitching over time.
Iron when slightly damp, or use a spray bottle to dampen slightly for easier ironing and less wear and tear.
If you choose to send your shirts to the dry cleaners, always opt for their ‘hand laundering’ service.
