A good rule of thumb is to always read the care and content label to determine how to care for your garment. When the care label reads "Use Mild Detergent," use a gentle detergent meant for cold-water washing of delicates. When the care label reads "Hand Wash," use lukewarm water. Do not use chlorine bleach on coloured items.
Cotton
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If label reads "Machine Wash," then use all-purpose detergent and follow temperature instructions on garment.
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If label reads "Tumble Dry," remove promptly when finished to avoid wrinkles.
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Knits (T-shirts): To avoid shrinkage, dry flat.
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Sweaters: Tumble dry partially, then reshape and dry flat.
Wool – Knits
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If care label reads "Hand Wash," use a mild detergent in lukewarm water. Soak the garment for several minutes; swish gently and rinse. Be sure to eliminate all suds. Do not wring or twist. Instead, roll garment in an absorbent towel and gently wring the towel. Remove the garment and lie flat to dry.
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Refresh wool, with the exception of knitted wool, by hanging in a steamy bathroom.
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Wool needs airing and breathing room. Hang wool garments (other than knits) on a proper hanger in a well ventilated closet.
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Wool shrinks and dulls at high temperatures. Dry clean all wool unless it is specifically marked "Washable." Wash by hand unless label specifically reads "Machine Washable."
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In order to keep their shape, knitted woolens should be folded flat, not put on hangers.
Suit Care
Like any investment, your suit deserves to be looked after. The following tips will help improve the life of your garment.
Hanging
We recommend using the special hanger supplied with your suit or jacket. The wide shoulder arms of the hanger ensures correct support.
Rest your garment
Rotate the wearing of the items in your wardrobe. We strongly recommend you ‘rest’ your suit (or jacket/trouser) for a full day after wearing.
Brushing/airing
Periodic brushing with a natural bristle clothes brush and outside airing will freshen-up your garment and help maintain its original appearance.
Pocket contents
Placing bulky or sharp edged items in pockets can damage linings and pockets.
Dry cleaning
We recommend you to always have your suit cleaned by a reputable dry cleaner.
Stains or marks
Ask your dry cleaner to spot clean the affected area. It’s not always necessary to have the garment completely dry cleaned.
Pressing
If your garment is creased and in need of pressing, we suggest the following options:
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Take to a dry cleaner and ask for a press only.
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Press the affected parts yourself using a clean damp cloth between the iron and garment outer fabric.
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Hang your garment for a few minutes in a steamed up bathroom then leave overnight to dry. This is particularly useful if you’re travelling.
FASHION Q & A
Men are no longer limited to the standard white dress shirt. While it remains a classic choice, options have expanded to include many more colours and styles.
When selecting a dress shirt you should consider the following:
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Size:
Have a salesperson measure your neck size & sleeve length. Alternatively please refer to the “How to determine my shirt size” section on this website.
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The fabric.
Cotton shirts will provide a cool & comfort wear as it is a natural fiber. However, if you are not adept with an iron, b
lends of polyester give cotton a permanent press property and extends the wear of these blended garments.
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Check the shirt label for ply count
. Finer dress shirts are made of two-ply, not single-ply, which makes the fabric stronger and softer.
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Examine the collar.
Though styles differ, every collar should be aligned, lay flat and fit snugly but comfortably around the neck. The best shirts have removable stays, which hold the collar's points and keep them in place.
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Select a cut to accommodate your build.
When in doubt, select a Classic cut as it ensures a polish look every time.
How can a big or tall man ensure a good fit?
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Button the dress shirt to the top. You should be able to slide two or three fingers between your neck and collar.
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Bend your arms. Sleeves should be long enough so that cuffs do not ride up your wrist when you move your arm.
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Check that cuffs are snug and do not hang over your hand. You should not be able to slip into shirt sleeves without first undoing buttons on the cuff.
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Make sure the shirt does not pull uncomfortably across the chest or waist.
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Inspect the buttons: they should be well-placed with no gaping holes exposing your chest.
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Raise your arms and check that shirt tails do not come out of your pants.
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Make sure the shirt does not pull uncomfortably across the chest or waist.
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Inspect the buttons: they should be well-placed with no gaping holes exposing your chest.
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Raise your arms and check that shirt tails do not come out of your pants.
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Choose a jacket style
. The two-button, single-breasted jacket is a popular style, but a three button jacket is also available. Keep in mind that fashions change for men's clothing, just as they do for women's. Only thin men should wear formal double-breasted jackets, which add bulk to the figure. These should be kept buttoned at all times, as the jacket hangs awkwardly otherwise.
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Choose a suit fabric.
Versatility makes the
wool suit an excellent choice. Available in a variety of weights, the finer wools like Super 120's merino wool, offer not only multi-seasonal wear but also exceptional softness and drape.
Cotton and linen are good for summer wear.
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Select a pants style.
Pleats make pants dressy and provide room for movement, while flat-front pants are slimming. Uncuffed pants elongate the leg and are more informal.
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Test the jacket for fit.
Make sure the collar lies flat against the back of your neck and shows a 1/4-inch rim of shirt collar. Shoulders should be lightly padded and neither too boxy nor too sloped. Sleeves should reveal 1/4 to 1/2 inch of shirt cuff and fall 5 inches above the tip of your thumb.
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Button the jacket and sit down
to verify that it is comfortable and doesn't bunch up.
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Make sure the pants sit on the waist
, not hips, and drape over and break slightly at the tops of your shoes. Check that your socks aren't visible when you walk.
How to pick out a neck tie?
Ties allow for a bit of creativity in what might otherwise be a straightforward ensemble. While colour and pattern depend on personal preference, the right tie should have excellent construction.
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Inspect the tie's lining, also called pocket tipping. It should extend from the bottom of the tie to its narrowest point. A fully lined tie costs more; most ties these days are not.
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Check the stitching along the back of the tie, which helps maintain the shape. Slip stitching runs vertically, while bar tacking runs horizontally across the bottom and top ends. A high-end tie has bar tacking on the top and bottom.
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Get a feel for the fabric. Silk is the most popular because it holds its shape, and it's lightweight and durable. Polyester blends also hold their shape.
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Find extra-long ties--for taller or not-so-thin men at our Ron Bennett Big Mens stores.
Things to remember
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The length of your tie should hit the top of your belt buckle. Extra long ties for the tall man is available
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The width of a tie should be between 3 and 4 inches. Don't be afraid to wear pattern on pattern--striped ties on checked shirts, dots with stripes, even stripes on stripes
How do I select shoes to wear with my suit?
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Consider the colour of your suit. Black shoes work best with navy, grey (all shades) and black suits. Brown shoes work with tan suits. Black is considered the dressiest shoe colour.
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Wear lace-up shoes for your most formal occasions. Open-throat or wide-set laces are less dressy than shoes with closed-throat or close-set laces. Wear smooth and shiny leather shoes with suits. Suede and nubuck are viewed as too casual
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Remember the laces of dress shoes lace so that the string makes horizontal lines, not the crisscross of most athletic shoelaces. Also, leather-soled shoes are dressier than rubber-soled ones.
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Shine your shoes regularly. Scuff marks will detract from your appearance and shorten the life of your shoe.
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Invest in a few pairs of high-quality expensive shoes if you wear suits on a regular basis. Choose sturdy leather uppers and good quality heels.
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Match the colour of your belt as close as possible to the colour of your shoes.
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Choose thin socks that match the color of your trousers. When wearing tan suits, choose socks that match your shoe colour.
Things to remember
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Prolong the life of your shoes by having them resoled when they start to wear thin at the heel. Also insert shoe trees to keep the shape of your shoes when you are not wearing them.
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When your leather shoes get caught in the rain or land in a puddle, blot the excess moisture and air dry. Avoid drying them with any heat sources, as this will parch the leather and damage the shoe.
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