Top Tips to Keep Your Pilot Shirt Wrinkle-Free On Your Travels

Your pilot attire should be smart & professional - with a distinctive elegance, it is meant to reflect your airline’s brand, your rank, and dedication to your career.

To keep an elegant look, your uniform should be kept crease and wrinkle-free at all times. We’ve prepared a full guide to help you keep your wrinkle-free pilot shirt in the best condition, so your image consistently reflects your professionalism and achievements at all times. 

Keeping Shirts Wrinkle-Free In Between Trips - What Are Your Options?

You find yourself at home or in your hotel room after a long flight, where you give your uniforma proper wash and try to pack it as smoothly as possible. However, the next time you take it out of your luggage, you spot a few creases. There are ways for you to avoid this annoyance without breaking the bank for a dry cleaner each time - here are the tips most pilots swear by:

Proper Washing & Drying

The maintenance required to keep your shirts wrinkle-free starts from the moment you put your items in the washing machine. Make sure not to put too many clothes in for a single wash - overcrowding the washing machine can cause more wrinkling and stretching for your shirts.

Once the washing is done, it’s recommended that you manually dry your shirts. Hang your shirt on a hanger - this will gently stretch it, help it maintain its shape, and prevent wrinkles.

You might not always have time for manual drying. If you find yourself needing to machine dry, make sure you use a low heat setting to prevent shrinkage and wrinkling.

Portable Steam Iron

Not every hotel will provide an iron, so it’s good to be prepared by bringing a portable steam iron with you on your travels. A good quality steam iron doesn’t take much luggage space, but it will make a world of difference in the maintenance of your pilot shirt. You should:

• Make sure to set your steam iron to a low-medium temperature, as a higher temperature may end up damaging your fabric. 

• Set your steam iron to a low-medium temperature, as high heat can damage your shirt’s fabric.

• Iron your shirts while they are still damp, as that will make the ironing process faster and more efficient

• Especially pay attention to the collar and cuffs - keeping them in good condition will help preserve your professional look in the best way possible

• Iron your shirt from top to bottom, starting with the sleeves and then the body.

Portable Steamer

Another efficient way to get those stubborn wrinkles out of your shirt before your next flight is by using a portable steamer. Unlike a steam iron, a steamer doesn’t require an ironing board - it is faster than ironing, and is easier to use in confined spaces. Many pilots recommend steamers as a real godsend when it comes to dealing with wrinkles post-flight.