How do you take care of your nice clothes/ maintain your wardrobe. Tailoring?
So I have been buying a decent amount of nice clothes but that's just the start - need to take great care of them for longevity as well.
- I actually wash all my shirts after 1x wear even with an undershirt because of the pits lol
- My cheap shirts (Tyrwhitt) just go in the washer/dryer
- Nice shirts (Suitsupply, etc) ($100~) are handwashed and just hung out to dry
- Suits dry cleaned after a big event/night out or 3-4 normal wears
- Leather shoes / belts: I condition and polish maybe 1x a month
- Merino Wool / Cashmere sweaters: Wear until they are visibly dirty or have any smell - I handwash using Woolite
- I realize I actually have no idea how often to wash pants - just till they look dirty / don't pass the smell test tbh.
- Sneakers/non work shoes I use this 1x a month and it's a game changer: https://www.amazon.com/Pink-Miracle-Cleaner-Leath…
- Gym Clothes/Undershirts, etc: Usually just after 1-2 wears depending on how much I sweat.
As far as tailoring goes I have gotten my nice suits adjusted to fit perfectly - game changer for confidence/really makes a huge difference. I will also get my winter coats and even casual pants adjusted a bit if need be, really makes all the difference IMO. Small things like getting coat tapered a bit, pants perfect around my waist, etc.
Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some tips to maintain your wardrobe and ensure longevity for your clothes:
Shirts:
Suits:
Pants:
Leather Shoes and Belts:
Sweaters (Merino Wool/Cashmere):
Sneakers/Non-Work Shoes:
Undershirts/Gym Clothes:
Tailoring:
General Care:
By following these practices, you'll not only maintain the longevity of your wardrobe but also ensure you always look sharp and professional.
Sources: Summer 2016 Shopping Guide for a Business Wardrobe, Men's Fashion Hacks, S&T Summer Intern Clothing Guide, What to Buy For Your First Wardrobe, A minimal wardrobe that works for interns/first years
Your routines make sense
Regarding suits, only clean them when you have to, and if you're careful you can more safely wash them at home. Dry cleaning can cause some damage.
has a video on how to do this, and I trust them on the topic. Dry cleaning is fine if you don't feel like going through all that thoughRegarding leather shoe care, what's your routine? For shoes, I follow Kirby Allison's routine (moisturize, cream polish, wax polish) for a proper polish that I do only as needed / every 2 months maybe, but more frequently I'll hit it with the brush and maybe a touch up of wax polish if it's just an issue of scuffs. I also put sole guards on my leather sole shoes, or I find they wear out a lot quicker (especially if they get wet)
I find other leather goods need / do better with far less frequent care than shoes
For the rest of it I don't have much to comment on, other than on the note of tailoring I try to avoid belts and strongly prefer suspenders / braces when wearing a jacket. It more easily allows you to wear pants that are so much more comfortable, reduces sweat significantly, and just holds pants up better (applying horizontal force is a really bad way to keep something vertically locked in place, especially if you're wearing them at your natural waste as they ought to be, belts work best with lower rises). If your pants have buttons for braces use those, if not Suspender Mender works well and are far preferable to alligator clips
You’re washing your suits too often. Unless you spilled food or wine in your lap, you don’t need to dry clean them more than 3-4 times a year. But you shouldn’t be wearing them more than once a week.
Bro, you're washing your suits like they're gym clothes. Dry clean that thing 3-4 times a year max unless you’re out here wrestling your MD at happy hour. Also, invest in some cedar shoe trees—your leather shoes will thank you. And if you’re really about that life, get a tailor on speed dial. A well-fitted coat > another $1K splurge on ‘nice clothes’ that fit like a garbage bag.
I’ve been building a solid wardrobe, but maintaining it properly is just as important. Here’s how I handle it:
Tailoring is essential. I get my suits dialed in for a perfect fit, but I also tailor winter coats and even casual pants for that extra sharp look. A well-fitted coat > an expensive one that fits like a garbage bag.
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