smart work attire; how to carry?

[alecstilleyedye]

on all my previous jobs where a bike commute is possible I've been able to wear t-shirts etc. that are easy to carry about and retain a crease-free look at the other end.

the forthcoming new commute is business attire at the other end, and advice on keeping the shirts crease-free would be welcome...

 

[jefmcg]

http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/getting-shirty.150498/

 

[Katherine]

I carry my work tops in a backpack on top of everything else loosely rolled up, not squashed, and they shake out fine. Shoes and lunch box at the bottom.

 

[Cycleops]

You won't be able to keep the shirt or suit crease free if packed. The good news is that if you can hang them near the steam from a boiling kettle for a while they will come out.

 

[jonny jeez]

I'm considering a small hand held steamer to shake out the creases from recently ironed and rolled shirts.

I can never carry them in my rucksack without getting them creased.

 

[gavintc]

Fold your shirt in the style of packing when you bought it. It will slip into a back pack and come out without any significant creases.

 

[400bhp]

Main question is, what can you leave at work?

If the answer is pretty much everything, then do a once a week trip with a bag full of shirts. Leave suit (if you have to wear one) and shoes at work permanently. Take duds and socks in daily.

I do this and use and Eagle Creek pack it to fold shirts into which @User recommended. It's very good but I should have gone for the bigger size. You can roll them up too, just I preferred something that was guaranteed to come out almost crease free (as opposed to rolling up where the shirt might move about a bit).

Do you have showers and changing at work? If not you could try the cycle hub in manc centre to leave bike, shower and have locker space. I am right in thinking you're commuting to Manchester?

 

[400bhp]

I'm considering a small hand held steamer to shake out the creases from recently ironed and rolled shirts.

I can never carry them in my rucksack without getting them creased.

Eagle Creek will stop them largely getting creased.

 

[Turbo Rider]

This was one of my main concerns when I started cycling to work, but after the first day, I decided to forget the vanity trip and not worry about it. Nobody ever says anything either, so unless you're going to go around asking people if you're looking a bit more casual than smart, I shouldn't give too much of a...

 

[Scotchlovingcylist]

I can get away with trousers and a polo shirt and tend to take everything barring underwear in one trip, then just take home the dirtys every other day. I leave shoes and wash bag at work.
If your lucky enough to store shirts at work on a Monday then the creases soon fall out.

 

[jonny jeez]

This was one of my main concerns when I started cycling to work, but after the first day, I decided to forget the vanity trip and not worry about it. Nobody ever says anything either, so unless you're going to go around asking people if you're looking a bit more casual than smart, I shouldn't give too much of a...

That's all fair enough but for some, its imperative that we look smart...crisp even.. and in those instances, a creased shirt is not professionally acceptable.

 

[Turbo Rider]

That's all fair enough but for some, its imperative that we look smart...crisp even.. and in those instances, a creased shirt is not professionally acceptable.

Me too actually - I've been trying to get the sack for the best part of 4 years though and not even the crumpled look works.

 

[Tin Pot]

That's all fair enough but for some, its imperative that we look smart...crisp even.. and in those instances, a creased shirt is not professionally acceptable.

And one of the reasons I gave up on the cycle commute.

Nowadays, only bike in occasionally, leave a suit/shirt/shoes there and have the shirt dry cleaned near the office each week. It's not a huge expense even in the City.

 

[jonny jeez]

Me too actually - I've been trying to get the sack for the best part of 4 years though and not even the crumpled look works.

You must be either really good at your job or work in a pretty relaxed workplace.

Cant you just leave, why are you trying to get the sack?

 

[Flying Dodo]

I carry a shirt and trousers, carefully folded in a pannier. No problems with creasing. The important thing is to make sure they can't move around too much inside the pannier.