Proper maintenance is essential for preserving the structure, fit, and longevity of a full canvas custom suit, especially when crafted with premium materials and traditional horsehair canvas construction.
What you’ll learn:
- Full canvas suits use sewn horsehair canvas instead of glued interlining, improving durability and natural body shaping over time.
- Regular brushing helps remove dust, dirt, and lint that can damage fabric during everyday wear.
- Proper storage with broad wooden hangers helps maintain the jacket’s structure and shoulder shape.
- Breathable garment bags and cedarwood or lavender protection help prevent moth and fabric damage during long-term storage.
- Full canvas suits should only be dry cleaned occasionally, with spot cleaning preferred for minor stains.
- Timely repairs and alterations help maintain fit, comfort, and overall garment appearance over years of wear.
- Casual Fitters offers complimentary alterations on selected areas to help extend the life of the garment.
A full canvas suit in particular needs some additional TLC. It’s crafted with premium materials, which not only make it more durable but also mean it demands more responsibility to keep it looking its best. Here’s a guide to help you care for a full canvas suit properly.
What’s a Full Canvas Suit?
Unlike a fused suit, which has a glued interlining that can break down over time and cause the outer fabric to bubble, a full canvas suit has a layer of horsehair canvas sewn between the outer fabric and the lining. This canvas layer gives the suit structure and allows it to naturally shape itself to your body as you wear it. It’s one of the reasons these suits last so long. You can learn more about the benefits of a full canvas suit here (??full-canvas-custom-suit).
Brushing Off Debris
Before you hang up your suit at the end of the day, give it a good brush. This will remove any dirt or dust that’s settled on it throughout the day. Use a clothes brush or lint roller to keep it looking sharp.
Hanging & Storage
Hanging your custom suit properly is one of the most important ways to maintain its shape. Use a sturdy wooden hanger with broad, rounded shoulders to support the jacket and help it hold its form. If you need to store your suit for longer periods, use a breathable garment bag—ideally one made from non-woven material—to protect it from dust and moths. Cedarwood or lavender sachets can help keep moths away, too.
Cleaning Your Suit
You don’t need to dry clean a full canvas suit after every few wears. In fact, frequent dry cleaning can wear it out faster. Spot clean stains as needed and aim to dry clean your suit just two or three times per year. When you do, choose a reputable dry cleaner that understands how to care for a full canvas suit properly.
Repairs & Alterations
Even the best suits need a little maintenance from time to time. If you notice any loose threads, holes, or signs of wear, get them fixed right away to keep your suit looking its best. Over time, you might also find your suit doesn’t fit as well as it used to, whether due to weight changes or natural stretching of the fabric. Since we specialize in custom tailoring, there’s a limit to how much we can let a garment out. At Casual Fitters, we offer free alterations on certain parts of the suit for the life of the garment to keep it fitting perfectly.