Steamers & trouser presses

[stephenm]

Can anyone advise whether giving bespoke suits a quick once over with a steamer (I have one of the Fridja ones) is a good idea? I had heard conflicting messages ranging from it helps, through to it damages the suit.

Same question on Corby trouser presses - good idea or not? Again, I have everything from use it every time you have taken the suit off through to it damages the fabric.

I'm trying to address the wrinkling that occurs behind the knees of the trousers and sometimes on the rear of the coat, on some of the lighter fabrics. Plus I like a razor crease on trousers. I don't over wear suits - each gets a run out every 7-10 days. So I'm looking for a post-wear regime to get them back to top order.

Many thanks

[J.S. Groot]

Can anyone advise whether giving bespoke suits a quick once over with a steamer (I have one of the Fridja ones) is a good idea?

It isn't. Look at it like this: Many people seem to think that in crafting a suit the tailor uses needle and thread and when he has sewn the pieces together, voila, a perfect suit. This is obviously not so. An essential, and sometimes overlooked, part is all the carefull shaping done with the pressing iron. Steaming your suit will cause cloth fibres to relax and thus all this shaping is removed along with whatever creasing you were seeking to get rid of. If you need further explanation as to the vices of steaming bespoke clothes, ask Jeffery D, though on second thoughts, you might not want to since then you'll have to worry about his hunting you down and beating you over the head with a pressing iron in addition to your ruined suit

I don't know about the trouser presser, but my general advice is:

a) Have garments made of proper fabric that holds its shape.
b) Take garments to trusted dry cleaner that presses by hand for occasional revitalising.

[Man at C&A]

The Corby is probably the most efficient method to make your trousers go shiny

[davidhuh]

The Corby is probably the most efficient method to make your trousers go shiny

Not in my experience. My trousers get a good brush every day, then 15 minutes in the Corby. Occasionally, press and steam by a tailor, and dry cleaning with ironing by hand about once a year.

cheers, David

[JCH]

Glad to hear that. I received a Corby as a gift last year. It mostly collects dust. Of course if you buy LL Brisa 13oz, you don't need it.