Keeping Your Formal Wear Out Of The Rain and Other Inclement Weather

Picture yourself getting suited up in your finest formal wear for a typical day at work or a night on the town.  The sun is shining and the weather outlook seems perfect for the near future.  Suddenly, on your way to wherever you're headed, a cold front blows in and it starts to rain, completely ruining or, dare we say it, dampening not only your plans but also your outfit.  It's a common problem that we've all encountered from time to time, since preparing for such inclement weather isn't always practical or convenient.  Umbrellas can be burdensome to carry around and raincoats, in spite of drastic style improvements over the years, can very easily throw off that perfect look you were setting out to achieve.

            Unless you happen to be a marine biologist, no one deliberately shows up to work in a wet suit.  This generally isn't a problem for those of us who rely on our own modes of enclosed transportation to get to where we're going, since we're shielded door to door from the elements that could potentially gunk up our formal attire.  On the other hand, those of us who might prefer to walk or bike to work need to keep a little more preparedness in the back of our minds, even for short distances.

            One seemingly simple method could allow you to avoid any and all concerns about weather or inattentive drivers sloshing through puddles near intersections and crosswalks, and motorcyclists on their way to work have been using this ingenious idea forever.  All you have to do is change into your formal wear when you arrive at the office rather than get yourself ready before you walk out your front door.  The drawback though, is that you would have to leave earlier, and not all of us are on board with setting our alarms 30 minutes before we really need to.

            In this piece, we'll go over some of the ways in which you can protect your formal wear from the elements during your commute, without resorting to any drastic or sleep-depriving measures.

--Overcoats--

            Perhaps the most obvious example of protecting your formal wear from inclement weather is outerwear.  Depending on what your regional weather patterns call for, outerwear can range from very lightweight and comfortable to heavy and insulated.  Other than protecting your inner formal wear from the outer elements, garments such as overcoats can offer several benefits and advantages.

            If you're the type of person who's not too keen on carrying briefcases or backpacks, overcoats offer extra pocket space.  While you certainly won't be able to stuff your laptop or bulky chargers into it, you should have plenty of room for an extra phone or two, a tablet, pens, and any small amounts of paperwork you need to bring with you.  In addition to the extra space, overcoats can protect your important small electronics from the elements just as they protect your formal wear from snow, rain, and ice, depending on how well they're lined and insulated.

            When you shop with Enzo Custom, our overcoats are easily customizable to your specific needs, including the outer shell material, length, and pocket design.  By turning a standard overcoat blueprint into a jacket that can function as a raincoat, you won't need to worry about any style mismatches that you might encounter by opting for a raincoat off the rack from elsewhere, since our clothiers will be able to give you pointers on which colors and materials will pair best with your given selection of formal wear.

--Proper Measurements, and Why They Matter In Wet Conditions--

            When it comes to custom suits, we can't stress enough the importance of proper measurements not only for comfort but also maximizing personal style.  Proper measurements also have more utilitarian applications, especially when outside conditions are less than favorable.

            When it rains or you encounter wet conditions outside on the ground, the measurements of your jacket aren't of any particular consequence, but the proper dimensions of your trousers can go a long way in minimizing any potential damage you might come across.  When your trousers are properly tailored to your body dimensions, you're less likely to step on them inadvertently or fray them; rainy conditions unfortunately can accelerate this slow and almost unnoticeable process under normal circumstances.  There's nothing worse than coming home after a day's work only to realize that your trouser cuffs are soaked from sidewalk puddles and frayed from the small amount of friction generated by your shoes.

            At Enzo Custom, our clothiers take extra care in ensuring you get properly measured, and this will minimize the chances of any inadvertent damage to your formal wear when you're out and about.  It's not something that most people consciously think about, but ensuring that your formal wear correctly matches your body dimensions will go a long way in preserving the longevity and stability of your garments.

--Umbrellas--

            Short of personal political leanings or the best condiment to put on a hot dog, umbrellas can create a lot of ambivalence and divisive opinions.  Some people swear by them while others would rather jump into an unheated swimming pool in December before they would ever consider using one.  So let's start with the drawbacks.

            Depending on the manufacturing quality, umbrellas have carried the reputation of being functionally useless on windy days, and this reputation is well deserved.  It's not uncommon to see people on their way to and from work engaging in some sort of wrestling match with their umbrellas once they've turned inside out from blustery conditions.  If you're not too keen on having to play tug-of-war with inanimate objects, your best bet might be opting for a rain poncho or raincoat to keep your formal wear dry.

            Umbrellas also tend to take up a lot of room, whether they're collapsed or open.  Drying out umbrellas in front of doorways isn't always convenient or practical, and many of them are too long to fit inside most briefcases and computer bags.

            On the plus side, umbrellas don't require you to alter your personal style in any significant way.  Simply hold it over your head when it's raining and collapse it once you're inside.  As useful as raincoats are, they can sometimes cause a dripping mess if you don't have anywhere convenient to hang them up to dry.  Another added benefit to umbrellas is that they're not all designed the same way.  Some use a thicker canvas to offer more protection against wind, while others offer a unique compact and collapsible design to make them less cumbersome and more portable.  Some designs are even compact enough to slip into an overcoat side pocket when the umbrella is not in use.  In any event, whether you love them or hate them, it's always a good idea to keep a spare one in your car or bag just in case.  Better yet, if you have the room, keep both a raincoat and an umbrella handy, and you'll have that extra cheap insurance to know that your formal wear won't turn into a soggy mess by the time you step into the office.

--Special Considerations for Suede Jackets--

            While full suede suits are less common than ones made from wool or linen, suede jackets and sport coats abound.  As attractive and comfortable as they are, suede is particularly susceptible to damage from moisture and wet conditions.  Although rain and snow cause the most immediate problems for suede material, even heavy fog can sometimes cause issues if the water saturation in the air is too high.

            Unlike standard leather, suede fabric is made from the inside of the animal hide, which gives the material that typical soft, velvety texture.  Unfortunately, when the leather hairs of a suede jacket get wet, they can quickly become very brittle and break off, thereby ruining the appearance and structural integrity of the material.  Incidental moisture generally doesn't cause any problems, but anything more than a drizzle outside and you could be looking at a jacket or overcoat that is now irreparable.

            The first line of defense in protecting your suede accessories and formal wear is to simply leave them at home if there's rain or snow in the forecast.  Suits and jackets made from other material such as wool, wool/cotton blends, or linen might not look particularly good when they do get wet, but the "damage" is only cosmetic and temporary.  Suede is much less durable than your typical suit material, and as a result of that lessened durability, lots of damage can be done in a very short amount of time.  If you insist on rolling the dice by wearing suede when there might be rain or snow in the near future, umbrellas and raincoats will come in handy here.

            In the event that your suede jacket does get wet, there is a way to mitigate the damage done so long as you act quickly.  First, you'll want to blot the material with a microfiber cloth to remove as much excess moisture as possible.  Once that is done, use a hairdryer and a brush with soft bristles to brush the suede in the direction of the grain.  Even an unopened toothbrush will do.  Just make sure that the hairdryer isn't too close to the fabric, as too much heat can cause additional damage.  When done correctly, this will prevent the suede from becoming brittle from the moisture.  Once the suede is dry, brush in the direction of the grain again to smooth out the texture.

            Whether you're looking to add more tailored suits to your wardrobe or need a custom overcoat to protect you from the rain and outdoor elements, Enzo Custom has you covered.  Stop into one of our showrooms today or make an appointment with one of our clothiers via videoconference.