Dry cleaning uses a chemical solvent instead of water. It is gentler on structure — which is why tailoring carries the label — but it is not gentle in general, and frequent dry cleaning wears garments out.
Cost matters more than people expect. At four cleans a year, a dry-clean-only jacket can cost more to maintain over five years than it did to buy. That belongs in any cost per wear calculation.
Between cleans: brush tailoring, air it, spot-clean and steam. Most dry-clean-only garments need cleaning twice a season, not monthly.