Serious Question on Dying a Suit

printemps2001us · Dec 21, 2007

About a year and a half ago I had a suit made in a navy blue with pink rope striping. The fabric looked great in the swatch but is too overpowering for a suit. The suit fits like a dream, but I have only worn it once. I paid about $2500 for it and it kills me to send it to Goodwill basically brand new.

Does anyone here know if it is possible to dye the fabric? The cloth is very dark blue, and my thought is that a medium blue dye would tone down the striping without changing the color of the cloth. Am I dreaming and should just chalk this one up to experience, or might this just work? If so, does anyone know of a business that provides this type of service. I'm assuming it will be fairly costly since the lining will need to be removed (or discolored), but I'm willing if it will yield a usable garment.

It is a medium weight Dormeuil wool cloth (I'm not sure what its called, but it is not between a gabardine and flannel in weight). The construction is sewn in canvas. Thanks for any input.

the etruscan · Dec 21, 2007

You mean dyeing, and what do you have to lose from trying?

Holdfast · Dec 21, 2007

I have no idea how the innards of the suit would take to being soaked in the dye. I assume it's dissolved in water, and soaking a suit in water doesn't sound healthy. I'm guessing "not well", but I may be totally wrong and a good pressing would sort it out.

In any case, you have to weigh up the risk of trying versus trying to get some money back either as a charity donation or selling it on eBay or other venue and then trying again with your previous tailor (who it sounds did a good job), with a more subdued fabric.

Personally, I love the sound of your suit!

Mark from Plano · Dec 21, 2007

This thread is useless without pics.

(sorry, you're new and might not realize that's a running joke)

I'd be interested in seeing the suit. I'm big on the work suit/play suit distinction. What you've described sounds like a great play suit. Could it be that a change in attitude about its use might solve the issue. That is, retire it as a work suit, but wear it to dinners/parties/events etc.?

Bob Loblaw · Dec 21, 2007

It isn't by any chance a Corneliani such as the one that I wear, is it?

qasimkhan · Dec 21, 2007

It can make a big difference what you wear the suit with. Will (A Suitable Wardrobe) did a column on blending a while back that was helpful in this regard. Read his column, but the basic idea is that you can tone down some striking features of your wardrobe by wearing them with something else that picks up the color. Try a light pink shirt and blue tie with some pink with it, and the pink rope stripe may fade into the background. Similar to what Bob Loblaw did in his picture.

Will · Dec 21, 2007

printemps2001us said:
About a year and a half ago I had a suit made in a navy blue with pink rope striping.

Is this Iammatt's new alias?

Seriously, give the suit away before you ruin it with dye.

Tonyp · Dec 21, 2007

Bob Loblaw said:
It isn't by any chance a Corneliani such as the one that I wear, is it?

Nice suit, but where are you. It looks like your in a shed or garage? I wouldn't wear a suit in that environment. Play or work.

Tonyp · Dec 21, 2007

Will said:
Is this Iammatt's new alias?

Seriously, give the suit away before you ruin it with dye.

+1- let the suit DIE with diginity. Don't put it through a torture like dyeing. :icon_smile_big:

Bob Loblaw · Dec 21, 2007

Tonyp said:
Nice suit, but where are you. It looks like your in a shed or garage? I wouldn't wear a suit in that environment. Play or work.

Bob Loblaw is a man of contrasts and misplaced priorities.

Serious Question on Dying a Suit

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