On the face of it, machine washable suits look like a good idea, an invention that can be traced back quite a few years. The main problem with non machine washable suits - apart from the fact you cannot put them in a washing machine - is that it costs a lot of money to have them dry-cleaned. But are they as good as they're meant to be?
This cost is especially exacerbated in the summer months when we can often get invited to a bankruptcy-inducing number of weddings. If we accept these invitations, then we have to pay the price; which is an excessive dry cleaning bill.
Last summer was, for me, a very busy summer in terms of going to weddings and this summer my wife decided to coerce me into purchasing one of these machine washable suits. To begin with I really resisted this, because I hate buying clothes - particularly of the formal variety. But my wife really nagged me about it and I know when to give in after several long years of marital bliss.
So off we went to the nearest department store and had a look at the range of machine washable suits they had on offer. I have to admit, what really surprised me about these garments was the fact that they looked as good as the ones that couldn't be machine washable. Even when I touched them, they felt very much the same. I don't claim to be an expert on the world of machine washable suits, but this is the impression that I got.
Given the bill for dry cleaning we racked up the previous summer, I was prepared to invest in this new technology. Needless to say, my wife was very pleased indeed. As I bought the suit, I recalled my wife's sister's wedding, my own parent's re-affirmation of their vows, my best friend's wedding - and the fact that my grandmother was going to a ceremony at Buckingham Palace because she was turning 100.
All these events required a suit and given the amount of smoke at these events (except perhaps Buckingham palace) I knew I would have to get the suit cleaned several times.
I wore the suit to my wife's sister's wedding next weekend, and the suit stood up well to the event (I'm not sure what they look like when they don't however!). As usual, it smelled of smoke and had to be washed. So after I washed it in the machine, I was interested to see how it looked. I have to admit I was pretty surprised to find that it was actually as good as new.
So certainly, I would say that machine washable suits a possibility for anyone who's tired of shelling out for traditional suits.
Gino Hitshopi is highly experienced in the realm of style and fashion, with particular knowledge of machine washable suits. For more information please visit: http://www.matrixuniforms.co.uk/Corporatewear.56/Mens___Ladies_Suiting.120/Wash___Wear_Collection.172/
