The Art of Repairing a Suit on the Go
Finding a button missing from your suit, or discovering a nasty moth hole in your suit, can put a damper on your day and even shake your confidence. But can a suit be fixed while traveling?
The good news is that it can be fixed—most minor problems can be fixed! The bad news is that if you’re already on the road or out of town, you may have to make some less-than-ideal choices to get through a meeting or event.
Read on for some quick tips on how to fix your suit, and what to look out for when you need a professional to help.
Fixing a Loose or Missing Button
Loose or missing buttons are the most predictable problems you’ll encounter while traveling. Best case scenario, you have a sewing kit and know how to replace a button. Worst case scenario, you’ll have to get creative.
How to Fix a Loose Button on Your Suit
You can apply clear nail polish or fabric glue to the thread holding the button in place to prevent it from unraveling further. If the button is very loose, wrapping a small rubber band or dental floss around the thread can also help secure it.
How to Re-sew a Button Without Sewing
Super glue or fabric adhesive can be a temporary solution, but be careful as they may not hold up to pressure. A more reliable but equally unsightly method is to use a thin thread (which can be removed from a cable tie), threaded through the buttonhole, and wrapped tightly behind the fabric.
How to Replace a Button
Replacing a button is quick and easy with a needle and thread—there are plenty of YouTube videos (like this one) that show how to sew a replacement button.
If you can't find your missing button, look inside the garment. Often, there are one or two replacement buttons sewn on the tag, near the hem, inside the lining, or on the waistband. Before sewing, make sure the button fits into the corresponding buttonhole.
How the Professionals Sew a Button
If you have the time for a professional repair, a tailor will sew the button back into place using the correct thread. If the original button is missing, they'll check their inventory for a similar one; swap it out for a less noticeable one; order a matching one from the manufacturer; or replace all of the buttons. (The latter may be an opportunity to change the entire style of the garment!)
Repairing Holes and Tears
From holes in fabric to burns and moths, the severity of a hole depends on its size, fabric material and location.
How to Repair Holes in Clothing Without Sewing
For wool and synthetic blends, consider applying a small amount of super glue or fabric adhesive to the edges to seal loose threads. (Don’t use on delicate fabrics like silk or linen, as adhesive can discolor or harden the torn area.) Allow the adhesive to dry before touching or wearing the garment to avoid leaving hard, visible marks. If necessary, cover the edges with fabric of the correct color or a permanent marker.
Medium-sized holes can be covered with fabric tape or, if a quick heat source is nearby, an iron-on patch or iron-on interlining can be applied to the inside of the garment to provide an emergency repair. If the hole is in an inconspicuous location, a pocket square, lapel pin or jacket pleat can help distract attention until a suitable repair can be found.
How to Repair a Hole in Wool
Moths are primarily attracted to natural animal fibers such as wool, cashmere, silk, and alpaca because their larvae feed on keratin, a type of protein found in these fabrics. Moths are voracious eaters—if you find one hole, you’ll likely find others. Repairing a hole in a suit is one of the most frustrating problems you’ll encounter during the life of your suit.
Can a hole in a suit be repaired? Most of the time, yes. For small holes in wool, gently pulling the fabric around the hole can sometimes repair it. Medium and large holes are best left to a professional. If you don’t have time to hire a tailor, consider using an iron-on wool patch to reinforce the fabric from the inside.
How the Professionals Repair a Hole
For holes in wool, a tailor will use a wool felting needle to blend the fibers back together, darn the hole by interweaving new threads, or create a patch with matching fabric.
For larger holes from moths or burns, the suit must be re-darned. This method of repair, also known as an invisible darn or French darn, is the best option for a seamless repair. If re-darning is not possible, an experienced tailor can add invisible patches, or decorative patches to the elbows or shoulders to give the suit a brand new, stylish look.
Hide a Dropped Hem
Dropped hems are often more troublesome than missing buttons and obvious holes. To fix the hem of your trousers or suit jacket on the go, use double-sided tape for a quick temporary fix, or use fabric glue to make it more secure - but always make sure it is completely dry before wearing.
If you have an iron, iron-on hem tape can provide a more permanent temporary solution. In a pinch, safety pins can cleverly keep the hem in place. For a long-term fix, it's best to use a tailor's stitch.
Suit Repair Tips
- Don’t Panic.
If you don’t notice the problem while getting dressed, chances are no one else will either. Try not to dwell on it. - Get Creative.
When time is of the essence, an unconventional solution may be your only option. Do your best with the resources you currently have. - Be Prepared.
Keep a travel-sized sewing kit, fashion tape, fabric glue, fabric markers, iron-on patches or interlining, and safety pins in your bag. They may save you (or your grateful coworkers) in a pinch. - Be Strategic.
Shirt torn? Put on a jacket. Wearing a jacket? Take it off. Wearing pants? Sit in a way that hides the hole. Minimize the chances of the problem being noticed. -
Own it.
Can’t save face? Explain your predicament and ask for forgiveness. We’re all human—you’ll likely be forgiven instantly. These things happen. - Be proactive.
If you know your clothes have moths in them, store them in a cedar-lined closet, in a sealed garment bag, or use a moth repellent like lavender or cedar sawdust. Never use mothballs – they contain harsh chemicals that leave a strong odor, cause fabrics to fade, and damage delicate fibers over time.
Have you done a quick fashion look lately? Show us off! No shame – a man should do a man’s thing! If you’ve had a neat, accident-free day, we want to see your photos, too! Tag #Hisdern on social media – we’re on Instagram and Facebook.
