THE WASH- AND- GO SUIT
This new, revolutionary, washable suit from Z Zegna redefines the concept of casual tailoring – it’s so practical, you’ll never pay a dry-cleaning bill again
Z Zegna’s new tech fabric is set to make your dry-cleaning bill a thing of the past
There is nothing finer in your wardrobe than an exquisitely made suit, cut from quality cloth. That is, until you have to clean the damned thing. “Wool tailoring needs a breather to extend its lifespan and doesn’t react well to being washed,” says bespoke tailor Christopher Field. “Drycleaning chemicals weaken the fibres, so regular washing should be avoided.” Sadly, that means you’ll end up with either shabby threads or ones that have a shorter shelf life.
Thankfully, forward-thinking luxury brand Z Zegna has devised an ingenious and typically hi-tech solution to the quandary: a two-piece suit that’s fully machine-washable.
Of course, Z Zegna has long been renowned for its embrace of technical fabrics, and, once more, this is key. “Techmerino Wash and Go cloth is a big innovation for us,” says Alessandro Sartori, artistic director of the brand. “It was developed by combining traditional handcrafting methods with modern science to create a genuinely useful new material.”
Woven entirely from long merino wool fibres, it can tolerate machine washing at 30ºc without any ill effects. It also retains merino’s natural properties, including efficient temperature regulation and superb elasticity – useful qualities if you’re commuting on public transport stuffed to the gunwales.
Crucially, the suit’s soft, pliable construction ensures it won’t warp during a spin cycle. Meanwhile, Techmerino’s hygroscopic properties – that’s the ability to absorb and evaporate water molecules – means it’s quick-drying, so you’ll be able to wear it less than an hour after a spell in the drum. It even comes with a washbag to prevent mechanical snags.
In short, this might just be the most innovative advancement in tailoring we’ve yet encountered. It’s certainly the most convenient. Which is ironic because, in the world of luxe, convenience has always been a dirty word.