Veering off topic - steamers

Check out Eddie Bauer. They have wrinkle resistant shirts that are the BEST. I own at least a half dozen and they never, ever need ironing. May be a bit more expensive, but believe me, worth every cent!

Linda

I forgot to mention that when I was still wearing light blue shirts we still had shirts with seperate collars, you could make a shirt last for a week if you had enough collars. Oh the heady days of being single! But how I hated those collar studs. When I left the RAF in 1973 there was talk of the RAF introducing a shirt with the collar already attached to it...

I always thought the removal collars were a good thing - it's the collar that generally wears quickest and back then with kids etc. a shirt doing longer seemed good. I still have some of those studs in a box with some of Davids things for my son, like he will ever use them!

Sigh - there were stores locally, but they're all gone now... I really need to try things like that on.

I think I bought one in Lands End. That was some time go, but I imagine they would still be available there. Do they sell Lands End in your Sears stores? They do here.

Lucille

I'm cheap at heart... And I haven't been thrilled with the quality of the Land's End stuff of late.

I found some lovely long sleeve white shirts at LL Beans' for $$$$ and truly far too nice for work with wood markers and such

I don't blame you. They were pricey even way back when I bought them to wear to work.

You probably should try (gasp) Wal-Mart or K-Mart and look for something that's a poly/cotton mix. They generally need no ironing and hold up fairly well. Certainly they would be fine for work.

Lucille

No K-Mart up here, they all became Sears Essentials. I rarely wander into WalMart any more. Though they always have good prices on the hair care DD has come to prefer.... C

Pne of my good friends got the Rowenta commercial type one, and it works well. I was going to do it, but, with the new(ish) dryer with the upper hanging sections (if I remove the mesh sweater racks) I can steam, refreshh, wrinkle release, and it works really well. We have 2 travel type steamers - a Phillips and I think a Rowenta - both are handy for a trip, or a quick steam. But, the bigger one, with the bottom reservoir, and long hose works better. It's not the same as an iron on cottons, but for blends, or knits works really well. It's helpful on some cottons - like pique, or lightweight, or broadcloth that was already perma-pressed, but won't help the 100% fine, pinpoint cotton dress shirts. The iron still has to do them.

Ellice

I was looking at some lovely LL Bean cotton Oxford style shirts yesterday. They'd be pure heaven to wear and hell to take care of....and they were way too expensive anyway...

When I had the Starbucks experience - I got some nice blend shirts that were fine just coming out of the dryer slightly damp and being hung up. Or, if you're smart - get some long sleeved colored polos from LLBean or Lands End, and those don't need ironing. Plus they're comfy. Not cheap, but they wash really well and last - you're worth it!

On the steamer topic - I was in COSTCO yesterday, and they had a "Tobi" commercial one for $95. Looked very nice. Personally, I have an ironing board upstairs on the bedroom floor, and downstairs in the sewing world - and 2 irons. What can I say. You could just get one of those little mini-boards and do the quick touch up for the key areas.

On this clothes for work thing - I actually had to order a bunch of scrubs - what fun. We get new uniforms sometime in October or November or December - they don't know. And stupidly - WHITE! I mean, really, no one has staff drawing bloods, doing messy stuff - wear white anymore. But, in the meantime, I'm living in a world of black and khaki. The only annoying thing

- the practice reimburses you for your unis if you use the official ones - after a year - but for me and one of the other new nursing staff, they only had size 4-6 in stock - so we have to buy our own, and no reimbursement ever (besides tax write-off). Oh, well. My black scrubs (semi-cute top) look like a fuzzy snow land - as soon as I sit to put on my shoes, I'm covered with Puckster down. I think I'll be living with a lint roller everywhere I go. Good thing - definitely not ironing these unis!

Ellice

Good idea. Actually, for DH's work, we get the wrinkle resistant Nordstraom's own brand button downs - and those do really well. I wonder if on the web-site they have a female version. He gets their stain resistant slacks as well - during the anniversary sale. They're less pricey than the Joseph A Banks ones, and wear really well. Even the regualr khaki types that are a heavier twill, don't go on sale - but about $45 per - last a few years at least and hold the press.

ellice

OK - I had a K-mart visit about 2 weeks ago - I wouldn't recommend it. It's definitely a resource if you're truly stuck in the barely pay-check to pay-check, but the quality of the merchandise was bleak. Even for cheap.

I know that you have Target - try there. I did give in and get some scrubs at Wal-Mart (only place here which carries basics, not pricey - as I needed light blue). Their stuff looked okay - not great - but the merchandise in Target for women is much nicer, and similar price.

You know, Cheryl, since this is a requirement for work, you can write it off on your taxes, so buy yourself some decent shirts that will fit and wash well, and you don't have to waste limited time ironing. Honestly, woman, you'll spend ridiculous amounts on the kiddie's sports stuff - spend an extra handful on yourself - and be done with it. Or get in the car and drive to Providence or Natick or Burlington Mall!

ellice

I've save receipts so far, but have to wonder if they'd be allowed. Uniforms are easy - however something as basic as a white shirt might be tougher. Maybe I should talk to an old buddy that worked at IBM during the "uniform dress code" and see if they managed to deduct the clothes.

The old Scots/grew up during the Depression/frugal to a fault side of me that I got from my mother and grandmother makes feel that wearing a $$$ shirt to a place were I know I am going to dirty (paint, stain, grime, putty) and that some of the above stain fabric permanently. And making the shirt no longer fit to wear and a complete loss. And right now I'm kicking myself over not grabbing a second pair of black, ultra cheap, pull on black pants when I found them at Kohl's (marked down to $13 plus I had a 30% off entire purchase coupon).

Cheryl

A uniform doesn't have to be a "uniform" as in with your name embroidered on it. If your work requires a certain uniform - as in white shirt, khaki pants, and doesn't reimburse you for them, and you specifically have them for work, not pleasure, then it's an unreimbursed employee expense for uniform. Save your receipts. Don't wear them for other stuff.

Silly you - just remember that cutting off your nose to spite your face, or my favorite - the penny-wise, pound foolish things.

Ellice

A quick check with a local buddy whose a CPA - since this is "basic clothing" that "most people would have anyway" that getting the deduction is "unlikely".

Is it really? Remember, I work in a really dirty place - with stain pens and climb ladders and investigate the dark corners of Receiving. None of us really expect any shirt to stay unstained - ever. And once it is stained, we're not allowed to wear it at work.

At this point, cost is the overriding consideration. DH is buying DS a car.

Cheryl

Oh, I understand. OTOH, if they're white, you can bleach them - for a while.

Uh huh - no surprise there. Hope he'll do some carpooling of his little sister when allowed to. Around here the new drivers can't have minors in the car as passengers - unless the adult is with them.

Ellice