Care Guide for the Fresco Suit Jacket

Just received your Fresco Suit Jacket? Brilliant. It's a proper good item, and we're going to walk you through how to look after it so it stays with you for the long haul.

Let's be honest: we're all built differently. We do our best to design clothes that work for as many people as possible, but at the end of the day, it's still ready-to-wear. And with a suit jacket, getting a spot-on fit straight off the rack is even trickier.

A trip to your local alteration specialist will almost certainly be in order to fine-tune the waistband, sleeve length or body length. Don't worry — these are bread-and-butter alterations that any decent tailor can do with their eyes closed.

On the jacket side, almost everything is adjustable. Here are the main things you can tweak to get closer to a bespoke fit:

• Sleeve length: you can have them shortened or lengthened to suit. That's why we've left the button holes uncut. Expect to pay around €25 to €35 in total.
• Body length: if the jacket sits too low on your backside, a tailor can shorten it. Straightforward job — around €30 or so.
• Waistband: this is arguably the most important one. You can have the side seams taken in to define your silhouette, or let out slightly for a bit more room. Budget around €20 max. You don't need Savile Row's finest, but do pick a competent tailor — it's a job that calls for a certain level of expertise.

How long your jacket lasts comes down to how well you look after it. A few ground rules:

• Always hang it up after wearing. Ideally on a wide hanger designed specifically for suits. This stops the shoulders from losing their shape. If you can, slip a garment bag over it and don't cram it into an overstuffed wardrobe.
• For stubborn creases, a gentle iron (max 110°C) should do the trick. Just avoid pressing directly on the shoulders and lapels.
• If you get a stain, act fast. A bit of lukewarm water with some natural soap should sort out most marks if you don't hang about.

You probably already know this: a suit jacket doesn't go in the washing machine. When it needs freshening up, take it to the dry cleaner.

Ask for dry cleaning. It's the only safe method to restore its lustre without any risk. Expect to pay around €15.

A word to the wise: if you've also got the matching Fresco Suit Trousers, take both items to the cleaner together. This prevents them from developing slightly different tones over time.

One last thing — always check the condition of your jacket in the shop, right after the service. Once you walk out of the dry cleaner, you're effectively "accepting" any damage caused during cleaning, and repairs will be on you. If you spot an issue on the spot, the cleaner's insurance covers it.