Maintenance: A Modern Sponge and Press

Some readers may recall that RAVE Fabricare, the Arizona cleaning firm, has been planning a bespoke men's clothing service for some time. I had used RAVE for shirts in the past; last week I sent them a jacket for pressing.

Now I had not sent a jacket out for nearly two years. San Francisco's best cleaners ruined the lapels on one for me that time and, paralyzed by fear, I have made do with spot removal and steam since. But steam alone was no longer an option for the coat in the top photo, taken before the service was performed. It is obvious that the breast pocket needs an iron's loving touch and that there is rumpling everywhere. Out of sight, there are small rips in the sleeve lining.


RAVE's standard practice is to photograph items received for its bespoke service, and to send the customer an email confirming the lapel press. Given the small differences between a three roll two and a three roll 2.5, that latter touch is a nice one.

The after photo was taken at my request for this post, and it is obvious at least to me that the jacket has been pressed competently. In addition, the lining rips have been repaired (this was done without asking me and I do wonder about having someone other than the original tailor sewing on a coat, but the work is satisfactory).

Turnaround for the service has been a couple of working days in addition to the time in transit each way. That is about the same as my local cleaner's weekly pickup and delivery service. The difference is that I paid for UPS to take the jacket to the cleaner, and return it, which adds to the cost. But then the alternatives (do nothing and stop wearing the jacket or have it ruined locally - the original tailor does not offer a pressing service) were considerably worse.

Such a small thing, one would think, and yet so difficult to find. A second jacket will be on the way to Arizona next week.