When a new pair of trousers comes home, the crease is razor straight and the legs fall cleanly. Three months later, many people complain of baggy knees, a shiny seat and legs crumpled like a concertina. Most of these faults come not from the cloth but from how the trousers are worn and stored. This article gathers the tips for caring for dress trousers, men's and women's, that made-to-measure tailors pass on to their clients.
Quick answer
To keep dress trousers in shape: hang them from a clip hanger by the hem, or drape them along the crease; wash as little as possible and steam instead; press through a damp cloth at a moderate temperature; and let the trousers rest for a day between wears.
Hang them properly every evening
Trousers should be hung as soon as you take them off, not draped over the back of a chair.
- Clip hanger at the hem: the weight of the trousers pulls out the wrinkles on its own.
- Drape along the crease over the crossbar of the hanger, lining up both legs exactly on the crease.
- Avoid folding the trousers in half at the knee and hanging them over an ordinary hanger, because that fold will leave a permanent mark.
Before hanging, empty the pockets, including keys and phone, so the pockets do not sag.
Wash or steam?
Wool trousers do not need washing after every wear. Frequent washing makes the cloth fuzzy, takes away the drape and causes shrinkage.
- After each wear, brush lightly along the grain of the cloth and hang them in a well-ventilated spot for at least a day.
- For small stains, wipe with a damp cloth and blot gently; do not rub.
- When they really need cleaning, take them to be dry-cleaned, and ideally only when truly necessary.
- Trousers in a polyester blend can go in the machine on a gentle cycle, but check the fabric label.
Press without leaving shine
Shiny patches usually come from pressing directly on the face of the cloth at a high temperature.
- Turn the trousers inside out when pressing, or lay a damp cotton cloth over the top.
- Choose the temperature to suit the material: low to moderate for wool, and never leave the iron resting in one place.
- Press the crease last, pulling along the leg from the hem up to the waistband.
If you have a steam iron, steam alone and a spell on the hanger are enough; the cloth will soften back by itself.
What women's trousers need in addition
Women's trousers are usually made in a lighter, more fluid cloth, so:
- Hang them on a soft clip hanger so the clips do not leave marks on the fabric.
- Avoid stacking trousers on top of each other in a drawer; if you must, fold them flat along the crease.
- Check the waistband and buttons after each dry-cleaning, because these are the points under the most strain.
Common mistakes
- Wearing the same pair for several days in a row. Wool needs time to recover its elasticity.
- Stuffing a thick wallet or phone into the pockets. The pockets bulge and the pocket seams split.
- Storing trousers in a sealed plastic bag. Trapped moisture causes odors; use a breathable cloth bag instead.
- Pressing while the cloth is still deeply damp, which creates shiny marks that are hard to remove.
When your figure has changed
Bodies change after a few years; bring the trousers in for alteration rather than forcing yourself into them. Trousers made to measure at Mon Amie come with a long-term alteration warranty. You can look at the price list or book an appointment to ask for alteration advice. Need another pair? Browse the fabric library before you come in.
An invitation from Mon Amie
Whether trousers last depends partly on how you care for them, and partly on the cloth and the stitching they start with. Book an appointment or visit a showroom for advice on the cloth and fit that suit the way you wear them every day.