Your Shirts Need Love Too: How To Care For Your Finest Shirts.

            Many men invest a lot of time, money, and effort into building a respectable and stylish wardrobe, and while most fine clothes are remarkably durable, it is important to take several steps to ensure that your favorite pieces last. It is actually quite surprising how well, with proper cleaning, ironing, storage, and repair, your fine shirts can maintain the look and feel of the day you purchased them.

            Cleaning your shirts

            Properly or improperly cleaning your fine shirts can either prolong their lifetime or drastically shorten it.  Many men choose to have their shirts dry-cleaned not knowing that many of the chemicals used in the dry-cleaning process can distort the color of or even destroy most cotton shirts. Therefore, we recommend you only dry-clean those shirts that specify “dry-clean only,” while laundering everything else normally. Sending your shirts out to be laundered as opposed to dry-cleaned, is not only safer and more effective, but drastically cheaper, and you can still have them hung and bagged as you like.

            If you prefer to wash your shirts at home, we recommend simply using a washing machine with detergent as normal, using warmer water for light colors and colder water for darker ones. After washing shirts in the washing machine, it is best to avoid using the dryer. Many choose to hang dry or place shirts in the dryer for a very short amount of time removing it while still damp before ironing (make sure to leave the shirt slightly damp).

            Ironing

            For those who choose to launder their shirts at home, it is important to make sure not to cause any damage while ironing or steaming. While everyone has their own way of ironing, it is generally a good idea to begin with the undersides of both the collar and cuffs. Take care to smooth out any wrinkles with your hands before running the iron across the fabric (again, we recommend ironing while the shirt is slightly damp). Also, take care to iron around buttons rather than over them. 

            As an alternative to ironing, many men find steaming their shirts is quicker, easier, and has less potential for fabric damage. There are many inexpensive hand-held steamers available that can get the job done, and it is up to you whether or not you decide to invest in one.

            Storage

            As your shirts will spend most of their time in a closet or drawer, it is important for you to store them correctly. If you choose to hang your shirts, invest in hangers that are wooden or plastic and provide extra support. Wire hangers should be avoided, as they can warp the shape of fabric and make your shirt appear lopsided. If you prefer to fold your shirts, take care to fold them neatly, storing them loosely in a dry and uncluttered drawer.                   

            Repair

            No matter how well you care for your shirts, the time will ultimately come when one needs to be repaired. This is why it is a good idea for anyone who cares about their wardrobe to invest in a simple sewing kit. Most sewing kits are cheap and small enough to carry in your bag or briefcase, while still containing everything you might need to make minor repairs. Learning the few basic sewing skills you’ll need is easier than you may think, and will undoubtedly come in handy eventually.

            Tips:

·      When threading a needle, try holding the thread still and bringing the needle toward the thread, rather than vice versa.

·      Use a minimum of 24” of thread in order to match and tie the two ends to create a 12” double ply.

            Every Ike Behar shirt includes extra buttons attached, and given that buttons have a tendency of falling off at the most inopportune times, it is a good idea to learn how to properly attach and reattach buttons to your favorite dress shirt. 

            Tips for reattaching buttons:

·      Start at the back of the shirt and bring the needle through to the front; then bring it back again through to the back, and then back forward again before starting.

·      Bring the thread up through one button-hole, before bringing it down through the hole diagonal from the first. Repeat this many times through each of the wholes until you have sewn an X atop the button.

·      Wrap the excess thread around the threads between the button and the front of the shirt, before pulling the needle through to the back of the shirt again, and tying it off.

            It is also a good idea to find a reliable tailor in your area for any alterations or

major repairs you may need.

Be sure to visit ikebehar.com.