Yet Another Cycling Forum

General Category => The Knowledge => Topic started by: 1gear on 21 May, 2010, 02:51:35 pm

Title: Getting a shirt to work
Post by: 1gear on 21 May, 2010, 02:51:35 pm
I start my new job in a few weeks and for it i have to wear a shirt and tie.
Now, i hate shirts and ties, but ive got to wear one so there we go.
Commuting by bike, got a pannier, how do i do it?
Roll it up and put it in like i do now?
Im hoping or guessing i have a locker so i can take a few and leave them there with my shoes and tie and trousers, and then just take in at the start and take home at the end.
Not able to take them in by a car as i dont have one and wont have one till nearer winter.
So do i roll them up? Special fold?
Cheers
Title: Re: Getting a shirt to work
Post by: David Martin on 21 May, 2010, 02:54:07 pm
I start my new job in a few weeks and for it i have to wear a shirt and tie.
Now, i hate shirts and ties, but ive got to wear one so there we go.
Commuting by bike, got a pannier, how do i do it?
Roll it up and put it in like i do now?
Im hoping or guessing i have a locker so i can take a few and leave them there with my shoes and tie and trousers, and then just take in at the start and take home at the end.
Not able to take them in by a car as i dont have one and wont have one till nearer winter.
So do i roll them up? Special fold?
Cheers

Yes. Fold in the arms, roll them up.

..d
Title: Re: Getting a shirt to work
Post by: hellymedic on 21 May, 2010, 02:57:57 pm
Hang out or wear ASAP after arrival.

Never pack anything shortly after ironing as it creases much more easily.
Title: Re: Getting a shirt to work
Post by: Pancho on 21 May, 2010, 02:59:04 pm
Iron.
Do up buttons.
Lie shirt flat on table, buttons down.
Fold arms in and down keeping all creases aligned.
Fold shirt in thirds.

Pack flat.
Title: Re: Getting a shirt to work
Post by: hatler on 21 May, 2010, 03:09:13 pm
Iron.
Do up buttons.
Lie shirt flat on table, buttons down.
Fold arms in and down keeping all creases aligned.
Fold shirt in thirds.

Pack flat.
^ ^ ^
That's exactly what I do.

Plus I leave shoes and troos at work so only have to take in shorts, boxers and socks each day.

Folded shirt, boxers and socks then go in a placcy bag and into the pannier. Waterpoof already in there keeps things in shape.
Title: Re: Getting a shirt to work
Post by: clarion on 21 May, 2010, 03:32:02 pm
If you have the storage space (like a locker), and take a week's worth or so in a pannier, that'd be a good idea.  Packed together, they keep each other flatter, and you don't end up forgetting.

I use exactly Pancho's method of folding, though, if I'm just taking one, I'll fold it loosely into four and put it at the top of my saddlebag.  When I get to work, I open out & refold into three.

Best if you have somewhere to hang them, but, folded carefully like that, they will still be presentable when you come to wear them.
Title: Re: Getting a shirt to work
Post by: plum on 21 May, 2010, 04:14:42 pm
I bought two thin see-through plastic suit bags from M&S [the ones you get new suits in when you buy them] for a couple of quid each. I put 5 clean shirts on wire hangers into one and roll that up, less creases than rolling or folding shirts individually. Just fits nicely into a 20L pannier. Then leave them hanging at work inside the bag, just take a clean one out every day. Towards the end of the week I get a new batch of five and take them in the other bag ready for Monday and take the empty bag home on Friday. My shirts always look freshly ironed even after a week inside one of these bags, in fact I've left them over the holidays for two or three weeks and they don't get creased at all.
Title: Re: Getting a shirt to work
Post by: clarion on 21 May, 2010, 04:16:30 pm
I bought two thin see-through plastic suit bags ...

For your thin see-through plastic suits? ;D
Title: Re: Getting a shirt to work
Post by: vorsprung on 21 May, 2010, 04:23:31 pm
Stuff two in a plastic bag
Hang on a hanger when you get to work

When I heard about the "dress code" I was hoping for a Grayson Perry opportunity, but no
Title: Re: Getting a shirt to work
Post by: Jurek on 21 May, 2010, 04:26:58 pm
Would a seersucker shirt get past your dress code polizei?

It worked for me.
Title: Re: Getting a shirt to work
Post by: Zoidburg on 21 May, 2010, 04:38:59 pm
With an iron and an ironing board.
Title: Re: Getting a shirt to work
Post by: 1gear on 21 May, 2010, 05:19:02 pm
With an iron and an ironing board.


You want me to take an iron and ironing board with me to work aswell. Are you mad :o ???
Actually, i have access to one, My mum has one in her caravan ;)

Ill have to have a practice with the old folding. Not my strongest point :-\
Title: Re: Getting a shirt to work
Post by: Jacomus on 21 May, 2010, 05:34:09 pm
With an iron and an ironing board.


You want me to take an iron and ironing board with me to work aswell. Are you mad :o ???
Actually, i have access to one, My mum has one in her caravan ;)

Ill have to have a practice with the old folding. Not my strongest point :-\

Also, pack them into a plastic carrier bag. For some bizzare reason, they don't crumple up as much like that.
Title: Re: Getting a shirt to work
Post by: hellymedic on 21 May, 2010, 05:35:12 pm
If your folding is poor, first iron your shirts on a Saturday and put them all on individual hangers.
Leave them hanging all weekend.

Whilst still on hangers roll up the whole pile together. Put loosely into a plastic bag which goes loosely into pannier.
Hang up on arrival.
Title: Re: Getting a shirt to work
Post by: Zoidburg on 21 May, 2010, 05:39:48 pm
With an iron and an ironing board.


You want me to take an iron and ironing board with me to work aswell. Are you mad :o ???
Actually, i have access to one, My mum has one in her caravan ;)

Ill have to have a practice with the old folding. Not my strongest point :-\
You leave the iron and the ironing board at work.

Get there ten minutes earlier and iron the shirt if needed.
Title: Re: Getting a shirt to work
Post by: Jaded on 21 May, 2010, 05:43:42 pm

You want me to take an iron and ironing board with me to work aswell. Are you mad :o ???

(http://www.alfiecat.co.uk/yetacf/extreme-ironing-05.jpg) (http://extremeironing.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=150&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0&POSTNUKESID=71d8d236712bd119440bbe214ff86842) click for link
Title: Re: Getting a shirt to work
Post by: Zoidburg on 21 May, 2010, 05:46:04 pm
Extreme Ironing Bureau :: Ironing under the sky (http://www.extremeironing.com)
Title: Re: Getting a shirt to work
Post by: Cunobelin on 21 May, 2010, 07:34:34 pm
I buy M&S easy care shirts, about £7... I have six

Iron at the weekend, pack in pannier on a Monday and then put on hangers, wear the remaining one from last week on Monday and all the creases from travel will have fallen out by the time you come to wear them on Tuesday.

Title: Re: Getting a shirt to work
Post by: Gus on 21 May, 2010, 07:49:54 pm

"Eagle creek pack-it" (http://www.eaglecreek.com/packing_solutions/packing_folders/Pack-It-Folder-15-41068/) is all you need
Title: Re: Getting a shirt to work
Post by: 1gear on 21 May, 2010, 08:11:34 pm
I buy M&S easy care shirts, about £7... I have six

Iron at the weekend, pack in pannier on a Monday and then put on hangers, wear the remaining one from last week on Monday and all the creases from travel will have fallen out by the time you come to wear them on Tuesday.



Think thats the shirt that i have already. Seems quite good. Ill have to learn to iron them aswell, my parents are off to Austria my second week that ill be there :o
They should after a while supply a shirt as part of the uniform. Ill have a tie with the company name/logo on, but im guessing the shirt will come later and hopefully ill get a few of those so they will last me.

Cheers for the sound advice again everyone 8)
Title: Re: Getting a shirt to work
Post by: Trevor Richens on 23 May, 2010, 07:57:20 am
May sound a little expensive but is there a dry cleaners or laundry service near work?
If so, get shirts for a week + 2 spares. Drop used ones off at laundry Friday lunch time or after work, pick up Monday before work or lunch time. You just need to make sure you have a couple of spares to cover the overlap Friday afternoon and Monday morning if you have to pick up at lunchtimes.
Fresh clean pressed shirts every day, and you don't even have to wash or iron them yourself!
Do the same with trousers as well.
You'll be the smartest guy in the office
Title: Re: Getting a shirt to work
Post by: Tewdric on 23 May, 2010, 11:08:28 am
May sound a little expensive but is there a dry cleaners or laundry service near work?
If so, get shirts for a week + 2 spares. Drop used ones off at laundry Friday lunch time or after work, pick up Monday before work or lunch time. You just need to make sure you have a couple of spares to cover the overlap Friday afternoon and Monday morning if you have to pick up at lunchtimes.
Fresh clean pressed shirts every day, and you don't even have to wash or iron them yourself!
Do the same with trousers as well.
You'll be the smartest guy in the office

Following this theme, one of your cleaners at work may be up for a bit of moonlighting washing and ironing shirts and bringing them back in.
Title: Re: Getting a shirt to work
Post by: amg on 23 May, 2010, 08:22:57 pm

"Eagle creek pack-it" (http://www.eaglecreek.com/packing_solutions/packing_folders/Pack-It-Folder-15-41068/) is all you need

+1.  I've used one for commuting and for work trips.  You can fit a week's worth of shirts plus a pair of trousers in and it keeps them uncreased. I got mine here https://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/productdetail/id_product/18033 (https://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/productdetail/id_product/18033) Recommended.
Title: Re: Getting a shirt to work
Post by: Basil on 24 May, 2010, 12:00:17 am
I always have the same answer to this question whenever it comes up.

Two pairs of decent trousers.  They live at work permanently.  You need two pairs so that one can be at the dry cleaners near your work occasionaly.

Two pairs of decent shoes.  One pair lives at home, the other in the office.  Occasionally swaped for cleaning/fettling.

Locker also contains:  1 spare white shirt (goes with any tie), one spare tie (plain), pair of black socks.  Spare shreddies. - These are for when you open your pack and realise "shit!  I've forgotten my......"

How to pack daily shirt?  Marks and Sparks Non-Iron shirts are your freind.  After washing them, dry them on a hanger.  To pack, just fold it loosely into a plastic bag and place on top f everything else in your pannnier/backpack.
Do not fold tightly, you'll only get creases where you don't want them.
Title: Re: Getting a shirt to work
Post by: RJ on 24 May, 2010, 01:07:14 pm

"Eagle creek pack-it" (http://www.eaglecreek.com/packing_solutions/packing_folders/Pack-It-Folder-15-41068/) is all you need

+1.  I've used one for commuting and for work trips.  You can fit a week's worth of shirts plus a pair of trousers in and it keeps them uncreased. I got mine here https://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/productdetail/id_product/18033 (https://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/productdetail/id_product/18033) Recommended.

I've used these.  I don't bother now for my daily shirt, but they're ideal for taking several shirts/other garments at once.  They come in more than one size - make sure you get one that fits your luggage.



Yes. Fold in the arms, roll them up.

..d

That's what I do now (rolled around socks and underwear) - then put in a cotton bag/carrier bag to keep clean in your cycling luggage.
Title: Re: Getting a shirt to work
Post by: andrewc on 24 May, 2010, 09:26:37 pm
Find a nice friendly looking lady in the office , give her your shirt and ask her to iron it for you.. after she's made you a cup of tea .... look slightly helpless when you do this..it will make her feel maternal and protective.... O:-)
Title: Re: Getting a shirt to work
Post by: 1gear on 24 May, 2010, 10:17:33 pm
There are some older ladies there, perhaps........
Really i just need someone that works there to live near me. I can then send them with my shirts for the week and hope that they get cleaned for the next week ;) ;D
No chance of using Marks and Spencer shirts. I can until i get my uniform, but after that i dont know what type of shirts they give you.  Its a strange blue colour.
Cheers for the suggestions. Did the practice ride to work and back today to see how long it should take me.
Just got to have ago at folding and packing :o
That Eagle Creek thingy looks quite good though, i might see what the Cotswold shop near me has......
Title: Re: Getting a shirt to work
Post by: citoyen on 24 May, 2010, 10:35:50 pm


Yes. Fold in the arms, roll them up.

..d

That's what I do now (rolled around socks and underwear) - then put in a cotton bag/carrier bag to keep clean in your cycling luggage.

Same here. I definitely prefer rolling rather than folding.

I take clothes in batches rolled up in my saddle bag and make sure I always have a decent selection of shirts/T-shirts/pants/socks/trousers/jumpers in my locker - and before I leave at the end of each day, I update my "locker inventory" note on my mobile so I can easily remind myself later what I'm running low on. Whatever I've been wearing comes home the same day. Shoes stay at work permanently.

d.
Title: Re: Getting a shirt to work
Post by: drossall on 24 May, 2010, 10:58:40 pm
I tend to wear my shirts, which does get them there ;D

I sometimes wonder about changing, but it's only a five mile ride.

I have an Altura Clothing Carrier, which is brilliant. That carries jacket and trousers in on Monday and home on Friday. Sadly, it doesn't seem to be made any more. It's basically just a businessman's suit carrier with pannier hooks on the back.
Title: Re: Getting a shirt to work
Post by: nuttycyclist on 25 May, 2010, 12:03:27 am
Keep all your work clothes at work.

Shirts.  Wear and store. 

Once a third of a way through the wardrobe bring them all home and put through the wash.
The second third is contingency to allow time for this wash cycle.

Once shirts are dry and ironed and cooled, stuff them all in a carrier bag IMMEDIATELY before leaving for work and then hang them up as soon as you arrive.

Wear the third third of your shirts whilst the first third are hanging out and the second third are in the wash at home.

Once this cycle is completed the first third will be crease free and nobody will realise that they've not been ironed in the last day.



Trousers.  Treat the same but on a less frequent cycle.  They do not need daily washing.