The rainy season has dragged on for weeks. You open the wardrobe to take out a suit for a meeting and catch a musty smell. The suit has been hanging neatly in a clear plastic bag, looking perfectly clean. But a few tiny white spots have sprouted on the lining. This story repeats itself in countless wardrobes, and the culprit is usually not the damp of the wardrobe but the suit garment bag you thought was protecting the suit.
Quick answer
A good suit garment bag is a breathable fabric one (cotton, canvas or breathable non-woven cloth), used with a wide-shouldered hanger and a moisture-absorbing pack placed in the wardrobe, not in the bag. Avoid airtight plastic bags, because they trap moisture and create the conditions for mould.
Why does an airtight bag make suits damp and mouldy?
Wool is a natural fibre: it takes in moisture from the air and releases it when the surroundings are dry. That is why wool breathes and feels comfortable to wear. But the same property is what gets a suit into trouble when it is shut in an airtight bag.
- Moisture gets trapped. The suit still holds some perspiration or water vapour from the air. A plastic bag does not let this escape, so it settles into the fibres of the cloth.
- Mould grows. A damp, closed, dark place is the ideal condition for mould, especially in the lining and under the arms.
- Odours build up. Perspiration and dust shut in for a long time produce an unpleasant smell that is harder to deal with once it has soaked into the canvas.
- Plastic sticks to the cloth. In hot, humid weather a plastic bag can cling to the surface of the jacket, making the cloth shiny or creased.
The plastic bag the dry cleaner puts over a suit is only for carrying it from the shop to your home. Take it off as soon as you collect your clothes; do not keep it on for storage.
Comparing types of suit garment bag
| Bag type | Breathability | Dust protection | Moisture protection | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cotton or canvas cloth bag | Excellent | Good | Good in a dry wardrobe | The ideal choice, long-lasting, washable |
| Non-woven bag | Good | Good | Average | Light, cheap, suited to short trips and moderate storage |
| Sealed plastic or PVC bag | Poor | Excellent | Prone to trapping moisture | For a few hours of transport only, not for long storage |
| Thin plastic bag from the dry cleaner | Poor | Good | Prone to trapping moisture | Take it off as soon as you get home |
| Bag with a clear window | Depends on the fabric | Good | Depends on the fabric | Convenient for seeing inside, but prioritise breathable fabric |
Choosing a cloth bag: what to look for
When choosing a cloth bag for a suit, check four things.
- Breathable material. Loosely woven cotton or thin canvas breathes better than thick, stuffy cloth.
- Long enough. The bag must cover the whole jacket without squeezing the shoulders. A suit jacket needs to hang freely, not be folded into creases.
- A long zip that does not snag. A zip that runs the full length lets you take the jacket out without wrinkling it.
- Small vents or a mesh panel on one side. Some good bags have a mesh side so that moisture can escape.
Use one bag per suit; do not stuff several suits into one bag. A jacket needs space around it to keep its shoulders and lapels.
How to store suits in the rainy season
The rainy season is the hardest time for suits. Follow the five steps below.
- Let the suit “breathe” before storing it. After wearing it, hang the jacket somewhere airy for at least a day before putting it in the wardrobe or the bag. Leftover perspiration is what causes mould.
- Use a wide-shouldered hanger. A correctly sized hanger holds the shoulder shape and lets air circulate around the jacket. You can look at suit hanger accessories to choose a hanger.
- Put a moisture-absorbing pack in the corner of the wardrobe. Silica gel or granular moisture-absorbing packs can go in the wardrobe, but not inside the garment bag. Replace them or dry them out following the instructions on the packaging.
- Keep the wardrobe airy. Do not cram it full; leave a few centimetres between garments. Keep the wardrobe slightly away from the wall, and open the doors for a few hours when the weather is dry.
- Check periodically. Every few weeks, open the wardrobe and feel the cloth for dampness or odour. Caught early, it is easy to deal with.
Storing a suit long term: what to do first
If you will not wear the suit for several months, prepare it carefully before storing it.
- Clean it first. Stains, perspiration and wine marks need treating before storage, because mould and moths usually come from stains.
- Use a breathable cloth bag, not an airtight one.
- Hang it, do not fold it. Folding a jacket for a long time leaves creases and damages the canvas.
- Use cedar wood or herbal sachets to deter moths. Keep these from touching the cloth directly.
- Avoid hot, damp or sunny spots such as against a west-facing wall or near the bathroom.
Common mistakes
- Storing it right after wearing. The jacket is still warm and damp; bagging it traps the moisture.
- Using a plastic bag because it “looks clean”. It only keeps dust out, not damp.
- Putting moisture-absorbing packs inside the garment bag. The packs can leak and stain the cloth. Keep them in the wardrobe.
- Cramming several suits into one bag. The jacket is squashed, the shoulders distorted and the lapels deformed.
- Drying a suit in harsh sunlight. Sun fades the colour and shrinks the cloth. Air it only in a shaded, airy place.
A tip from Mon Amie’s master tailors
The shoulders and lapels are built from several layers, and they are also the parts most easily damaged by damp. A suit aired for a day, hung on a correctly sized hanger and stored in a breathable cloth bag will keep its shape better than a suit hurriedly put away in a plastic bag, even one that cost far more. If your suit already has light mould or a musty smell, do not try to wash it in water yourself. Bring it to a showroom for the master tailor to look at, because wool cloth and canvas need separate treatment. Mon Amie’s bespoke tailoring service comes with a long-term alteration warranty after you receive the garment.
Frequently asked questions
Which cloth bag should I choose for a suit?
A cotton or canvas bag, loosely woven, long enough and with a full-length zip, is a good choice. A breathable non-woven bag can also be used for short-term storage. Avoid sealed plastic bags if you are storing the suit for more than a few hours.
How do I store suits in the damp rainy season?
Let the suit air for a day after wearing it, hang it on a wide-shouldered hanger, store it in a breathable cloth bag, put a moisture-absorbing pack in the wardrobe and check every few weeks. If the wardrobe is very damp, you can also use a small dehumidifier.
What should I do with a suit that will go unworn for a long time?
Clean the suit first, use a breathable cloth bag, hang it rather than fold it, add cedar wood against moths and keep it somewhere dry and cool. Open the bag to check every few weeks.
Do plastic bags really cause mould?
They can. A sealed plastic bag traps moisture and leftover perspiration, creating a favourable environment for mould. If you must use a plastic bag for transport, take it off as soon as you arrive.
Closing thoughts
Choosing the right suit garment bag is simpler than you might think: a breathable cloth bag, a correctly sized hanger, a dry wardrobe and the habit of letting the jacket rest before storing it. You can read more in the article the suit accessories wardrobe and how to organise it, or book a fitting when you need a new suit to look after.