Bringing your work clothes on your bike

[jrenaut]

This came up in another thread, but I don’t want to totally hijack that thread, so I’m starting over here.

I use a Pack-it Folder inside my backpack to bring my work clothes in. Dress code here M-TH is slacks and a button-down shirt.

I typically take my shirts to the cleaners because ironing sucks. But Mr. Dread suggested Jos A Bank Traveler dress shirts. Can I really machine wash these and not iron them? Do I have to do anything special? Are there other options for dress clothes that I never have to iron? Because that would be cool. I’m a software engineer for the government, so I don’t have to look all that fantastic, but I can’t be a complete slob.

Topic

[pfunkallstar]

I leave my suits n’ stuff at the office and bring in shirts and Underoos everyday. I probably don’t get my suits pressed as much as I should, but it isn’t like I’m sweating 24/7 working at my computer. Also, big plug for Charles Tyrwhitt no-iron dress shirts. Jos A. Banks’ shirts are a boondoggle of fals advertising.

[vvill]

Nordstrom? Brooks Brothers?! Dayum.

I tend to buy the iron-less-often shirts too, and most of them work fine if you take them out of the dryer and hang ’em up straight away. I only iron clothes for special events. Usually I stick with Target, Old Navy, etc. and just keep a nicer sweater in the office. No one can see creases through a sweater and it’s always much too cold in the summer with the A/C anyway. I’ll bring in a tie if it’s warranted (rarely). When it’s Friday or I feel like it should be Friday (roughly half the week) I just wear polo shirts. Last time I was there, Sears actually had some polo shirts with a slight stretch polyester blend that are quite comfortable for biking in for short distances.

I fold carefully or roll into a backpack about once every 5 days I’m in the office.

[OneEighth]

@pfunkallstar 61723 wrote:

I leave my suits n’ stuff at the office and bring in shirts and Underoos everyday. I probably don’t get my suits pressed as much as I should, but it isn’t like I’m sweating 24/7 working at my computer. Also, big plug for Charles Tyrwhitt no-iron dress shirts. Jos A. Banks’ shirts are a boondoggle of fals advertising.

C.T. shirts are decent if you buy the black label shirts—otherwise, get used to some serious shrinkage.

[DaveK]

Banana Republic non-iron dress shirts make up about 90% of my work wardrobe. I never used to like them until they introduced a slim cut version that fits great. I’ve never had a problem folding them for the ride in my panniers and looking presentable during the day.

[PotomacCyclist]

If you ever need to fold a shirt (well, a short-sleeve shirt) in 2 seconds, try this method. (It actually works.)

[PotomacCyclist]

Here’s a later version in English:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uz6rjbw0ZA0

This might not be too relevant to packing clothes on a bike, but it’s kinda cool. After practicing a few times, you can get it down to 1 or 2 seconds.

[KLizotte]

Wow, I just tried that on a t-shirt and it really works. Someone should show the folks at Old Navy; their stores are always a mess.

[TwoWheelsDC]

mind. blown.

[Honeybadger6]

@TwoWheelsDC 62491 wrote:

mind. blown.

Does this mean shirts will get folded faster in our house? fingers.crossed.

[Author]

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