You almost certainly already know the answer to the question “can you wear a suit in the rain?”: Under most circumstances, no, you shouldn’t wear a suit in the rain—at least, not just any suit.
If you wear suits regularly and live in a rainy climate, you’ve got two possible courses of action: Wear suits designed to stand up to rain, or take pains to protect your clothing whenever you head out in inclement weather.
We recommend starting with the right menswear.
Picking a Suit You Can Wear in the Rain
While the lanolin naturally found in wool gives it a good degree of water resistance, much of that resistance is lost through the process of weaving the fibers into cloth. Subjecting your good wool suit to heavy rain might not ruin it, but it won’t do wonders for the fabric. Exposure to water—particularly repeated or prolonged exposure—will warp the fibers, causing them to expand, swell, and sag. As your suit dries, the fibers will be further displaced, and your once-immaculate suit will look frayed, saggy, and misshapen.
Above and beyond wool, certain suit fabrics don’t get along with precipitation. If you’re wearing a silk suit and you get caught in a downpour, you will probably be wearing that suit for the very last time before giving it a proper suit funeral. In general, if your suit wasn’t specifically designed to resist water, it shouldn’t be worn in the rain.
While some synthetic fabrics have a high degree of water resistance, you probably don’t want a suit made out of them; you don’t want a suit that looks and feels like a tarp (unless you’re really into camping). However, high-end suits geared toward frequent travelers are often designed to withstand rain as well as wrinkles and heavy wear and tear. If you live in an area where rain is inescapable, investing in one of these suits might be a good option.
The best way to get a high-quality suit that won’t get destroyed by the rain? Custom suiting and menswear. A reputable custom clothier will have access to fabrics from the world’s finest mills—including fabrics designed with a high degree of water resistance.
Possibilities include Merino wool carefully treated so the fibers retain more of their protective lanolin, or wool or linen blended with a small amount of a synthetic material to increase the durability while still retaining the luxurious look and drape of the original fabric. When you go the custom menswear route, you’ll consult with a personal stylist, who can talk you through all your water-resistant fabric options.
How to Style Your Suit for the Rainy Season
If your suit isn’t specifically designed for water resistance, take a few precautions before heading off to work under ominous grey skies. Well-chosen outerwear and accessories can protect you from a downpour while still allowing you to look bold and stylish.
-
Carry a Stylish Umbrella
Umbrellas are truly underrated accessories, especially when it comes to staying dry while still showing off your suit. Umbrellas come in such a wide variety of shapes, styles, and sizes that you can surely find one that fits your personal aesthetic.
Your umbrella doesn’t need to perfectly match your suit, but it shouldn’t clash; black is your best option, though it’s not the only one. Pick a good-quality umbrella with a roomy waterproof canopy and a durable frame. A traditional full-size umbrella, particularly one with a hand-carved wooden handle, will lend any outfit an added layer of class, though collapsible ones are more readily portable in a briefcase, messenger bag, or backpack.
-
Wear a Bold Coat
Umbrellas work well on their own in a modest rain, but in a downpour, or if it’s windy as well as wet, you’ll need to protect your suit with an overcoat. In mild temperatures, opt for a lightweight, fitted rain jacket. On chilly days, a trench coat is a fashionable choice. Make sure the hem is long enough to protect as much of your trousers as possible—a coat with a hem that falls to the calves or ankles is ideal.
How To Care for a Rain-Damaged Suit
Even with careful planning, the weather is unpredictable. It happens to all of us. You’re enjoying the stroll from your office to the train when you suddenly find yourself in the middle of an unexpected downpour. With no umbrella and no coat, you make a dash for the station, but by the time you get there, your jacket and pants are soaked. What are your options?
Shift immediately into damage-control mode. Take the suit off as soon as you get home and press it lightly between two dry, absorbent towels. Never wring out the fabric, and never put your suit in the dryer—not even on the lowest setting. Once the towels have absorbed some of the moisture, hang your jacket and pants—and vest, if applicable—on separate hangers to dry. Don’t wear your suit until it’s fully dry, which may take a couple of days; if you wear it while it’s still wet, you may end up stretching and damaging the weave of the wool.
Once your suit is fully dry, assess its condition. It may look as good as new, or you may need to seek professional help in the form of a trusted dry cleaner. Rain can also stain some wool blends, leaving darker marks through portions of the suit; a good dry cleaner may be able to correct the damage.
For All-Weather Suits, Turn to Custom Menswear
For rainy weather or blue skies, for snow or sun or wind or hail, your clothing should protect you while helping you look effortlessly stylish and reflecting your own personal taste. For all this, turn to the realm of custom menswear.
At Knot Standard, we have access to thousands of fabrics from the world’s finest mills, including Loro Piana, Dormeuil, Drago, Holland & Sherry, and more. Schedule an appointment or visit a Knot Standard Showroom to meet with a personal stylist, who will help you create a suit that keeps you comfortable in the elements, that fits you perfectly, and is customized to your precise specifications. Whatever the weather, we’ll team up with you to ensure you always look your best.