Keeping crisp creases in your suit trousers primarily relies on proper storage and occasional pressing.
Maintaining sharp creases in suit trousers gives them a polished and professional look. Here's a breakdown of how to achieve and preserve that defined line.
Essential Steps for Maintaining Creases
The key methods involve how you handle and store your trousers when not wearing them and how you refresh the crease when needed.
1. Proper Storage is Crucial
How you store your trousers directly impacts crease longevity.
- Hanging: This is generally the preferred method. When storing, hang pants by the waistband on a suitable hanger, ensuring the crease remains aligned. This allows the trousers' weight to help keep the fabric smooth and the crease straight.
- Tip: Use padded or felt hangers to prevent slipping and creasing marks from the hanger itself. Clip hangers designed for trousers are also effective when clipping the waistband.
- Folding: If hanging space is limited, such as when traveling or using drawers, fold carefully. If storing in a drawer, fold them carefully along the crease line. Ensure the fold is sharp and the trousers aren't crammed into the drawer, which can crush the crease.
| Storage Method | Best For | Key Action |
|---|---|---|
| Hanging | Everyday use, long-term | By waistband, align crease |
| Folding | Travel, drawer storage | Along crease line, avoid crushing |
2. Maintenance and Refreshing
Even with careful storage, creases may need refreshing, especially after wear or cleaning.
- Ironing or Steaming: A light press can revitalize the crease. Before wearing again, a light ironing touch-up can refresh and redefine the crease, especially after washing.
- How to Iron: Lay the trousers flat, aligning the crease. Use a pressing cloth between the iron and the fabric to prevent scorching or shining, especially on wool. Iron firmly along the crease line using steam.
- Steaming: A hand-held steamer can help relax wrinkles and redefine the crease without direct contact, which is gentler on some fabrics.
- Using Starch (Optional): For a very sharp, crisp crease, some people use a light application of fabric starch during ironing. Apply it lightly to the crease line before pressing.
By consistently practicing these storage and maintenance techniques, you can significantly extend the life and sharpness of the creases in your suit trousers, keeping them looking sharp for longer.
