I use weighted clips on mine...saves ironing for sure. Pulls the pleats tight as they dry. Hung three hangers from the shower rod and clipped the kilt to the hangers - the kind you get at WalMarche' or another big box store. Look for the bags of extra clips near the hangers. I'd use five clips on each of three hangers. Get half ounce fishing weights and duct tape one to each side of the extra clips. Then just clip the weighted clip to the bottom of each pleat. No curl, no iron.

As for breaking in....good luck...some tough fabric. Reccomendation that I followed is to use UNSCENTED Downy and wash it at least six times in a row.

I also let mine soak overnight in the washing machine in unscented Downy and water before washing it six times.

That'll help some. But the only answer is to wear it a lot...

Ron