General Care

Besnard products are designed with quality and longevity in mind, from the cloth to the workmanship involved. The better they are cared for, the more gracefully they will age. Over time, a tailored jacket will settle into your shape, knitwear will soften, and fabrics will develop some character.

The care label is the most reliable starting point for looking after your clothes. These instructions are specific to the fibre and construction of each garment and should guide how you clean it. We advise avoiding unnecessary washing or dry cleaning, as both can shorten a garment’s life. Instead, brush off dust, air garments after wearing, and spot clean when needed.

Caring for a wardrobe is as much about prevention as it is about cleaning. Storing clothes in suitable conditions, keeping them free from excess moisture, and rotating garments seasonally will ensure they remain ready to wear, year after year. Below, we explain in more detail how to care for each product category in the Besnard collection.

Tailoring

Hang suits, jackets, and coats on wide, contoured wooden hangers that support the shoulders and collar. After wearing, brush to remove dust and lint, then hang in a ventilated space before storing. This simple daily care helps keep fibres in good condition.

Dry cleaning should be occasional — only when stains or odours cannot be removed otherwise — and always entrusted to a cleaner experienced with full-canvas garments and hand pressing. A professional hand press restores lapels, curves, and shape without flattening the internal structure.

At home, light steaming can relax minor creases, but avoid over-steaming structured areas such as the lapel roll and chest.

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Trousers

Trousers should be brushed after each wear to remove dust and lint, then aired before storing. Proper hanging prevents creases from setting in and helps maintain the garment’s shape.

Tailored trousers are best stored folded along the crease over a felted hanger, which prevents slipping and preserves the line of the leg. Avoid folding along the seams, as this can create unwanted creases.

Dry cleaning should be reserved for when stains or odours cannot be removed otherwise. If a sharp crease has softened, you can ask a trusted tailor to restore it with a hand press. Alternatively, you can refresh trousers at home by pressing them with either heat or steam. Direct heat can cause wool to take on a sheen, so always place a pressing cloth — or a cotton or linen handkerchief — between the iron and the fabric.

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Shirts

We recommend washing shirts at home where possible, as gentle domestic cycles are less harsh on fabrics than the industrial processes used by most dry cleaners. Wash at 30°C on a gentle cycle with a mild detergent, keeping whites, darks, and colours separate to avoid colour transfer. Use cooler settings for darker colours to help preserve their depth.

Avoid tumble drying, as it can cause shrinkage and weaken fibres. Instead, hang shirts to dry on a hanger so they keep their shape. Shirts are easiest to iron when still slightly damp from washing, as this helps release creases more effectively. If the shirt has dried completely, lightly mist it with water before ironing. In areas with hard water, use filtered water in the iron to prevent limescale spots.

For best results when ironing, start with the collar and cuffs (pressing from the outside inwards), then move to the yoke, back, front panels, and finally the sleeves. Be careful with darker colours, as the heat may cause the fabric to take on a sheen — iron the shirt inside out when possible and use a thin pressing cloth between the iron and the fabric, particularly on collars and cuffs.

We advise storing shirts on hangers to prevent creases; folding introduces unnecessary lines into the fabric.

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Knitwear

Knitwear requires particular care due to its delicate structure and the natural fibres often used in its construction.

Cashmere, lambswool and other animal-hair fibres are best hand-washed in cool water using a mild detergent formulated for wool. If the label permits machine washing, use a wool programme with a gentle cycle and cool water, as heat and agitation can damage the fibres.

Cotton knits are generally more robust, but they should still be washed on a gentle cycle to preserve their shape. Avoid fabric softeners, which can leave a residue that affects texture.

Sweaters and cardigans worn mainly over shirts or other layers, with little direct contact with the skin, need only occasional washing — once or twice a year is usually enough. Tops worn directly against the skin, such as knitted polos and t-shirts, should be washed more often, around every three to five wears.

After washing, gently reshape the garment and lay it flat to dry away from heat or sunlight. Avoid hanging knitwear, as the weight of the fabric when wet can stretch it out of shape. Between washes, refresh knitwear by airing it or using a fabric spray designed for delicate fabrics. Pilling can be managed with a knitwear comb or a soft brush.

Before storing knitwear for an extended period, make sure it is clean, as moths are drawn to dirt and oils. Fold the garment and store it in a breathable container, using cedar or lavender as a natural deterrent.

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Accessories

Ties

Ties should be untied after wearing and either rolled or hung to let wrinkles fall out naturally. Dry cleaning should be reserved for when absolutely necessary, as the process can distort the lining and shape.

Belts

Leather belts benefit from occasional cleaning with a soft, damp cloth and conditioning with a suitable leather cream. Suede belts should be brushed with a suede brush to maintain their texture.

Socks

Wash wool socks on a gentle wool cycle with cool water and mild detergent, avoiding fabric softeners. Cotton socks can be machine washed at 30°C. Air dry rather than tumble drying to preserve elasticity.

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Seasonal Storage

Before storing clothes for an extended period, make sure they are clean — moths and other pests are drawn to dirt and body oils. Consider a seasonal wardrobe rotation, storing out-of-season garments to free up space and keep only what you will wear immediately accessible.

Store garments in a cool, dry place with good ventilation. Breathable garment covers or suit bags will protect tailoring and outerwear, while knitwear should be folded in drawers or boxes with cedar or lavender sachets.

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Recommended Tools

• Clothes brush

• Wide, contoured wooden hangers (for suits, jackets, coats)

• Trouser hangers

• Pressing cloth

• Cedar blocks or lavender sachets

• Breathable garment covers or suit bags for storage

• Knitwear comb

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If you would like further advice on garment care, please contact us at customercare@besnard.co.