Source: www.textilefabric.com
Ironing is NOT a hot topic with consumers today. Our
time-starved society wants minimal care clothing. Advancements in
wrinkle-resistant fabric finishes have cooled the need for ironing. In just
five years, wrinkle-resistant finishes have become a standard for most
producers of casual mens pants.
Wrinkle-resistant, wrinkle free, durable press and permanent
press are textile finishing terms that are used interchangeably. These terms
all apply to various types of finishing agents that have been added to fabrics
to prevent or decrease the amount of wrinkles. Todays movement to
wrinkle-resistant casual wear is not just a recycling of the dry, brittle
durable press in wash and wear finishes of yesterday. The latest
wrinkle-resistant fabrics are newly engineered products that were born of
advanced technology.
These wrinkle-resistant finishes became popular in the early
90s when they were added to mens all-cotton trousers. According to Jay
Meltzer, an apparel analyst, the finishes have given the bottoms industry a
new lease on life. Companies such as Hagger and Farah were leaders in adding
the wrinkle resistant pants to their lines. Hagger launched a line called
WrinkleFree all-cotton pants in 1992. The line was a success and by
December of 1993 Haggar had 76 percent of the market in that category. Farahs
version of the wrinkle-resistant pants is their Savan line. Duck Head and Levi
Strauss Dockers have also added the finishes to their lines.
Several problems have been associated with wrinkle-resistant
finishes, such as attracting grease and oil stains, fabric degradation and
environmental concerns. Most of the problems have been minimized but companies
are constantly finding ways to improve the properties. The biggest improvements
have been in improving the aesthetics.
Wrinkle-resistant garments have now become necessities in
wardrobes. The finish that revitalized the bottoms industry has now made its
mark in other sections of the menswear industry, such as woven and knitted
dress and sports shirts, jeans and suits. Wrinkle-resistant clothing has also
been added to childrens apparel and many areas of the womenswear market. The
success of the finishes on garments will lead to further growth in other
markets.
With the increasing popularity of causal wear in the work
place the wrinkle-resistant industry has sky rocketed. You will see
wrinkle-resistant garments in the lines of Tommy Hilfiger, L.L.Bean, Eddie
Bauer, Geoffery Beene, Timberland and many more. Not only are wrinkle-resistant
garments found at finer department stores and in mail-order catalogs, you will
also see garments displaying some type of wrinkle-resistant label at stores
such as Wal-Mart and Kmart. The home furnishings industry has caught on to the
wrinkle free idea by adding the finishes to sheets.
Are these wrinkle-resistant garments
more expensive than those that do not contain the finish? Yes, but they are,
for the most part, still reasonably priced. Will all of the brands carrying the
wrinkle-resistant items perform the same? Not necessarily... there are no
stringent guidelines for manufacturers; therefore, it is recommended that you
purchase a well-known brand that you trust.
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