Your Clothes Are Too Expensive to Treat Like This.
The men's guide to keeping your favorite clothes looking good (and avoiding some very expensive mistakes).
I recently had a fitting with a client who needed to replace several pieces he absolutely loved.
The problem wasn't that he'd outgrown them or that his style had changed.
They'd been ruined.
His explanation? The housekeeper did it.
Now, I wasn't there when the alleged crimes took place, so I'm not assigning blame.
But here's what I will say:
Some of the most expensive wardrobe mistakes happen after you've bought the clothes.
I've spent more than 30 years dressing people for television, Hollywood stages, and everyday life. And I can tell you, a great wardrobe isn't just about what you buy.
It's about keeping those clothes in good condition.
Because a $400 sweater that's shrunk, stretched, or covered in pills doesn't look like a $400 sweater anymore.
And a beautiful leather shoe that's scratched, creased, and neglected isn't doing much for the rest of your outfit.
The solution isn't complicated. You don't need a closet full of cleaning products or a degree in fabric science.
You need a few essential tools and some common sense.
Here's where I'd start.
1. Your dry cleaner's hangers aren't doing you any favors.
If your expensive jackets are hanging on thin wire hangers, we need to talk.
Structured jackets and coats need hangers that support the shoulders. Otherwise, you're risking unwanted creases and a distorted shape.
The fix: Use wide, contoured hangers for blazers, suits, and coats. Regular shirts can go on slimmer hangers.
And while we're here, stop hanging your cashmere sweaters. Fold them. Knits can stretch and develop those awkward shoulder bumps.
2. Your shoes deserve better than the closet floor.
Good leather shoes can last for years. But they need a little attention.
Start with cedar shoe trees. They help absorb moisture and maintain shape between wears.
Brush off dirt, condition leather when needed, and keep polish on hand.
A quick shine before heading out can make a noticeable difference.
My rule: If you've invested in a great pair of shoes, invest a few dollars in keeping them that way.
And your sneakers? They need attention too. Dirty sneakers can make an otherwise well-dressed man look careless.
3. Stop retiring sweaters before their time.
You know those little fuzzy balls that appear on sweaters, especially under the arms or around the sides?
That's called pilling.
And it doesn't automatically mean your sweater is poor quality or ready for retirement.
A fabric shaver or sweater comb can remove pilling and dramatically improve the appearance of many knits.
Just use the correct tool for the fabric, particularly with delicate cashmere.
The fix: Give your sweaters a quick inspection before each season. You may discover you've got a few favorites worth bringing back into rotation.
You know those little fuzzy balls that appear on sweaters, especially under the arms or around the sides?
That's called pilling.
And it doesn't automatically mean your sweater is poor quality or ready for retirement.
A fabric shaver or sweater comb can remove pilling and dramatically improve the appearance of many knits.
Just use the correct tool for the fabric, particularly with delicate cashmere.
The fix: Give your sweaters a quick inspection before each season. You may discover you've got a few favorites worth bringing back into rotation.
4. Not everything needs to be washed after one wear.
This might be the most important point.
Unless a garment is dirty, sweaty, or smells, it may not need an immediate trip to the washing machine.
Obviously, underwear, socks, and workout clothes are a different conversation.
But sweaters, jackets, and many other pieces can often be aired out or brushed between wears.
Repeated washing, heat, and aggressive drying can shorten the life of your clothes.
Always follow the care label, particularly for wool, cashmere, suede-trimmed garments, and anything with special construction.
And please, don't put your cashmere sweater in the dryer.
Unless you're planning on gifting it to a small child.
5. Learn the difference between damaged and neglected.
A little lint doesn't mean your jacket is worn out.
Pilling doesn't mean your favorite sweater is finished.
Scuffed leather doesn't always mean you need new shoes.
Sometimes, your clothes just need five minutes of attention.
A lint roller, a decent clothes brush, a steamer, and the right shoe-care products can take care of quite a few common problems.
Before you replace something you love, find out whether it can be cleaned, repaired, or professionally restored.
And if you have something really special, get it to someone who knows what they're doing.
A good tailor, cobbler, or specialist cleaner can be worth their weight in gold.
The Wardrobe Maintenance Kit
Eight things worth having in your closet.
You don't need to become the guy who spends Sunday afternoon polishing shoes while listening to classical music. Although, no judgment if that's your thing.
You just need the right tools.
- Cedar shoe trees
For maintaining the shape of your leather dress shoes, loafers, and boots.
- A fabric shaver or sweater comb
For refreshing tired-looking sweaters and removing pilling.
- Proper suit and jacket hangers
For keeping the shoulders of tailored jackets supported.
- A clothes brush
For removing surface dust and lint from wool coats and jackets without automatically sending them to the cleaners.
- A lint roller
For those last-minute situations when your dark jacket looks like you've been hugging a golden retriever.
- A shoe-care kit
For maintaining smooth leather shoes. A proper brush-and-polish kit is for regular upkeep; a quick-shine product is useful for last-minute touch-ups.
- Sneaker cleaning wipes
Because the rest of your outfit shouldn't be doing all the work.
Quick Wipes for Sneakers
- Wool and cashmere wash
For washable fine knits that need something gentler than regular detergent. Always check the garment's care label first.
The Laundress Wool & Cashmere Shampoo and Fabric Spray
The 10-minute wardrobe check
Here's a challenge.
Take ten minutes this weekend and look at five of your favorite pieces.
Not the stuff you never wear. The things you genuinely love and reach for all the time.
Ask yourself:
- Do they still look as good as they could?
- Is there anything that needs cleaning, repairing, or refreshing?
- Am I storing them properly?
- Is there something I can do today to make them last longer?
Then do something about it.
It's a small investment of time that will save you money and keep your favorite pieces your favorite pieces.
And one last thing.
If someone else does your laundry, make sure they know which pieces require special care.
I'd rather you have that conversation now than have to replace half your favorite wardrobe later.
Trust me ;)
About Dina Cerchione
Dina Cerchione is a men's personal stylist and wardrobe expert with nearly 30 years of experience styling for television, entertainment and private clients. Her work focuses on the intersection of identity, presence and perception and helping men build wardrobes that match who they are, where they're going and how they want to show up.
