Why It's OK to Wear a Rumpled Shirt

**English Bloke** · 27th March 09, 04:35 AM

Originally Posted by Laird O'the Cowcaddens

... I like the look of an ironed shirt...

I'm with the above to a degree. The look I can't stand is the shirt that still has the packaging creases on it and has clearly not been washed or ironed since it was bought. Now that reeks of lazyness!

**macwilkin** · 27th March 09, 04:59 AM

Originally Posted by Highland Logan

Yes iron your shirt... don't buy the "wrinkle free" shirts.

Frank

Actually, Brooks Brothers makes some very high-quality "no-iron" shirts.

T.

**Chas** · 27th March 09, 05:17 AM

Originally Posted by Larry124

From Esquire Magazine (author not named) via MSN March 27, 2009:

Sounds very much as if it the article was written by a bachelor. I really can't see my wife letting me out in public looking crumpled. Yes, I might end the day by being creased and scuffed and rumpled, but I start the day crisp and combed and polished. If men told the truth, the reason most get married, after love and lust, is because they don't want to wash their own socks and underwear any more.

Regards

Chas

**DWFII** · 27th March 09, 05:25 AM

I iron all my dress shirts and I do something that seems to be all but forgotten these days...I starch them!!!

I like "military" strength starch. I like crisp, knife sharp creases.

Having said that, I doubt my perfect canvas lasts for more than about three steps.

Makes me wonder what the Esquire fellow is "on about."

**English Bloke** · 27th March 09, 05:30 AM

Takes me about 20 minutes to iron a shirt and yes you could probably use the arm crease to have a quick shave with. Drives my wife nuts as it takes her about 3 if that. She can do a basket of ironing in half the time it takes me to iron 3 shirts.

**McMurdo** · 27th March 09, 05:44 AM

It sounds to me like justification for being a slob, or at least lazy. When I struck out on my own in life one of the first things I bought was an iron and ironing board. I will not be convinced now that looking like I just rolled out of bed with my clothes on is the way to conduct myself. To each their own I suppose, but I don't buy it for a second.

**dfmacliam** · 27th March 09, 05:45 AM

I have to admit, I have been guilty of donning the wash and wear shirt on occasion. But, I do wear the starched shirts on most occasion. I think the military background, and being in the public eye, one must present oneself as neat and respectable as possible, besides it is good for the self esteem.

**Kerr the Walker** · 27th March 09, 05:47 AM

If the author's sentiment was "end the day looking like you accomplished something," then I agree whole heartedly. If it's "start off the day looking like a bum," I'll have to say no thanks to his brand of style. The only way to end up coming home looking the way you left in the morning is to sit around and let other people do all the work.

I too take a ridiculous amount of time to iron a shirt and to my eye there is something sharp about a starched, pressed shirt. But for what it's worth I also shine my shoes fairly regularly (girlfriend thinks too much).

**Panache** · 27th March 09, 06:37 AM

Originally Posted by Kerr the Walker

...But for what it's worth I also shine my shoes fairly regularly (girlfriend thinks too much).

Making sure one's shoes are well shined is a small detail that says a lot a person.

Cheers

Jamie

**thescot** · 27th March 09, 07:04 AM

Only linen or a cotton shirt that's been worn a while looks good wrinkled! At least for dressier occassions like the work place, and it seems that the article is speaking of exactly that. (I do not refer to hanging out in the park on a Saturday in my remarks below.)

I fear that as an old f@&t, I am way out of touch with the "just got out of bed and came in the clothes I had on" look. I have noticed--and mentioned here before--that the unironed, unkempt, and uncombed look is a mark of the younger generation's sense of style. It's even a mark of studied fashion to have every item of clothing totally wrinkled and untucked, even if the items are quite expensive. (Take a look inside GQ some time.)

As a man of the fashion days and rules of yore--and a past Marine--I wear heavily starched and creased dress shirts, well pressed trousers, and even my handkerchiefs are ironed.

And I have had several folks note that I tend to look sharp, especially the ladies who often love the feel of a starched collar.

I don't really care if folks want to wear wrinkled clothes, but to assert that only crumpled people accomplish something is pretty stupid! It is akin to saying that only well starched and ironed people accomplish something. Both are attempts to equate style with human value.

I like starch and creases.

De gustibus non est disputandum.