If you’re like most others, you probably pay more attention to the care of your T-shirts, sweaters, and other tops. Comparatively, trousers, with their typically more durable nature aren’t treated with as much care. Yet, unless properly taken care of, they too can lose their charm quickly. The dapper look you flaunt in a pair of well-ironed formal pants and a crisp shirt would not be possible with a frayed pair of trousers. You also get more for your money by taking good care of them. In this post, we tell you how to preserve the life of your trousers with a few simple tips and tricks. This way, you can enjoy wearing your favourite pairs for years to come!
CARING FOR VARIOUS TYPES OF FABRIC
How you care for your trousers depends on the fabric. The most common materials are polyester, cotton, linen, and wool, each demanding a certain level of maintenance.
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ALWAYS INVEST IN TROUSERS THAT FIT APPROPRIATELY AT THE WAIST
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Most formal trousers are made of polyester or a polyester-cotton blend. The nature of the fabric prevents them from wrinkling easily and makes them pretty easy to maintain. Machine washing polyester trousers is usually safe when done with warm or cold water. While drying, exposing them to high heat should be avoided as the material may shrink. If you’re unsure about how to care for a particular pair of trousers, do read the label. It’ll help you maintain the smooth, almost shiny appearance of polyester that you can show off with a shirt, a smart jacket, and a pair of tan brogue shoes for a polished and professional appearance.Cotton Trousers
Cotton trousers are cool and usually very comfortable. Being a natural fabric, cotton lends itself to easy dyeing and it is possible to have trousers in endless and amazing hues ranging from indigo to bottle green, red, and more. While manufacturers try to ensure that colour doesn’t bleed during washing, it’s best to check the care instructions label on your trousers. Some cotton pants may need to be dry-cleaned the first time. Typically, however, machine-washing in cold water is the norm. Darker coloured trousers are more prone to fading so it’s wise to air-dry them in the shade. Keep in mind that some cotton trousers may also shrink on the first wash. To tackle this problem, you can consider purchasing pre-shrunk trousers. Quality also matters so try to purchase from reputed brands or dealers. You’ll pay more upfront but will get much better value
Linen Trousers
Linen, another natural fabric, is smoother and tougher than cotton. The lightweight, breathable material is a terrific pick for warm days but also suits colder weather. Despite its durability, it’s not always machine-washable and wrinkles easily, so do check the trouser care label before tossing it into the washer. As with cotton, air drying in the shade is the best option.Wool Trousers
Today, wool trousers are either made from 100 percent wool or wool blends. They demand the highest level of care. Washing trousers in the washing machine is almost always a no-no as is washing in hot water. Some wool trousers come with dry-clean-only instructions, in which case you’ll need to follow them. Drying them flat can help retain their shape although they can also be line-dried.
Linen, another natural fabric, is smoother and tougher than cotton. The lightweight, breathable material is a terrific pick for warm days but also suits colder weather. Despite its durability, it’s not always machine-washable and wrinkles easily, so do check the trouser care label before tossing it into the washer. As with cotton, air drying in the shade is the best option.Wool Trousers
Today, wool trousers are either made from 100 percent wool or wool blends. They demand the highest level of care. Washing trousers in the washing machine is almost always a no-no as is washing in hot water. Some wool trousers come with dry-clean-only instructions, in which case you’ll need to follow them. Drying them flat can help retain their shape although they can also be line-dried.
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FLAT-FRONT TROUSERS WORK WELL ON ALL BODY TYPES
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Ironing Basics
Nothing beats the look of a well-pressed pair of trousers. It instantly lends a smart edge to an outfit. Show yours off in the fabric of your choice and let it help you make a lasting impression. We suggest a sharp and chic ensemble like a pair of beige trousers and a sea green boat-neck top, or navy pants and a lightly printed half-sleeved shirt. You can wear these looks to work, for when catching up with friends at the pub, or at a semi-formal party.
To get perfectly ironed trousers, set the iron temperature according to the fabric of the pants. Polyester and synthetic trousers are relatively wrinkle-free. You can usually do without ironing them but a quick iron on low heat can help maintain clean, sharp lines. Cotton trousers, on the other hand, wrinkle easily and need higher temperatures to smoothen them. We recommend using a steam iron if possible. It works faster and ensures a better finish. Linen too wrinkles easily, in fact, more so than cotton. Set the iron temperature to high (preferably use a steam iron). If you don’t have one, use a damp cloth to wipe heavily wrinkled areas and follow up with the iron. Wool may be thick but it’s quite delicate. You have to be extra careful while ironing wool trousers. Set the temperature low to medium and iron over a protective piece of cloth. It’ll keep the wool fibres from burning.
Nothing beats the look of a well-pressed pair of trousers. It instantly lends a smart edge to an outfit. Show yours off in the fabric of your choice and let it help you make a lasting impression. We suggest a sharp and chic ensemble like a pair of beige trousers and a sea green boat-neck top, or navy pants and a lightly printed half-sleeved shirt. You can wear these looks to work, for when catching up with friends at the pub, or at a semi-formal party.
To get perfectly ironed trousers, set the iron temperature according to the fabric of the pants. Polyester and synthetic trousers are relatively wrinkle-free. You can usually do without ironing them but a quick iron on low heat can help maintain clean, sharp lines. Cotton trousers, on the other hand, wrinkle easily and need higher temperatures to smoothen them. We recommend using a steam iron if possible. It works faster and ensures a better finish. Linen too wrinkles easily, in fact, more so than cotton. Set the iron temperature to high (preferably use a steam iron). If you don’t have one, use a damp cloth to wipe heavily wrinkled areas and follow up with the iron. Wool may be thick but it’s quite delicate. You have to be extra careful while ironing wool trousers. Set the temperature low to medium and iron over a protective piece of cloth. It’ll keep the wool fibres from burning.
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WHEN YOU’RE BUYING TROUSERS, CHECK YOUR COMFORT LEVEL WHILE SITTING DOWN
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Drying Your Trousers
While the dryer is a great option for emergencies, it’s always best to air-dry trousers. Polyester trousers dry within hours and though cotton needs more time, it’ll last longer if you don’t use a dryer. Try to avoid drying under direct sunlight as well, especially trousers made of fabrics like coloured cotton and linen. It will be a shame to have your favourite trousers fading before their time. Moreover, trousers with sheen can also become dull.
While the dryer is a great option for emergencies, it’s always best to air-dry trousers. Polyester trousers dry within hours and though cotton needs more time, it’ll last longer if you don’t use a dryer. Try to avoid drying under direct sunlight as well, especially trousers made of fabrics like coloured cotton and linen. It will be a shame to have your favourite trousers fading before their time. Moreover, trousers with sheen can also become dull.
Drying Your Trousers
While the dryer is a great option for emergencies, it’s always best to air-dry trousers. Polyester trousers dry within hours and though cotton needs more time, it’ll last longer if you don’t use a dryer. Try to avoid drying under direct sunlight as well, especially trousers made of fabrics like coloured cotton and linen. It will be a shame to have your favourite trousers fading before their time. Moreover, trousers with sheen can also become dull.
While the dryer is a great option for emergencies, it’s always best to air-dry trousers. Polyester trousers dry within hours and though cotton needs more time, it’ll last longer if you don’t use a dryer. Try to avoid drying under direct sunlight as well, especially trousers made of fabrics like coloured cotton and linen. It will be a shame to have your favourite trousers fading before their time. Moreover, trousers with sheen can also become dull.
Cultivate the Habit of Spot CleaningLike all garments, trousers can stain and if you don’t get spillage out as soon as possible, you’ll have a tough time removing it later. Dab the area with a clean cloth and a stain remover. Once you’ve got most of the spillage out, wash it with soap or detergent and throw it into the washer. If the trousers need to be hand-washed, soak them for a few minutes after removing the spillage. Lightly rub the area, rinse, and dry. You shouldn’t have a problem with staining.Be Proactive with Repairs
Trousers are naturally subject to wear and tear. If you see a dangling button, don’t wait for it to fall out but sew it back into place. Likewise, if there’s a tear, fix it; otherwise, it can worsen and turn into an expensive repair later. If the trousers are expensive and you aren’t handy with a needle or simply don’t have the time, give it to a tailor. They’ll do an excellent job of helping preserve your trousers.
‘Clothes make the man’, goes the saying, and proper trouser care can go a long way in ensuring yours last for years. Take the time to give them a little attention using the tips given here and you’ll soon find it easy to maintain them. After all, why let your image take a beating especially when trouser care is so simple? Make the right impression at all times in perfectly put-together outfits with trousers that are super sharp. Get the most out of them with the right care and you’ll be able to wear them for a long time.
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