How to Care for Your Suit and Kaftan

Simple ways to store, clean, press, and maintain your tailored garments so they continue looking refined for years.

Proper storage is the simplest way to extend the life of a tailored garment. Use a sturdy, shaped hanger rather than a wire one, and give suits and kaftans some space in the closet so the fabric can breathe between wears rather than being compressed against other garments. Avoid washing tailored wool garments frequently — dry cleaning should be reserved for when a garment is genuinely soiled, since over-cleaning can wear down fabric fibers and shorten the garment's life. Between wears, brushing down a wool suit with a soft garment brush removes dust and surface debris without needing a full clean. Pressing should be done carefully, ideally with a cloth between the iron and the fabric to avoid shine, particularly on darker wools. Cotton and linen kaftans can typically tolerate more frequent washing, but should be air-dried rather than machine-dried to prevent shrinking or distorting the fabric. Finally, rotate your garments rather than wearing the same suit or kaftan repeatedly in a short period — giving fabric time to rest between wears helps it hold its shape and finish for much longer.