How Often Should You Wear a Wool Suit?

Wearing a wool suit is a mark of elegance and taste, yet people often ask how often such a suit should be worn. In this article we look at the various factors that influence how frequently a wool suit is worn, and at how to care for this piece of clothing properly.

Among quality suits, wool ones clearly dominate — and for very good reason. They are light, breathable, pleasant to the touch and look splendid. However, they do not last forever. If you take good care of your wool suit, you can extend its life by several years. If you do not, it can change beyond recognition within half a year.

You should wear a wool suit a maximum of three times a week, ideally twice. So if you wear a suit regularly to work, it is wise to own at least two that you can rotate. That way you always have one in reserve. Between each wearing, let the suit rest for at least a day. During that time it should hang on a hanger in an airy place.

Only a pocket square belongs in the pocket; a gentleman carries a bag. Stuffed pockets distort the proportions of the suit and thus ruin it. And the same goes for a wallet.

Always take off your jacket before sitting down in a car or armchair. Hours spent seated will sooner or later leave their mark on the jacket. The worst abrasion is caused by the car seatbelt, which creases the fabric on just one shoulder.

Always hang up your jacket. Ideally on a hanger, but at worst a coat rack or a free chair will do.

Watch out for abrasion. Under regular strain, wool wears thin. The elbows and knees are particularly critical.

Do not let the suit get wet. “A few drops won't matter, I'll just dash across,” you tell yourself. But they do matter. Unless, that is, you are wearing a suit with a special water-repellent finish that protects the wool on contact with water. If you are not sure, it is wise to keep an umbrella at hand.

When you sit down or get into a car, pull your trousers up slightly around the knees. This reduces the strain on the seams.

Many men — especially those with stronger thighs — face a different problem than a creased jacket. Because of the greater strain, their trousers often wear out sooner than the jacket.

There is still something you can do about it. If you know that your trousers tend to give way at the crotch, you can have a reinforcing layer of fabric sewn in to measure at the most stressed areas. It will not be visible from the outside, and your trousers will last considerably longer as a result.

How often should you take a suit to the dry cleaner? As rarely as possible. Aggressive chemicals and cleaning methods are, after all, something of a shock therapy.

Try to clean small stains gently at home with steam and a brush. Let a creased suit be steamed in the bathroom. Simply run the hot water and wait half an hour. The steam will smooth out the unevenness for you, and the wool does not suffer in the slightest.

A wool suit is an investment that will return to you many times over, provided you take good care of it — for only then can it become your companion for many years.

When it comes to personal style, some people prefer to wear a suit more often than others. A wool suit, however, can easily be adapted to the occasion. For example, you can combine it with a T-shirt and trainers for a “smart-casual” look, or with a shirt and tie for a more formal one.

Overall, a wool suit is a great addition to your wardrobe, but how often it is worn depends on many factors, including quality, season, occasion and your personal style. Proper care of the suit ensures that it will serve you for a long time and that you will always look elegant and tasteful.